Shihori
Can you please introduce yourself to the readers of Summon the Roses?
I am a singer and songwriter who moved to NY from Japan on this January.
I have been working for Japanese Pop and Anime music industry for over decade,
have created many hits including 11 Gold Disks in my country.
But I felt Japanese market is getting more and more limited, less new opportunities because Japan's population itself is getting decrease these years. So I decided to challenge with "Share the American Dream Project" in order to encourage people, that we can still be brave.
At what age did you decide to become a singer and what made you want to choose singing as your professional career?
I started singing and song writing to be a singer when I was 7.
I was Asperger, had no friends, never be interested in others besides my own creative world.
But one day I found the other people and time stopped perfectly when I sang in public for the first time!
(And it happened every time I sang after that!!) It was stunning moment.
It was my first moment which I connected to other people.
Can you tell us about the music that you perform and write? How would you describe it in a few words?
My music is "borderless". My first priority is "melody" can move the emotion of listeners.
How would you describe your life as a professional singer? What challenges do you face, and how do you overcome them?
My life was try and error and progress with huge motivation. And was very funny story. I just wanted to be a singer first.
But it was difficult. So tried to be a J-Pop singer songwriter next.
But it was also difficult, but could be a professional studio singer. But I couldn't give up to be an artist.
Then I made my major debut as an Anime singer songwriter. I was small success but didn't last long unfortunately.
So I tried to succeed as a song writer. I achieved it! My career grew up year by year.
But I couldn't be satisfied because still longed for being successful as an artist.
I restarted my activity as an artist but I found it's difficult in Japan, because Japanese tend to hate strong character of female artist. They want female artists to be very soft, cute, like next-door type of appearance and personality.
Producer advised me that I had to casual-down, soften and weaken whole my image or character.
But it's not like me! I am so powerful woman and I am proud of my own strong personality!
Then I decided to try "American Dream". Many paths of failure lead me to here finally like a RPG fantasy story.
You released an album titled Angel in the Garden on 2018.8.12. What can you tell us about the composition of this album?
This EP is composed by 2 of my latest songs after moving to NY and 3 of my oldest songs which I wrote 16 years ago.
It represents my musical life from Japan to NY.
I mixed up whole my experiences as my original way of Americanized J-Pop through new life in NY,
and renewed 3 oldest songs which was difficult to be accepted in J-Pop at that time because they were too academic.
(They are based on classical and include gospel or jazzy elements. But gospel never can be hit in Japan, so producers forbid me to write like those music.) Actually I became successful by trying harder to make my music to be easier and more pop.
But I found my original music can fit to NY because NY is gospel, jazz and broadway place.
Then I renewed the them with NY musicians. So you can see my unique musical history through this first EP in U.S.
What current projects are you working on at the moment?
I am preparing for promoting this EP
and am creating a base environment for the next stage.
I also have a project which can teach American children the Japanese language through my music.
How would you describe your life in NYC? Do you find the big city to be an influence in your music?
It's JUNGLE!! So fun and dangerous. lol
Life in NY makes me tougher every time I got something new experiences.
Never be bored to find new topics to learn. But not just difficult, I get huge encouragement from how NY people react to my music or performance! It proves my idea and encourage me so much every time.
You sing and write songs as well as play the piano, do you have any other talents or play other musical instruments?
I also want to be an actor. It has been a big dream since I was 7! I used to play trumpet when I was child but no other instruments for now unfortunately.
What inspires you to write music? What motivates you when writing a new song?
To encourage people and to give messages of love through my life.
What musicians/artists have influenced you on your music career?
Beethoven , Japanese Anime songs (80's ),Yoko Kanno, Laura Nyro.
What are some of your favorite hobbies when you're not working on music?
Reading books in a bath tub!! Learning philosophy. Finding pretty cafes. Talking about love and soul.
Can you tell us about your best qualities as a J-POP singer? What are some unique aspects about yourself you would like to share with us?
I think it's a powerful existence. People are always surprised at my energy through my performance.
They describe it as "Shihori's singing shakes heart physically!!". I think it's not matter of skills, good or bad, beyond the logical. But I do on purpose. It's my big secret.
Do you have any exciting plans for the holidays?
The best thing is music. So it's been like every day is holiday!
What goals do you have for this upcoming year 2019?
Finish creating the environment for creation. Socialized to find partners for success in here.
Create new songs.
Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
I am very new to U.S. and don't have specific career yet but I have many wonderful idea that can make you surprise!! So don't miss my adventure.
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A special thanks to Shihori for allowing us to conduct this interview
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