{"id":66697,"date":"2019-01-03T13:56:22","date_gmt":"2019-01-03T12:56:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zero-yen-media.fr\/home\/?p=66697"},"modified":"2019-01-03T13:56:22","modified_gmt":"2019-01-03T12:56:22","slug":"interview-mirei-%e7%95%b6%e5%b1%b1%e3%81%bf%e3%82%8c%e3%81%84-english","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zero-yen-media.fr\/home2\/2019\/01\/interview-mirei-%e7%95%b6%e5%b1%b1%e3%81%bf%e3%82%8c%e3%81%84-english.html","title":{"rendered":"Interview : MIREI (\u7576\u5c71\u307f\u308c\u3044) (English)"},"content":{"rendered":"

At Japan Expo 2018<\/em>, we had the opportunity to interview MIREI (\u7576\u5c71\u307f\u308c\u3044)<\/em>, a young 19 year-old Japanese singer-songwriter who was part of the 2018 J-Music tremplins<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Zero Yen (ZY):<\/span> Hello MIREI<\/em>, could you introduce yourself to our readers please?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> My name is MIREI<\/em>, I am 19 years old. I am a singer-songwriter based in Tokyo<\/em>, Japan<\/em>.<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> I read that you first stepped on a stage at an open mic night in New York City<\/em> in 2011. Can you tell us how you felt facing an audience on that first night ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> It was at a venue called The Vilage Underground<\/em>. American audiences, especially in New York City<\/em>, express their feelings really openly. They got really excited and it was so fun for me. This is when I decided to move to NYC<\/em> to study abroad for a year.<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Hey, I’ve been to The Village Underground<\/em>! (laughs) It’s really small!<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> Yeah, it’s really small but it was so good.<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Then you decided to study in the US<\/em> for a while. Were you able to work on your music while being there?
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> Yes, I was working on my vocal training, I was part of a gospel choir as well. I was also studying mathematics. I was really good at algebra! (laughs)<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Oh I’m terrible at math! (laughs)<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI: <\/strong><\/span>I’m terrible in Japan<\/em> but I was good at it in NYC<\/em>! (laughs)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> How did you feel about this immersion in a foreign country?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI: <\/strong><\/span>It really was a culture shock! For example, in Japan<\/em>, group work is usually preferred but in America<\/em>, it’s usually personal work that’s more common. When we did group work in the US<\/em>, it didn’t go like in Japan<\/em>. Their way is interesting, everyone has their own opinions and they’re not afraid to express them. I got a lot of (good) influence and confidence when I was in America<\/em>.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Yeah, people in Japan<\/em> are more quiet or reserved usually.<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI: <\/strong><\/span>If I’m being honest, in Japan<\/em>, they have their own opinion too but they only express it with their close friends.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Your first single in the US<\/em> (Tattoo<\/em>) was released in 2013. It was your first single ever, right? Can you tell us about this experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI: <\/strong><\/span>Yes, it was my first single. I was studying abroad in New York<\/em> and the person I was working with at the time asked me if I wanted to try and sing my original songs. I had several demos but I chose Tattoo<\/em> because I loved the way it sounded. And also because it had a good theme! I was influenced by electronic music and this song was very good.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Actually, I listened to one of your CDs in Japan<\/em>. When I saw you at Japan Expo<\/em>, I thought \u00ab\u00a0oh I know this girl!\u00a0\u00bb (laughs)<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> Ohhhh, really?! Which one?<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> I think it was This Way<\/em> at Tower Records<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> Thank you very much!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> When listening to your songs, there\u2019s an obvious R&B influence, kind of old school. Indeed, some of your first tracks like Fallin\u2019 Out<\/em> remind me of Utada Hikaru<\/em>\u2019s songs from the late 1990\u2019s. Can you tell us what are your inspirations (or favorite artists)?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> My inspiration comes from all over the world, not especially from Japan<\/em>. My idol when I was really young was Britney Spears<\/em>. I went through the Christina Aguilera<\/em> era too. But also Beyonc\u00e9<\/em> and Lady GaGa<\/em>. The person I loved the most was Rihanna<\/em>. I loved her performances but I had no idea what she was singing about! (laughs)<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> (laughs) Because it’s in English?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI: <\/strong><\/span>Yeah! Then I learned English and was very surprised with her lyrics!
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Yeah, she has interesting lyrics!
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> She does!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Apparently, when you were younger, is it true you didn\u2019t listen to any J-Pop music but only western stuff? Was there a reason for that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI: <\/strong><\/span>Maybe because I loved the sound? Of course, I grew up listening to Utada Hikaru<\/em>. I also loved 80’s bands’ music from Japan<\/em> like Rebecca (\u30ec\u30d9\u30c3\u30ab)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> From the 80’s, I only know the song Linda Linda<\/em> from The Blue Hearts<\/em>, I think?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> Oh I love them too! I love bands in general when it comes to my Japanese influences. Do you know Kato Miliyah (\u52a0\u85e4\u30df\u30ea\u30e4)<\/em>?<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Yes, she’s very R&B.<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> She’s my senpai<\/em> at my Japanese agency. I also grew up listening to her. This is probably why I decided to work with this agency.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> I really enjoyed your performance on stage. Was it your first show in France<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> Yes! I was so nervous!<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> You looked fine by the way! (laughs) What did you think of the audience here?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/span><\/strong> (laughs) Thank you! I was hiding my nervousness. It was so fun, I feel like the audience here was similar to Tokyo<\/em>: they listened to me very seriously. But when I said \u00ab\u00a0clap your hands\u00a0\u00bb or \u00ab\u00a0put your hands up\u00a0\u00bb, they would follow me! I also made a video that I posted on my social media.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BlAnA8DFS3P\/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=9c7nefzq02ne<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Do you have a routine before going on stage? <\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> I often listen to instrumentals, like TV tracks. I also put some Japanese cough drops in some hot water and let them melt.<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Do you have a tour coming up soon in Japan<\/em> or worldwide?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/span><\/strong> I have several concerts in Tokyo<\/em>. I’m going to New York<\/em> after Japan Expo<\/em> in Paris<\/em>. Then I will go back to Japan<\/em> where I have a festival at the beach called Otodama Sea Studio<\/em>. I will sing with several artists there, it will be very good! You can check all my upcoming concerts on the website Bands in Town<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ZY:<\/span> Would you like to work with foreign artists ? Which ones ?<\/strong><\/p>\n

MIREI:<\/strong><\/span> YES! Timbaland<\/em>, I love him! I also like Justin Timberlake<\/em>, I know his songs are produced by Timbaland<\/em>. Rihanna<\/em>, if I could but she’s too sexy for me (laughs). I want to meet her but maybe not sing with her (laughs).<\/p>\n