J-Pop Exchange Exclusive Interview with Chii Sakurabi
Chii Sakurabi
J-Pop Exchange Radio Show Exclusive Interview
Transcript
SeanBird (J-Pop Exchange): Hi Ms. Sakurabi, thank you for taking the time to speak with us…
Chii Sakurabi: It's my pleasure! Thanks for having me!
SeanBird:
What are your impressions of the United States?
Chii Sakurabi:
There's many people from different countries that live in the US and
that's really interesting. I can learn something new all the time!
In Japan, only Japanese live there, traditionally. It has been
changing a little recently, but
still, most of them are Japanese. So, what I like about this country
is its diversity!
SeanBird:
Interesting! Do you feel
that living in the United States has influenced you as a musician?
Chii Sakurabi:
Since I live in the US, I have more chance to perform at different
regions in the US and meet a variety of different artists. It's also
given me the opportunity to perform in other countries like France,
Canada, New Zealand, and Mexico! This
would have been difficult if I were still living in Japan.
I went to Mexico many times, and I've never studied Spanish
before, but I'm starting to learn a little just from my experiences
there. I even put some
Spanish lyrics in one of my new songs! So, I think living in the
U.S. has made me become more international!
SeanBird:
Would you mind sharing with us what it was like growing up in Japan?
Chii Sakurabi:
I spent most of my time playing outdoors and just enjoying nature.
Japan has lovely landscapes and has very distinct seasons.
I often thought there was a
kind of magic in nature, such as with the falling cherry blossom
petals and moss-covered grounds.
It helped me open my imagination and be creative, thinking
about fantastical worlds.
SeanBird:
And, did your interest in music begin in your childhood?
How did you become interested in music?
Chii Sakurabi:
I've enjoyed singing all my life. When I was a child I listen to
many J-POP artists and tried to sing along with them. Also my late
grandmother used to be an Enka teacher and since we lived together,
I would hear her singing all the time. She was a big influence on me
wanting to be a singer.
SeanBird:
That's wonderful! And
what led you to want to pursue a career in music? How did it
begin?
Chii Sakurabi:
When I was in college I met a famous bassist in Tokyo.
He was always very serious when he talked about music and
dedicated to creating the perfect sound. In the process of making an
album, he wouldn't sleep for like a week! By hearing him talk about
his efforts for his music career, I was inspired to take my singing
more seriously as well.
I knew then that I wanted to sing in front of people to make them
happy and give them a dream!
That's how it all started.
SeanBird:
Fascinating! Can you
give us some insight into your songwriting process?
Chii Sakurabi:
My songs are mainly written by my sound producer, Nucky. He lives in
Japan and we work together on the production of each song through
Skype. I have written a few songs myself, as well. When I write a
song, I always go into the fantasy world inside me and listen to the
story, then the music and lyrics just tend to flow out.
SeanBird:
Intriguing! What a great
way to utilize Skype!
Who are your musical influences?
Chii Sakurabi: I'm a big fan of T.M.
Revolution, and I have been for a long time. He is really a
great singer and has so much passion. So, usually before my shows,
I like to watch videos of his live performances to help motivate me!
SeanBird: Interesting, I agree with you;
we'll play a song by him in your honor later tonight ... what music
do you like to listen to?
Chii Sakurabi: Well, I'm a J-POP artist,
so I like J-POP. I like lots of different groups, like T.M.R,
May'n, Nana Mizuki, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Perfume and so on!
SeanBird: Please tell us about your song
Kaguya … your ideas and inspirations behind it.
Chii Sakurabi: Kaguya comes from one of
the oldest Japanese fairy tales, called "The tale of the Bamboo
Cutter" and Kaguya is the name of the moon princess from that story.
I wanted to share this beautiful story with the world, so I decided
to create my version of Kaguya through this song.
SeanBird: Fascinating! And, please
tell us about your latest album Moon Princess, how it came about, --
your inspirations and ideas behind the album.
SeanBird: My next album, Moon Princess, is
nearly complete and I am very excited about it. It's our best
work yet!
Chii Sakurabi: This album is a kind of
story that symbolically reflects the events that take place in "The
tale of the Bamboo Cutter". Of course, they all have my unique
spin on them. I want everyone to read the story and listen to the
songs, so that they can feel a connection with the moon princess and
her world!
SeanBird: How can fans contact you to
learn more about your music?
Chii Sakurabi: My CDs and merchandise are
sold on my website chiisakurabi.com and also you can get them on
iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and so on! So please check them out, and
also connect with me through Twitter and Facebook to get all the
latest information on what I'm doing!
SeanBird: In conclusion, is there anything
else you’d like to mention that we haven’t discussed thus far?
Chii Sakurabi: I will move to LA this
coming March! So, I am looking forward to my new adventure! I hope I
can meet many more people there and share my music even further!
SeanBird: Thank you again for taking time
out of your busy schedule to speak with us.
Chii Sakurabi: You are welcome! Thank you
very much for having me here! Bye-nyan!