Summer is Here - Interview with Lil Summer
Lil Summer is a singer-songwriter and DJ from Fukuoka with a sweet and soulful singing voice influenced by classic and modern R&B artists. She released her first EP “Rojo” in 2023 in digital and vinyl formats, and has been busy performing both at festivals in Japan and abroad. Speaking exclusively to Royce Leong of Tokyo ON, we hear about her background, the EP, and her current activities.
<Artist journey>
Where did you grow up? Itoshima?
I was born and raised in Fukuoka city. Itoshima is more like my second home to me, since my parents used to take me there like twice a week to surf when I was little. I love both cities.
I noticed that your artist name is a literal translation of your real name, but do you identify strongly with summer?
I’m glad you noticed! And yes, I think I do, but not the summer in Japan because it’s way too humid and uncomfortable… Autumn is my favorite season to be honest.
What did you grow up listening to? Who are your primary influences?
My parents used to listen to R&B, Hip-Hop, reggae, dancehall. My mother would sing to me SWV as lullabies and I feel very nostalgic when I listen to their songs. Also, my father was a huge gamer and I still listen to a lot of game music like “Parappa the Rapper”, “Space Channel 5”, “Vib-ribbon”, or “Final Fantasy” to this day.
What made you decide to become a singer? How did you develop your voice?
I’ve always loved singing but never had the guts to start making my own music at first. But I was so sure that I wanted to do music stuff so I started DJing, and DJing kind of led me to singing.
Do you sing together with your mother now? Like in the car?
I do sometimes, when I play her favorite songs.
You also can play the guitar! Are you interested in production - if so, who are some of your favorite producers?
I am interested in production. I made “Dirac Sea” and “I will” from scratch. Even when I make tracks with other people, I make sure I’m included in the process. I’d love to work with producers that make cool bridges because I'm very into bridges. I think the bridge gives more colors and flavors to the song. A lot of the songs by Pharrell and Tyler, the Creator have very cool bridges. In terms of producers, I like Pharrell/Neptunes, Inflo, Kaytranada, and Leon Ware.
You also collect records and DJ in the traditional way, how did you develop that interest and skills?
I collect records too but most of the vinyls and CDs in my artist profile picture are my father’s. I can DJ in any way actually! A friend of my mother’s gave me some of her tools and taught me how to DJ. I had been wanting to DJ since high school, and been collecting turntables and mixers and stuff.
You’ve traveled a lot in the past, to Miami, New York, and Amsterdam. What did you learn from those experiences? What were you looking for?
I really love traveling. It might sound basic but just watching how people live there and interacting with them is very interesting to me. But I feel that there’s always something that has to do with music when I travel anywhere. I enjoyed the local latin sessions in Miami, went to a lot of concerts in New York and Amsterdam. I studied in NY for a year as an exchange student by the way! That was so much fun.
It seems like you mostly listen to Western music, do you listen to Japanese music at all?
I try to listen to everything, but currently it’s probably like 40% UK, 30% US, 20% Japanese or other Asian countries and the rest of the 10% may be Latin. It varies.
<About Rojo and sound>
You chose Rojo as the title because you like the color red. What feelings does red represent for you?
I also chose “rojo” because I like the way it sounds. I’d say I just simply like the color red. But I do feel that it definitely has some sort of main character type of energy!
As a record, Rojo is really smooth, romantic and soulful, it sounds like something for lovers to play by the bedside. Is that what you had in mind?
Yes, that’s one of my goals for sure. I love the type of music that people call “baby making music”, so although it wasn’t necessarily my intention, I think I kind of naturally developed the feeling of it.
You sing a lot about love for someone, was there someone specific on your mind when making this EP?
I’d like to keep it a secret :)
Though most of the tracks on Rojo are slow, Way Out is something you can dance to in a club. Was it a different experience to make this kind of track as opposed to ballads and love songs?
It was very different, but I love that kind of dance music as well so I really enjoyed making it.
You’ve done a few covers of American R&B singers like Kali Uchis and SZA. That sound and style isn’t common in Japan yet, but I thought that’s what Rojo sounds like. Was that kind of the thing you were aiming for?
Indeed! I know this type of music might be very hard to get a lot of attention in Japan, but I can’t help it because it is what I love.
Someone else who also has a similar style in Japan is Reina, who you made the song Games with. Do you guys have a lot in common?
We only met a few times but I can tell that we have a lot in common from her music. It was truly a great experience to work with her.
How did that collaboration come about?
They reached out to me on Instagram :)
Do you feel more comfortable singing in English than Japanese? Not just singing but also expressing your message in the lyrics?
Yes. I think it’s because 90% of the music I’ve been listening to is in English. I might sound a little weird sometimes because it is not my native language, but I feel more comfortable writing and singing in English. I want to make more songs in Japanese too though!
Recently you released Rojo on vinyl. How important was it to you to get a record made?
I’ve been loving listening to music on vinyls since I was little, so it means so much to me. Having my music as vinyls has always been one of my biggest goals, so I’m so happy that it really happened!
<About London>
Recently you went to London and held a small concert together with ROMderful and Tom Varrall. How did that happen?
It was supposed to be just a vacation with my dad. But when I told a friend of mine who’s from London that I was coming, she hooked me up with a promoter. He kindly set me up an event, and I asked my friend ROMderful to perform with me. That was such a special moment.
How was your performance received overseas? How did you find the experience?
I was a little scared at first but the people were so warm and the atmosphere was very nice. The venue had a similar vibe to my local venue in my hometown and I weirdly felt so comfortable performing there.
What’s your proportion of international listeners like? Are you considering more ways to interact with them?
My listeners are widely spread and I’m thankful for that! I’d love to perform in any country.
<About Tokyo and the future>
It seems 2023 has been a big year for you, you’ve got the vinyl out, you’ve done collabs, and various live performances in both Kyushu and Tokyo. How did you feel about this year so far?
It’s been so hectic that I’ve never really looked back but I’ve really done a lot of different things this year, now I think about it. I had never performed outside my hometown until the show in London in July.. it’s wild. I went to Tokyo and Nagasaki right after that. I’m very grateful.
Recently you were in Tokyo, do you enjoy coming up here?
I really enjoyed the stay in Tokyo this time! I got to meet many great musicians. I wish to come back soon.
Is there any chance you’d move here (to Tokyo)?
I might think about it :)
Your music taste is pretty diverse! In your summer mix I can hear bits of reggae and drum and bass even. Will you make those kinds of tracks in the future?
Thank you! And yes, I’d love to make a lot of different types of music in the future.
I hear you’re working on your next album already, is there any information you can share about it at this point?
I’ll feature a few artists on the album!
We’re really looking forward to it! Thanks for talking with us!
Check out Lil Summer’s EP Rojo on Spotify and follow her on Instagram, YouTube, Soundcloud, TikTok, and X!