To Be Seen, To Be Loved - Interview with Kinami
Hailing from the remote Okinawan islands of Japan and now based in London, Kinami is an ambitious singer-songwriter crossing oceans in pursuit of her dreams, to be seen, to be loved. In this exclusive interview for Tokyo ON, she talks about her life growing up, leaving it all behind, and some of the concepts behind her latest EP “HARANBANJO”
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Tokyo ON: What was it like growing up in Okinawa?
Kinami: I had a pretty unique childhood I think. Okinawa is a mix of three cultures: Ryukyuan, Japanese, and then American culture from the US military. Rather than having a metropolitan city culture, it's more so of these three cultures that mesh together. And I grew up going to international school so speak fluent Japanglish with Okinawan slang. I’d like to think it’s super niche and a kind of mix culture where island vibes can help you survive and make friends anywhere in the world.
TO: Did you identify with all of these cultures?
K: I definitely am a mix of all three. Maybe some parts are bigger than others, but I do take the most pride in being Okinawan, because who doesn’t?? I love the history of Okinawa (Ryukyu) with resolving conflict through music, dance, and art rather than violence and how it’s relevant to this day. It means a lot more knowing that I’m contributing to this history as an artist and musician. Musically, I was heavily influenced by American/western music, and culture but having had early influences from Okinawan folk songs and Japanese pop hits, I’d like to say I’m a good chanpuru of all three.
*chanpuru: An Okinawan word that means “to mix together” and refers to a kind of stir-fry.
TO: How did you get into singing?
K: My parents had a lot of compilation CDs around the house, so I grew up listening to 70’s and 80’s pop hits from America or Europe, things like ABBA, Queen, Stevie Wonder, Blondie, Earth Wind & Fire, Kylie Minogue, MC Hammer, it was very diverse, but representative of that time. I would also pick up whatever J-pop songs were playing on Japanese TV like Dream Comes True, HY, Southern All Stars. And when I got older, YouTube came up, and I started building my own catalog. My early obsessions were Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Sara Bareilles. I would have their albums on repeat, like “19” (Adele), “Little Voice” (Sara Bareilles), and “Back to Black” (Amy Winehouse). I couldn’t exactly relate to their lives, since I was 8 or 10 at the time, but somehow felt so connected to the music and storytelling. I absolutely loved the hints of blues/jazz influence in their music and storytelling narrative. Not to mention their raw, unfiltered honesty in music, which really moved a young aspiring singer-songwriter like me. Singing wise though, I loved all these artists and mimicking their singing! From drives in the car to singing in the shower, that’s where the singing journey purely began from.
TO: Does that mean that you always wanted to be a professional musician?
K: Yes, secretly, hahahaha. I have always loved music since I was young, and couldn’t resist dancing to it too! I did audition for X-Factor Okinawa when I was 15 and that was the pivotal moment where I thought “I wanna do this for life.” It was the first time I felt like I belonged in an environment surrounded by like-minded people. Then in high school, I took a vocal lesson from a Berklee alumni in Tokyo who introduced me to Berklee College of Music. And seeing the environment of the school, is what made me propel my decision to really give music a try and pursue being a professional musician.
TO: What did you gain from the whole Berklee experience?
K: I would say repertoire, vocabulary, and friends. Those were the biggest things. On top of that, having a sense of what I like and admire in music. I got to see raw talent in real time and get an idea of what developing top class musicianship and artistry looks like, from all around. Having been an aspiring artist, it really gave me lots of inspiration and resources to experiment with my artistry and what kind of musician I want to become!
TO: A lot of your songs are about relationships, being in love or falling out. It’s very romantic and sometimes melodramatic, where does your romantic streak come from?
K: What can I say, I love having romance in my life hahaha. And also being the youngest of 3 girls, I grew up on rom-coms. I shouldn’t have been watching the Desperate Housewives or How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days at 10 years old… but hey that’s all brought me here. My perception of what love is, what it should be, or what I want it to be has definitely been built from rom-coms (for better or worse haha). A lot of music does stem from that, and it’s an interweaving of that expectation and actual reality of my romantic life. There’s always something to learn and a price to pay. Sometimes I get hurt and sometimes they get hurt. And I guess it’s all too attractive for me not to write about. I can’t help it!
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TO: Tell us about this EP HARANBANJO. The title comes from some kind of TV show?
K: So I used to watch this show called "Itsu Mitemo Haranbanjō” on TV growing up when I stayed at my grandma’s house. The word Haranbanjō is usually referred to the ups and downs of a whole duration of life. But I figured my 20s has felt somewhat like a rebirth with the changes I’ve faced, so I titled the project after the nostalgic show for me. It kind of reminds me how far I’ve come, and I like the process of documenting my life in these ways.
TO: The EP has more of an indie rock or alternative rock feel than your earlier works, was there any specific influence behind the sound?
K: I feel like I was very inspired by how live indie music made me feel. There’s something about feeling the bass vibrate in your heart and minimal light flickering and guitars being layered on top of each other that tug at your heart. You’re given a moment to just be in the present and float in a cave of sound. To be fair, the years I documented in this project revolved around escaping into these sort of rooms for me. Haha. So it makes absolute sense that my project also turned out this way.
TO: Listening to the EP it feels more grown up, your earlier music felt very innocent. How have you changed over the past few years?
K: Losing the perception of myself really shook things up. I disappointed myself and others and I think that made me shed layers that were actually carefully crafted rather than being something that’s really me. It really is a painful process lying to yourself and ignoring your own needs. But realizing it helped me get back to myself, really. And I love that I earned it and get to write it in my music. I love how my relationship with music has evolved and how it’s always played a role as this portal that’s helped me be more honest with myself and others.
TO: There seems to be so much drama in your life from your songs, what’s with that? Did a married guy really hit on you?
K: To be fair, I was inspired by Nina Simone to be a singer-songwriter. And she had a lot to write about, so in other words to my ex - thanks for the material. hahaha. Life experience is definitely the price we pay to create something, and I happily wrote about this guy who tried coming back into my life. I do have lots of drama in my life! But having an output and being able to process things through music is such a blessing.
TO: You often sing about falling in love or being in love, have you experienced this in reality or is it how you imagine it to be?
K: Writing closest to the truth is my destination. And that usually means sharing personal experiences. It’s all truth, and when I know that the love I’m experiencing could be better, I reference it to how love can be. I’m not just talking about romance but all forms of it. I see love as a mirror that teaches you more about yourself and your desires. It reflects back this tug between being right and admitting your insecurities too. And when the ego has a moment to step off, love is pure bliss. And I do romanticize the possibility of getting to share moments like that with people. Beyond the drama and stress, loving like that is magic to me.
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TO: To further your career you decided to move to London. Talk us through that decision.
K: I had to prioritize what makes my soul feel alive. And for me, that meant challenging myself to ignite my artistry away from home. A friend always said “you have to let go of things to welcome new things into your life,” and that’s exactly what I did. I really wanted to give myself the chance to blossom in authenticity and what feels good to me. Reconnect with my taste and create what is the most me. Also, it doesn’t hurt that a lot of my favorite artists are from the UK! So I wanted to get closer to the world that I am heavily inspired by!
TO: Was Tokyo not an option?
K: I was thinking about that, and that’s always available if things go sideways. But I thought I’d give myself a chance to do something different before I settle. If I come to Tokyo, I will have the community for me to be able to succeed, and I’ll be with the people I know, but it’s just that a piece of me feels more alive when I’m outside of Japan. I love being in situations where I get to share my culture and exchange ideas with people from different backgrounds. I love giving people a new perspective on people from Japan, especially representing Okinawa! And that extends to both personal and musical aspects of my life. I love sharing and I love giving the road less travelled a try.
TO: What do you hope to achieve? Tell us about some of your goals
K: Two things specifically - to play at KOKO in London, and have my debut album made with collaborators out here in London.
TO: In terms of sound, we’ve heard you do pop, reggae, folk, indie rock, what’s some things you might like to try next?
K: I want to dive more into the sound and value of soul music, specifically through the voice. That’s essentially why I fell in love with music in the first place. So I’m curious and excited to go back to the beginning and create from a space of surrender and unfiltered emotion. Honestly…I don’t know what it’ll end up sounding like! But I’m definitely willing and excited to see how things fall into place.
TO: We’re really excited for you too! Hope everything works out and we see you at KOKO or another stage around the world!
Check out the HARANBANJO EP on all platforms now.
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