Emi Meyer
From Japan to America, Emi Meyer has shared her music with both sides of the world. Emi was born in Kyoto, Japan and then moved to Seattle as a child. While in Seattle she won the 2007 Seattle-Kobe Jazz vocalist competition. Emi has a beautiful voice and you can’t help but smile when you listen to her music.
Emi’s music can be heard in several commercials and popular TV shows including, MTV’s “Akward” and TV Land’s “Younger.”
Recently we had the chance to ask Emi about her musical inspiration, the release of her album Galaxy’s Skirt: Deluxe Edition (December 4th), and her upcoming NYC show!
upfrontNY: What is the best part of sharing your music with both the Japanese and American markets?
Emi Meyer: It gives me lots of perspective, like what is “cool” or “catchy” varies so widely from culture to culture. For example, what Japan thinks is cool about the US is different from what Americans might think is cool in the US. Similarly, what’s really relevant in Japan is different from say, what an US audience might find resonant. I love being able to share both sides of myself with both audiences, and sometimes singing in Japanese, sometimes in English. My fans on the whole are really open and accepting, though some tell me they prefer my English songs over Japanese, or vise-versa. And that’s totally fine with me!
upfrontNY:Do you find your musical inspiration differs based on if you’re in Japan or the US?
Emi Meyer: That’s an interesting question… A lot of my inspiration lately comes from what project I’m working on, whether it’s for a movie, a collaboration, or a specific event. So in that case, probably whether the song is being released in Japan or the US, or what visual image it’s accompanying probably does inspire me to make it more for a Japanese audience or a global one.
upfrontNY: You have had your songs featured in several commercials and TV shows, if you had the chance to have a song featured in any TV show in the future what would it be?
Emi Meyer: Probably Nashville! I love that show! I always feel like I have to be a tough person to survive in the music industry because I mostly make all the decisions and take meetings myself, and that’s rare especially in Japan. So I love all the tough and powerful women in Nashville. Or GIRLS. I’ve lived in Tokyo these past few years and Manhattan and Brooklyn has changed so much during that time- it’s fun to watch those changes albeit through the media.
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about Galaxy’s Skirt: Deluxe Edition, which is being released soon?
Emi Meyer: It’s been fun to have songs from this album used in TV shows like Younger, because it’s a way to feel like I’m in the US while being across the world. Since it’s been getting more syncs lately I thought it’d be a great time to reintroduce it to the world. “ToKyoto”, for example, is my experience of living in Kyoto my birthplace, and how time slows down there. I absolutely love the remix of “Galaxy’s Skirt” on there, I like to call it an urban geisha vibe. I’m shooting a music video for it in Kyoto next week with the cosmetic lifestyle brand Tatcha. It’s gonna be super sweet.
upfrontNY: Do you have a favorite song from this album?
Emi Meyer: I’m really excited to share “If I Think Of You” and its music video that are from my next album. I recorded the album in Paris, and it’s been #1 in Japan, but not coming out in the US till next summer. So this is a sneak peak!
upfrontNY: You have an upcoming show in New York. What do you enjoy most about performing in NYC ?
Emi Meyer: I love it because it’s a great chance to catch up with family and friends on the east coast. And since I’ve been chugging away on a low key level stateside, I always appreciate every new face in the crowd. It’s like how the heck did you find my music? Every one is a fascinating story.
Learn more about Emi Meyer.
Emi will be performing at Club Bonafide in NYC on November 13th. Get your tickets here!
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