JpopRocks interviews MIREI and her new single “IDOL”
MIREI - Photo Credit Paulo Guinoza
JPR: Hello MIREI. Can you introduce yourself to anyone out there that might not already know you?
MIREI: Hi JpopRocks! My name is MIREI and I’m a singer-songwriter. I’m from Osaka, Japan and now I’m living in Tokyo. I talk and sing in Japanese and English. My favorite food is pho and bubble tea.
JPR: Was there an initial influence or situation that led you to create the song "IDOL?"
MIREI: It’s the most personal song I’ve ever written. This song is about me, studying and building my musical career from second grade until now. Many people came to me and said lots of things to sell me to the public. These experiences made me aware that what I wanna be is not an idol but a singer-songwriter. I wanted to have my opinion and share them in my songs. In this song “IDOL,” I’m singing about things I’ve gone through and what I’m truly thinking right now.
JPR: Can you describe some of the challenges you’ve personally experienced during your musical career?
MIREI: First, as I‘m singing in the song, I was on a hard diet. When I came back to Tokyo from NYC to prepare for my Japanese debut, I was 10kg heavier than I am now. It’s a healthy shape but because of Asian culture, which is all about skinny-ism, I had to lose weight. My manager kept checking my receipts for what I ate and I wasn’t allowed to eat anything but salads during work. I’m traumatized by some of the foods at convenience stores and it’s because of the memories back then.
Another thing I felt uncomfortable about was that I was always being checked for what I was going to say on stage. They made me practice my talking part before every show. It’s mostly because I wasn’t good at talking, but still, it feels weird when my team made me change the topics that I wanted to talk about.
JPR: JPR has the pleasure of interviewing many different artists. We’ve noticed with younger artists that interviewing can be very difficult for them as they can be extremely nervous and cautious with their words. More experienced artists tend to be much more laid back. As an artist who has been in the industry for over a decade, do you find this to be the case? And do you have any advice for younger artists having those issues?
MIREI: Yeah, I experienced the same issues when I was young! I think it’s because they’re not feeling safe in front of the people they’re facing - the interviewers, their team members, or even their teammates. For me, I think one of the biggest reasons I felt this way is because I used to always be the youngest. I debuted when I was 15 years old and usually nobody’s younger than me when I’m at work. Adding to that, when the team is very strict with their brand image and checking their ways of talking, topics like I used to get, it’s gonna be a hard job. If I’m gonna give them advice, I’ll just say don’t try to be the best person you can be. If your team is forcing you to be, then leave because it only makes you unreal and boring. I started to have fun at work when I quit worrying about being polite and embraced being weird. As you get older and accept who you are, your nervousness will disappear.
JPR: With younger artists, we’ve noticed things can be difficult for both men / boys and women / girls. Do you feel they go through the same kinds of hardships?
MIREI: I surely think so. Especially in Asia, we have the Confucian Philosophy, which follows the belief that elders are always greater than younger ones. We even change the way of speaking to older people by using Keigo, which is called an honorific. It’s much harder for young people to be yourself when you have to show respect and not be rude. It’s important, but when you care about it too much it’ll suffocate you.
JPR: With all the things we’ve experienced with Japanese artists, fitting a specific style or image seems to be the biggest difficulty as they must stay “in character." I would imagine that can be very stressful trying to maintain a specific persona. How does “IDOL” speak to this? How do you try to stay authentically you with how you present yourself?”
MIREI: “IDOL” was made because I could never act like their idealistic character lol. I tried but I couldn’t, so I just quit caring about others as much. It’s not only about the entertainment industry. I’m pretty sure that there’s a moment when you think you should act like someone everyone is wanting you to be. In Japanese we have the common expression called “read the atmosphere” and it’s a needed skill to be in society. Isn’t it very toxic? I think everyone can be whoever they want, and accept each other’s uniqueness. I stepped forward just by myself and wrote this song.
JPR: Even though there are a lot of difficulties being an artist, there are also some great things too. What have you found are some of the best things about being a musical artist?
MIREI: As a singer-songwriter, it’s always an honor that I can share my lonely thoughts as songs. Even more so when I’m able to sing them along with my fans on stage, I can’t be happier than that! It feels like I’m connecting so deeply and emotionally with many people and it makes me feel like I’m not alone.
JPR: Let’s lighten the mood with a fun question. If we were to visit your home and look in your refrigerator, what would we find?
MIREI: I just bought 2 packs of Kimchi at Shin-Okubo which is a Korean town in Tokyo yesterday. It’s super tasty so I want you to try it! In the frozen area, I’m stocking up on my favorite mochi ice cream so let me share it with you. Other than that I have standard Japanese meals such as natto. Would you try one?
JRP: What is it about music that makes you feel so passionate?
MIREI: Music is the best way that I can show and tell my emotions and thoughts. I’m not overly talkative or an open book, so it’s the best way for me to write my music to say something. To me, it’s not one of the ways, it’s the only way and music is necessary for my life.
JPR: Are there any new projects you are working on for 2023 that you can share?
MIREI: During the pandemic, I was not only staying in my home but making songs with my friends through Zoom. It was my only joy at one time! That’s why I have many more new songs, and now I’m thinking about how I can release them. Also, my songs are finally out in Asian countries since the end of September, so I hope I can reach out to Asian countries too. I think most of the places are open now from the pandemic, so I hope I can go on a tour all over the world in 2023 and meet you in person!
JPR: Do you have any specific message you would like to convey for new musical artists out there?
MIREI: When you make your music into your career and business, many kinds of stress are gonna attack you. Many people will show up and each of them will tell you different ideas as if they’re telling you the best. However, you don’t have any time or space to feel it and be confused. I think the best way to succeed is to be yourself.
JPR: Do you have anything you would like to say to your fans?
MIREI: Thank you for always supporting me and loving me. Because of you, now I’m proud of myself for being weird. I’ll keep writing and singing my songs as my thoughts and messages to you, and I hope it’ll act as a reminder for you to find peace and live your own life. I hope to see you in person soon, love you guys always!