Mei Semones, a 24-year-old Japanese-American musician, debuts with Animaru, an album blending Japanese and English lyrics into a jazz-infused indie pop sound. Growing up bilingual, Semones felt it natural to write in both languages. The album’s title track embodies its theme of trusting instincts and following passions.
Semones, based in Brooklyn, has a background shaped by both cultures, evident in her fashion and music. This summer, she’ll tour North America and Asia, with previous touring experience opening for artists like Elephant Gym and Liana Flores.
Animaru explores her love for New York, her twin sister, and her musical journey, featuring a mix of string instruments and rhythmic drums. Semones started with piano lessons at age 4 and later switched to guitar, joining rock and jazz bands. At Berklee College of Music, she honed her skills, eventually discovering her voice and songwriting in both English and Japanese with her 2020 track “Hfoas.”
After moving to New York in 2022, Semones quit her assistant teaching job to focus on music. She recorded Animaru in two sessions at Ashlawn Recording Company with producer Charles Dahlke. The album, following her 2024 EP Kabutomushi, has drawn praise from Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers, who admired her unique sound.
Semones hopes her music will inspire listeners to embrace their multicultural identities. “Not everyone is multicultural,” she says, “but I hope my music can inspire people to love every side of themselves.”
Related topics:
