Moments with Mei Semones: The Meaning Behind Her Recent EP,“Tsukino 月の.”
Born from a sonic enthusiasm of John Coltrane, The Smashing Pumpkins and Thelonious Monk, Mei Semones is a shining new star in the angelic amalgamation of indie music, jazz and J-Pop. Her debut EP, “Tsukino 月の,” was released in late January 2022, following the original release of her first single, “Hfoas” in March 2020, and continued Semones’ tradition of containing lyricism in both Japanese and English - a euphonious love-note to her East Asian heritage. Alongside her time spent creating music, Mei currently attends the Berklee College of Music and acts as a lead guitarist for Reggie Pearl, The Brazen Youth, and G Luné, respectively. Editor Caitlin Andrews had the privilege of speaking to Mei about her “Tsukino 月の” EP, her happiest memories, and her long-standing love of jazz.
Caitlin Andrews: Hey, Mei! How are things going? What’s new?
Mei Semones: “Hello! I’m doing well – I am currently on the road on tour with The Brazen Youth. My classes are going well, and I’ve been having a lot of fun playing shows and rehearsing/recording with different bands, as well as working on new music for my project.”
CA: Previously, you’ve described your music as “jazz-influenced indie pop,” which is a relatively niche combination of genres. What first got you started in creating these kinds of tracks? What inspired you to start playing jazz guitar, specifically?
MS: “I started playing jazz in high school. The high school I went to in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Community High School), had a wonderful jazz program with small jazz combos. At first, I just took the class because it was the only class I could play guitar in, but I ended up liking it a lot, and that program is what inspired me to start playing jazz guitar. I think playing in this style influenced my songwriting a lot since it’s the genre I’ve practiced the most and listened to the most. Although I started writing songs in middle school, I don’t think I developed my songwriting style until I got to college and wrote my debut single, “Hfoas,” in the summer of 2019. That was the first song I wrote that felt truly authentic to me. I think that has a lot to do with the fact that it was the first song that included Japanese lyrics, as well as the first song where it felt very natural to incorporate jazz influences.”
CA: You began playing piano at four, guitar at eleven, and jazz upon entering high school - did you always intend to pursue music? Were there ever any times you doubted your chosen career path?
MS: “I decided that I wanted to pursue music at some point in high school. Although I had thought about a career in music earlier on, in middle school, I didn’t think seriously about my career until I got to high school. There was just a certain point where I realized there was nothing else I was particularly interested in doing. I am so grateful that I’ve been able to go to music school, thanks to the support of my parents. Although there have been times where I doubt myself, I haven’t doubted my chosen career path. There is nothing else I would rather do, but there’s always going to be points where I doubt my own abilities.”
CA: Earlier in January 2022, you released your first EP, Tsukino 月の. What were your hopes when creating this album? How did you find the experience?
MS: “My hopes when creating Tsukino were to create a collection of songs that documented my songwriting and where I was at in my life at the time. More importantly, I wanted to create music that would help people feel less alone, because that is what music has given me. Most of the songs were written in the fall/winter of 2020, and some were written the summer right before. Creating the EP was a great experience. It was recorded during the pandemic (spring of 2021), so I couldn’t perform the songs live, but I’m so grateful for the musicians and engineers I was able to work with – Ben Wood (bass), Addie Vogt (drums), and recording engineers Geoff Brown and Samuel Uribe Botero, the second of which also mixed the EP.”
CA: Many of your songs contain lyrics sung in both Japanese and English. How do you think your Japanese heritage has affected your music career? What are some of the best and/or worst parts about being a Japanese woman within the music industry?
MS: “Being half Japanese has had a big impact on my career through my songwriting. Writing lyrics in Japanese is a whole different feeling than writing in English, and I come up with lyrics in Japanese that I wouldn’t think of in English, and vice versa. I think writing in Japanese has allowed me to find my own voice, and sometimes it feels like I can more accurately convey what I’m trying to say in Japanese than in English. The best part about being a Japanese woman in the music industry for me is that I’ve been able to incorporate my heritage into my art, and through that create an individualistic sound for myself. I guess the worst part about it is that there are always going to be people who have certain biases or prejudices, but at the end of the day I’m going to do what I want, and people will either appreciate it or not.”
CA: If someone was interested in getting into jazz music, who would you advise they listen to first?
MS: “I would suggest Charlie Parker. Some may suggest someone earlier in the timeline, but the jazz that I listen to starts with Parker. Other than that, I would recommend [John] Coltrane, Miles Davis, [Thelonious] Monk, Bill Evans, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery – the list goes on, and it’s also so dependent on personal preference.”
CA: Can you walk us through the five tracks released in Tsukino 月の? What did each song mean to you, or what energy did you hope to invoke?
MS: “Yes! So the first song on the EP, “Yoake 夜明け,” means “dawn.” The song touches on the balance between being fond of someone and being overly dependent on them at the same time, and the conflict/discomfort that arises from that feeling. It’s talking about when you really enjoy being with someone, but you feel like they have too much of an influence over your emotional state.
The second song, “Kodoku 孤独” means “solitude.” I wrote this song during quarantine when I was feeling very alone. It’s about wanting to be with the one I love, and I was also hoping that the song would bring others comfort.
The next song, “Tsukino 月の” means “of the moon.” The lyrics started with imagery of an imaginary world, but as I continued writing it ended up being about my best friend. The intention behind the song is about wanting the best for someone you love, and believing they deserve the best out of every relationship and situation. In this song, I was hoping to invoke a mystical/surreal energy.
“Muchuu 夢中” means “infatuation.” The song is about meeting someone you really care about, and wanting them to open up to you. It also touches on the obsessive aspects of love.
“Hfoas (demo)” is the demo version of my debut single, “Hfoas.” It’s just about being really in love. The song name doesn’t actually mean anything – it’s from hitting the keyboard of my laptop.”
CA: How do you picture people when you think about them listening to your music? If you had to compare your music to imagery, what would it ‘look’ like? (E.g. running through the hills, cooking dinner, falling in love)
MS: “I picture people organizing their rooms, on the bus, driving, going on a walk, on a picnic, making pancakes with their cat. If I had to compare my music to imagery, I like to think that it looks like sunlight shining through the foliage in a quiet forest.”
CA: What is your happiest memory? When was the last time you felt ‘truly’ happy?
MS: “One of my happiest memories is probably one of the times I visited Japan when I was younger – we used to go every year (but obviously haven’t been able to for a bit because of COVID-19). I recall enjoying the warm weather, really good food, the sound of cicadas, bug catching and playing games in the park, going to the beach, temples, and shrines, the walk to school, riding the train, the warm rain, and walking back from school with my friends all carrying umbrellas. The last time I felt truly happy is right now! I am overall really happy with what I’ve been doing since last semester. Although it’s been busy and can get really stressful, and I wish I had more time to practice, it feels like I’m doing what I’m doing for a reason.”
CA: What has been your biggest achievement throughout the course of your career so far? What are you looking forward to next?
MS: “I don’t know if I can narrow it down to one thing. I’m really proud of Tsukino, how much I have grown since I came to Berklee and what I’ve achieved here, and the people I’ve become friends with and worked with. I’m so honored to be a part of all the projects I’m involved in – Reggie Pearl, The Brazen Youth, G Luné, and most recently the bands of Mackenzie Morris and Oriol Cardoso, as well as my own band of course. All the shows I’ve played and the recordings I’ve been a part of are really important to me, and I’m so grateful that I can be a part of my friend’s music. I’m looking forward to graduating from Berklee this spring and starting the next step in my career. I will hopefully have more time to devote to my music and my craft, and I’m planning on moving to New York. I’m excited to explore the scene there and continue performing and recording my own music as well as my friend’s music.”
CA: If there were ever a film directed starring your life, who would you want to play you? What five tracks would be most important in capturing the essence of ‘you’?
MS: “I would want Ayame Goriki to play me – she is just so beautiful, and my mom’s friends have always said that I look like her (I don’t haha). Five tracks that I continue going back to in my life and that I think would be important in capturing my essence are: “1979” by The Smashing Pumpkins, “Territorial Pissings” by Nirvana, John Coltrane’s “Untitled Original 11386,” Ichiko Aoba’s “Amaneki,” and Bill Evan and Jim Hall’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”.”
CA: Do you have any interests outside of music? If you asked a close friend to describe you, what would they say?
MS: “I like anime and I like reading manga and novels, but I haven’t had much time to do these things as of late. I also really like stuffed animals. I asked my two close friends to describe me, and this is what they said: “Mei is a human version of a flower. Her music holds you, takes care of you. Mei works so hard and has so much to show for it. She’s also so kind and a powerful calm presence in the music scene and in everyone’s life. She’s beautiful, truly, inside and out, and is a really strong writer and creative in so many ways, not just music. She is so dedicated to every project she decides to be a part of and very passionate and professional. I have a firm belief that she is so capable of the things she wants to do.
She has the strongest work ethic out of everyone I’ve ever met. She is incredible and has so much focus. She is a beautiful angel, coming from the stars, born on the moon, and she came to earth to bless everyone with her angelic wisdom about love. Her voice transcends any of the major artists that we hear today. It speaks volumes. And I love her.”
CA: What are your goals for 2022 and beyond?
MS: “My goals for 2022 and beyond are to play more shows, write and release more music, tour, and grow my audience! I also want to start selling merch soon. I want to keep playing with my friend’s bands, and I have the same goals for their groups as well. I want to continue working on my guitar playing and start developing my vocal skills a little bit. I mentioned this earlier, but I’m planning on moving to New York after I graduate, so another goal is to become involved in the scene there and meet more musicians and artists to collaborate with.”
CA: Is there a secret, fun fact, anecdote or piece of advice you’d be willing to share with us?
MS: “Cows have best friends! I think that’s so great.”
CA: Where can Periphery’s readership find you?
MS: “You can find me on all major streaming platforms under the name Mei Semones, and my Instagram is mei_semones. Thank you so much for the interview :).”
Periphery Magazine thanks Mei Semones for her contribution, and wishes her luck with her future releases! You can find her on social media and streaming platforms here: