After cementing herself with a wealth of tantalising offerings these last few years, many of which have garnered hundreds of thousands of streams each, Tokyo-based artist Sarina returns once again with her heartfelt new effort 'Melancholy Roads (No More)'.
Capturing more of that rich and passionate alt-pop direction she is known for, 'Melancholy Roads (No More)' makes for an incredibly warm and vibrant listen. With her wistful vocal performance layered over a humble piano-led aesthetic throughout, she is certainly set for big things in the years to come.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with? I think I'd have to say piano because I started playing Piano when I was around 2 or 3 years old. My parents signed me up for these group lessons at a nearby school and my “Self Expression” in songwrited manifested early with an inexplicable tendency to go Off-book with twinkle twinkle little star. During my first live recital I forgot how to play whatever song we were all playing and I remember learning later on that, my random piano banging was turned down on the PA system. I switched over to private piano lessons when I was 4 under special consideration from the teacher, and started with all the classics Like Bach’s Prelude and Fur Elise. I grew bored of classic pieces and eventually asked to learn modern pop songs that I could sing along too. It kind of grew from there to become a large part of my songwriting process and a great way for me to wordlessly express emotions that feel too loud in the silence of a dark room.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
As a child I exclusively watched Mary Poppins, the Sound of Music, and later, Anastasia. The Sound of Music was my favourite, I even memorised the lyrics to all the songs! My dad would play the guitar while we all sang “Edelweiss” and now I play it on ukulele as well. Musicals became a long standing passion, and actually, broadway became an ultimate goal for a long while.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Oh my goodness, that takes me back. I believe the first album I wanted to buy for myself back when people bought and downloaded albums on itunes, was an album by Jennifer Lopez im tempted to say from 2008? Maybe 2009? I had some strange music tastes that ranged from youtube parodies and fan made songs to Shakira and Broadway Classics. I kind of just listened to whatever tickled my fancy.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I don't know if I could narrow it down to just one, but Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls will always be a personal favourite and the raw emotion in that song is touching regardless of relatability. I also absolutely love Million Eyes by Loic Nottet. The song is incredibly powerful and vocally impressive. I don’t know if I could sing it had I been the one to write it but I would love to have tried.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Lately I’ve been listing out words and feelings I associate with a theme! I love writing poetic lyrics and allusions to a theme. For example if I’m singing a pirate-y song about seduction, I’d list out words like “Siren”, “storm”, “Light rains”, “dark waters”, “beckoning hands.” Etc. And from those words I would string together phrases that sound beautiful to me and encompass the feeling I’m looking for.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
This one changes all the time! I have countless playlists with different vibes ranging from “Manic Pixie Dream girl” to “Melancholy days at the moore”. Lately I’ve been channelling “Goth, unhinged and unstable, but still kinda sexy.” So a lot of Mitski, SKYLAR, Soho Dolls, and MARINA.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world who would it be?
I think I would love to share a stage with Evanescence. I feel like our music is very complimentary and I respect them a lot. They are quite literal legends and it would be an absolute honour to open for them! OR I would love to open for “IDKHow but they found me” specifically because their song “Nobody Likes the Opening Band” gets stuck in my head at least once a month.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding part of my job, aside from the immense passion I have for it, would have to be seeing the ideas and feelings I have in my head become a physical song or music video. I’ve always loved stories and worldbuilding and I feel like with every song I write and every music video I conceptualise, I get to build different worlds and tell different stories. For someone without the patience and dedication to finish the countless novels they’ve started, it's very rewarding. I’d be lying through omission if I left out the amazing community I’ve been fortunate enough to build. I get messages from people telling me that I inspired them or made them feel less alone and there’s nothing quite as touching as knowing that you've made an impact on someone you’ve never met before. It really is such an honour and something I will always be grateful for.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I think the most frustrating part is, unfortunately, the business and financial aspect of the industry. I need the funds to make the things I want too and for the funds I need the numbers and the audience and it's frustrating that that has to be a part of something as pure as creation. It's honestly another reason why I’m so grateful to my audience and fans for supporting me and streaming my songs as that is what allows me to keep making them.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Growing up in a house of artists I was never lacking in a source of solid advice and support. My parents always told me that the best thing an artist can do is make art. That is to say that no matter what, keep creating. It doesn’t have to be amazing, it doesn't have to be world changing, the point is to feel what you feel and to channel that into creation. I struggle with perfectionism so it;s hard *to create when I don't think what I make will be “worthy”, so this is something I still have to work on. But I found that the more I stuck with it the better I got at just… purely creating.
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Sarina's new single 'Melancholy Roads (No More)' is available to stream now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.