Miho Hatori
Interviewer, writer: akfgfanVocalist/Composer: Miho Hatori
Rising to the occasion, acclaimed musician Miho Hatori has debuted with her first solo album!Miho first began working with music in the early 1990’s. She met much success with the band Cibo Matto. In fact, their album "Viva La Woman" was ranked as one of the top 90 albums in the 1990’s according to Spin Magazine! Over the years, Miho was also presented with the opportunity to work with artists like Beastie Boys, John Zorn, and Stephin Merritt.
In 2004 though, Miho wanted to create her first solo work. She titled the album "Ecdysis". The album was released in Japan in 2005, and is set to be released internationally October 23, 2006. J-Music Ignited was given the opportunity to talk to Miho about her music career and first solo album.
First of all, thank you for this opportunity! When you were growing up, did you imagine yourself becoming a musician?
Not really. I loved singing since when I was a little though. I was in choir group, enjoying beautiful harmony of voices....
What first inspired you to become a musician?
It was hard to find the music I wanted to listen to.
Has any band or musician had an influence on your music?
Yes, so many Artists/Producer/Sound Engineers/instrument makers. I do love film music actually, like Nino Rota. I love Brian Eno and David Byrne as a pioneering figure of the eclectic music, for example.
Your first solo album, Ecdysis, is set to be released October 23rd, 2006. What was it like to create your first solo album?
I felt like an alchemy laboratorian at my home studio in a way. Same time, that was a big journey of mind. This is the first opportunity to tell the people as introducing myself. Then it was the first time I need to go back the time and meet myself when I was a child and meet my origin. And turn all happiness / pain / emotion / texture into new Serendipity. That’s my experience and work of my first album. Probably some people expected to do more hip hop style or rock style, because of my past works and stuff. But I just want to be honest and bare foot for this 1st solo album to have one step to begin.
The music in Ecdysis is very appealing and catches your attention. How did you come up with your unique music style ?
Thank you. I think everything is evolving and changing. And I do enjoy to have experiments to make a unique shape. But I want to learn more how to make sharable shape to audience. Feel like I am back and force of between 2 of the line....
Your album is titled after the first song Ecdysis. Why did you pick this as the title of your album?
I thought it’s a good word for the situation I had. I started my music career from Cibo Matto and I did another Project called "Smokey & Miho". But for this solo career, I needed to discover a new land where I have not been to. I needed to shed my skin to change. If I can not find the new land myself, I was thinking to quit music. Simply I thought if I can not change it, there is nothing to give as a solo artist. It was not easy to find the new land. But the land existed in my deep part of the brain. I needed to dig and dig.... I almost feel I founded the last day of mixing. And actually that was the first time, I could map the new land as a whole picture. And I learned that is me. That was a meaningful mind Journey. I have never felt this way before.
What inspired you to write the songs featured on the album?
All my memories and imaginations. Also I get inspired by people who is challenging something with a lot of passions and honesty. Farmers, Wine makers, Moms and Dads, Creators... Everyday people, really. Also musicians/creators around me who share their talents.
Your album includes a drawing of a girl with a cicada on her head. Did you draw this picture?
Yes, she is wearing the cicada shell after its molting.
What would you like people to listen for in Ecdysis?
There is stories to tell. That is what my music about.
Where do you see yourself musically in five years?
Probably keep on searching a new sound and a story. And I would love to go to play more places, so that I can communicate with people and society through music.
Whatfs your favorite band?
So many and I don’t know what to start.... Let’s start with UK bands. I was into Punk rock bands like, The Jam, Dammed, the Clash and etc.... when I was a teenager. Rip Rig Panic, Pogues, My bloody valentine, Radiohead, and ...oh never stop. But I have to say the most big influence (Sorry it’s not the band though...) is Black Adder. Ha-ha-ha !!!!
You have had the chance to perform in several countries. Is there a particular live performance that has been very memorable for you?
Stockholm Jazz Festival, back in 1994. I still have the picture from the stage. That was my first foreign performance in my life, when I was just starting Cibo Matto. Nobody knew about us at the time. When I opened my eyes after I finished the last song, we got standing ovation. I felt the real power of music.
Can you give a message to your fans?
Thank you for supporting always !!! I would love to share with you again. I feel this album is like a musical mail I sent you. There is some story/song that I don’t have an answer. There is some story/songs I got a solution. After I put this mail in a postbox, I have no idea if you can receive or not. I wrote you with my honesty. I hope it will reach to your place.
Additional Information
Official SiteCheck out Miho Hatori’s Official Site for more information on their history, lyrics, discography, and more!
Miho Hatori @ J-Music Ignited
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