Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Mei Semones shares her latest singles, ‘Kurayami’ and ‘Get used to it’. Both tracks follow her recent standalone single ‘Itsumo’ and debut album Animaru.
Known for her jazz-influenced indie pop with hints of math rock, Semones showcases both sides of her artistry with her recent dual single release, featuring fast-paced tempo changes and delicately intricate guitar work.
‘Kurayami’ is a lush, cinematic track with a beautiful video filmed in Japan and directed by Takuto Shimpo.
“Kurayami’ means ‘darkness’ in Japanese, and this song is about growing up in Michigan and reminiscing on what it was like hanging out with my friends. Being a kid was really fun and I was happy, but I remember there was a point where we started to lose our innocence and I think this song is about that feeling. It’s one of the more technically difficult songs I’ve written, and it took some practice to get to the point where I could sing and play it at the same time. There’s lots of fun tempo changes, odd meters, wide interval arpeggios, and fast licks, and I think the band arrangement is really creative too.”
Mei Semones
‘Get used to it’ is a minimalist track with a live, intimate feel that transports listeners to a quiet, reflective moment alone. Semones shares that the song is:
“about the beauty in solitude and being alone, how to move on from something that was important in your life but still leave space for it, and my love for the guitar and music. It’s the second song I wrote on my nylon string, and the changes and melody are somewhat inspired by Thelonious Monk. The instrumentation is more minimal than our other songs — just me (guitar & vox), upright bass, and drums. We were going for a live jazz trio sound, so there’s not really any layers or anything. It’s just a straightforward recording of the 3 of us playing the tune, and I think that was the best way to capture the feeling behind the song.”
Upcoming tour dates:
Jan 8 – New York, NY – Psychic Hotline Winter Jazzfest Showcase %
Jan 10 – New York, NY – Winter Jazzfest Brooklyn Marathon
Jan 20 – Osaka, JP @ Zepp Namba*
Jan 21 – Nagoya, JP @ Diamond Hall*
Jan 22 – Tokyo, JP @ Garden Theater*
Jan 23 – Tokyo, JP @ Duo Music Exchange [SOLD OUT]
Jan 24 – Nagoya, JP @ LIVE & LOUNGE VIO [SOLD OUT]
Jan 25 – Osaka, JP @ Shangri-La [SOLD OUT]
Jan 27 – Hiroshima, JP @ Club Quattro #
Jan 28 – Fukuoka, JP @ Beat Station
Jan 30 – Okinawa, JP @ Sakuraza Central
Feb 1 – Tokyo, JP @ Duo Music Exchange [SOLD OUT]
Feb. 4 – Bangkok, Thailand – At.Buatudthong Art Space
Feb 6 – Singapore – Pasir Panjang Power Station A
Feb 10 – Honolulu, HI – Blue Note Hawaii (2 shows)
March 26 – Sun. March 29 – Knoxville, TN @ Big Ears Festival
% duo set with John Roseboro
* = supporting Men I Trust
# = w/ SUZU TOYAMA
Find Mei Semones on Instagram | Bandcamp | Website