After establishing herself as one of the more exciting names on the rise in recent months, Tokyo-based artist Sarina recently returned to deliver her eagerly-awaited debut EP 'Foreword'.
Featuring a bundle of previously unveiled gems from the last year, this new six-track collection makes for a rousing introduction to her sound to date. Filled with fresh and buoyant textures, a sweeping atmosphere, and her own mesmerising vocals at the helm, 'Foreword' continues her vibrant journey to date.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and influences over the years.
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What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?
I first was obsessed with musicals. Since I was a little kid, The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and Anastasia were my favourite movies. I remember making my parents watch them on repeat. Musicals continued to be my preferred listening along with Of monsters and men and a few random songs I found by artists I came across randomly.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
I was never personally in a band that I formed. However, I did do band club while in middle school and I remember it being a lot of fun. It was a lot of pop music which I am not a huge fan of performing but the group did a surprisingly good job of making it interesting!
What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?
I draw most of my inspiration from different “vibes” and emotions. Sometimes those feelings are super direct like, “sad. Depressed. Lonely” and sometimes they are convoluted and strangely specific like “a woman doused in golden paint with broken black and rusting wings as she sings inside a cage made of gold and glass” or “meeting the eye of a handsome stranger and you are a vampire seductress and you’ve found your next meal.”
What is a song you wish you had written yourself?
There’s so many songs I love that it’s hard to choose!! There is a song called “Station Waggin’” written by a band called “pretty balanced” in the early 2000’s. It’s this strange, steampunk sort of industrial (industrial as in Industrial Revolution in old England) tune that is technically incredibly impressive. The melody is so harmonious and lilting and yet it goes out of the key rather often and switches the scale it uses. It’s so hard to sing and really tells a story! I think on a level of artistic respect, I hope I can accomplish something similar. In terms of a song I think resonates with me as a person and perfectly suits my voice, the song Birds from Thomas Sanders’ musical “The Ultimate Storytime” is one I wish I would have written as mine.
If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?
I think if I could relive any moment it would be when my first debut single “Identity” dropped. I was really overcome with emotion and was so blown away by the support. It felt like a whole new world had opened up before me and it was an incredibly inspiring place to be.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
I would love to get the chance, someday, to share a stage with Julie Andrews! I started my music career in musicals and I’d be so honoured to share a stage with such an icon. I’d also love to share a stage with Lady Gaga because of how interesting and out of the box she thinks! I respect her creativity so much.
And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?
I’d love to collaborate with Sting someday. It’s a big dream but I’ve always loved his music and I really think he has a talent that is rarely seen. I feel like there would be so much to learn from working with him.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
I’ve honestly never been very good at thinking that far ahead. All I can say is that I hope I will continue to chase after becoming the best version of myself I can be.
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Sarina's debut EP 'Foreword' is available to stream now. Check it out below.
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