mei ehara, a rising star in Japan’s indie music scene, is set to make her American debut this year as a supporting act for Faye Webster’s ‘Underdressed at the Symphony’ North American tour. Known for her introspective melodies and poetic lyrics, ehara is readying to perform to new audiences across the US. But who is she?
From bedroom tapes to label spotlight
Born in Aichi Prefecture and currently based in Tokyo, mei ehara’s musical journey began during her university days, crafting her sound through home recordings while working on indie film projects. She self-released her first three albums between 2013 and 2014 under the name may.e. Ehara dropped the may.e moniker after joining the indie label KAKUBARHYTHM, where her growth as an artist continued to flourish. Her debut album under her real name, ‘Sway’, released in 2017 and produced by Goemon Tsujimura of Kicell, showcased her unique blend of melancholic introspection and melodic talent. She released her second album ‘Ampersands’ in 2022 and is expected to release her latest album sometime in 2024.
ehara’s creativity extends beyond music. As the editor-in-chief of the literary magazine ‘Sono’, she contributes essays, novels, and poetry. She also co-founded the interview project ‘DONCAMATIQ’ with Shanghai born musician Oh Shu, and Jun Fujimori (The Buffettment Group). Her talents in photography and graphic design are evident in her work creating cover art for some of her own releases as well as for indie mutuals like Taiko Super Kicks and annie the clumsy.
Collaborations have played a key role in ehara’s career. She has lent her distinct voice to various musical styles, from Faye Webster’s 2021 album ‘I Know I’m Funny haha’ on the sweet and dreamy track ‘Overslept’, to the otherworldly electronic soundscapes of Cornelius’ ‘Change and Vanish’.
Reflecting on how her collaboration with ehara came about, Faye Webster shared in a Reddit AMA on r/indieheads in 2021;
“I was just a fan of mei! I started following her and then eventually reaching out to her and just talking about stuff. I was struggling finishing overslept and just sent it to her to see if she wanted to sing on it… I wouldn’t have had anyone else on the record truly. I love mei so much”
Faye Webster
Ripening reflections: mei ehara’s latest single and tour prep
mei ehara’s latest single, ‘Mada Hayai Kudamono’ (‘The Fruit not yet ripe’), her first release in 18 months, blends reggae influences with ehara’s style, with lyrics reflecting on personal growth and self-awareness. The metaphor of being “a fruit not yet ripe” captures moments of hesitation and the quest for understanding amidst life’s complexities.
The track features Masamichi Torii from Triple Fire on guitar, Coff on bass and vocals, Kouki Hama on drums and vocals, and Naruki Numazawa from SAMOEDO on keyboards and vocals.
As she prepares for her American tour with Faye Webster, including stops at venues like the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and the Paramount Theatre in Oakland, Ehara remains grounded in her artistic ethos. Her music, much like her persona, serves as a window into the complexities of human emotion through stripped-down melodies and evocative storytelling.
In addition to being North America’s introduction to one of Japan’s top indie talents, mei ehara’s presence on Faye Webster’s tour is also a reminder of the transformative power of art to forge connections and inspire introspection. Her music is a demonstration of the power of authenticity in an ever-evolving world, and her journey is just beginning.
Faye Webster ‘Underdressed at the Symphony’ US and Canada Tour 2024 (mei ehara support dates)
25th Sept (Wed) – CA, Los Angeles, Greek Theatre
26th Sept (Thu) – CA, San Luis Obispo, Madonna Inn
27th Sept (Fri) – CA, Berkeley, The Greek Theatre Berkeley
29th Sept (Sun) – OR, Portland, McMenamin’s Edgefield Amphitheatre
30th Sept (Mon) – BC, Vancouver, Orpheum Theatre
1st Oct (Tue) – WA, Seattle, Paramount Theatre
mei ehara
Mada Hayai Kudamono
Release Date: 19/06/2024
Label: KAKUBARHYTHM
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
