SARINA TALKS SKIP A BEAT

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

This is a song that takes a playful and upbeat approach to a situation most people would feel pretty down about?

I think, for me, the feeling of being petty in a fun and playful way is very freeing. It’s like I’ve allowed myself to acknowledge bad feelings but I’ve twisted them to be empowering rather than painful. I think I captured that vibe pretty well in the song so I’m happy!

The song comes in two languages, Japanese and English. Did you work on both versions side by side?

I actually wrote the Japanese version first and to make a long story short, was kind of screwed over by some people whom I had written it for. I loved it too much to let it rot away in the shadows though so I rewrote it in English and released both of them.

What was your first window into Western pop-punk?

I’ve loved pop-punk and that sort of 2010s era of pop rock music ever since I first heard it at twelve years old. I was a huge fan of My Chemical Romance, Panic! At the Disco and All Time Low in particular. Later I also fell in love with Avril Lavigne and Paramore. It’s a genre that I’ve never really gotten tired of!

Is there lots of love for this kind of music in Japan would you say?

I find a lot of J-pop music and popular J-rock bands have a bit of a Y2K 2010 pop-punk vibe to them. I’m not sure what it is but I definitely have noticed that the vibe is well received here. I think it’s easy to like the genre because it is excitable and high energy like most rock songs but easier to palate to the general audience.

How early did you know that you'd "be on the radio"?

I’ve been on the radio one time, It was a rush and I loved it! That line in the song was more me manifesting good things!

But you and music were really "two hearts beating in perfect harmony"?

(Laughs) I grew up around music and artistry so it has always been a really integral part of my life. Before I started songwriting I was actually acting in musicals and my end-goal was stage shows. I still have goals of performing in shows like that someday but my focus at the moment is in my personal music and songwriting!

When you first started sharing your music with us you were with a major label, but earlier this year you launched your own?

Although my prior label was very supportive, the reality is that they were based in Japan and mainly had Japan based resources. As my music is mostly English and written for western audiences, we just didn’t align. We parted ways very amicably though and they remain supportive of me and my career. Now, although I live in Japan, my team is mostly people based in Los Angeles! This has been a really cool change for me because it feels like my content and my music is finally reaching the right audience.

Do you have a lot more coming?

I’ve been writing a lot of songs! Actually, the issue right now is me writing songs faster than we can release! (Laughs) I’m super excited because I actually have a new EP coming out October 25th! There are five new songs on it that have never been heard before so I hope everyone likes them.