When I was in Tokyo last month, I managed to get an exclusive interview with the very talented, very humble and beautiful Katahira Rina (片平里菜).
Zero Yen (ZY): Hi Rina, it’s an honor to have you with us today for this interview! Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Katahira Rina (KR): My name is Katahira Rina and I’m a singer-songwriter from the Fukushima prefecture. I’m 23 years old.
ZY: You won the Shinsain Tokubetsu Sho at the summer festival Senkou Riot in 2011. Can you tell us more about it? Why did you decide to enter?
KR: At the time, I was living in Fukushima, performing and making music. Since the Senkou Riot festival had a lot of performers, I decided to enter on a whim. I couldn’t imagine that I could make it as a finalist! It was great and surprising for me.
ZY: So now, let’s talk about your work as a singer-songwriter. I actually discovered your music when the single Oh JANE came out 2 years ago. It was such a great song, I was hooked right away! Do you mind telling us what the song is about please?
KR: I didn’t struggle for a long time to write this song. Actually, I wrote it in a way that was very fun for me. The synchronization of the melody and the lyrics came very easily to me. At the time, as a woman, I felt like I didn’t want to be taken lightly. (laughs) I wanted to talk about feminism through this track. Altogether, it was a very fun song to create.
ZY: I know you write your own lyrics. Could you describe the process behind it? How do you come up with a song?
KR: I have a lot of different ways that I come up with a song but most consistently, I try to face myself internally. I usually ask myself about my own feelings. I also think about interesting things that happen in daily life.
ZY: So you actually write from experience then?
KR: Yes, it helps me imagine things better through my own experience.
ZY: Do you think you might write something in English someday?
KR: I really love Western music, I grew up listening to a lot of music in English. While I enjoy it, I don’t feel confident quite yet to sing in this language. I feel like I should study more before doing it but I would really love to!
ZY: You seem to be an accomplished musician as you also play the guitar and the harmonica. Do you play any other instruments?
KR: Aside from the guitar and harmonica, no, I don’t. But when I first came across these instruments, I was a senior in high school and I just happened to pick it up then! From now on, I think it’s really the beginning for me so I would like to, yes.
ZY: When I listen to your albums, I can hear some country influences, especially in songs like Come Back Home or Amazing Sky. Is it a genre that you like?
KR: I really love all kinds of music. At the time, I was listening to country music while I was writing these songs so it definitely influenced Amazing Sky and Come Back Home. I was also playing a lot of acoustic guitar, I wanted to include that sound as well. The people around me were also very much influenced by country music so it came about naturally.
ZY: What are your favorite artists or the ones who inspire you?
KR: I have a lot! (laughs) Alanis Morissette, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, etc. But you know, before my debut, I was able to open for the French singer Zaz when she came to Japan.
ZY: I didn’t know that! That’s interesting!
ZY: Speaking of Come Back Home, it’s one of my favorite tracks off your first album. May I ask you what it’s about?
KR: At the time, I was still commuting a lot between Fukushima and Tokyo. So the song is inspired by my hometown of Fukushima.
ZY: HIGH FIVE is another favorite of mine. Yes, I really like your upbeat songs! (laughs) Again, could you explain what the lyrics mean please?
KR: What made an impression on me when I was writing the lyrics of this song were particular phrases, specifically to do something you’re told to do is not fun at all. I was really thinking about not being tied down by standard or fixed ideas. I thought it was important to be like yourself: it’s good to have your own goals you work towards and dreams which you reach for. So this was my state of mind when I wrote this song.
ZY: Recently, you released a song called Uso wo Tsuku Kuchibiru (嘘をつく唇), which was a collaboration with the band Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (東京スカパラダイスオーケストラ). That was a surprise as it is a very different style of music than yours. Would you mind talking about the collaboration?
KR: I consider Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra as a sempai (a role model or someone you look up to), they were always at many festivals and live shows. I love their music. Apparently, they had been listening to my songs and told me I had a good voice. This is how they were able to invite me to participate on this track.
ZY: Let’s go back to the present! Your new album Saikou no Shiuchi (最高の仕打ち) just came out a couple of weeks ago (this interview was done in February). You have worked with a lot of famous musicians on this one and it sounds very eclectic. What was the idea behind all of these collaborations?
KR: Each time I was pursuing a sound for a song, there were many different styles I was drawn to. For example, sometimes I felt like rock, other times a little bit more like softer ballad, as well as sometimes more funky. For each song, when I was trying to pursue that sonority, I was lucky to get the help of the arrangers and producers to obtain that particular sound I was looking for.
ZY: There’s one song I loved right away and that’s Party. It’s so much fun! I know the band SCANDAL arranged and produced it. Can you share how it was born? And again, what is it about?
KR: When I was first thinking of the song, I was alone and my idea for it was a girl making rock music. When I started wondering who I might work with for it, the first band I thought of was SCANDAL. So I got in touch with them and asked if they were interested. They really brought me in, almost as if I were a member of the band. We came up with different ideas together and went into the studio to record it. It was a great experience for me!
ZY: BAD GIRL is another interesting song. It sounds very 1950’s, like it could be on the soundtrack for a musical like Grease! What inspired you for this one?
KR: When I was thinking of blues or the evolution of this genre, I was also influenced by my living in Tokyo. I really thought about Japanese apartments where it’s really difficult to play music or be loud without being an inconvenience for my neighbors. Because of that, I felt some stress that I couldn’t be too noisy but I still wanted to make music. So when I went into the studio, I was finally able to make that loud sound I wanted and sing freely !
ZY: For some reason, when I listen to Fune Kogu Hito (舟漕ぐ人), I have a feeling this is a very emotional/nostalgic song. Is it?
KR: This is actually the oldest song on this album, I wrote it when I was still living in Fukushima. I was thinking of the beautiful ocean of Tohoku while I was working on it and I was imagining the ever expanding horizon of the sea. I feel like this is part of the song a little bit.
ZY: I noticed on Twitter that you’re often a guest of the show goosehouse. I’m not familiar with it, could you please explain what it is?
KR: Goosehouse is actually a group name and they’re a guest of a show on USTREAM (a Japanese video streaming website). Many other singer-songwriters like myself get together and sing covers of different songs. We try to make music in a fun way, I think that’s why it’s quite popular. I make an occasional appearance on their show.
ZY: I was lucky enough to see you perform live in Saitama at HEAVEN’S ROCK a couple of weeks ago. It was a very small venue, very intimate. I thought you were very natural and genuine on stage. I loved it! Do you feel any stress before performing? Because you seemed very relaxed up there.
KR: I try to make it a fun thing for myself, I try not to overthink it too hard. I think that if I feel comfortable, the audience will feel comfortable as well. Of course, sometimes there are things that distract me but I try not to think too much about these things.
ZY: I liked the way you were talking to the audience, it was very natural!
KR: Thank you!
ZY: I have to mention the song CROSS ROAD: you were on stage, singing, playing the guitar and the harmonica! I told myself: “hey, I didn’t know Rina could be a one-man band” (laughs). But more seriously, how do you manage to do this? It looks very complicated!
KR: I don’t really consider myself a multitasker! (laughs) Actually, I try to think of the guitar as a part of myself, not something separate that I have to deal with. I think this is how I manage to do all these things at the same time.
ZY: I know you’re on your 3rd tour right now with a final show in Tokyo at Zepp DiverCity. Do you have any ritual before going on stage? How do you prepare for such a long tour?
KR: Before a performance, of course, I have to make sure I’m fully prepared so I go through many rehearsals with the band. For my own mentality, my mind set before I go on stage, I do try to organize my thoughts and feelings in order to be ready for the show.
ZY: Would you like to perform abroad someday? In Europe maybe?
KR: Yes, I really wanna go!
ZY: Please, come!
Everyone: (laughs)
ZY: I only speak a little Japanese so I only understand some of your lyrics. Yet, I love your music. Is that something that surprises you?
KR: That makes me very happy to hear you say that! In terms of myself, I also grew up listening to a lot of English songs and I loved all of these as well. Sometimes I consider that I might have some complex about this, that I might be seen as someone who just imitates. However, when I hear someone abroad is able to enjoy my music, it gives me confidence that I am making something original.
ZY: I know you’re originally from the Fukushima prefecture. Obviously, what happened in 2011 was devastating. I was very touched by it because Japan is a country I love and I actually donated some money to help rebuild the area. With your busy schedule as a musician, were you able to go back there and help?
KR: Thank you so much for your feelings, they are really meaningful to me. When you think about Fukushima, which is only about an hour and half away by Shinkansen (high-speed train), it’s not that far. I can go there anytime I feel like it. Sometimes, when an acquaintance reaches out to me and invites me to go, I will visit. I might go to temporary shelters, talk to people or sing for kindergarden children when I’m there. It seems very simple to me to talk with the residents of Fukushima. It’s also very important to me and it’s a way of giving back to these people.
ZY: You know, in the first issue of our magazine, we actually wrote an article about Fukushima and how people in our region in France tried their best to help. I can maybe send you a copy of it, if you’re interested.
KR: It makes me happy. Yes, please do!
ZY: By the way, what was it like to grow up there? Since it’s the countryside, it must have been very different than your current life in Tokyo.
KR: It may be partially thanks to my parents but I feel like I had a wholesome childhood growing up. I could step out and easily be a part of nature, the air there is always very fresh. The food is not only cheaper but very tasty and delicious. When I came to Tokyo, I realized that this is not a given. So I’m thankful for it.
ZY: Let’s talk more about yourself now. Do you have any other hobbies or passions outside of music?
KR: Ever since I was little, I really like to make things. I enjoy art, I like to visit museums, I like watching movies. I also really like going for a drive.
ZY: Do you know France? Have you ever been there?
KR: I haven’t been to France but I would love to go someday. I also watch French films.
ZY: I would recommend the French movie Untouchables, it’s a comedy, it’s really good!
ZY: There’s a community who loves Japan over here in France, Japanese food in particular is very popular. Did you know that?
KR: I heard before that anime is very popular in France. But I didn’t realize that Japanese cooking is also very popular. I know that France is seen as the best in food! So I’m very proud to know that Japanese food is appreciated there as well.
ZY: What do you like to eat? Anything French?
KR: I love croissants!
ZY: We’re almost done. If you have any project you would like to share with us, now is the time!
KR: I’m actually going to be in my first anime called Mayoiga (迷家-マヨイガ-). I will be writing the ending theme for it. I would be really happy if it could spread overseas! (see our news in French here)
ZY: Thank you so much Rina for spending some time with us today. See you soon and good luck for the tour!
KR: Thank you very much!
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Katahira Rina online
Official site
Official Twitter
Official Facebook page
YouTube channel
Articles on Zero Yen Media (in French)
Buy Katahira Rina‘s music at CD Japan
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Thank yous
A big thank you to Rina for being so patient and sweet during the interview. I had an amazing time! Thank you to her management as well for giving me the opportunity to meet her and write this article. And last but not least, many thanks to Marika for translating during the interview. Much appreciated!
A lovely souvenir…:
ほんとにありがとございました！！
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