Singer-songwriter iri　

How to write lyrics that always describe reality and resonate with many people

Singer-songwriter　 iri　(fried)

■ Profile
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, she began performing live at a local jazz bar, and in 2014 won the grand prize at an audition held by fashion magazine NYLON JAPAN and Sony Music.
After her debut, she became a hot topic after working on a Nike campaign song and appeared in numerous fashion magazines. She has also performed overseas, including at a festival in France and on a tour in China, making her an up-and-coming female artist who is attracting attention from all over the world.

【OFFICIAL SITE】http://iriofficial.com/
【Instagram】https://www.instagram.com/i.gram.iri/
【Twitter】 https://twitter.com/03iritaama
【YouTube】https://www.youtube.com/c/iri_official
[TikTok]https://www.tiktok.com/@iri_official_

iri has a unique style and her appeal has been appreciated by many people, including those in the music industry, since her debut. She will release her sixth album, "PRIVATE," in May 2023, and will be performing at numerous music festivals from this summer through autumn. Tickets for her acoustic tour, "iri Plugless Tour," scheduled to begin in November, have already sold out in various locations, and a performance at Budokan Park on Wednesday, March 13th next year has just been announced. We spoke to this unstoppable singer about what inspired her to pursue a career in music, her thoughts on songwriting, and more.

I feel like I've had many opportunities to interact with music since I was a child. Whenever I turned on the TV, I'd often watch terrestrial music programs, MTV, or Space Shower. So, I had a strong interest in music back then, but it wasn't until I encountered an artist I respected that this interest turned into admiration. I particularly love artists with distinctive, soulful vocals. For example, Japanese artist AI and international artist Alicia Keys. Listening to their songs, I strongly felt that I wanted to inspire many people through my music, and eventually decided to become a singer. Then, in high school, I started covering other artists' songs, but I somehow got bored of them. Then, a friend invited me to a concert by singer-songwriter Tabito Nanao. He's still one of my most respected artists, and watching him sing as he weaved his words while playing guitar was so moving that it made me want to create music using my own words, without relying on anyone else's. Looking back, I think this moment was my awakening to my dream of becoming a singer-songwriter.

■Participating in an audition that became a turning point in his life

After that, the big turning point that led me to where I am today was participating in an audition. It was a joint audition by the magazine "NYLON JAPAN" and "Sony Music," and the grand prize winner was given the chance to study abroad in New York. Isn't it amazing to be able to go to America for free? (laughs) So I applied straight away. And as a result of the audition, I was able to win the grand prize.
Studying abroad in New York was a truly stimulating and valuable experience, as it allowed me to come into contact with black music, which is my roots. To be honest, if I hadn't done well at this audition, I was thinking of giving up on my music career. So, this moment may have been a turning point in my life. I'm also grateful to my parents, who have always supported me since I was a student. I'm sure the people around me played a big role in keeping me going despite the many times I failed.

■ The foundation of music production is "iri-ness"

There are so many enjoyable things about my current job, it's hard to even begin to describe them all. Of course, the main premise is that it's fun simply because I'm doing what I love. But honestly, even if I only do what I love, sometimes it doesn't get across to the audience. It's always difficult to balance what I want to express with the needs of the public, and I often struggle to make the necessary adjustments.
But even in that, one thing that's important to me is not to lie to myself. For example, when I write lyrics, I can only write from my own experiences. To put it in perspective, it's like writing a diary. I write lyrics that are true to myself, without trying to be too ambitious, about my daily worries, changes in my feelings, or the small happiness I've recently discovered. That's why, when I create music, I'm always conscious of creating works that will be listened to by many people, but at the same time, never losing my individuality. No matter how long my career gets or how many songs I write, I think what makes me happiest is when people think, "That's so typical of iri."
Furthermore, the work of a singer-songwriter, whether it's songwriting or performing live, is never something that can be done alone. Of course, it's me who is ultimately judged, but because I have my friends, I don't really feel like I'm doing it alone. Especially during live performances, there's the fun of jamming with the band members and the joy of creating a sense of unity with the audience, all of which are things that would be difficult for me to achieve on my own. That's why it's so rewarding to be able to spread joy and happiness and share that feeling with everyone involved.

■About the 6th album "PRIVATE"

I tried to write about my current state of mind in a fairly unbiased manner on this album. I think it candidly expresses changes in relationships and values, in particular. As the title suggests, it's a diary-like record of truly personal details, so I hope you'll pay close attention to the lyrics as you listen. Another new challenge is my first collaboration with an international artist. The track "Go back" was co-produced with edbl (Ed Black), a trackmaker I've been paying attention to for several years, and guitarist Isogai Kazuki, who is also my support member and with whom I've had a long-standing relationship. Creating music with an international artist was one of my goals, so I'm happy that this dream has come true. While it's been difficult to travel abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I hope to incorporate more international trends and create even more interesting works in the future.

■What music can do

For me, music is the thing and place where I can be the most honest. I'm not a naturally cheerful person, and I'm not very good at talking to people. But through music I can say things that I wouldn't normally say. That's why I think the music I create is genuine and full of reality. I would like to continue creating works that resonate with more people by conveying the true feelings that flow from within. And one thing we mustn't forget is health. No matter how passionate your emotions are, if you're not healthy you won't be able to do anything. Students, please don't push yourself too hard, and make your health your number one priority, and do your best.

Interview with Student Newspaper Online on March 30, 2023 by Keio University third-year student Miyu Ito

"iri LIVE at Budokan" to be held!
Date and time: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 Doors open 18:00 / Start 19:00
Venue: Nippon Budokan
Special site:https://www.iriofficial.com/budokan/