Mari Aoki Visits Section 36 Music!

Section 36 Music has another visitor! Mari Aoki has an amazing recent single, "Behind My Eyes", that I love listening to. I was thrilled that she wanted to visit with us to discuss the song and more. I'm sure you'll love what she had to say.

So, let's see what happens when Mari Aoki visits Section 36 Music!

I absolutely adore your recent single, “Behind My Eyes”. What can you tell me about it?

Thank you! Yes, this song is about the tug of war between the memories about your ex that made them your lover at one point and the realities that make them your ex right now. 

I still have fantasies of bumping into him or any of my exes really. So it brings into question what if we made those fantasies a reality. That’s always the point of tension right? I think ultimately I enter a lucidity in the chorus, acknowledging, we really shouldn’t be anything close in reality. So I’ll keep seeing him or any of them behind my eyes. 

You also made a fantastic music video for the song. What was it like putting that together?

I went from putting aside a hefty budget for a hi-def music video vibe to now, where I’m around more DIY oriented artists. I think it’s unfortunate that music, which is art, WHICH shouldn’t have anything to do with capitalism, is basically a reluctant sibling to capitalism now. So my DIY approach was not only out of necessity, but an exploration of anti capitalism. 

Visually, I’m very interested in Y2K, Japanese girl next door vibes recently so I had lots of fun exploring that. I’ve been around so many Japanese people including Spookytatu, now roommate and incredibly intuitive visual/tattoo artist inspiring a lot of “Mari Aoki” visuals. So you can see a lot of their influence on my narrative lately.

What do you enjoy most about performing on stage in front of an audience?

Well it’s the whole point. 

All of the stuff, the content, visuals, even songs themselves are setting the stage for the MEAT of it all which is performance. 

You gotta be there to say you have experienced it right? Live performance? 

It’s pretty spiritual and intimate to look people in the eyes and to be myself in this way.

Who or what would you consider your biggest musical influences?

Perfume, Japanese EDM trio.

Sheena Ringo, also Japanese songwriter and path paver honestly! 

I think Perfume exudes this Japanese cuteness that unfortunately, the world sees purely in a stereotypical way.

But their cuteness expresses this unapologetic femininity and youthfulness that’s never tries to be sexy. It’s surprising to see that as an American, since our music industry banks on the sexualization of female artists.

Sheena Ringo on the other hand DOES exude a sexiness that I’m very interested in.

It’s not on the nose though which I like.

It’s just a contrast from Perfume because Sheena Ringo expresses a sense of maturity, sometimes a more pessimistic perspective.

I love taking inspiration from these two contrasting artists.

What is the most challenging part of your music career?

Art vs. Business.

Hands down.

I’m a Capricorn so, I think about money a lot.

But it’s not about being someone with lots of money (well okay sometimes, admittedly it is lol).

It’s about stability as well as being able to proudly say what your profession is. And how proud would I be if I said I eat from ticket sales? 

Art that pushes boundaries, therefore, creating a new future of art, is so inconvenient for our money making machine. And that’s the sort of movement, I’m interested in, as far as existentially fulfilling some sort of purpose as someone who was born into this time and place as an artist.

But that’s so antithetical to the practical goals I have in my life.

How y'all juggle it yourselves? I’m talking to the artists out there! Ugh.

What are your immediate music goals?

This year, my goal is to reach the folks out there that are
looking for me...

In business terms, one could call this group of people my "niche" or "target audience", sure. 

But all I want to do is reach those who are looking for a new pop, disco, R&B sound intersecting with J-pop! 

In other words, I want to curate a genuinely Japanese American pop sound and find the people looking for it. 

I know they are out there, because I know I'm looking for it. And I'm trying to create it! (keyword being "Trying"!)

I want to work on curating live sets and projects (singles, EP's, films even) that bring these people an experience that they can't get through any other artist. 

In this economy, a $20-30 ticket is a big ask. 

Time and energy to listen, watch, and immerse myself in my story is a big ask. 

My goal is to make it a no brainer. 

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That's definitly a goal I can appreciate!

As always, I want to thank Mari for visiting with us, and for sending along the picture to accompany the interview.

I'm sure you’ll all want to follow her and see what she has going on. I would follow her on Instagram and Spotify to make sure you don't miss a thing. 

Thanks again, Mari, and good luck reaching your goals!