Sen Morimoto is a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter who was born in Kyoto, Japan and grew up in Western Massachusetts, the place he started learning saxophone at an early age. After shifting to Chicago in 2014, he spent the next years connecting with town’s music group and honing his abilities as a genre-blending producer, washing dishes for a residing earlier than deciding to give attention to music full time. A co-owner of Sooper Information alongside collaborators NNAMDÏ and Glenn Curran, Morimoto put out their first two albums, 2018’s Cannonball! and 2020’s self-titled effort, through the label. Now, the musician has returned together with his third album, Analysis, launched by Sooper in partnership with Metropolis Slang. Marking their first time recording in knowledgeable studio, it’s an pressing, dynamic assortment of songs that however possesses a quiet and self-aware sensibility, simply gratifying on a musical degree however richly rewarding and nuanced at its core. Lyrically, Morimoto weaves in day-to-day observations with recollections from childhood in an effort to unpack American id and the methods by which late-stage capitalism commodifies it – all whereas making an attempt to not let it taint the sincere feeling and collaborative nature of the artwork itself. “The solar went down as I searched/ Each inch of the earth/ Not for a spot however for a reminiscence,” they sing nostalgically on ‘Give up’, and arduous as the method could be, touchdown there can really feel like a revelation.
We caught up with Sen Morimoto for the most recent version of our Artist Spotlight series to speak in regards to the outward-facing nature of Analysis, the cognitive dissonance of making artwork below capitalism, and extra.
There’s a sure stress that comes with releasing a self-titled album, which is supposedly meant to function a illustration of the artists themselves. What had been the challenges, in your thoughts, that got here with following it up?
In the end, it simply ended up being self-titled as a result of it felt like a continuation of what I’d been engaged on in my inventive follow as a solo artist for the previous 5 years earlier than that. It was very a lot the identical course of I had been utilizing to make music since I began doing it on my own; I used to be making beats in my room, it was a really remoted expertise and really a lot nearly my very own psyche. Numerous these songs from the primary two information are simply psychoanalyzing myself, and with this one, it sort of felt like I had gone so far as I might in that path. When the album is nearly you, then you must flip the lens round and examine different issues. Each lyrically and sonically, I believe I used to be making an attempt to pivot deliberately, and I wasn’t positive precisely the place it was going to go, however simply knew that I wished to do issues in a different way. So I invited my bandmates into the studio, people I’ve been touring with previous 6-7 years, and that alone was an enormous transformation for the music – giving it some stay feeling, really taking part in with one another within the room, and in addition it simply being a studio report, in a way, was completely different. All the pieces simply form of turned outward, after which I did the identical factor for the lyrics. It’s so much much less about analyzing myself and extra so in regards to the world round us.
So you are feeling like there was a direct relationship between how your musical strategy and lyrical perspective developed?
Yeah, completely. I believe that’s often how I begin determining that an album is being made. Particularly now, a variety of artists make such genre-defying music, as a result of all people’s making music that’s influenced by like 20 various things, so it’s arduous to know, whenever you’re making songs, should you’re making them in the identical universe. And as soon as I begin feeling like there’s a couple of the place the sonic ingredient is doing the identical factor because the lyrics are aspiring to do, then it’s like, “Oh, this could possibly be a report.”
You talked in regards to the outward-facing nature of the report being a pure response to what you had been writing about prior to now. Exterior of serious about the trajectory of your albums, how did it allign together with your headspace and the stuff you had been preoccupied with on the time?
It positively was written in response to what I used to be experiencing and studying on the time. After touring for a handful of years, after which every part being shut down in the course of the pandemic, reveals being canceled, after which coming again to touring as venues reopened, and discovering that it was a completely completely different panorama – bills for every part had inflated so excessive that it’s not possible to tour. Experiencing a yr of making an attempt actually arduous to try this, and in addition having gone via a few years of being at residence and interesting in fixed political unrest whereas we had been experiencing lockdown and financial shutdown, simply made it really feel so completely different. Coming again to what you had been doing with it a completely completely different perspective was eye-opening. And I believe lots of people in all probability skilled this in no matter area they’re in; getting the sense that they’d new eyes for the methods by which their trade works, and the alternative ways by which capitalism impacts each facet of our life. I believe these have been issues I at all times considered, however at all times carried a variety of guilt for, within the sense that there’s no moral strategy to interact in a capitalist-driven world.
It’s been actually arduous to even talk about, as a result of a variety of what went into the report was simply making an attempt to determine these items out, after which realizing that there’s not likely a great reply; there’s simply different individuals which can be experiencing the identical factor. And in the end, that was what I got here to, is that the explanation the album is so outward-facing – each in my critique of capitalism and the methods that govern us, but in addition outward-facing in a means that it reaches out to attach with people who find themselves feeling equally – is that the one reply I might come to was that being in group and connecting with people experiencing the identical factor gave the impression to be the one factor that helped.
Except for coming into it with a distinct perspective, was there additionally a shift in confidence that allowed you to articulate these questions in a extra clear and complex means than you beforehand felt in a position to?
Yeah, completely. It’s not one thing I’ve mentioned with anybody about this report, actually, which I’m so glad you introduced up. I really feel like so many artists in all probability felt equally, the place you’re contemplating the ramifications of being concerned in an trade about advertising your self and advertising this artwork that you simply maintain so pure, and there’s a dissonance inside your self about taking part in that. But it surely’s arduous to debate and create the artwork on the identical time. It’s virtually like should you’re admitting that it’s a corrupt trade and that you simply’re partaking in it, then you’ll be able to’t actually interact within the artwork the identical means. It turns into tough to, like, write a love track that somebody’s simply going to run the numbers on for streaming or one thing. I believe a variety of what went into beginning the report was feeling like if I didn’t give attention to that discomfort, and I simply let it stew whereas I used to be making an attempt to make music about one thing else, it might form of tear me aside, and I wouldn’t be capable to make artwork in any respect.
As soon as I had made the report or the the bones of it and realized what it was about, it was tough to really feel assured sufficient to share it in that means, as a result of I’ve at all times simply been an individual in a room making beats. I’m not a political activist or an instructional thoughts on this, so there’s a sense a variety of artists share that possibly you don’t need to say the fallacious factor or appear uninformed about these bigger subjects. However a part of what’s actually thrilling to me about placing out the album, which is sort of the scary half but in addition the great half, is that I hope it makes individuals extra snug discussing these items with out feeling like they need to know each facet earlier than the dialog begins. I believe simply normalizing the concept you’re serious about it’s such a great step.
The track ‘What You Say’ begins with the traces, “Don’t go making metaphors out of/ Seemingly meaningless moments/ Parables out of friendship patterns/ Selecting at scabs received’t heal them quicker.” That appears like stream-of-consciousness, however I’m wondering if it’s additionally specficially being self-conscious in regards to the writing course of.
There’s typically a pair methods I’m serious about a lyric in a track. Generally I’m serious about the best way that you would work together with it should you’re listening to it for the primary time and projecting your personal life onto it as a listener. After which I’m serious about, for me, phrases have so many double meanings, and that line is certainly a jab at myself in regards to the methods by which I interpret issues. I believe lower than a definitive “That is the right mind-set” or “That is the reply to those questions” on the album, it’s extra so about sharing my expertise in a means that hopefully feels considerably relatable, so leaving these moments in the place I’m not sure of issues, and even some opposing views on the report, I really feel like match into it. Even a track like ‘Dangerous State’ is about making an attempt to nonetheless have some pleasure in your life and suppose much less in regards to the factor, after which the remainder of the album is like, Give it some thought, give it some thought, give it some thought. A few of it’s nearly documenting each side.
Did you battle with having the album adhere to any sort of coherent philosophy as you had been assembling the songs?
I believe some individuals can, and it’s actually admirable and funky, determine, like, “That is what my album’s gonna be about, the story’s gonna go from A to B.” However I simply let issues come out after which check out it afterwards, and it form of tells me, “Oh, that’s what that is about. Fascinating.” And I’ve had that have with different information like prior to now – typically you even suppose you understand what your album’s about, and then you definately launch it, and after a yr of seeing what it does on the planet, how individuals react to it, you’re like, “That makes a lot sense, I used to be going via this on the time and I simply couldn’t see it as a result of I it was my very own shit, and that’s the toughest shit to see.” As a result of it’s an album that’s slightly extra particularly about one factor and never simply form of exploring my very own ideas, although, I did really feel some stress, principally self-inflicted, to wrap it up in a bow and have a solution. In the end, exhibiting it to buddies and sharing it with friends was the place I discovered the reply, in simply that people had been responding in a means that was like, “I’m so completely happy to listen to these items mentioned this manner, as a result of I’ve been feeling them myself however form of unable to articulate it.” In order that was my reply, that we’re each feeling it, and that’s so far as I care to take it, actually.
You’re additionally being fairly intentional about encapsulating these ideas within the title observe. You body that line, “You reside a protracted life doing what you must do,” because the prognosis, however on the identical time, it additionally seems like what we’re prescribed to do.
Yeah, that’s a extremely good level. It’s the prescription and the prognosis. It’s humorous, I suppose that’s form of the “catch-22” of it – you’ll be able to determine it out and you may have these ideas, however you continue to need to stay your life via it. That complete track begins with the concept you’re on the fuel station serious about all of the carnage and monstrosities that needed to occur for oil to achieve your automobile that you should fill your tank as much as get to work with to pay your hire this month, you concentrate on how terrible it’s, and then you definately simply need to proceed on together with your day. There’s a sure dose of actuality that sort of pushes in the wrong way of your radical considering, and there’s a spot within the center that you find yourself having to stay in, as a result of we simply stay below capitalism and you must pay your hire and feed your loved ones.
You showcase a variety of stylistic versatility all through the album. I’m curious if it was simpler or harder to search out the precise musical language to specific these concepts, or if it got here the opposite means round.
It felt actually pure on this report, extra so than regular. I believe I used to be feeling this unrest inside myself, and discomfort that we talked slightly bit about, but in addition anger and frustration with the world. Numerous songs begin instrumentally for me, so naturally the music was pushing in a means that was completely different than music I’d made earlier than. Numerous my older music may be very variety low-key beat stuff, and these beats that I used to be demoing had been simply pulsing in a darker means. Additionally, an enormous a part of my follow is simply exploring completely different devices, and for this report it was positively so guitar-focused, which is humorous. It’s sort of probably the most fundamental – I imply, to not hate on guitars, however guitars have such a, like, shitty dude power. [laughs] There’s positively some humorousness in that. But it surely actually helped me specific a sure rage than in my previous albums.
For a report that appears so lyrically and conceptually packed, ‘Stress on the Pulse’ seems like an instance of that sort of observe the place the music leads the power behind it.
Yeah, I believe that in all probability is probably the most music-centered – it might have been an instrumental and form of felt the identical means, which I don’t really feel about the remainder of the songs. They’re so like lyrically dense, and that one completely is extra, you simply really feel it within the urgency of the horns and the lopsided beat.
I’m occupied with how the 2 most intimate and introspective songs on the report, ‘Naive’ and ‘Forsythia’, are each tied to nostalgia. For you, how are they related to one another and the album as an entire?
There are positively moments the place I’m contemplating how my humanness nonetheless engages on this form of radical and rebellious thought. There’s such a scarcity of humanity, I believe, in a variety of cycles of considering – which is pure, as a result of there’s a lot work to be achieved, so it’s like, whenever you begin serious about all of the issues that you simply wish to make optimistic change in, it will get to some extent the place you are feeling egocentric or unable to consider your personal life and your personal emotions, that are actual. And even to form of not belief them, as a result of particularly as an artist, your emotions grow to be artwork, which turns into product. I really feel like nostalgia in each of these songs is written about in a means that’s making an attempt to encapsulate how the sentiments are actual, however the sense of nostalgia is nearly, doubtlessly a manipulation, the best way by which we’re indoctrinated with nostalgia.
‘Naive’, even within the sonic parts of it, but in addition lyrically, is so Americana in a sure means, and the lyrics are about feeling free and love. It’s form of balancing the methods by which these are actual feelings and actual recollections and issues that I maintain expensive, however I’m additionally contemplating how a lot of that’s tied to the best way I’m introduced up and the best way tradition and media form my sense of nostalgia, and form of poking enjoyable at how labeling your feelings that means can go away you susceptible to being manipulated. Feeling naive, or the intention to be happy, on this virtually patriotic sense, can sort of contaminate the true feeling, the pure feeling. ‘Forsythia’ is analogous, though that’s a track that I really feel like branches out in an advanced means lyrically.
It’s straightforward to be cynical about even simply the existence of that pure feeling if it’s so manipulated, however I don’t really feel that cynicism in your music. You deal with it as one thing valuable.
Yeah, I believe the report is extra so protecting of that actual feeling versus questioning it. It’s extra so questioning the setting of your emotions, in order that the true feeling can stay. Even the primary observe, ‘If the Reply Isn’t Love’, it’s determining what’s happening on the planet, asking what the purpose of all of it is and what is going to stay, however in the end feeling like if it’s not that actual feeling – no matter, love, God, form of the identical factor – then I don’t know if it’s price it.
On condition that the album revolves a lot round societal points, what do you are feeling like is the most important factor you’ve discovered about your self whereas making it?
I believe most importantly, particularly in my ideas to creating artwork, which is a part of what I’m exploring on the album, is the right way to proceed doing that – ethically, or simply sanely, or with love nonetheless, and with out turning into cynical. I’ve discovered that simply exploring these subjects however persevering with to launch music in the identical means didn’t change how I felt in regards to the music trade or taking part in it or advertising myself. I believe it helps as a result of I’m being sincere, and that units me free in a sure means and helps with that cognitive dissonance difficulty whereas creating artwork below capitalism. However, it’s humorous as a result of it’s so easy. One thing I had been serious about and mentioned so much as soon as it was achieved – I had completed the report and I used to be engaged on selling it, speaking to the labels and interesting within the music trade, and I might come residence at evening and simply be like, “I don’t know what the purpose is anymore.” As a result of I work on a report that’s about liberating your self from that, after which I am going interact in it once more, or feeling like I don’t have a selection. And clearly, you at all times have a selection. I can unplug, and I can return to working in eating places or no matter, and it’s nice. However I believe I might really feel the identical factor anyplace I work, as each trade suffers from the identical situation, which is in the end the prognosis.
However simply taking a second to understand the flexibility to make artwork and really feel gratitude for the house to try this, and the methods by which the album creates extra space for me to be artistic in with my group – you understand, I get to work on this report with my buddies, I get to make music movies with artistic and like-minded artists, I get to play the music stay, I get to have interaction within the artistic course of. That’s the prize you get. That’s the true cost for doing this, is constant to get to have an area the place you do the factor that you understand you’re imagined to be doing, and every part else is simply the work you must put in to be allowed to try this. It seems like one thing I ought to have identified a very long time in the past, that it’s not in regards to the report reaching as many individuals as it could possibly or individuals even resonating with it – it’s virtually just like the idea of the album and the lyrics are secondary to simply the house it creates for individuals to do one thing that they love with. That’s the reward.
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability and size.
Sen Morimoto’s Diagnosis is out now through City Slang/Sooper Records.
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