Eerie Hoe Down Folk Pop With A Narrative

Miwa Gemini has a few stories to tell.

She has one about a mischievous imaginary friend named Grizzly Rose, the star of her third, conceptual LP The Fantastic Lies of Grizzly Rose. She has a story about a pathway that, in her new song “Goodnight Trail,” exists somewhere between sleep and wake. She also has a story about a porcelain cat named Sasha who used to join her during live shows — before her head fell off backstage (that one’s true).

The Japan-born, Brooklyn-based singer/musician packages these nebulous fairy tales into eerie hoe-down folk pop. Tom Waits, Holly Golightly, and Edith Piaf would be proud to rank among her musical brethren, and Miwa can certainly go toe-to-toe when it comes to her sheer volume of instruments: accordion, guitar, banjo, and mandolin each have a place on her CV.

Miwa’s thriving fanbase voted for her in a frenzy last week, making her MTV Iggy’s Artist of the Week. We chatted with her about J-pop, how she got into The Carpenters as a kid, and of course, what has become of Sasha.

Grizzly Rose — who is she? What are some of her fantastic lies?
She’s one of my very dear (imaginary) friends and a muse. She told me that she ran a flea circus to make a living when she was little, that she’s an excellent tight rope walker and my favorite — once she scared away the entire gang of bank robbers all by herself. You can read more about Grizzly Rose’s fantastic lies on my blog.

How is the porcelain cat doing? If it’s in retirement, have you considered a replacement sidekick?
After miraculously escaping losing her head, Sasha now sits happily on top of my fake fireplace mantle. Thank goodness for crazy glue! I’m not looking for another sidekick. If someone (or rather something) comes along, that’s great but these things you can’t hurry.

Are there are recent influences that have shaped this album in particular?
My (almost) unemployment. All of a sudden, I had a lot of time to sit down with my favorite things like my guitar, toy piano and earl grey tea.

Where’s the goodnight trail?
Hm, that’s a difficult one — geographically speaking somewhere between east and west but you can only find it when you are just about to fall asleep. That makes it very difficult to remember where exactly it is.

Growing up in Japan, how did you get into bands like the Carpenters?
My mom. She was always singing “every sha la la la” ["Yesterday Once More"] when I was little.

Know any J-pop?
Not really but I love the Sukiyaki song — does that count?

What do you miss most about Japan?
My family, food and shoes that come in sizes “small” and “medium.”

What’s next for Miwa Gemini?
Touring! I’m going south and to the west Coast! It’s very exciting. Although I will miss Sasha the porcelain cat but I’m excited to meet new faces and greet old friends!

 

Miwa Gemini. Photo Credit:Ty Cole