Created in 2022, JIEMEI is shaking up the Japanese music scene with a bold fusion of idol aesthetics and alt-rock sounds. As they make their debut appearance at the French festival Japan Expo, the group isn’t hiding its ambition: to share its distinctive world with audiences beyond Japan. With meticulous attention to their style, JIEMEI’s members turns their look into a statement as powerful as their music. Meet the four girls in our exclusive interview!
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Hi, can you introduce yourselves?
Kamishiro Rose: I’m Kamishiro Rose.
Nemume Rita: My name is Nemume Rita.
Kurosame Wana: I’m Kurosame Wana.
Yaotome Near: And I’m Yaotome Near.
Each one of you has an official color. How did you choose them?
Kamishiro Rose: Actually, they are just our favorite colors.
JIEMEI: Yes, we each picked the one we love most.
Your appearance is both polished and distinctive. Do you have a say in your stage outfits?
Kurosame Wana: Absolutely! We are directly involved in the creation of our outfits. We exchange ideas with our team and send them photos for inspiration, to show the style we’re aiming for. For example, Kamishiro Rose even made her own stage costume.
You’re idols, yet you perform alternative rock. How do you blend such different genres?
Kurosame Wana: For us, it’s completely natural. From the very beginning, we’ve been mixing those two seemingly opposite styles, so it feels instinctive now.
You have released several digital singles and EPs. Are there plans for a physical album anytime soon?
Kurosame Wana: For now, there are no plans to release a physical album.
How do you feel about performing in Europe for the first time, especially at Japan Expo?
Nemume Rita: When we were told we’d be going to France for Japan Expo, I was like, « Seriously? We’re really going to France? »
Kamishiro Rose: Our fan club is called UMEI. We want to grow our audience, have more people listen to our songs and we especially hope that French fans will become UMEI!
JIEMEI: We would love to come back!
Are there any places in France you would like to visit?
Nemume Rita: The Eiffel Tower.
Kurosame Wana: Also the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées.
Nemume Rita: I’d really love to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. It’s a bit too far this time, but I would love to go there in the future.
Do you have a final message for your French fans ?
Kamishiro Rose: Our music is truly special. Our goal is to charm audiences around the world, and I really hope more people become fans, Umei! Personally, my dream is to create an anime theme song one day.
Nemume Rita: Our music ranges from love songs to tracks with more diverse messages. I’d really love to know which songs French listeners enjoy most. I also want to come back to France more often! So please listen to our songs on YouTube, so that way we’ll know what resonates with you.
Kurosame Wana: Until now, we have only performed in Asia. Even within Asia, different languages can create a gap. But here in Europe, I don’t feel that kind of distance. Through music, we can share a common passion. I want people to feel that connection, beyond language and culture. I dream of creating a globally recognized song that helps introduce Japanese culture to the world.
Yaotome Near: I want people around the world to get energy from our music. I truly believe our songs can do that. I also hope for peace across the universe.
Interview in collaboration with Nautiljon.
Thanks to Japan Expo, PACHI PACHI Project and JIEMEI.
