Exclusive Interview with 'RISA KUMON'

Singer, songwriter, and radio host Risa Kumon was born in Sasebo City, Nagasaki, Japan and now resides in Tokyo. She is a multi-genre singer who primarily focuses on R&B, Jazz, Soul, and Pop. She became interested in R&B after seeing “Sister Act 2” as a young child. Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston, as well as the jazz music her father would play, served as early influences for Risa. She is a bilingual artist with a motivating, honest voice and a strong message. She contracted the measles as a child and eventually lost her vision. Fortunately, she was able to regain her visual clarity. As a result, she developed the incurable condition retinitis pigmentosa. Her voice is uplifting and healing, many of her fans remark. “I feel the power of her music without any worries or hesitation.”

A jazz EP, a collection of Christmas covers, and a joint album with American musician and producer RORO are among Risa’s earlier endeavors. She is currently putting the finishing touches on her upcoming album and is well-known in the media as a multilingual radio personality who conducts interviews with famous people and other entertainers on R2 RADIO & Risa’s Select while they are visiting Japan. She has already charted multiple times in her career and has performed at some of Japan’s biggest music festivals.

“Free” was proudly released by Risa Kumon. Risa’s smooth voice and an electronic piano create the mood for “Free,” which develops into an alluring RNB/Soul song with pristine production. It makes sense given that American producer Rolandis “Roro” Ramsey produced and orchestrated it in Tokyo, and that Irko, who just won a Grammy for mixing Kanye West’s “Donda,” mixed it. The single “Free,” which is a tasteful addition to any R&B playlist, has already topped music charts on numerous platforms in Japan, the United States, and many other countries around the world. Check out her single “Free” and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

RISA KUMON: I come from the historical port city of Sasebo city, Nagasaki. The Kyushu region which is west of Japan.

As far as music, My musical Journey probably would start when I was young. Due to a sickness, I lost my eyesight when I was 3 years old, but I miraculously recovered my vision around the age of 4. That was around the same time I started learning to play the piano and doing ear training. I learned to play the piano at 3, but before then, I think I was always meant to do music.

2. Did you guys have any formal training or are you self-taught?

RISA KUMON: I think I’m self-taught in many aspects of music but I have also had some formal training. In high school, I majored in classical music so I had a basic education in that but once I heard a genre I liked, I would study and teach myself different styles of music. I have always been a student whether it was from formal training or self-teaching and I’m always excited to learn more.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘RISA KUMON’?

RISA KUMON: I say one of my strongest musical influences has to be Lauryn Hill. Hearing her in Sister’s act 2 when I was young was my first discovery of R&B, and gospel music. I would also say, Sarah Vaughan. My dad use to play her music all the time and her uniqueness, voice, and originality inspired me.

About my name Risa Kumon – My stage name is my real name. I decided to go with my real name because I feel it fits me best. I am always me with music and anything I do. I give all of me, truthfully and unapologetically and my real name being my stage name represents that.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

RISA KUMON: The Key elements are love, Borderless, and soulful.

Love: Because every time I sing it’s with a feeling of love. I sing not only for myself but to send love, positivity, and good vibes to the world and anyone listening.

Borderless: Because my Music has no borders or limits. I don’t put myself in a box and only sing one genre. I sing what my heart desires and what makes me feel good. One day it could be R&B, the next it could be jazz, and another day it could be classical. To me, Music is music no matter the genre or language.

Soulful: because I sing from the soul. I think the lyrics and Melody that my voice makes are words from the soul. They are honest, they are lively, and they are free.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your style, which is known as RNB?

**RISA KUMON:**
I think I’m inspired by the music of different eras, cultures, and genres, and absorb all the sounds that move me. I was also very interested in foreign language songs, so I analyzed the singing of various artists and followed the sounds I heard. In particular, I was attracted to music that had a strong personality and culture, and I began to express what I absorbed in the influence of my songs through my perspective. I like artists who make the most of their individuality in terms of technique, style, and way of expression, so I aim for music where I can express myself by making the most of my individuality. I think RnB stuck with me because it’s a sound that blends comfort and emotion nicely and expresses the vibe that I love. I like mellow sounds with rhythms and emotion.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

RISA KUMON:

I think it’s great when artists speak on Cultural, Social, spiritual, and political things because music is a reflection of life and sometimes these things need to be said. Sometimes artists are the voice of the voiceless. I like it when artists do it because it’s bold, and represents the true essence of being an Artist. As far as me, I haven’t reached that point in my career where I felt the need to sing about something political but if I ever did it will be organic and something from the heart. It won’t be forced or sung because this is what someone wants me to say. I will say or sing it because this is what I truly feel. I think music has no borders so I’m open to making any type of music as long as it’s organic and feels right to me.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

RISA KUMON:

Absolutely! Music is my job, but it’s also my hobby and my life. Some may not like the process and steps it takes to bring the bigger picture to life but I enjoy the process. I love what I do, and it brings me fulfillment to create, then to see the responses and reactions afterward. Maybe I like it a little too much and that’s why I critique my work a lot. With every project, there’s a new challenge or new mountain I climb. I know it may get tougher the higher I climb, but I’m ready for that challenge.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

RISA KUMON:

Whenever I’m creating, My music gets influenced by my moods, my environment, or whatever I’m feeling at the moment. Whatever I’m feeling gets transmitted as sounds, and when I hear or see the vision, it’s formed into a song. Sometimes things come fast, and sometimes it might take weeks or even months to complete. I feel the best music comes naturally, so I don’t try to force or rush anything. When I feel like creating something, I start and thing naturally comes to me. I can start at my piano, from my melodies, a track I’m listening to, or by writing my thoughts. I’ve created with people, and I’ve created music by myself. I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to create as long as the result is good.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

RISA KUMON: I think being an artist, in general, is hard. Putting yourself out there for the world to judge, and critique you daily isn’t easy to do so I send love to all artists that persevere and continue to put out their art. As far as difficult things for me, I would say I think my greatest challenge would be to release music daily. I have so many songs, but I’m a perfectionist so many songs don’t get heard until I’m 100 percent satisfied with them. In a time where people consume music so quickly, an artist is expected to release new music daily but I think my greatest attribute in all of this is to keep going and persevere until I get the sound and vibe I want in a song.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

RISA KUMON: Tricky, because I think you can achieve success every day. It all depends on how you look at life and success. For me as an artist, It can be completing a song, a project I’ve been working on, or just having the courage to continue to put myself out in the public eye. My music has reached the top of the charts multiple times on numerous platforms, and I’ve had the chance to perform at some well-known festivals throughout Asia, but I wouldn’t say that was a better achievement than the last one. I give thanks and appreciate all the achievements in my life; Big or small.

11. Any last words:

RISA KUMON: My new single “FREE” is out now! Check it out, and if you like it please share it with your friends and family. It would be amazing if my music could brighten up your day.