Risa Kumon is a singer, songwriter, and media personality. She’s originally from Nagasaki but now resides in Tokyo, Japan. She sings a variety of genres but mainly specializes in R&B, Jazz, and Soul. At age 3, She learned how to play the piano after losing her eyesight after being infected with measles. Luckily enough, she recovered her visual acuity. However, she had an intractable disease called secondary Retinitis Pigmentosa as sequelae. She says learning to play the piano sparked her love for music.
As a teenager, Risa became drawn to R&B after watching “Sister Act 2”. She found early inspiration in Lauryn Hill, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston, as well as the Jazz music that her father would play. Her previous projects include a Jazz EP, a project of Christmas covers, collaboration on multiple tracks, and an album with Artist/Producer Roro.
Besides being a singer-songwriter, Risa is a notable media name as a multilingual Radio personality who interviews celebrities and other entertainers on their visits to Japan. She has previously interviewed Kirk Franklin, Corinne Bailey Rae, Brian McKnight, and many more. Having also performed at some of the largest music festivals in Japan and charting multiple times in her career already, there is no telling how fast Risa Kumon will continue to rise.
Hey Risa Kumon! How are you?
I’m great, thank you.
What part of Nagasaki, Japan, are you from?
I am from Sasebo, Japan. It’s a wonderful port city in Nagasaki – The Kyushu area, which is west of Japan. Now I’m based in Tokyo.
What type of music did you listen to growing up?
I listened to all genres, But the most memorable music I remember is my father’s influence on Jazz, oldies, and Soul. I also loved listening to Hip-hop, R&B, and Reggae and looked forward to discovering new artists and songs. I grew up buying records, used CDs, listening to my father’s CDs, and recording my favorite songs on my MD (MiniDisc).
You grew up in Japan, where I’m sure the music was different from music here in America. What was your musical Journey like growing up in Japan?
My musical Journey would probably begin when I was young. Due to a sickness, I lost my eyesight when I was three years old, but I miraculously recovered my vision around age four. That was around the time I started learning to play the piano and training my ears. I was playing classical music and enjoyed it, but I felt a little unfulfilled when playing certain scores of music.
In high school, I changed my major from piano to vocal music, majoring in Italian Opera, and that was when I realize how much I liked singing better. At the time, I was singing Japanese and American pop music at karaoke and practicing various ways of singing. I would sing songs from Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion, and practice many other challenging songs from artists I liked. I sang international music at school events, learned hip-hop dances, sang R&B and Soul in clubs when I was in college, and listened to Dj mixes. I also started a jazz band, play Saxophone, and just enjoyed doing what I wanted to do musically.
What made you decide to sing in so many different styles?
Honestly, it wasn’t something I planned to do; It actually happened naturally. Sometimes I think artists box themselves into categories, but I don’t do that with my music. I feel I have always seen myself as genre-less. When I discover a style or language I like, I sing it without fear. I love music, and there are many genres with differences in taste that I enjoy indulging in.
I somewhat look at music like food. For example, I could want to eat Japanese food today, Italian food tomorrow, or Mexican food the day after tomorrow. Although the languages, cultures, and tastes in music may differ, I enjoy choosing what I like.
Like food, people may think digesting too much can be a bit greedy, but I love that there’s always a variety to choose from, and I enjoy trying many different styles and flavors until I get a taste I like.
You mentioned being inspired by many American entertainers, but can you tell us some Japanese entertainers that inspired you?
I would definitely say Joe Hisaishi’s music, Hayao Miyazaki’s movies, Takeshi Kitano’s TV shows, and Ken Shimura’s comedy. I think all those people I named played a huge role in the growth of Japanese music and entertainment. I get inspired by people who don’t follow the standard way of doing things and instead create what they want and how they want.
How is music in Japan different from the music here in America?
Language, of course, but also I think perspectives and topics are different as well. People’s way of thinking and living in Japan is a lot different from the way it is in America. I think it is so much different that whenever I travel outside of Japan, I get reverse culture shock when I come back. America is seen as one big melting pot of entertainment, and it’s a place that many Japanese want to live or visit.
As far as the music, I think American mainstream music is flashy, honest, and full of emotions. You can also feel the deep culture in the many music genres in America. One of the differences here is the way of expressing your identity. In Japan, being the same or doing what is seen as standard is considered good and safe. When you are different here in music or life, in general, it’s somewhat frowned upon, whereas in America being different, new, and innovative is something many artists strive to be. There are artists like myself in Japan that challenge the norm, but it’s something people have to get used to.
Tell us about your international shows R2 Radio and Risa’s Select.
Both shows (R2 Radio & Risa’s Select) are produced by R2 Recordz, but they are different. Risa’s Select introduces quite a few topics that I would like to recommend personally, and R2 Radio is a bilingual music program produced with my partner Rolandis “RORO” Ramsey. R2 Radio is an international program that invites and interviews guests from various scenes in the world of entertainment. Such guests include celebrities active in Japan and artists visiting Japan and abroad.
The show focuses on music, art, culture, trends, and is distributed to a global audience with subtitles in Japanese and English. (Past guests include: The Pharcyde, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kirk Franklin, DJ Krush, Drum Tao, Brian McKnight, Corrine Bailey Rae, Maxi Priest, Take 6, and more.)
Both of these shows are programs that I want many people to see because not only are they entertaining, but they show a side of entertainment that many viewers probably aren’t used to seeing. Each episode is produced specifically around the topic or entertainer, so you’re always getting something fresh and exciting. Most of our episode streams via Pharcyde TV, a network created by the Hip-hop group The Pharcyde. Some of our past episodes have been published on YouTube, so please take a look at r2radiojp.com.
Tell us about your new single, FREE.
FREE may be the most delicate song I’ve ever sung. The impression I got at first glance was a classic RnB song with a pleasant sound & good vibes lifted by a groovy bass. I decided to do this song because I feel it not only connects with me but with the world.
At the time of recording this song, the world was in a pandemic, and music was one thing I could go to feel free. The message of the song has always resonated deeply with me, so I felt it was the right time to bring these lyrics to a new age and audience. I have always believed in the circle of life and letting go of things that do not serve us. I want to urge the listeners to seek beauty in everything and plant the seeds for a fruitful future.
Ultimately, the concept and song’s message preaches one thing: FREEDOM.
What is the concept for the music video for FREE?
The concept for this music video was “connection with life beyond dimensions” The keyword of the world that I imagined true freedom was “creation, connection with life, the meaning of existence.” I also wanted to express my identity as a Japanese person, so I incorporated the symbol Mt. Fuji and the Japanese red dress, which is the color of the national flag, to reflect the beautiful nature of Japan. And the creation part is designed so that the person watching the video can create their storyline. We want you to watch the video and create a story and meaning of your own.
What have your challenges as an artist been?
I think expressing one’s taste, style, and vision through music is a challenge in any project. As an artist, I want to present my ideas from my point of view, but it’s hard because sometimes I might need help creating it.
I never want to compromise my art and like to keep searching for the best sounds to express my visions. The challenge in all that would be trying to get others to understand everything I see.
For each project, I recruit different creatives that I want to work with and tell them my ideas and visions. Sometimes it works out great, and sometimes it doesn’t.
That’s a challenge for me, but, It’s also a reward because most of the time, through perseverance, my ideas are brought to life.
What do you want to get out of your music career?
One of my purposes is to sing and inspire others with my music, so I would like to continue accumulating the satisfaction of knowing that my music helped someone in one way or another. Anything else I get from my music career would be an add-on to that.
Music gives me fresh inspiration and healing. I feel myself growing by singing, making music, and playing music, and I can enjoy being myself, so I want people who are listening to me to receive something special from the power I give each time I sing. I want to be the one who can send gifts such as love, healing, and good vibes to the world. I grew up being helped by those around me from a young age, so with my music, voice, and love, I’d like to give back.
Would you like the audience to know anything else about you?
Yes, My new single, “FREE,” is out now. It is available anywhere music is sold, so you can watch, stream, or download it, 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. I will be releasing more music soon, so I hope everyone continues to support me, and look forward to the other things I have in store!
