Interview with Shihori with her single "Invisible Stairway"

With a career that crosses borders, genres, and emotions, Shihori has built a musical universe. From her work in anime and video games to her solo projects, her style combines Japanese pop with Western influences, creating intense, emotional, and theatrical songs.

In this opportunity, we speak with her about her new release, "Invisible Stairway". She shares the behind-the-scenes of the song, her artistic vision, and some aspects of her personal journey that have made her a powerful and distinct voice within contemporary J-pop.

1- What does that "Invisible Stairway" represent for you?

Invisible Stairway represents "faith" in your dreams, ambitions, and goals.

2- How did the idea of combining horror with dramatic pop come about?

My melodies are always dramatic and also musical in general. And I always ask God for inspiration and it just turned out to be like that.I didn't mean to make something with horror movie vibes, but the song comes with these vibes, and it actually makes sense because it is really scary to step onto the invisible stairway even if you know it's there. Yes, it's a HORROR, but it's WORTHY.

3- What was it like to write this song in English?

I've been writing my original songs mostly in English since I moved to the U.S. in 2018.It's been challenging for me to write songs in my second language, but I've enjoyed it a lot, especially when I come up with something that sounds & means so great.

4- Were you inspired by any film, book, or real experience?

This has been my philosophy for many years. I don't know why, but I just knew it since I was small.I've told people all the time, but I finally decided to make a song about it.

5- How do your personal history and challenges influence your art?

This is a lot, and a long story...I was born with some disabilities such as ASD, partial deafness and microtia, and dwarf syndrome, I was always taken to hospitals for treatments, had surgeries to rebuild my left ear, and took hormone shots for five years. I didn't want to be a small kid, of course, but my parents never accepted my wishes. I appreciate their intentions to help me, but at the same time, honestly, I was deeply hurt that I wasn't accepted for who I was.I was also bullied very badly in elementary school because I was too different or too unique. I even thought about suicide myself at some point.These tough experiences got me thinking about lives, love, and human psychology and philosophies, and deepened my art and messages.And they are why I've stuck with this particular message: "LOVE WHO YOU ARE" in different ways in my entire musical career.

6- What role does spirituality or mysticism play in your songs?

I consider myself as a messenger of love rather than a musician.I'd always express messages to empower each soul to shine the most as they were meant to.Everybody has a different role to shine the most, but most of us are hindered with plenty of noise - common sense, cultural fixed ideas, stereotypes, and various types of traumas. You need to cleanse your soul, and you will shine. But the right way differs depending on your uniqueness.My role is to help others shine the most through my music.

7- Is this track part of a bigger project or future album?

Yes, it is a part of my future album.

8- Do you feel that "Invisible Stairway" sums up who you are as an artist?

I do. I've been experimenting with American sounds / beats with American music producers, but my core won't change.You can see the dramatic and dynamic melodies, chord progression and key changes that move the story forward like a musical, this is very much the Shihori Style Pop.