Mei Semones has shared new single/video “I can do what I want,” the track is off the artist’s debut full-length album, Animaru, available May 2nd via Bayonet Records. Along with the new video, Semones has announced new West Coast tour dates, including stops in Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and more.

In Semones’ words, “‘”I can do what I want’ is one of the most high-energy songs on the album, as well as one of the most challenging songs to play. Lyrically the song is centered around doing what I want and what is best for me, and I hope it empowers other people to do what they want & prioritize what is best for them too.”

Since the release of her 2024 Kabutomushi EP, a series of lushly orchestrated reflections on love in its many stages, Mei has gone on to tour extensively across the US, cultivate a dedicated following, and write and record her highly anticipated debut album, Animaru. Inspired by the Japanese pronunciation of the word “animal,” Animaru is the embodiment of Mei’s deeper trust in her instincts – a collection of musically impressive tracks that see Mei sounding more adventurous, more vulnerable and more confident than ever before.

In the midst of extensive touring, Mei and her five-piece band recorded the album in the summer of 2024 at Ashlawn Recording Company, a farm studio in Connecticut operated by their friend Charles Dahlke. To these sessions, she brought a batch of tracks that, not unlike Kabutomushi, are sophisticated declarations of non-romantic love: love of life , love of family , love of music and her guitar.

Mei Semones 2025 tour dates

Tue. Mar. 25 – Dublin, IR @ Button Factory ~
Wed. Mar. 26 – Glasgow, UK @ Saint Luke’s ~
Thu. Mar. 27 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club ~
Fri. Mar. 28 – Manchester, UK @ Academy 2 ~
Sat. Mar. 29 – London, UK @ Electric Ballroom ~
Tue. Apr. 1 – London, UK @ Camden Assembly
Thu. Apr. 3 – Amsterdam, NL @ Tolhuistuin ~
Fri. Apr. 4 – Antwerp, BL @ Trix ~
Sat. Apr. 5 – Paris, FR @ Petit Bain ~
Wed. May 7 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg*
Thu. May 29 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live*
Fri. May 30 – Washington, DC @ The Atlantis*
Sat. May 31 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle Back Room*
Mon. June 2 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5*
Tue. June 3 – Nashville, TN @ DRKMTTR*
Wed. June 4 – Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar*
Fri. June 6 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups*
Sat. June 7 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall*
Sun. June 8 – Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club*
Mon. June 9 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St Entry*
Wed. June 11 – Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch*
Thu. June 12 – Toronto, ON @ Longboat Hall*
Fri. June 13 – Montreal, QC @ Bar Le Ritz PDB*
Sat. June 14 – Boston, MA @ Red Room Cafe 939*
Fri. July 11 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
Sat. July 12 – Austin, TX @ Parish
Tue. July 15 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Wed. July 16 – San Diego, CA @ Quartyard
Fri. July 18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room
Sat. July 19 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
Mon. July 21 – Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall
Tue. July 22 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret
Wed. July 23 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza

~ supporting Panchiko
* with John Roseboro