Multi-artist Mei Semones, shares a new single, “Tegami.” The track is off of her Bayonet Records (Beach Fossils) debut, Kabutomushi, out April 5th. Follows previous single “Inaka.” “”Tegami” was my first time experimenting with Bossa Nova style music in odd meters.” says Semones. “It’s a love song. My partner likes to write me letters, but I’m not very good at writing letters back. So instead I wrote this song, hence the name of the song ‘Tegami’ which means ‘letter’ in Japanese. I think the range of style is really noticeable in this song, and it’s one of our more ambitious string arrangements with lots of intricate lines & textures.”

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Semones began playing music at a young age, starting out on piano at age four before moving to electric guitar at age eleven. After playing jazz guitar in high school, she went on to study guitar performance with a jazz focus at Berklee College of Music. College is where she met her current bandmates, including string players Noah Leong and Claudius Agrippa, whose respective viola and violin add softness and multidimensionality to Mei’s intricate guitar work. All of the songs that comprise Kabutomushi are written and sung in both English and Japanese, with Mei wanting to stay connected to her first language through her music.

Kabutomushi sees Semones chronicling infatuation, devotion, vulnerability, and saying goodbye to some of her closest relationships, complete with sweeping strings, virtuosic guitar-playing and heartfelt lyrics. Throughout the EP, Semones’ straightforward vocal delivery calls to mind that of the late bossa nova great Astrud Gilberto, while also having drawn comparisons to Japanese contemporaries Ichiko Aoba and Lamp.

Mei’s Kabutomushi record release show with full band is on April 15th at Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right with John Roseboro and Nebulous Quartet. Additionally, Mei will be taking a trip south to Austin for SXSW.

Mei Semones 2024 Tour Dates

Tue. Mar. 12 – Austin, TX @ Tweedy’s (Happen Twice x Howdy Gals Showcase – 3PM)
Wed. Mar. 13 – Austin, TX @ Radio East (Big Hug x Howdy Gals Day Party – 2:30PM)
Wed. Mar. 13 – Austin, TX @ Cheer Up Charlies (UMAW “Fair Pay at SXSW” Showcase – 11:15PM)
Thu. Mar. 14 – Austin, TX @ High Noon & Coral Snake (Paste Showcase – 12PM)
Thu. Mar. 14 – Austin, TX @ Spiderhouse (Bayonet x Howdy Gals Day Party – 3:30PM)
Thu. Mar. 14 – Austin, TX @ Hole In the Wall (Happen Twice Show – 9PM)
Mon. Apr. 15 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right (EP Release Show)

Pre-order Kabutomushi by Mei Semones HERE