Interview with Daichi Miura

Daichi Miura is not the usual male pop artist; he started his musical career as a member of a pop group when he was still a child. Now, several years later, his solo career is blooming and he is gaining fans with his catchy pop and r'n'b sound and his skilful dance moves. JaME decided to hold an interview with this up-and-coming artist to get to know him better.


First of all, thank you very much for accepting our interview. Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Daichi Miura: I'm Daichi Miura. Music and dance are my core activities.

Could you tell us a little bit about your childhood? What was it like growing up in Okinawa?

Daichi Miura: I used to go to a dance school, so I was singing and dancing every day just like I breathe.

When did you know that you wanted to become a singer and dancer? Was there a particular moment or person who inspired you to do so?

Daichi Miura: I was watching the music video of Michael Jackson's Black or White one day and I felt that it was fantastic. So that was what prompted me to go to a dance school.

What was it like to be a part of the pop group Folder at such a young age? What sort of influence did this have on you?

Daichi Miura: I think it was an unusual experience for me to record my voice for a CD when I was a child, so it was a very precious experience. It was a really fun time.

Between your departure from Folder and starting your solo career, you worked really hard on your music and dancing skills for a few years. Can you please share with us some of the things you did to increase your skills?

Daichi Miura: My purpose was not necessarily increasing my skills, but I was singing and dancing whilst various things gave me inspiration and I was thinking about how I could express myself.

During your learning process, what stood out that you didn’t know before that you have benefited from now?

Daichi Miura: I don't know a lot of things yet. (laughs) But I believe I have benefited from everything, so I'm going to keep going on.

Most overseas music fans are unable to understand the Japanese lyrics. Could you tell us something about the themes your songs are about?

Daichi Miura: I think I often sing about various themes of ‘love.’

Your December single, Lullaby, is your first ballad. Why did you choose to do a ballad? What’s the story behind the song?

Daichi Miura: I didn’t consciously intend for it to be a ballad. The song just came to me at that time and it made me feel relaxed, so I couldn't help singing the song at that time.

What was the song creation process like in comparison to writing your other music?

Daichi Miura: The song's quality had already been very good in the demo process, so I thought that I had to make it more and more attractive with my own voice.

Considering Lullaby is your first ballad, what other genres would you like to experiment or work with?

Daichi Miura: I have a lot of challenges to experiment with. I don’t really care about genres, so I want to make new things while incoporating various kinds of music into my own style.

What inspires you when writing music?

Daichi Miura: While I walk in city, viewing the scenes or seeing people's faces, stories comes to me.

What inspires you when creating your own choreographies?

Daichi Miura: My choreographies are often born from lyrics.

How do you go about creating choreographies?

Daichi Miura: I create it in my mind at first. After some images are formed, I confine myself to a studio to create it.

Between dancing and singing, which do you find more challenging?

Daichi Miura: I can't decide on it… they are one and indivisible, inseparable to me.

Some artists have “writer’s block.” How do you overcome it? Do you ever experience such a thing when working on choreographies?

Daichi Miura: I often have writer’s block, but then I would without a doubt take a nap to overcome it in that situation. (laughs) After that, I feel refreshed and then I’ll find an answer easier than I had expected after I had sleep and relaxation.

What do you like best about performing a live show? How do you prepare for them?

Daichi Miura: What I like best is your smiling face from the stage. I want to see your face, so I'm thinking about programme and direction.

You were able to collaborate with Korean singer BoA on the song Possibility duet with Miura Daichi. How did you get the opportunity to work together with her? What was this experience like?

Daichi Miura: BoA kindly invited me for a song in the album, so the collaboration was realised. I was very delighted because I respect her as an artist. Her voice is very beautiful, so I was really happy to sing with her.

You are compared to Michael Jackson a lot and have covered his songs. What sort of influence does Michael Jackson have on you? What sort of impact did his passing away have on you?

Daichi Miura: I would not become a singer if I didn't find Michael Jackson. He was a great man in my opinion. I couldn't completely accept the fact when I saw the news. I had to spend almost one year to come to terms it.

You have recorded some cover songs and occasionally perform them live. What is most challenging for you when covering another artist’s songs? Which song is your favorite to perform live?

Daichi Miura: I think it's important to sing just like myself with love for the song, so I'm conscious about that point when I sing.

For your concert around Christmas, you covered the song All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey as a present to your fans. Why did you choose to cover this song?

Daichi Miura: Because it's a standard Christmas song and I wanted to cover a female song. I used to think that if I could sing the song in my own way, I could give it new life. So I covered it this time.

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?

Daichi Miura: Amongst them all, the illuminations in the city. And the atmosphere that the people and city views give.

You performed in the USA as a member of the Rock Steady Crew. What was that experience like?

Daichi Miura: The mental connection between the audience and the artist on stage was much closer than with the audience in Japan. The audience gave me power and I had a very great time.

Do you have any interest in performing overseas as well? What are some other countries that you would like to perform in?

Daichi Miura: Someday, I want to go and perform in various areas. New York, Los Angeles and Europe... I want to go to a lot of places. And Korea too.

Can you please share with us some projects you’re working on now? What can your fans expect next?

Daichi Miura: I'm now working on the next album. Please look forward to it.

Lastly, please give a message to your international fans.

Daichi Miura: I'm going to keep singing to draw you to the fact that there are interesting artists in Japan too! I hope that you will check my music out.


JaME would like to thank Daichi Miura, his management and Avex for making this interview possible. Many thanks to M. Denno for the translation.