{"title":"Mei Semones","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"mei-semones-kabutomushi-tsukino-pink-vinyl","title":"Mei Semones - Kabutomushi \/ Tsukino [Pink Vinyl]","description":"\u003cp\u003eMei Semones' sweetly evocative blend of jazz, bossa nova and math-y indie rock is not only a way for her to find solace in her favorite genres, but is an intuitive means of catharsis. \"Blending everything that I like together and trying to make something new - that's what feels most natural to me,\" says the 23-year-old Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and guitarist. \"It's what feels most true to who I am as an artist.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlinking guitar tones and asymmetrical time signatures exemplify her forays into angular indie rock more now than ever before, especially on her debut Bayonet Records single \"Wakare no Kotoba\"-it's wide-interval arpeggios in odd meters being some of the most technically difficult guitar work Mei has ever implemented in her songwriting. Translated to \"parting words' in English, the self-described \"anti-love song\" serves as a farewell to a toxic friendship, complete with orchestral swells and crashing guitars. 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. After releasing a slew of singles and an EP in 2022, coinciding with her move to New York City, Mei and her band have since gone on to collaborate with post-bossa balladeer John Roseboro and embark on their first-ever tour with the melodic rock outfit Raavi. Semones chronicles infatuation, devotion, and vulnerability in her songs, complete with sweeping strings, virtuosic guitar-playing and heartfelt lyrics sung in both English and Japanese, that have all become part of her sonic trademark: ornately catchy, genre-fusing compositions serving as the backdrop to tender lyrics touching on the universalities of human emotion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFormat \/ \u003cb\u003eEP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eReleased \/ \u003cstrong\u003e11\/29\/2024\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCatalogue \/ \u003cstrong\u003eBAYO-608C1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBarcode \/ \u003cstrong\u003e850057707359\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eArtist \/ \u003cstrong\u003eMei Semones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLabel \/ \u003cstrong\u003eBayonet Records\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGenre \/ \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePop \/ Rock\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secretly Canadian","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41830631899197,"sku":"POP-S-850057707359","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/files\/4376902-3268222.jpg?v=1732335342"},{"product_id":"mei-semones-animaru-pink-vinyl","title":"Mei Semones - Animaru [Pink Marble Vinyl]","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-12 px-3 py-3\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ng-tns-c15-20\"\u003e“No second-guessing, no overthinking. The way I want to live my life is by doing the things that are important to me, and I think everyone should live that way,” says Mei Semones of her strengthened self-assurance. Through continuously honing in on her signature fusion of indie rock, bossa nova, jazz and chamber pop in a way that highlights her technical prowess on guitar, the 24-year-old Brooklyn-based songwriter and guitarist is quickly establishing herself as an innovative musical force. Since the release of her acclaimed 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. Meaning “animal” in Japanese, 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.Mei’s newfound assertiveness comes in part from her experiences in the past year, as 2024 was a transformative year for the Mei Semones band. They shared bills with the likes of Liana Flores, Elephant Gym and Kara Jackson, among others, and Mei transitioned to doing music full-time. Amidst the frequent 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 (“Dumb Feeling”), love of family (“Zarigani”), love of music and her guitar (“Tora Moyo”). Animaru exemplifies Mei’s enchantingly wide range as a songwriter and musician, including some of the most challenging and most straightforward songs Mei has ever written.The simpler moments on Animaru are equally as captivating as when Mei is shredding on guitar or her bandmates are carrying out an intricate arrangement. “Donguri,” a stripped-down jazz duo performance between acoustic guitar and upright bass, is the simplest song Mei has ever written, brought to life by Mei sweetly chronicling (mostly in Japanese) what she imagines life would be like as a woodland creature living in the forest. The album’s penultimate track also encompasses themes relating to the titular “animaru.” Translating to “crayfish,” the bright, effervescent “Zarigani” is a nostalgic expression of love for her twin sister, with Mei singing “We’ll always have each other \/ I love you like my guitar \/ I love you like no other.” Family is one of the top loves of Mei’s life, with her mom, Seiko Semones, making all of her album and single artwork. Despite Animaru being a statement of Mei’s autonomy and confidence at this point in her life, it's the various loves that she surrounds herself with – her family, her friends, her band, her music that empower her to do things her own way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat \/ \u003cb\u003eLP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased \/ \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cb\u003e05\/02\/2025\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCatalogue \/ \u003cstrong\u003eBR-066LPC1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarcode \/ \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e850057707434\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist \/ \u003cstrong\u003eMei Semones \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLabel \/ \u003cstrong\u003eBayonet Records\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenre \/ \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cb\u003ePop \/ Rock\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secretly Canadian","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42301552525373,"sku":"POP-S-850057707434","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/files\/4412651-3335581.jpg?v=1745723943"},{"product_id":"mei-semones-animaru","title":"Mei Semones - Animaru","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"aec-product-description\" class=\"col-md-12 col-sm-12 col-12\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"aec-desc-review collapse\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe debut LP from Mei Semones' 'Animaru' showcases a young artist fully realized-her unique blend of indie songwriting, bossa-nova, and jazz weaves throughout the entirety of this intricately composed album. Thoughtful, sweet, confident, and unforgettable lyrics in Japanese and English bring listeners into Mei's world.\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat \/ \u003cb\u003eLP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased \/ \u003cstrong\u003e05\/02\/2025\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCatalogue \/ \u003cb\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eBAYO-66\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarcode \/ \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cb\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e850057707458\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist \/ \u003cstrong\u003eMei Semones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLabel \/ \u003cstrong\u003eBayonet Records\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenre \/ \u003cstrong\u003ePop \/ Rock\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secretly Canadian","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42713391104061,"sku":"POP-S-850057707458","price":22.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/files\/850057707458.jpg?v=1762987224"},{"product_id":"mei-semones-animaru-plaid510111","title":"Mei Semones - Animaru on Bayonet Records - Pink Marble Vinyl colored vinyl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVINYL CONDITION:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStrong\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eVG+\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCOVER CONDITION:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eVG+\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e(In shrink \/ Corner wear \/ Ring wear)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e2025 USA \u0026amp; Canada pressing.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRecords are graded using the Goldmine system, shown below for reference:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSealed\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eJacket sealed in shrink wrap or other original packaging. The vinyl in this case is sold as-is or not graded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eNM (Near Mint)\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eNo visible defects. No writing, stickers, spindle marks, or any other imperfections on label. Appears unplayed and unhandled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVG++\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: May have some light wear including sleeve scuffs or other superficial marks that will not affect play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVG+\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Will have some light wear that may include sleeve scuffs, very light scratches, or other superficial marks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Similar imperfections to a VG+ record, but they're either more pronounced, or there is a higher number of imperfections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVG-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Many light scratches or scuffs. Any record with an isolated defect such as a single scratch that can be felt with a fingernail will have a VG- grade or lower. The record will not skip but some noise is expected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: Many imperfections, including but not limited to scratches that can be felt with a fingernail. A lot of background noise, clicks, and pops should be expected with this grade.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Used","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43234131771453,"sku":"PLAID510111","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/files\/IMG_2446_9d7cd7a6-5977-43b4-8b08-7eac04ff46ca.jpg?v=1782243393"},{"product_id":"pre-order-mei-semones-howl-indie-exclusive-red-vinyl-colored-vinyl-release-date-01-15-2027","title":"[PRE-ORDER] Mei Semones - Howl [Indie-Exclusive Heart Red Vinyl] [Release Date: 01\/15\/2027]","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eJapanese American singer-songwriter and guitarist Mei Semones returns with her sophomore album and Verve\/Interscope debut, Howl. Blending her idiosyncratic mix of technical bossa nova, J-pop and math-influenced indie jazz with a newfound emotional depth, Semones expands her signature sound into more vulnerable territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat \/ \u003cb\u003eLP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased \/ \u003cstrong\u003e01\/15\/2027\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCatalogue \/ \u003cb\u003eN-254547\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarcode \/ \u003cstrong\u003e881061582281\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist \/ \u003cstrong\u003eMei Semones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLabel \/ \u003cstrong\u003eInterscope\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenre \/ \u003cstrong\u003ePop \/ Rock\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UMGD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43744363413565,"sku":"POP-S-881061582281","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/files\/418467326560_1000.png?v=1790828438"},{"product_id":"pre-order-mei-semones-howl-release-date-01-15-2027","title":"[PRE-ORDER] Mei Semones - Howl [Release Date: 01\/15\/2027]","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eJapanese American singer-songwriter and guitarist Mei Semones returns with her sophomore album and Verve\/Interscope debut, Howl. Blending her idiosyncratic mix of technical bossa nova, J-pop and math-influenced indie jazz with a newfound emotional depth, Semones expands her signature sound into more vulnerable territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat \/ \u003cb\u003eLP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReleased \/ \u003cstrong\u003e01\/15\/2027\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCatalogue \/ \u003cb\u003eN-254546\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarcode \/ \u003cstrong\u003e881061557937\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist \/ \u003cstrong\u003eMei Semones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLabel \/ \u003cstrong\u003eInterscope\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenre \/ \u003cstrong\u003ePop \/ Rock\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"UMGD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43744364822589,"sku":"POP-S-881061557937","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1487\/4550\/files\/Mei_Semones_Cover_1.jpg?v=1790828587"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.plaidroomrecords.com\/collections\/artist-mei-semones.oembed","provider":"Plaid Room Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}