Nagisa Murakami to Release Two New Singles Over Two Months, Produced by Yuma Abe

Singer-songwriter Nagisa Murakami has announced the release of two new singles over the next two months. The first, “Riyuu wa Nai” (No Reason), will be available on November 27 (Wednesday), followed by “Uraniwa” (Backyard) on December 25 (Wednesday).

Murakami, known for her folk roots music and distinctive voice with a smooth yet swirling rhythm, is primarily active in live performances at venues around Tokyo. In recent years, she has also collaborated on tracks with Yuma Abe (never young beach) and Gsokumuz.

For these upcoming releases, Murakami has teamed up with her long-time acquaintance Yuma Abe (never young beach) as producer. “Riyuu wa Nai,” set for release on November 27, marks a new direction for Murakami, with recording members including Kenji Suzuki (never young beach), Yosuke Shimonaka (DYGL), and Kohei Kamoto (DYGL). “Uraniwa,” due out on December 25, shares the same recording lineup as “Riyuu wa Nai,” with the addition of Takuro Okada on steel guitar.

Additionally, Murakami has announced that she will host her regular self-organized event “The 7th Urayard” on December 18 (Wednesday) at GRAPEFRUITMOON in Sangenjaya, Tokyo. The event will feature a two-man acoustic live show with guest artist Yujiro Kudo.

Murakami has also shared a comment in celebration of the new releases.

I’m excited to announce the release of two new songs, “Riyuu wa Nai” and “Uraniwa.”

“Riyuu wa Nai” came to me suddenly while I was walking through Shin-Kiba Green Road Park. I hummed the lyrics that popped into my head and recorded them right then and there on my voice memo. The lyrics mostly reflect memories from my elementary school days, such as the flowers of the nagami hinageshi, a letter I received, the path I walked, and the anxious feelings I had when I ran away from home to go to the supermarket. I wrote down the memories just as they came to me. Even now, as an adult, I still want to walk that same path, and my passion for doing what I love hasn’t changed much since then. I don’t want to attach simple reasons or meanings to everything, but rather remain suspended in uncertainty, with courage to embrace the unknown future.

“Uraniwa” was written while imagining a safe place that no one can invade. There are various ways to practice self-care, but I believe it’s important to focus on oneself. The experiences, memories, sights, and words I’ve encountered may shine like jewels when I recall them, or they might feel terrifying, like a nightmare. I’m so happy to see this personal song created in my “shelter,” my “Uraniwa,” take shape and come to life.

Nagisa Murakami’s Self-Produced Event: The 7th “Uraniwa”

Event Date: December 18, 2024 (Wednesday)
Venue: Tokyo, Sangenjaya, GRAPEFRUIT MOON
Performers: Nagisa Murakami, Yujiro Kudo
Tickets: ¥3,000 (plus drink fee)
Ticket Reservation: https://tiget.net/events/351953