Singer-songwriter ena mori has carved a unique musical path, blending diverse sounds with a foundation in electropop. Born in Japan and moving to the Philippines alone at just 15, she’s now based there, creating waves across the globe. Her 2022 album, DON’T BLAME THE WILD ONE!, was crowned #1 on NME’s The 25 Best Asian Albums of 2022, cementing her reputation as a trailblazer in Asian music and capturing international attention.
Beyond her thriving presence in the Philippines, ena mori is making her mark worldwide, performing at global festivals and live events while intensifying her music activities in Japan. In July, her collaborative single with Tomggg, Nantene, became the theme for a new Pocari Sweat commercial, showcasing her rising momentum. Reflecting on her journey, ena mori opened up about embracing her childhood fears and loneliness with kindness, revealing a heartfelt connection to the music she creates today.
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A singer-songwriter and artist with roots in both Japan and the Philippines, ena mori debuted in 2020 with her EP ena mori. In 2022, she released her first full-length album, DON’T BLAME THE WILD ONE!, which earned the Best Album Award at the Awit Awards 2023 and topped NME’s The 25 Best Asian Albums of 2022. She continues to garner attention as a rising star in the music world.
The Struggle to Belong: A Challenging Childhood in Japan
Today, we’d like to explore your journey so far, diving into your connection with music and the messages you weave into your songs. Let’s start by going back to your childhood—what were some things you loved, and how was your relationship with your family?
ena mori： From a young age, I was captivated by sounds. Everyday noises like trains passing, waves crashing by our house, or even the sound of stones skipping across water fascinated me. My mom played piano as a hobby, so we had one at home. Apparently, when I was six, I spontaneously started playing one of my grandfather’s favorite songs, and that’s when my piano journey began. I also loved the music that played on the car radio during rides with my grandfather. It seems sound has always been something I connected with deeply.
Many kids start piano lessons because their parents push them into it, but it seems like you had a more self-driven approach?
ena mori：Yes, I picked it up on my own, and my parents were like, “Why not? Let her do it!” [laughs]. Beyond the piano, I was drawn to violin sounds and even electronic tones. Looking back, I realize I’ve always been curious about exploring different soundscapes.
It sounds like your family gave you a lot of freedom to follow your interests. How about friendships during that time?
ena mori： Being half Japanese and half Filipino made it hard for me to fit in, so I didn’t have many friends. Especially during elementary and middle school, I struggled to understand my identity. I wanted to embrace being mixed-race, but I also tried desperately to blend in as just Japanese. My appearance didn’t give me away, but my name did, and I often got teased for it. Looking back now, I see how much energy I wasted trying to belong, but those experiences also helped me embrace and cherish my identity more deeply today.
One of my closest friends back then was bisexual, and although I’m heterosexual, we shared a profound understanding of what it felt like to be different. Outside of that friendship, there weren’t many people who were open about their sexuality or who shared a mixed heritage. I often felt lost, unsure of who I was or where I fit in, and those feelings were incredibly difficult to navigate at the time.
How did you deal with the struggle of wanting to fit in but feeling like you couldn’t?
ena mori： It was a tough cycle back then. I tried to mimic what everyone else was doing and forced myself to like what they liked. I loved classical music, but over time, I started to wonder if playing classical piano was considered uncool. To blend in, I put on an act and pretended to be into J-pop, masking who I really was.
