Skip to main content
NEWS EVENT SPECIAL SERIES

How ena mori Went From a Teen Abroad to a Global Sensation

2024.12.5

#MUSIC

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.

ena mori
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.

Reclaiming Identity: The Journey to the Philippines at 15

You moved to the Philippines at 15 under those circumstances. Choosing to make such a big decision at that age must have been significant. What do you think was the driving force behind taking that action?

ena mori:For me, moving to the Philippines felt like a natural progression. But looking back, I think part of the motivation was my desire to learn more about the identity I had been hiding. My father had come to Japan from the Philippines, and I was genuinely curious about what the Philippines was like. At that time, living in Japan felt suffocating. I realized that continuing to live while hiding my true self meant I couldn’t learn to love myself, and I thought moving would give me a fresh start.

Also, starting around the age of 11, I began listening to Western music, influenced by my father, and I was greatly impacted by QUEEN. Despite their music being rooted in classical elements, I was drawn to their rock and roll sound. I admired Freddie Mercury’s fearless, innovative performances and found myself more and more captivated by Western music. It made me think that if I wanted to learn English, leaving Japan would be the best step, and I started to consider moving to the Philippines positively.

屋外, 道路, 人, 若い が含まれている画像

自動的に生成された説明

I also developed an admiration for international artists when I was a teenager. In my case, I struggled with my sexuality and felt that people like me wouldn’t be accepted in Japan. However, watching foreign dramas and movies, I saw characters with similar identities and realized that there were places abroad where I could live comfortably. With Western music, there are fewer people who would judge you for listening to a particular artist based on whether you were “acting like a boy or a girl,” so it felt like a safe haven for me. For you, ena mori, was the Philippines one of the places you considered as a way to reclaim yourself?

ena mori: Yes, that’s right. I wanted to leave Japan, but I also wanted to respect my parents and not cause them too much trouble. So, when I thought about what was feasible, I decided to try living in the Philippines, where my father’s family is from. Looking back, I think it was more about finding my place and searching for myself than it was about language study. It wasn’t so much that Japan was the problem; it was that my environment and the negative cycle I was in just didn’t suit me at the time. I was raised in an atmosphere where you couldn’t assert yourself, and if you did anything different from others, people would give you disapproving looks. Maybe that’s why I felt I needed to search for myself.

Single song by ena mori released in July 2024

Did the feeling of not fitting in while living in Japan change after you started living in the Philippines?

ena mori: I used to occasionally speak English with my father, but I managed with middle school-level English for a long time, so I really felt the language barrier when I moved to the Philippines. I also had to rebuild my friendships from scratch, which was challenging, but music played a huge role in helping me through that time. I was able to make friends through music, and I spent more time connecting with the music I loved.

Did living as a half-Mixed-Biracial person in the Philippines feel any different or affect you in any way?

ena mori: It did matter to me quite a bit. It was different from when I was in Japan; people didn’t just leave me alone [laughs]. But everyone was very open-minded and interested. They were curious and wanted to hear my story.

Back in Japan, I really hated wanting to hide that I was half-Japanese or feeling like I could never be a “real” Japanese. But in the Philippines, people were fascinated by the fact that I had both Filipino and Japanese heritage. They would say, “Wow! You have both Filipino and Japanese blood! What’s your story?” That interest helped me start to gain confidence in my mixed identity, and my mindset began to change for the better.

Music as a Conversation with My Younger Self: Writing Lyrics to Put an End to Anxieties and Hardships

What inspired you to officially start your music career while spending time in the Philippines and rediscovering yourself and your passions?

ena mori: I always loved creating music and continued doing so without any intention of sharing it with others. In college, I studied music production, and when I was assigned a project to create an EP for my graduation, I decided to try singing for the first time. At first, I was resistant to the idea of singing myself; I thought about making an EP focused on piano, which I was more confident with. However, I felt that it would be a missed opportunity not to take the challenge, so I casually made a three-track EP.

My teacher at school really liked it, and with encouragement from those around me, I independently released a couple of tracks. That led to people suggesting I try performing live, which connected me with more people and marked the beginning of my music career.

Your music often features a sound that is very pop and catchy, but when you look at the lyrics, they reflect deep emotions stemming from inner dialogue. Many of your songs talk openly about anxiety and fear but also express a wish for liberation. What drives you to embed these messages into your music?

ena mori: When I moved to the Philippines, I did so alone, without family or friends, which meant I spent a lot of time by myself. In that situation, I realized that if I didn’t stay strong and centered, I could end up losing myself. It would have been pointless to come to the Philippines if I just repeated the same negative cycles I had in Japan, drifting through life not knowing what I loved.

So, I began to reflect deeply on myself to build confidence. Over time, I started writing lyrics about the anxieties I felt as a child and the pain of change, and in doing so, I found a way to put an end to that anxiety and pain—a kind of therapeutic process for myself.

It sounds like this work is also a way of caring for your inner child. By expressing those past feelings through your music, it seems like you’re also helping your younger self find comfort.

ena mori: Yes, I think so. Writing about my past feelings in lyrics doesn’t exactly mean liberation, but it gives me a sense of closure. At the same time, I hope it resonates with others who feel the same way I did when I was younger. I always write lyrics with the hope of creating songs that I would have wanted to hear as a child.

What do you mean by “closure” instead of “liberation”?

ena mori: Well… it feels like an analysis. It’s like, “Why did I think this way?” or “Looking back, I felt this way at the time.” It’s a way of giving myself credit. I believe that every action has a reason behind it, and by examining my emotions and behaviors from back then, I can come to understand them. This understanding makes things that were once embarrassing and hard to think about no longer difficult. That process was essential for me, too.

I see. Your comment about “writing lyrics feels like therapy” makes perfect sense. I also feel that “loneliness” is a recurring theme in your music. Do you currently have places or communities where you don’t feel lonely?

ena mori: My music, and the music of other artists around me, often resonates with people who are unique or a bit different, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. While the topics may vary, there are so many areas where we can relate to feelings of loneliness or struggle. It’s about creating safe spaces where people can be emotionally open and accepted. That kind of mutual understanding and neutrality is very strong. These art-based communities are really important to me.

When sharing your emotional side with others, it can sometimes be difficult because you might think, “If I say this, it could make the other person feel bad, too.” However, I sense that you connect and communicate with various individuals and communities through your music. I particularly like the song “SOS,” which I think might come across as an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community to some listeners. I find that the way it expresses the feeling of loneliness from pressure and a sense of confinement, crying out “I need help,” is something many people in the LGBTQ+ community can relate to.

ena mori: Really? That makes me so happy to hear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxCIe5c3knc

I also find that many of your artworks have a drag-inspired visual style. Are there any LGBTQ+ communities or artists that have influenced you?

ena mori: I might not openly identify as queer, but I really admire Prince. During a time when there was so much prejudice, he stayed true to himself and created provocative music by blending masculinity and femininity, which I deeply respect. I was also very drawn to artists like Cher and Björk, who are considered gay icons. I went through a period of exploring my own sexuality, and those artists were incredibly inspiring and comforting to me. Björk, in particular, is like a hero to me. Even though she has a childlike side, she sings so openly about the struggles of growing up and her own sexuality.

RECOMMEND

NiEW’S PLAYLIST

NiEW recommends alternative music🆕

NiEW Best Music is a playlist featuring artists leading the music scene and offering alternative styles in our rapidly evolving society. Hailing from Tokyo, the NiEW editorial team proudly curates outstanding music that transcends size, genre, and nationality.

EVENTS