Image credit: Telle Ramos

Synth-pop singer-songwriter ena mori has released her latest single, ‘KING OF THE NIGHT!’ on the 1st of July. The single is taken from her upcoming debut LP, DON’T BLAME THE WILD ONE to be released on the 29th of July via Offshore Music Ph. The single follows the release of ‘SOS’ which was also accompanied by an intriguing video.

Half-Japanese and half-Filipino and currently based in Manila, Philippines ena mori started her musical journey as a child, inspired by her mother to bang out Chopin and Mozart pieces as soon as she had the chance. Lockdown saw ena mori turn to acts such as Cocteau Twins, Bjork and Talking Heads which would inspire her to create her latest release. In turn, her sound is a stunning mix between the classic and contemporary, drawing parallels to the works of Tori Amos, The Weeknd, Grimes and Bjork to name a few.

LISTEN: ena mori – ‘KING OF THE NIGHT!’

What’s your story as an artist?  

I started music by training classical piano at the age of 6, and started composting when I was 10 as a hobby.

I entered college with a major in Music Production, and found my passion in songwriting. 

What inspired this last release?

KING OF THE NIGHT! was inspired by my childhood experience, how I didn’t fit into friend groups and was always picked on. 

Do you get inspired by other art forms?

I do, and I often go to a museum or an art fair to be inspired as well. 

Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this?

At first, I jokingly wrote KING OF THE NIGHT! . I wanted to write a song that everybody will like, something that has a “hit” potential. But the more I dived into writing this song, the more I started to explore and it became the KING OF THE NIGHT! that you hear today. 

What’s your favorite place or environment to write?

It depends on the day, but I enjoy being in nature when I write. 

What’s a record that shaped your creativity?

I think Bjork’s album “POST” really inspired me to experiment with different sounds during the pandemic and when I was writing my album. 

Who is an artist or band you look up to today?

There are so many artists that I look up to, but right now, I look up to Kate Bush. 

What excites you the most about what you do?

I love the connection I feel with my audience when I’m on stage performing. It excites me to see them being excited. 

What is your view on genres and music styles since you mix a lot of them in your music?

I think music genres are a convenient way for a consumer to look for a specific type of music, but as an artist, I do not focus on genres too much. In terms of writing, I think it is important for an artist to explore many types of music and have an open mind for ideas to flow. I believe that the more we explore as a listener, our craft gets richer. 

What does music and art mean to you?

Music is part of who I am. As long as I remember, I did music on both good days and bad days. 

It is the best way for me to express myself authentically. 

How would you describe your act in one word?

Joy