How Fujii Kaze snuck into my playlist
I don’t know when exactly I first stumbled upon a Fujii Kaze song. But what I would come to realize at some point was that I had been actually listening to his music long before I knew his name.
It was early 2022, a Saturday evening. I was standing in line at the grocery, my fingers splayed from clutching a bunch of instant noodle packets, because I couldn’t be bothered getting a basket. The pandemic restrictions had more or less been eased out but still, people kept their distance, making the queue appear much longer than it actually was.
In such instances, you can’t really do anything else but mindlessly scroll on your phone—which I couldn’t because my hands were full. Good thing, though, I already had my headphones on; my Spotify app set to one of those nifty algorithm playlists that pump out a stream of songs that they think you would like.
And the algorithm decided that I would like this particular one, which sounded like a balmy summer evening of revelry. So, in the tedious slog toward the cashier, the festive song—with its whimsical piano intro and jazz licks, infectious hook and traditional Japanese flute motif—kept me company.
Later on, when my haul of MSG goodness was at last bagged and paid for, I quickly whipped out my phone, hit the back button a few times to see what song it was. “Matsuri” by Fujii Kaze, it read.
I tapped his name and, much to my surprise, his artist profile showed that I had apparently already “liked” four of his songs: the single “Seishun Sick” and the tracks “Shinunoga E-Wa,” “Sayonara Baby” and “Kaerou,” from his debut album, “Help Ever Hurt Never.”
You see, I have this tendency to dump whatever catches my fancy on my “Liked Songs” lists without giving it much thought. A good friend of mine claims he recommended at least one of them. But in any case, playing those tracks, one by one, I recognized them as being part of my rotation during the height of the pandemic. And it was immediately apparent why they were there in the first place.
Balm for frayed nerves
Kaze’s piano-driven compositions inspire either joyous celebration or quiet introspection. They conjure up images of a fantastical adventure, or maybe a lone late-night train ride home. But just the same, they all served as a balm for frayed nerves, which was more than what you could ask for, really, back when all of us were stuck at home, when every day felt like Groundhog Day.
As it turned out, that’s exactly why the Japanese singer-songwriter makes music in the first place—“to spread positivity and help other people feel better.” True enough, wherever he goes to play shows, the fans echo the same sentiments: that his music helped them through difficult times; that his music evokes not only love, but can also be something spiritual.
Kaze, 27, grew up playing the piano and listening to enka, pop, jazz, ballads and classical music. Like many successful artists today, he had his start in music by putting out videos of his performances on YouTube. But unlike many artists, he didn’t scrub those from the internet after he rose to popularity.
In fact, if you sort the videos on his official account from oldest to most recent, you will be able to chart Kaze’s career trajectory in the past 14 years. It starts out with barebones videos of his giddy 12-year-old self, playing covers of J-pop hits by Arashi and Utada Hikaru, and Chopin’s “Fantaisie Impromptu.”
Little by little, you see him grow older and his hair, longer. The videos are clearer, his taste now leaning toward Western music and his original songs he had been raring to share with the rest of the world. In September 2019, after being discovered by a major label, he uploaded an introduction video signaling his debut.
Bigger platform
Finally, Kaze’s music has a bigger platform, and is packaged in burnished cinematic videos that spark intrigue. It didn’t take long for his music to catch fire in Japan and top various local charts. In 2022, “Shinunoga E-Wa” went viral on TikTok in Thailand, which in turn, created a ripple effect that catapulted the song to the top spot of Spotify’s local viral charts in 23 countries.
He is one of the most popular music artists to have come out from Japan in recent years, headlining concert tours in Asia and the United States. Recently, he started selling out stadiums and arenas. For Kaze, there’s nothing that makes him happier; nothing more fulfilling than hearing a crowd sing his own songs right back at him.
And he hopes to experience that same joy when he takes the stage on Dec. 10 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, where he’s also expected to perform his more recent hits, like “Hana,” “Michiteyuku,” as well as cuts from his second album, “Love All Serve All.”
Presented by Ovation Productions, the show is part of the ongoing “Best of Fujii Kaze 2020-2024” Asia tour. This will be his first time performing for his Filipino fans—or “Kazetarians” as they’re fondly called, because well, Kaze is a vegetarian.
But despite his newfound fame, Kaze seems to have never lost sight of his original goal. Spending his childhood and formative years in the rural town of Satoshō in Okayama prefecture, he has always cherished the value of community. There may not be a lot to do there, he said, but everyone knows each other and looks after each other, regardless of age.
This is the kind of atmosphere he strives to replicate in a live setting. The venues may have gotten larger, but that hasn’t stopped him from trying to blur the line between the artist and the fans. Whether it’s a big or small room, “it’s all about you and me,” Kaze told Lifestyle in an email interview.
In his shows, everyone becomes his friends. And when he’s with friends, he need not worry about acting cool. He can just let his hair down, open up his heart and show his authentic self as he sings the night away.
What’s your routine like while on tour?
I try to stay spiritually grounded. Sometimes, I pray and meditate. Also, I try to sleep eight hours at night before a show!
How do you feel when fans say that listening to your music is like a spiritual experience?
It makes me feel beyond blessed. Doing music is a spiritual thang for me as well! So it’s a blessing to know we feel the same way.
Where do you get inspiration nowadays? What kind of styles do you want to explore in the future?
After all, I guess I simply like music with beautiful melodies, harmonies or rhythms… music that makes me feel so good in general. That’s what I would like to recreate.
What do you feel when you hear international fans sing with you in Japanese? Why do you think your music resonates with them?
I think it’s because we have something in common, and I can feel that. And their singing in Japanese is so adorable it makes my heart melt. I also kinda hope we can sing English songs together, too, someday.
Can you describe the connection you have with the piano? You think you can do a show without it?
He’s my brother. It must be impossible to be what I am now without it, and I am truly thankful for what we have done together so far. But I wanna be able to do a show with or without him.
Your parents wanted you to become a pianist at first. What’s their reaction seeing that you now get to play the piano—and sing your original songs around the world?
Looking back, I realized that they just simply wanted me to continue to grow as a musician and as a human. That’s why my father wanted me to continue practicing the instrument. And that’s what I am trying to do now. They’re happy, and that makes me happy.
Do you still watch your old YouTube videos? What do you think young Kaze will tell present-day Kaze?
Yes, I still do, and I wanna hug him. He would probably say, “Okay, but don’t slack off. You’ll get old soon, bro.”
How do you stay grounded amid your success? Do you still visit Okayama?
I try not to use my phone (internet) as much as possible to stay grounded (and it’s so hard for me). At the same time, I’m learning to open my heart easily, so it feels like every place in this world is Okayama.
This is your first time visiting the Philippines. What are you curious about?
Everybody is a good singer in the Philippines, that’s what I have heard. No wonder I might get nervous to do a show there. Ha!
You always put in an effort to know more about the language and culture of the country you’re visiting. Why is that important? Do you already know any Filipino words?
I’m just curious kaze. I haven’t learned much, but “po” sounds so cute. “Gwapo.” “Maganda ka.”
What’s your message to your Filipino Kazetarians?
Mabuhay! I hope we can have a good time together sometime soon! Take care and love yourself po!
Tickets are available on www.ovationtickets.com and www.smtickets.com
