xiexie | Interview | New Album, ‘wellwell’
Tokyo-based xiexie, formed in 2020, brings together four seasoned musicians—Meari (vocals, guitar), Yamato Kouda (guitar), Teruyuki Kai (bass), and Kouichi Hida (drums)—to create a refreshing blend of indie, dream pop, and psychedelic pop with a distinct Japanese twist.
Their debut album ‘wellwell,’ released on June 12 via P-VINE, offers a captivating mix of chill vibes and energetic beats, balancing the band’s rock edge with their psychedelic influences. This innovative fusion draws comparisons to artists like Alvvays and Crumb while infusing a unique Asian indie flair. The album features ten tracks designed to both soothe and energize, showcasing the band’s ability to craft immersive, mood-shifting music. Notably, the track ‘kiwi’ includes a special collaboration with Ernest from Taiwanese band I’mdifficult, adding a dreamy keyboard layer to the mix. xiexie’s impressive live resume includes performances at Fuji Rock Festival and opening slots for notable acts such as Tommy Guerrero and Asian bands like Subsonic Eye and Lesssugär. Their successful overseas debut in Taiwan highlighted their potential within the Asian indie scene, setting the stage for their growing international presence. With ‘wellwell,’ xiexie proves their ability to merge diverse musical influences into a cohesive and original sound, solidifying their place in the indie music landscape.
“I am constantly inspired by science fiction (SF) films”
Could you tell us about the creative process behind the album, particularly how you achieved the balance between rock and chill, psychedelic vibes?
Koda: We have been managing the balance between rock, chill, and psychedelic vibes since our first project. But for ‘wellwell,’ it eventually became equal. I usually create some song ideas and bring them to the studio. Then, we have a session to compose those ideas into one full song. Our drummer, Hida, adds the final flavor to finish the song.
Hida: I haven’t considered how much different genres are a part of our music, but I think we are subconsciously influenced, and you can see this reflected in our songs.
Your music is often described as creating a parallel world with dreamy and psychedelic sounds. How do you approach crafting this sonic atmosphere, and what influences or inspirations do you draw upon?
Koda: I am constantly inspired by science fiction (SF) films. I build the structure of a song and compose lyrics while watching movies. So I’ll be thinking, “this music fits with this film’s scene” while I’m writing music. If parallel worlds exist, I want the lines between the parallel world and the real world to cross over and mix. That’s quite a personal suggestion.
It’s fascinating how you blend influences from both Asian and US indie music scenes. How do you see this fusion reflected in your music, and what unique elements do you think it brings to the table?
Koda: I think our uniqueness is still in singing in Japanese.
Hiraki: I believe that new music is created through collaboration between millions of existing pieces of music. I think xiexie’s music feels both unique and nostalgic because we respect both classic and current music.
‘wellwell’ includes a track titled ‘kiwi’ featuring guest keyboardist Ernest from the Taiwanese band I’mdifficult. How did this collaboration come about, and how do you feel it contributed to the overall album experience?
Meari: We went to their studio in Taiwan and had a session. We really loved his playing, so we asked him to participate in our album. He added his keys to the song ‘kiwi,’ and his keyboard created a beautiful, starry-like sound. The song became very important, leading to the end of the album and showing that our adventure will continue.
Hiraki: When we went to play in Taiwan, Ernest invited us to his studio. He added his touch to our groove, and it became a fresh song for us as well.
Your debut album features 10 diverse tracks. Could you share a bit about the thematic or emotional journey listeners can expect when they listen to ‘wellwell’ from start to finish?
Koda: Everyone feels differently, so there is nothing to define the album. We just want you to close your eyes and feel the music in your own way.
You’ve had the opportunity to play at notable events like Fuji Rock Festival and open for artists such as Tommy Guerrero. What was that like for you?
Meari: It was the best experience. I feel that I’ve grown in my attitude toward live performances after experiencing such a big stage.
Koda: We played to many audiences who did not know xiexie, and it was a great experience. I felt that I’d love for our music to reach more people. I am proud to say that “xiexie” is a great band name because we can express our appreciation just by saying it.
Hiraki: Those two were the most impressive shows I’ve played in my musical career. It was a dream come true to play with artists I respect so much.
Hida: I was so glad to play at Fuji Rock Festival because it had been one of my goals since we started this band. I’m also a fan of Tommy Guerrero, so I was happy to play with him. I’m a drummer, but I also love guitars, so it was a great experience, and it made me want to create a culture that combines my drums with other influences.
Having released several EPs and singles prior to ‘wellwell,’ how do you feel your sound and style have evolved over time, and what do you hope listeners will take away from this latest album?
Meari: We still make sounds like xiexie, but this album reflects more of each member’s influences.
Koda: It’s more of a return to our roots, like our first EP ‘XIEXIE,’ rather than an evolution of our sound.
Hiraki: We wanted to return to our roots and update xiexie’s sound. I think we’ve done that, and I’m happy with the result.
Hida: We rediscovered our band’s style during live performances. This album is a little different from our previous works, but it has more variety and color.
Are any of you involved in other bands or have any active side projects going on at this point?
Hiraki: I participate in a guitar pop band called often fun club. I play guitar and compose songs for the band.
Hida: I play in a surf and chill instrumental band called miyamalmsteen.
What’s next for xiexie after the release of ‘wellwell’?
Meari: I’d be happy if more people listened to xiexie’s music, and I want to play more live shows around the world.
Koda: I’d love to create more music and play at more overseas festivals!
Hiraki: I’d love to play at festivals abroad, like Coachella and Glastonbury!
Hida: My dream is to go on a world tour!
Let’s end this interview with some of your favorite albums. Have you found something new lately that you would like to recommend to our readers?
Meari: ‘Gone Troppo’ by George Harrison.
Koda: Moon Panda.
Hiraki: Urakami Souki (浦上想起) and 一人一人のスースー.
Hida: Lately, I’ve been listening to ‘Vocals’ by Oneohtrix Point Never and ‘Daniel’ by Real Estate.
Klemen Breznikar
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