UMIKO Kotori (Lithuania) – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

UMIKO Kotori – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

RRX: “The best laid plans of mice and men…” I don’t really know the quote, but I know this one; sh*t happens. When we least expect it, calamity befalls us. Sometimes just comic inconvenience. Please tell us a story about some comic inconvenience that happened to you whilst performing?

UK: I remember a gig in Poland, drumming and singing with a surf rock band. During one show, my kick drum started sliding toward the audience mid-song. I tried flagging the sound engineer, but he was off with a beer, ignoring me completely. Luckily, a drummer friend in the crowd spotted me and brought over a giant paving brick to hold the drum in place. I will never forget the size of it and the right timing of a drummer.

RRX: What do you think is the most poorly understood thing about music, or the music you play?

UK: People often think that intensity in music has to come from sheer volume or production. But for me, real intensity comes from the emotional rawness of a piece, even if it’s recorded in one take or with a lo-fi setup. It’s the idea that music can hit you hard not because it’s loud, but because it’s honest. That’s what I hope people take away from my sound, that authentic connection with what’s happening in the moment. And here is my quote, that I say to myself: If there is no good idea with intention, an expensive mic won’t help.

The most misunderstood thing about music is its ability to unlock something divine within each of us. It has this powerful, almost alchemical quality that can transform every part of our lives—if we’re open to it. Just by listening, music can ignite creativity, awaken imagination, and bring clarity. It’s like an ocean, and we’re all fish within it, but sometimes, if we want, we can sit at the shore and let it flow over us, finding our own rhythm in its endless waves.

RRX: With services like Spotify, streaming revenue can be pretty dismal. Without spilling secrets, do you have a promotional mindset or philosophy?

UK: Streaming revenue may be dismal, but my approach to promotion is more about creating a genuine conversation than strategizing reach. It was done with bands but for me alone, it’s about connecting deeply with the right listeners—the ones who will find a personal bond with the music. I never really expected to belong to the world in a big way, and didn’t seek it out alone, but now I feel ready, independent, and resilient enough to share more widely. In the right moments, music lets me bring people together, and it’s powerful.

It’s all about feeling that crowd energy—having people sing, dance, and sometimes just stand and carefully listen, being surprised by where the music takes them is healing for me too. I love when people come up after a show, eyes bright with excitement. I don’t like to make my sets predictable; every show should feel like an adventure. Sharing that journey brings me, and hopefully my audience, to life.

I honestly can’t stand the forced happiness and fake vibes in so many music promo videos these days. I love when a piece is raw, genuinely artistic, and lets you feel something real. It seems like so much of it is produced like fast food—quick and empty—and I just can’t get behind that. I don’t want to turn myself into a commercial banner that’s “always on.” My music and my art are part of my life, and I want to keep my time and energy true to what matters. So I think my strategy is to stay true.

RRX: Describe the first song/album you recorded, and also the latest song/album you recorded; what are the differences?

UK: Both UMIKO Kotori “Wave” (2014) and “Spitting Supernovas” (2024) have that deep, groovy quality—like soundtracks you can lose yourself in, letting the music take you somewhere else entirely. But the journey between the two albums shows a major evolution. “Wave” was where I first explored producing; it was raw, bold, and felt groundbreaking at the time, especially as the only girl on stage with just a computer, singing over intense, original beats. People connected with it immediately because it was something new—an authentic sound ahead of its time. Listening to it now, I’m surprised by how well it still fits into 2024.

“Spitting Supernovas” builds on that foundation with greater complexity and depth. This album reflects a more refined, professional side. By then, I’d learned bass and drums, adding a grounded sense to my sound that fuses electronics with rhythm in a more layered way. Both albums speak to pushing boundaries, but while “Wave” was instinctual, “Supernovas” has the confidence of experience.

RRX: We do this for the fans. For the blisters also, but mostly for the fans. Who’s one of your best fans? Without necessarily giving their name, what are they like?

UK: One of my best fans is someone who connects deeply with the music. They’re intellectual, sensitive, and creative, with a love for dance and freedom. They understand humor and have a sense of it themselves. They take my jokes with open hands, I could say. They see the world through a broad, open lens and often resonate with the spiritual aspects of music. Some are loners, introverts, or have struggled with darker times, and I’ve noticed that my music helps them find their way out of those places. Age doesn’t matter—they’re all united by a shared sense of seeking meaning, freedom, and emotional release through sound and creative vision.

They are the kind of people who understand that sound is a vast journey, capable of taking you far and beyond. These listeners aren’t just hearing the music—they’re feeling it, living with it, and traveling through it.

RRX: What motivates you to keep going when things get tough?

UK: What keeps me going is the realization that there’s so much more to create and explore. I am constantly inspired by my incredibly talented child, who paints and makes amazing paper dragons—seeing her creativity fuels mine and relaxes me. My dear friends and colleagues, with their humor, creative ideas, and warmth, keep my spirit alive. My cute and smart dog also reminds me to appreciate the small, joyful moments.

I’m motivated by the endless possibilities in the creative process and the turns I can take with each project. But sometimes, the most uplifting moments come from my drum and vocal students. Seeing their progress and passion reminds me why I do this—bringing the miracle of music into someone’s life is a constant source of happiness and motivation.

I am inspired by nature and dancing. When I feel collapse is near, I move away from it by dancing to various music that brings me joy. Alongside creating, I listen to many different artists, and their work inspires me a lot.

When things get tough, I clean my house. I also read books—philosophy, psychology, and technical literature. Mostly, I allow myself to burn to the ground and rise again as something new. I’m not afraid to lose. I’ve lost a lot of music to broken hard drives and computers, but I take everything as an opportunity to know myself and grow. I take myself seriously, but I’m all about jokes and good moods. Eventually, the storm always passes, but if you forget how to smile while it lasts, the clouds will never leave your side.

And yes, I remind myself that the body is a miracle, as I am just a speck in the universe. When I look at everything from this perspective, I find the strength to keep working hard on learning myself and growing constantly. And if none of that helps, I take my skateboard and ride as fast as I can. If that doesn’t help, I just go to sleep. Sometimes, all I need is good food, some good anime and sleep.

You can find UMIKO Kotori’s music here: www.umikokotori.bandcamp.com

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