Manga-Pop Sensation Katrin Unveils New Single "Tokyo" with a Unique Blend of Cultures: An Exclusive Interview

In an era where musical genres blend effortlessly, where boundaries between cultures blur, and where innovation is the currency of success, one artist stands out with a unique proposition. 

Katrin, the manga-pop sensation, has just released her new single “Tokyo,” a vibrant tapestry of sound that marries Russian and Japanese influences. In an exclusive interview with Big Life, Katrin opens up about the jouey of creating this track, her love for Japanese culture, and the future of her multifaceted career.

A Story Behind “Tokyo”

“Hello, Katrin! Your new single ‘Tokyo’ has just dropped. Can you share the story behind its creation?”

“Hi! Oh, it’s quite a fun story. I love experimenting, so I tried to rhyme some Russian and Japanese words. The idea of merging two different languages intrigued me. Initially, it didn’t work out as planned; I had to consult two different translators,” Katrin explains, her eyes gleaming with the thrill of linguistic exploration.

“But do you speak Japanese well? Why didn’t it work initially?”

“As Japanese philologists joke, the language is only difficult for the first twenty years of study,” she laughs. “No, I don’t speak it fluently, but I can understand anime and dramas without subtitles. My basic skills were enough for experimenting with rhymes, but a full translation required a professional touch. I tued to a translation agency, but since the translator was Russian, the subtle nuances were lost. It became evident when I invited Yukiko Kase, a Japanese vocal coach, who studied Russian philology. She pointed out that while grammatically correct, the translation was semantically awkward. Yukiko-san created an artistic translation, and we recorded the final version with her guidance. Her help with pronunciation during the recording was invaluable.”

The Charm of Traditional Instruments

“You mentioned on social media that you used live shamisen in this track. What is this instrument?”

“The shamisen is a traditional Japanese string instrument. If you remember the movie ‘Memoirs of a Geisha,’ Sayuri plays it in a snow-covered garden. I was captivated by its unique sound at an anime festival where Andrey Zhilin performed. I took his contact and later collaborated with Sergey Kushnarenko, who sent me the shamisen parts for the single. It added an authentic Japanese vibe. The guitar segments were recorded by Alexander Korposov, with whom I previously worked on the ‘Déjà Vu’ single, so the track combines tradition and modeity, much like Japan itself.”

Singing in Japanese: A Beautiful Challenge

“You previously released a song ‘Kumo’ (‘Clouds’) in Japanese, part of your album ‘My Mentor.’ How challenging is it to sing in Japanese?”

“Kanako Iwamoto, my Japanese language teacher, helped with the translation and recording back then. Singing in a foreign language is always challenging—you’re more focused on pronunciation and intonation than on vocal expression. Although Japanese sounds sweet and emotional to me, making it pleasant to sing, the recording process becomes significantly more expensive. In Russian, it takes one or two takes to express what I want, while songs in other languages require more effort.”

The Inspiration Behind the Music

“You write your own lyrics and music. What inspires you?”

“Yes, I write melodies and lyrics, while harmonies and arrangements are crafted by studio professionals. I work with various arrangers and am always on the lookout for new talents. Not everything works out on the first try, but it’s a creative process I actively participate in at every stage. Inspiration comes from love, often an old story. I have many tracks written and saved away. I might come up with a good verse today, and the chorus might emerge a year or two later. Songs are bo when their time comes.”

A Love Affair with Japanese Culture

“What sparked your interest in Japan and its culture? With Korean groups being more popular now, do you follow trends?”"I wouldn’t say K-pop is at its peak now, like it was a few years ago. My profession requires me to keep an eye on trends, but I don’t necessarily follow them. I have my own path. It’s hard to explain why I fell in love with Japanese culture and still cherish it. Of course, I have little time for anime and manga these days, as I’m also a singer, songwriter, actress, producer, and a student again.”

Balancing a Multifaceted Career

“This summer, I enrolled in a master’s program at my beloved Shchukin Theatre Institute. I already completed additional education and an inteship there in 2021-2022, but the dream of full higher education never left me. I’m a perpetual student,” she laughs.

“You mentioned your acting career. Where are you currently performing?”

“Mostly in chamber productions. For instance, I was part of the speech oratorio ‘As Long As Hearts Beat,’ which won a grant from the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. This spring, we went on our first tour to Belarus with part of the cast and our director Maria Petrovna Ossovskaya. There was also a play ‘Shardam! Or The Flight of Absurdity’ based on Daniil Kharms, where I played a news anchor and a Bollywood princess. It’s challenging to do everything I want because I haven’t figured out how to clone myself yet,” she jokes. “But there are theatrical stories I respond to wholeheartedly and don’t regret.”

The Role of a Producer

“As I am my own producer and created the ‘Katrin’ project from scratch, I’ve started thinking about helping others showcase their talents. I’m interested in working with creative people, whether they’re established artists, emerging musicians, or young actors. Last year, in collaboration with the ‘Eurasia.Today’ portal, we created the ‘House of Culture’ program, where I was a host and producer. Our guests included artists, musicians, actors, directors, poets. Let’s see where this leads. I continue to interview various arts figures, which you can read on the portal’s website.”

A Glimpse into the Future

“What musical projects are you currently working on? When can we expect a new song, and do you plan to release a music video?”

“I don’t have a clear idea of which track I want to record next, and I don’t like to speak about my plans ahead of time. Last year, I planned to record a single in Spanish, but its time hasn’t come yet. As for a music video, it heavily depends on the director, cameraman, and editor. I’m still searching for ‘my people,’ as I’m quite particular about the visual aspects at all production stages, especially since it’s my money on the line,” she laughs. “Setting specific dates isn’t realistic for me. I don’t like lying to my fans, but I also won’t strain myself to meet deadlines. It’s important for me to enjoy and be inspired by what I do.”

The Secret to Balancing It All

“How do you manage to balance everything?”

“You can never do it all, so it’s crucial to set priorities. And take at least one day a week off, disconnecting your phone from work matters, or there’s a risk of buout. It’s better to spend more time in nature, maybe take one-day trips, as Russia has so many stunning places: Muranovo, Polenovo, Murom, Veliky Novgorod, Saint Petersburg. A change of scenery helps recharge and fill with new impressions, which is essential for a creative person.”

Katrin’s jouey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Her unique blend of cultural influences, musical experimentation, and dedication to her craft make her a standout artist in today’s ever-evolving music landscape. As she continues to explore and innovate, her fans eagerly await the next chapter of her vibrant career.