Before becoming one of Japan’s most recognizable contemporary artists, Yama built an audience through Vocaloid covers and as a member of BIN. In this exclusive interview, the singer looks back on the decision to launch a solo career, recalls the whirlwind success of Haru wo Tsugeru, explains how they developed a sound that remains unmistakably their own, and discusses the personal significance of their latest EP, C.U.T.. They also share their excitement about meeting French audiences for the very first time.
Before your solo career, you were covering Vocaloid songs and were part of the group BIN. What made you decide to go solo under a new stage name?
Yama: BIN started out as a group that was simply meant to have fun. But I still wanted to focus more seriously on music, take my career further, and center it around myself. Mr. Shintarō Fujiwara [Sony Music Labels’ Artists and Repertoire representative] approached me and suggested that we grow our YouTube subscribers. That’s how my solo career began.
Your solo career took off very quickly. Was there a particular moment when you realized your music was truly resonating with the public?
Yama: It’s true that my first original single became a hit very quickly. When I was mainly doing Vocaloid covers, I struggled a lot because I felt like I wasn’t making any progress. Then I released Haru wo Tsugeru, and it became an instant success. Unfortunately, it came out right in the middle of the COVID pandemic, when people could only listen to music from home and I couldn’t perform live. Because of that, it was difficult to truly realize that people enjoyed my music. It was only once I was finally able to perform concerts that I realized people were actually listening to it.
Your music blends many different influences—pop, rock, electronic music, and Vocaloid. How do you make sure each song still feels unmistakably like a Yama song?
Yama: I got into Vocaloid when I was a student, but to me, Vocaloid is only one of my many musical roots. Before that, I listened to a wide variety of genres, especially City Pop and R&B. Those were the styles I really loved. Discovering Vocaloid helped me better understand what I truly enjoyed about music. My style is quite unique, even though it’s influenced by pop, and I think what really defines it is the melodies and the lyrics. I create very instinctively—whatever resonates with me naturally ends up becoming what gives my songs their identity.
In March 2026, you released your EP C.U.T. What did you want to express through the songs on this record?
Yama: When I was making Vocaloid covers, most of my audience consisted of people who spent a lot of time online, so it was music that was easy for a wide audience to listen to. But when I wanted to reconnect with my roots and explore that side of myself more deeply, I came up with the title C.U.T., which stands for Chill Out, Urban and Tender. Those words perfectly reflect the kind of music I love. These three ideas became the foundation for composing the EP, especially since it wasn’t created for an anime—it was a completely original project. For me, it was a chance to reinvent myself and show the audience a new side of Yama.
Among the songs on C.U.T., which one would you recommend?
Yama: My first answer would be: all of them! It’s difficult to choose just one. But I think the song that carries the most important message is sanagi. It’s been five or six years since I started my career, and I feel like that song reflects those first years. At the same time, through that song, I want to express that from this album onward, I’m ready to spread my wings.
Do you have one final message for your French fans?
Yama: This is my first time in France and my first time performing a concert here, so I’m really looking forward to tonight’s show. I hope I’ll have many more opportunities to meet French audiences in the future. And I also hope people will keep listening to my music for a long time.
We would like to thank Yaman and Japan Expo Paris for this opportunity.
This interview is a collaboration between KAvenyou, CKJPOPNEWS and NAUTILJON.
