Sena Kana is the Japanese pop sensation attempting to break the mould with her genre-defying track, “Show Me”. Upon first listen, the track presents itself as an ethereal pop-infused love letter to perseverance. But, a production-heavy backing teases that there is more to the serene cut than meets the eye, and, rightly so. Lending his infamous lyrical flows and cool-boy aesthetic to the track and its accompanying music video, Ty Dolla $ign bursts onto the scene, making the track wholly blended and undeniably infectious as the pair’s genres clash beautifully.

“The song ‘Show Me’ is about exposing your honest self and continuing to make an effort to convey your thoughts to others, even if the situation is difficult and the future is uncertain,” explains Sena. “I sing this song with the hope that the light will shine upon persistence. It can be difficult for me in these days of troubling news coming and going, but I have been able to overcome obstacles by holding on to my beliefs. I would like to continue singing to achieve a beautiful world where everyone holds more confidence in themselves and one where confidence is respected.”

Upon the release of her new track, the artist sat down with Wonderland to discuss collaborating with Ty Dolla $ign and the impact that her upbringing has had on her sound. Head below to read our interview with Sena Kana…

Hey Sena Kana, how are you? How has this past year been for you?
In the midst of over a year of great hardships, I have been working to create songs that will help and inspire people to become optimistic, even if only a little. It has been a time in which I have been able to think more deeply about the reasons why I sing.

With everything that happened last year, was your creativity affected? Has the way you made music or your art been impacted?
Things that we used to take for granted were no longer possible, but on the other hand, there were many new things to discover about ourselves. The actual production process was greatly affected, and there were times when we had to record or shoot a video remotely, which was very difficult. But, the new issues and challenges were very stimulating. I also discovered that it is possible to create new work and maintain close contact with people, even when we are geographically far apart. Also, as long as you have your body, you can sing anytime and anywhere. So, in that sense, it did not affect my creativity on a deeper level. Even though I couldn’t sing to a live audience, no matter what or when I sang, I was always imagining the faces of my fans.

How did you first get into music, what sparked the interest and how did it develop from there?
Since I was a little girl, I often stayed home alone and watched musicals and Disney movies. I was inspired by the music and then began to sing and play along with it. Also, when I would get together with my family and relatives, we would all sing together. That’s when I developed a love for singing in front of people and, that is what drove me to get more and more into music. As I grew older, singing became a great help, especially when I was having a hard time or was sad. So, gradually I decided to become a professional singer and help others with my singing.

You were born in Tokyo, which is a huge melting pot of culture, did growing up there impact your sound in any way?
Yes! Growing up in Tokyo, I was introduced to various stimuli and music and witnessed many things that became popular, developed over time, or were forgotten. I realised that it is not the fads of the moment that are important but the originality and unshakable core of a creation that will be engraved in history. For this reason, I always try to be true to myself and focus on showing my own style when creating my work

Congratulations on your new single, “Show Me”! Talk us through your mindset approaching the track?
The song “Show Me” is about exposing your honest self and continuing to make an effort to convey your thoughts to others, even if the situation is difficult and the future is uncertain. I sing this song with the hope that the light will shine upon persistence. It can be difficult for me in these days of troubling news coming and going, but I have been able to overcome obstacles by holding on to my beliefs. I would like to continue singing to achieve a beautiful world where everyone holds more confidence in themselves and one where confidence is respected.

And, you also teamed up with Ty Dolla $ign! How did this collaboration come about, and how does it add to the single?
I was introduced to Ty Dolla $ign by Poo Bear, the executive producer of this single and my last EP, “Serenity”. I was inspired by his powerful
-yet-sweet voice and his elegant lyrics. I feel that he has taken my single to a higher level. It’s a song we hope all our fans will give a listen to.

What do you want people to take away from your music and project overall?
The ultimate goal is to make people all over the world kinder and to make the world a better place through my music. To create a world where there are no more wars and conflicts and one where we can help each other, even during disasters and hardships. I hope that my song can be a catalyst for each of us to show our true kindness, not give up on finding new solutions and not become complacent.

Who are your inspirations?
To be honest, I am constantly inspired by all the music I hear, rather than any particular person. Also, my family and friends that I come in contact with daily. And, above all, the supportive voices of my fans inspire me the most.

What are you most excited for? What’s next for you?
The circumstances surrounding musical activities have changed dramatically due to COVID. I can’t say for sure what will happen to the world in the future, but I believe that a new standard will be created and that will allow people all over the world to let their colours shine brighter. In the meantime, I have prepared a gift for my fans that only I can offer. Please look forward to it! I am looking forward to sharing it with everyone soon.