This story was originally published on Passionfruit.
At this year’s Dr. Martens music showcase for South By Southwest (SXSW), a line wrapped around the block of a music venue in downtown Austin. Inside, a passionate voice could be heard singing, rapping, and, at times, screaming in Japanese.
Even though most of the American audience can’t understand the lyrics by 28-year-old Japanese singer and poetry rapper Haru Nemuri, they can certainly feel the liveliness, emotions, and hardcore punk, J-pop, rap, and experimental musical notes.
Nemuri has made waves in the U.S. art, rock, and punk music scenes, recently wrapping up a North American tour. She was named as one of the “best acts of SXSW 2021” by the New York Times. She also made waves at SXSW in 2022, performing with artists like Pussy Riot and attracting large, frenetic crowds.
