Sarah Hemi is an Indie, R&B singer-songwriter originally from Hamilton, New Zealand, now based in Kyoto, Japan. Growing up in a very musically absorbent family, Sarah’s discovery of music was only natural. With a Japanese mother and a Maori father, Sarah has been able to refine her own unique sound with the respect of both of her cultures and her love for R&B and neo-soul tones. Despite her studio disguised as her bedroom, Sarah’s lyricism is able to create an ethereal and sentimental connection to her listeners. Featured in the well-known multimedia company, Lyrical Lemonade, Sarah has surpassed over half a million hits on her original singles, thinkin’ about u and Just Friends. Her single, Sweet Talker, has also received great support from multiple Spotify playlists such as Lemonade, and Bedroom Pop.
Photo:
Ethnicity: Japanese-Māori
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Instagram: @wawasewa
Website:
GET TO KNOW - completed April 2021
3 words to describe you:
Optimistic, kind, passionate or creative
3 words to describe your music:
Honest, vulnerable and direct
If it does, how does your heritage impact your art?
It impacts my music very much. I’m a proud Maori, Japanese artist who’s been blessed to be apart of two beautiful, polar opposite cultures. I make a lot Rnb/soulful music that’s inspired by my Maori side and I write Japanese lyrics or experiences being told within my songs. My EP Doki Doki was embracing elements of my Japanese culture completely.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who and why?
UMI, she’s always been my dream collaboration. I think we have similar values in the music that we make and both embrace our cultures/Japanese backgrounds. (She’s also half Japanese)
Your next career/music goal:
Meet and collaborate with UMI
Top 3 go to songs/artists:
It always changes for me but...
Remember - UMI
Easily - Bruno Major
Words you live by:
Try your best, that’s all that anyone can really ever do.
Anything else you'd like to share?
New single dropping April 30th!! I’m so excited, this songs extremely stripped down with just a guitar and my vocals. It’s vulnerable and once again very honest and direct. A song that I think that many of us can relate to.
