NONPALACE: “I want to show… you can still rise on your own”
NONPALACE explains how his stage name empowers him and envisions what comes next.
For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? How would you finish the sentence “NONPALACE is ___” or “NONPALACE’s music is ___”?
“NONPALACE self-produces almost everything, from songwriting to mixing and mastering. He reflects what he’s feeling at the time in his songs, so the music, the word choices, and the ways he creates toplines change depending on the song or music he’s listening to at the time. So while he primarily produces R&B, he also produces a lot of songs that sound similar to pop or hip-hop.”
Who or what first inspired you to pursue a music career?
I’ve loved singing since I was little and would often take part in karaoke competitions in my town. I [have been singing the music of] Utada Hikaru and aiko since I was a child, and I have an image [as someone with] a high-pitched voice. Influenced by my older sister, I became fascinated with the group EXILE, went to see countless live performances, and decided I wanted to become an artist. From there, I started listening to a wide variety of music. The music I make now is influenced by many people, but I think the sound and flow of 3House and R&B singer Hayashi Kazuki have had a particularly strong influence on me.
How did you choose your stage name?
The name “NONPALACE” comes from splitting my real name, Fumiya, into “fu” and “miya,” which are written in kanji as “不” and “宮,” with “不” meaning negation and “宮” meaning palace. I love anime and manga, and characters who are royalty or aristocrats who grew up in palaces are often called geniuses, but I’m not that type of person. I failed many auditions and was never chosen, so I chose this name to mean I’m not a genius. It may sound negative, but by making many dreams come true, I want to show that even if you’re not one of the chosen ones, like me, you can still rise on your own.
Please talk about each of these songs:
“FLY”: “FLY” is the first song I wrote after moving to Tokyo. The lyrics for this song express my passion [about] coming to Tokyo [to make] it big. I entrusted the music video to my friend from my school days, Shohei Emi. I wanted to capture the refined life I’d experienced in Tokyo, so I chose a rugged, impersonal location, rather than the glitzy Shibuya district.
“One More Dance”: “One More Dance,” the lead track off my latest EP, is a song about regretting a woman who left me. The song combines glittering, harp-like string instruments with a Latin-inspired beat, making it a work I’m very happy with. I cast actress Riko Nagai in the music video, and I even tried acting for the first time. Nagai’s communication skills helped me through the process, but I was quite nervous about filming with a woman, and I made multiple retakes, which earned me a lot of scolding from the director. However, thanks to Nagai’s excellent communication and editing skills, I was able to successfully complete a fantastic piece.
“Just say Goodbye”: “Just say Goodbye” is my first song written from a female perspective. This song depicts the feelings and conflicts of a woman who can’t forget the man who left her, even though a new romance has begun. I actually spoke to a female friend and used her experiences as a reference when writing the lyrics, hoping that many people would relate to them. The song was produced by ukulele artist EDEN KAI and arranger/mix engineer U-KIRIN. EDEN KAI’s guitar and U-KIRIN’s arrangement are simply fantastic, capturing the latest trends while still developing well. [My] rhythmic, catchy topline and EDEN KAI’s husky, sparkling high tones make for a song well worth listening to.
What are you planning to release next?
I’m currently working on an album. [When] I released my first EP and held a release party to showcase the songs, [it] made me realize how much fun it is to hold an event myself, so I’m thinking of holding an event in conjunction with the album production this time. I’m also aiming to hold a solo concert next year, so I’d like to work actively to make that happen at the same time.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
It was an event called OTO, held at a live hall called Shibuya O-East, and it was my first time as an artist performing in a hall-sized venue, so it boosted my confidence. Because I experienced the joy of performing in a large venue, it made me want to perform in even bigger venues, and it made it easier for me to pursue my goals.
What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
I want to produce an album in the short term, and then my goal for next year is to have a successful solo concert. In the long term, I’d like to hold a Zepp hall [a series of music venues throughout Japan] tour. I still need to attract more people and play more songs, so I want to steadily increase my fan base through social media and live performances.
Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourself or your music?
Thank you for finding me and getting to know me through this article. Although my career is only three years long, I’m confident [and] steadily creating songs that I’m satisfied with. I reveal everything about myself through my music, so I hope you’ll like my music, my personality, and everything about me. Please support me.
Check out NONPALACE’s music here!
Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Photos courtesy of NONPALACE.