OuiOui on Cherishing the “Sparkle” in Themselves

MEIJEE and BLUENY talk about their unique bond and the feelings they put into their music.

For those who have not heard your music before, how would you describe it to them? How would you finish the sentence “OuiOui is ___” or “OuiOui’s music is ___”?  

MEIJEE: “OuiOui is a team that sings relatable songs” and “OuiOui’s music is addictive.” You might not have heard it at all, but once you do, you can’t stop [listening]. 

BLUENY: “OuiOui’s music is irreplaceable.”

Since your band name is French, do you have any interest in learning to speak French or incorporating some French words into your song titles or lyrics?  

MEIJEE: I don’t know much French, but if I could find an appropriate word, I might try to slip it in there. Our French fans might be happy to hear it. 

BLUENY: I’ve tried teaching myself French before. I only managed to learn how to pronounce the French alphabet, but I would like to cover French songs, even though it will be difficult because of the beauty of its pronunciations. 

What inspired both of you to pursue music careers?  

MEIJEE: There wasn’t a particular [source of] inspiration. I’ve always wanted to do what I loved for a living, since I was a kid. 

BLUENY: I used to be a student who just loved to listen to music. I first heard about music academies when I was in high school, so I started attending one with a friend, and that’s when I really began to dream [about it]. 

Do you remember your first impressions of each other when you officially became a duo? 

MEIJEE: I still remember it clearly. BLUENY was such a character. She had a lot of humor that made me think that if we teamed up, we could have a lot of fun and do well together. 

BLUENY: I even remember what MEIJEE was wearing that day: black boots, black jeans, [a] black leather jacket, and silver accessories. Her first impression was “An unnie (older sister) whose expressions don’t change much.” 

Do your strengths and weaknesses balance each other out? 

MEIJEE: The synergy of our individual strengths [is] perfect. I think it really shines when BLUENY’s voice and sensitivity are added to the songs I write. 

BLUENY: I got to know a side of my voice that I didn't know existed before we formed OuiOui. In the past, my vocal style was very different, and now I think my biggest strength is [how] my voice fits OuiOui perfectly. 

What has changed about your music since you first became OuiOui?  

MEIJEE: I came to know my [own] musical sensibilities, but when I tried to translate [them] into OuiOui’s music, I went through some trial and error. In the end, I realized that people like our music and that the sum of my sensibilities and BLUENY’s vocal talent makes OuiOui strong. I try to be more aware of that when I write now. 

BLUENY: While our early work was more about the big picture, now we're more interested in studying and building [on] each other's work, down to the last detail. 

What careers would you be pursuing today if they could not be music-related?  

MEIJEE: I think I would have gotten another job that involves some sort of creative activity. 

BLUENY: I love to make and grow things with my hands, so I probably would have [started] my own workshop. 

Please describe your newest single, “Firework”!  

MEIJEE: “Firework” is a song about loving each other colorfully, shining on each other even in dark days and nights without being clouded by familiarity. Just like one night when the stars were falling and it felt like love was falling on me. 

BLUENY: I’d like to recommend taking a walk on a summer night while listening to the transition from the verse to the chorus. 

Please share some information about each of these songs: 

“Winter Blossom”  

MEIJEE: It's a song about longing for your lover in the midst of cold winter’s frozen time. I personally like the poetic lyrics. 

“Do!” 

MEIJEE: BLUENY and I made this song when we were a little down yet still desired to fill our music with better things. Maybe it's what we wanted to say to each other. It's a song with positive energy that I hope will comfort and support the listeners as well. 

“WE (Oui)” 

MEIJEE: This song is about BLUENY and me, but it's also a message to people who are taking the leap to pursue their dreams. The word “dream” might feel a bit grandiose, but if you think of it as a journey to find the sparkle in yourself, the things you want the most, you might be a little more encouraged. 

“Thinkin’ bout you”  

MEIJEE: This was the lead single from our debut album and [is] still the most loved of our songs. I wrote this song before meeting BLUENY, and I'm so proud and happy that it saw the light of day as a OuiOui song. 

Any other songs you want to talk about!  

MEIJEE: We hope you get a chance to listen to OuiOui’s summer favorite, “Ocean.” You’ll be able to feel the cool and refreshing feelings of the sea as the waves roll in. 

BLUENY: “No Doubt” was OuiOui’s one and only “bad girl” moment, so I would like to recommend it. And “Forever with you” is also one of my favorites. It’s a song I want to sing to my lover. 

What are your short-term and long-term career goals?  

MEIJEE: My goal for this year is to focus more on the emotions of OuiOui’s music and to have more people relate to our songs. My long-term goal is to provide music that can be listened to consistently over time, in an era where everything comes and goes quickly and is so sensitive to trends. 

BLUENY: I want to sing songs that [people] come back to again and again, songs that are unchanging. In the long run, I hope there will be more songs like “Thinkin’ bout you” that people will come back and listen to. 

Lastly, is there anything else you want to say about yourselves or your music?  

MEIJEE: I [hope] that BLUENY and I both continue to be passionate about what we do and be more grateful for each other’s presence! We will keep bringing you good music with deeper, irreplaceable feelings. 

BLUENY: Thank you so much for your love and support. We hope you’ll continue to love our unique emotional colors, and we will always be here trying our best!

Check out OuiOui’s newest single here, and follow them on Instagram here!

Answers have been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. Photos courtesy of INPLANET.