“I want to sing songs that will become everybody’s main theme.” May’n began her activity as a singer back in 2004 based on this very desire. Since then, she has gone on to leave her mark on the world stage, having embarked on an Asia tour, a world tour, a tour around all 47 prefectures in Japan, not to mention a solo concert at the world-renowned Nippon Budokan.

Autumn this year marks 13 years since May’n made her debut. Her appearance at J-POP SUMMIT is imminent, as is the release of her new album in October. It will be her first appearance at J-POP SUMMIT in 3 years and her first album in 4 years. Looking back over her career, we spoke with May’n about how she has changed over the years and her outlook for the future.

—Your appearance at J-POP SUMMIT is drawing close, isn’t it?

It’s been 3 years since I’ve performed there, so I want to give it my all like I really have been away for 3 years. Back then it was held outdoors, but this time it’ll be indoors. It also seems like I will have more stage time, so I want to deliver the full package of something much closer to my regular live shows.

—Is there anything that has held a place in your heart these past 3 years?

The last time I was given the opportunity to perform at J-POP SUMMIT. I was on my 10-year anniversary world tour. Experiencing it was like I had reached a plateau, like all of the scary things had disappeared, in a good way… It was as if I had started from the very beginning again.

—So, you’ve gone through changes these past 3 years?

When I reached my 10^th year, I started thinking deeply about the kind of image I want perceive for myself as May’n, what kind of figure I want to become for everyone else – those kinds of ideals. But I settled on believing in my own feelings and in my fans to do the things I love. When I look back at photos on stage, I think how happy my face looks (laughs).

—Do you think you have become free in expressing yourself in recent years?

I’ve wanted to be an artist since I was 3 years old, so I think I’ve always been pursuing that ideal. Especially during the time when I did the singing voice for Sheryl Nome, the Galactic Fairy from “Macross Frontier.” I was desperate in trying to become like her.

—From 3 years old!

That’s correct. Thinking about it now, it started back when my teacher praised me at Parent’s Day (laughs). My mother saw that I loved songs and let me go to a concert at 3 years old. From there it was set in stone – I loved songs. Even now, my kindergarten teacher from back then comes to my concerts.

—That’s a wonderful story.

My true self, which my mother and teacher know about, does have its relatively idle moments, but when I look back, I think I might have stifled my true nature until the moment of my 10^th anniversary. I’m concentrating on looking after my throat, and it seems taking a break has been a huge turning point for me.

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—Your activity overseas has also become remarkable since 2010. Has this impacted you in any way?

I’ve been able to overturn preconceived ideas. I can think that it’s okay to break them. I have a song called “Diamond Crevasse” that I often perform live, but it’s themed around separation, so I sing it in a serious manner, and the audience also listen seriously. But when I sang it overseas one time, I got the message that people were wondering why everyone was singing their favourite song with a sad expression. I was taken aback.

—I see! That’s a profound experience.

I want to express the feeling of the lyrics so I won’t sing it with a huge smile on my face, but in my heart, I still feel happiness in being able to deliver this song to them, and I’m still happy that everyone was waiting for me. Ah—I just realized that it’s okay to feel that way. That even if it’s a sad song, it’s still fine even if the smiles are flowing from people at that moment. Since I’ve received that message from people, I’ll be upfront with those kinds of feelings and ride with them when singing.

—So are people’s reactions during your performances really different overseas?

They are. In Europe and America, people begin cheering during the outro of songs. In Japan, the culture goes that people wait until the song finishes before clapping, but that doesn’t happen overseas. It’s easier to feel the passion from people expressing their emotions at that time. People even scream “you’re a diva!” in broken Japanese (laughs). Asia is a bit like Europe and America too, people act more freely. Japan has things good about it; overseas has its own ways of getting excited. I like experiencing both differences.

—You’re releasing an album in October. What sort of thoughts and feelings have you put into this album?

It’s my first album in 4 years. It’s one I wanted to have fun with, which is something that I can think about genuinely now having reached my turning point. I made it not with my own perception of May’n in mind, only the live shows and the messages I want to deliver to all the fans that come to them.

—Even your album has undergone such changes!

I feel that letting out my true self has enabled me to become more natural as well as put out a more straight and frank record. Everyone who comes to my shows is a club member, and I will lead everyone as the club leader!

—That’s right!

I’ve continued yearning to become a ‘singer,’ but what I really wanted to do was just have fun singing. And I’ve realized that’s what I’ve been doing alongside everyone. Having come to see that, I’ve even come to express myself so much more naturally on the visual side of things. This might be my first record that has linked the artist May’n with my true self.

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—It’s a very special album for the club members. By the way, since you are active worldwide, do you have any recommendations of Japanese culture or tourist spots for overseas club members?

If it’s food, then I absolutely recommend taiyaki. It’s a Japanese traditional sweet! Despite them having been around for more than 100 years, it’s annoying that they are losing to things like sushi and takoyaki. So I want lots of people to know about them. I’m a goodwill ambassador (laughs). As for places to visit, I’d say Nana-chan in Nagoya. She’s a giant mannequin whose appearance changes with the seasons, like wearing cute Harajuku-looking outfits, and more recently she’s been doing collaborations with characters and movies. I’ve also collaborated with her, you know!

#ナナちゃん人形がすき pic.twitter.com/MlTRAkkqST

— May’n (@mayn_tw) 2017年8月26日

—They sound like must-sees for fans planning on coming to Japan! To wrap up, please give your message to fans around the world!

To think that I’d be able to perform live in different countries like this – I didn’t even see it in my dreams at the time of my debut. Knowing that there are fans waiting for me throughout the world truly gives me courage. I’m able to sing overseas without hesitation just like in Japan. I’ll be focusing on performing live even more from now on, so please be sure to come along.