Singer-songwriter Rie Sawai is currently holding her nationwide concert tour "RIE SAWAI Summer Tour 2023"
Singer-songwriter Rie Sawai kicked off her "RIE SAWAI Summer Tour 2023" on July 20th, visiting seven locations across the country, starting in Kannai, Yokohama. As a vocalist who writes her own lyrics and composes her own music, Sawai has sung backing vocals for numerous artists, including Kohmi Hirose. She is also a voice trainer, caregiver, and beauty pageant finalist. We spoke to her about her journey from when she first started her musical career to the present, and about her current concert tour.
-Please tell us about your recent activities.
A singer-songwriter, she also works as a voice trainer and certified care worker in Yokohama and Tokyo. She has also competed in beauty pageants such as 2022 Miss Japan Premium and Global Unity Japan 2023.
-Not only your singing voice, but also nursing care and beauty competitions? I'm curious about all of those, but what made you become a singer-songwriter in the first place?
I had been exposed to classical music since I was a child and I strongly felt that I couldn't live without music. However, the world of classical music is so vast that I couldn't decide what I wanted to do within it.
When I was about 18 years old, I saw Hirose Kohmi on TV. I was moved by her beautiful melodies and lyrics, the way she sang, and her overwhelming voice, and I instinctively thought, "Ah, this is the world I've been looking for." I immediately bought a CD of Hirose's and when I opened the case, I found a student application form for the Hirose Kohmi Music School inside. I called that same day and started attending the following week.
-You have great initiative.
Amidst the rigorous lessons, there was a special audition held once a year within the school, and those who passed were given the right to receive lessons directly from Hirose. I was fortunate enough to pass, and for the next three years I was able to learn the Hirose Kohmi method, "vocal production using the body," directly from her. Still, I began to wonder if I could become a professional if I continued like this, and I felt that I had to take action myself, so I told Hirose, "I will graduate from school and train so that I can work as a singer in the field."
I still remember the kind words that Hirose-san sent me off with, saying, "I'll always be rooting for you, so please contact me anytime if you need anything." It's hard to believe back then that I'm now able to work with Hirose Kohmi, who inspired me to become a singer, but I'm truly grateful.
-Hirose's words were very encouraging to you. What did you actually do after graduating from music school?
I found out that Heart & Soul, a live restaurant and bar in Kannai that mainly plays Western music, was looking for a singer and waitress. I wore the restaurant uniform and worked from 8pm to 5am for eight years. From my third year, I started working as a professional artist and became busier, but I couldn't bring myself to leave Heart & Soul, my precious home ground. Still, I decided to go independent, knowing that I needed to become independent as a singer.
I still perform twice a month as a regular guest vocalist at "Heart & Soul." I am so grateful to the owner, Masayuki Hara, for all his help. If I hadn't met him, I think I would have given up on my dream of becoming a singer halfway through.
She has also performed live at Bashamichi Charlie's Bar and on stages around Tokyo.
-So your dream came true through meeting people. By the way, how did you get involved in the nursing care industry?
It all started when my paternal grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. She lived alone in Hokkaido and was in her 70s. Although she was healthy and had no problems moving around, she found it difficult to live solely with home and visiting nursing care, so we called her to Yokohama, where my mother cared for her at home during the day and I cared for her at night.
The core symptoms of dementia and related symptoms were so severe that he had to put his musical activities on hold and we had to keep an eye on him for even a moment. Both my mother and I were exhausted and worried, wondering what would happen to his life, as there were still so many things he wanted to do.
During this time, although my grandmother's level of care had increased, her peripheral symptoms had calmed down, and she was moved from home care to a facility. From then on, I began visiting the facility twice a month to give live performances to cheer her up.
-So it all started with your family.
As he played on the grand piano at the facility and sang well-known songs together, about 200 people came to watch, including not only the residents but also their families and staff.
Hearing things like, "They would sit still only while Sawai was singing," and "Residents who normally wouldn't open their eyes were listening with their eyes open," and hearing that some residents dressed up with makeup and hair accessories for the concert, I realized that music energizes people. I began to want to do something to connect welfare and the community through music.
The vocal technique I learned uses the calves and front thighs, so it's also suitable for building physical strength for people who can't do muscle training or exercise. It also helps train the cardiopulmonary function and back and abdominal muscles of the elderly, and I think it has a positive effect on swallowing function and facial muscles. Singing loudly also has stress-relieving and relaxing effects, so I think it's important to have a place where everyone can sing and practice their vocals together.
My grandmother passed away after that, but through my experience of providing care at home with my family, I became interested in what it was like to work in a care facility. I thought that if I was going to take on the challenge, I would try my best to obtain the qualifications, so I decided to work in the field. It took about five years because I was also working as a singer, but last year I was able to obtain my qualifications as a care worker. I still continue to work in the field and perform live concerts. One day I will become old and reach that future. I also hope that one day I can create a facility that I would want to work in.
I strongly hope that the image of dementia care and the branding of the care profession will improve, and that the world of care will become even better. Caregiving is a wonderful job that allows you to learn about each person's life and make the people in front of you smile. It's no different from standing on stage and making the audience smile. I feel that the work of caregiving, which made me realize this, was also a valuable experience for the artist Sawai Rie.
-I heard you tried out for Miss Japan Premium 2022 and Global Unity Japan 2023. What motivated you to do so?
Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic was still raging. Although she was working hard on online activities under various restrictions, she wondered if there was a way to show her fans more of her activities. When she found out that the age limit for Miss Japan had been lifted in January 2022, she applied. She will be competing in "2022 Miss Japan Premium" as a representative of her hometown, Hokkaido.
At first, I thought it would be great if I could just enter. After achieving the honor of winning Miss Hokkaido Premium, I went on to compete in the Japanese competition, and seeing women from all different backgrounds working hard to win the grand prize, it made me change my mindset and make me want to aim high too. Everyone has a spark that goes beyond just their appearance. Through the competition, I was able to gain confidence in my own spark and presence.
After that, I took part in the beauty and health-themed competition "Global Unity Japan 2023" and won the judges' award. I was selected to advance to the Japanese competition. I am now working hard to be selected as a representative of Japan and aim to compete in the world competition.
As a result of the contest, I was also selected as a PR model for MOLARA, Japan's first disposable menstrual disc, and had the opportunity to spread the word about its appeal. Through this activity, I learned that although there are convenient products for women, they have not yet become widespread in society, and useful information is not reaching people. In this era where people are said to live to 100 years old, I believe that only by being healthy and having the right knowledge of beauty, medicine, and health, as well as appearance, can we live fulfilling days as we age. I realized the importance of learning how to live life as a woman, as yourself.
As an artist and as a caregiver who works closely with older women, I hope to be able to disseminate information with accurate knowledge that will help women live happier lives.
-Please tell us your thoughts about this concert tour, "RIE SAWAI Summer Tour 2023."
A nationwide tour is one of the things I've decided to do every year. I'd be happy if announcing it as a summer tour every year would help people get to know Sawai Rie. While self-restraint due to the COVID-19 pandemic has continued, I used to feel more like the audience would "come" to my shows, but now I feel like I'm "going to deliver" my songs. My stance is that if there's even one person who listens to my songs, then I'll go and sing there!
This tour kicked off in Yokohama, and then we performed in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture. After the earthquake, we performed at a nursing home in Ofunato, and when we visited again this time as part of our tour, we received warm words of encouragement, such as "We've been waiting for you" and "We've missed you." It was a moment that really made us feel that if even one person is waiting for us, we should continue. If we can be an encouragement to someone, we will do our best to the end.
The biggest challenge of this summer tour is our first performance in Kyushu. It's a one-night show at a large venue called "border-live music & drinks-" in Fukuoka, a music bar that adults can enjoy. I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of people will come.
The final stop will be Wonderwall Yokohama in Hiyoshi, Yokohama, their hometown. The venue has been working hard to host live streaming concerts even during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is loved by many musicians, not just locals. The tour will conclude with a piano performance by the incredible Yokohama native, Takeshi Kikuchi.
- I'm looking forward to the final part of the summer tour. Finally, please give us a message from Sawai-san to everyone.
I know you've been wearing a mask for a long time and you might be reluctant to sing out loud, but I encourage everyone to try singing.
We use our voices so often that it's hard to think of it as something we "improve" because it's something we're so familiar with. But because it's something we're so familiar with, I want people to experience it as something that can change their daily lives.
I used to have a complex about my natural vocal range being narrow and not being able to hit high notes, but with correct vocalization I was able to expand my range and produce a strong, high-pitched voice. My life as a singer has changed dramatically since my voice no longer gets hoarse, and I've realized how much honing my voice can make me feel so positive and cheerful.
Her work as a caregiver and her participation in beauty pageants have also given her the opportunity to see "each person's own way of life." These experiences have also had a positive impact on her efforts to further hone her voice as a singer-songwriter and voice trainer.
I want to continue to spread the image of the woman known as Sawai Rie so that people will see me working hard and think, "Me too!" I would be happy if you continue to support me.
The summer tour, which overcame the COVID-19 pandemic, will run until September 17th. Be sure to come to the venue to experience Sawai's beautiful singing voice and inner radiance!
Rie Sawai
■Profile
Born in Hokkaido and raised in Yokohama
・Singer-songwriter/vocalist
・ Hirose Kohmi Music Assistant
・Head instructor at Hirose Kohmi Vocal School
・Care worker
・2022 Miss Japan Premium Miss Hokkaido Japan Tournament Finalist
・Global Unity Japan 2023 Japan Tournament Finalist
