Japanese singer Milet on her journey and why she’s excited for first overseas performance at Hong Kong Clockenflap

But in hopes of cheering up her friend who was suffering from depression, Milet sang anyway. “[My friend] seemed so much happier as though even her depression got better. She told me my singing was very powerful and encouraged me to keep singing,” the artist recalled.

That was the first time she felt comfortable singing for an audience.

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Now, Milet is one of the most promising rising J-pop stars, having topped Japan’s Billboard chart with her first studio album Eyes in 2020. The artist is known for her powerful, husky vocals, sung over moving ballads.

Some of her music has been used in anime shows – the most famous one being for the third season opening song of Demon Slayer, set to premiere in April.

Next month, she is performing overseas for the first time as part of Hong Kong’s Clockenflap music festival.

“I feel like the door to the world is slowly opening for me ... I’m excited for more people around the globe to know me and my voice,” Milet said.

Milet’s exposure to music started from a young age because of her parents’ love for classical music: “I was listening to classical music before I knew how to speak.”

The young musician started playing the flute at the age of eight and even wanted to become a flautist in an orchestra. But as she grew up, her interests changed.

She wanted to dive into the world of cinematic scores and decided to study film music in university. “I learned about the theories – how to make movie soundtracks and how sound effects work,” she said.

While in university, it was not until a friend encouraged her to make singing her career that Milet realised her potential to step into the spotlight.

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She sent a demo of her covers to a friend who worked at Sony Music Entertainment (Japan).

“I thought to myself that if it did not work out this time, I would not continue [the dream],” she laughed.

Of course, she ended up impressing the record company and started making music.

In March 2019, the artist made her official debut with her hit song “Inside You”, an emotional rock ballad about begging someone to return. In the past four years, she has released two studio albums, and she continues to reach new heights in music.

Two years into her professional career, the singer performed at the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, something she “had not dreamed of”.

“[I was] super nervous on the stage. But when I saw many performers dancing with big smiles on their faces, their camaraderie moved me,” Milet shared.

Dressed in a flowing colourful dress, she belted out “Hymne à L’Amour”, a French song popular in Japan.

“There was no audience in the stands at the time, so I felt responsible for spreading unity to those who were watching,” she said of the Games held in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“So much has happened in a whirlwind. Sometimes, I think to myself: how [do] I deserve so many opportunities? It’s really shocking,” Milet revealed.

Still, she is encouraged by fans who give her “so much courage” and is excited to perform in Hong Kong. The singer said she had already received a wave of messages from local fans.

“I don’t expect anything, but if my Hong Kong fans can enjoy my performance, then I will be very happy,” she shared.

As a singer who only started releasing music shortly before the pandemic hit, she savours every chance to perform in front of a live audience.

“I started my career away from my fans. I was thinking of them when I was composing, and now, finally, I can sing in front of them,” explained Milet.

“To me, it seems like a miracle.”

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