Li-Sa-X is a Japanese guitarist who turned 20 years old this year but she has been lauded as a guitarist with talent beyond her years.

She started playing guitar when she was 5 years old but it was her cover of Racer X’s “Scarified” on YouTube that got her skills viral.

She has since been under the mentorship of Paul Gilbert, an American hard rock and heavy metal guitarist and member of Racer X. She is also endorsed by music brands such as Ibanez, Gruv Gear, Seymour Duncan, Ernie Ball and Laney.

・ ⟡ ── The Li-Sa-X Band and KOIAI ── ⟡ ・

In her teens, she founded her own band – the Li-Sa-X Band – where she showed her talent not only as a guitarist but also as a songwriter. The band eventually went their separate ways but Li-Sa-X and guitarist Hazuki decided to form a new band with singer Kotono after they collaborated on a cover of Polyphia’s “ABC” which went viral on YouTube.

Photo: KOIAI

The band, KOIAI, was formed in 2022 and in 2023 they welcomed drummer Kanade as an official member. KOIAI has two meanings in Japanese: Deep Indigo and Deep Love. Between 2023 and 2024, the band released 3 EPs, “Deep Indigo”, “Deep Love” and “Come see me”.

Singer Kotono left the band in 2025 but they continued their activities with local performances and a Europe tour. They will also be supporting the female rock band SCANDAL during their 2025 concert in Singapore.

・ ⟡ ── A New Picture ── ⟡ ・

Thanks to the coordination of sLs Group Corp and UnUsUaL Entertainment, JCC had the chance to interview Li-Sa-X for our E-Magazine. We hope that you enjoyed reading this feature.

Q: It’s amazing to see how successful you have gotten from the first video you posted at 8 years old until now! What is an unforgettable experience from growing up as a guitarist that you will always remember?

A: I was contacted directly by Paul Gilbert, whom I admire, because of a cover video of one of his songs that I posted when I was 8 years old, and I have been studying with Paul ever since. This year, Paul and I were finally able to go on a guitar clinic tour in Europe together.
Looking back, many people have helped me become the person I am today, and there have been many unforgettable events, and I feel I am truly lucky.
8歳の頃に投稿した動画がきっかけで憧れのポール・ギルバートさんから直接連絡を貰い、 それ以来ポールさんに師事しているのですが、今年ついにポールさんと二人でヨーロッパ でギタークリニックツアーを行うことができました。 振り返ると多くの人に助けられて今の私があって、忘れられない出来事も多くあり、自分 は本当にラッキーだと感じます。

Q: You have already built a music career of more than 10 years, including significant online presence. What are your goals for your career and music moving forward?

A: My goal is to travel the world and entertain many people with my guitar playing and my works. I would also like to collaborate with various musicians. It would be great if I could win a Grammy for it.
私の目標は世界中を旅して、私の演奏や作品で多くの人にそれを楽しんでもらうことです。色んなミュージシャンとコラボレーションもしてみたいです。それらが評価されてもしグラミー賞が獲れたら最高です。

Q: We heard that you started playing guitar when you were very little. So what is the guitar to you today?

A: It is like a magic wand that turns my thoughts into sound and delivers them to the world. It is difficult to handle and I am still practicing, though.
私の思いを音に変えて世界中に届けてくれる魔法の杖のような存在です。扱いが難しくて今も練習していますが。

Q: What other hobbies do you have apart from playing guitar? Do you make time to do things outside of music?

A: When I play the guitar, I tend to lose track of time and get lost in it. But that can lead to injury, so I try to take breaks at set times. I don't really have a hobby, but I play with my dog during my breaks.
ギターを弾いているとつい時間を忘れて没頭してしまいます。 でもそれは怪我のもとなので、時間を決めて休憩を取るようにしています。 趣味という趣味はないんですが、休憩の間は愛犬と遊んでいます。

Q: Have you been to Singapore before? What do you look forward to the most about performing in Singapore for the first time?

A: This is my first visit to Singapore. Of course, I am most looking forward to performing in front of a Singaporean audience, but I also want to do a little sightseeing.
今回が初めてのシンガポール訪問です。 もちろんシンガポールのオーディエンスの前で演奏することが一番の楽しみですが、 ちょっと観光もしたいと思っています。

Q: How does it feel like to be performing with SCANDAL at their performance in Singapore?

A: Along with my solo activities, I am also in an all-female band called KOIAI. I respect SCANDAL as a pioneer in the same all-female band that has been active worldwide for many years, and I am very honoured to be on the same stage with them.
私はソロ活動と並行してKOIAIという全員女性によるバンドも組んでいます。 同じ女性バンドで何年も前から世界での活動をしている先駆者であるSCANDALさんを尊 敬しますし、今回同じステージに立てることをとても光栄に思っています。

Q: Do you have a message that you would like to relay to “Friends of JCC” or your Singaporean fans who are looking forward to your concert in Singapore?

A: I am very proud that Japanese music and musicians are thus accepted outside of Japan. I know that many people are still unfamiliar with me and KOIAI, but I hope that this will be a good opportunity for them to become interested in us. I hope to see you at the concert!
日本の音楽と音楽家がこうして日本以外でも受け入れられていることをとても誇りに思い ます。 私やKOIAIのことはまだよく知らない方も多いと思いますが、これをきっかけに興味を 持ってもらえると嬉しいです。 ぜひコンサートでお会いしましょう！

Resources:
Ibanez Guitar Festival: Li-Sa-X
KOIAI Official website
Laney Amplification: Artist Announcement - Li-Sa-X
Seymour Duncan: Li-Sa-X
Tunecore Japan: KOIAI

Do you have a Japanese-related article or a Japan-Singapore story that you would like to work with us to feature? Please drop us an email jcc@sn.mofa.go.jp and we will be in touch!