The term utaite (歌い手) is used to label individuals who upload covers of Japanese songs. It came from the word utattemita (歌ってみた) which means “tried to sing”.

The term originated around 2006-2007 on Nico Nico Douga, Japan’s equivalent to YouTube, and began getting popularised as a subculture by the rising popularity of Vocaloid - a singing voice synthesizer software created by YAMAHA. While it can be almost applicable to anyone who sings, utaite specifically refers to people who upload their covers of previously released songs (usually Vocaloid tracks) and upload them online.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · Early Beginnings Behind the Screens · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

yama started out as an utaite in 2018, posting song covers on YouTube. yama’s first original song, “Haru o Tsugeru”, was created by Vocaloid producer Kujira and released in 2020. It became a big hit, having over 100 million views on YouTube, and made yama rise in popularity.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · A New Face in the Music Scene · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

Since then, they have released more songs and performed in front of huge crowds locally and internationally. While yama has always been a talented singer since childhood, appearing in front of people is often anxiety-inducing. The good reception of “Haru o Tsugeru” gave yama mixed feelings. While extremely happy, yama was also pressured by thoughts of having to show their face and perform at concerts. This was when they started to seriously think about how to enter the music world.

They then made a decision to hide their face with a mask, choosing to work with special makeup effects artist Kaiho who had worked on music videos for King Gnu and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. While it felt foreign at first, wearing a mask gave yama the confidence to sing in public. They successfully held their first concert in front of an audience and continue to perform in Japan and around the world.

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · · 虎視眈々 (Watching Vigilantly for an Opportunity) · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

In their interview with JCC, yama hoped that their music can be something that enriches lives and even be a source of healing for someone.

Continue reading the article for our interview with yama, thanks to the coordination of Live Nation. We hope that you enjoyed reading this feature.

Q: Welcome back to Singapore! Is there any food, sceneries, sightseeing spots or anything that you missed about this country?
A: When I went to Singapore on my 2023 Asian tour, I went to see the Merlion, but it was under construction and I couldn't see it... I remember feeling a little disappointed when I saw a small statue modelled after the Merlion nearby.
I really want to see the real thing this time!
2023年のアジアツアーでシンガポールに行った時、マーライオンを見に行ったら工事中で見れませんでした…。近くにあったマーライオンを模した小さな像を見て少し残念に思ったのが思い出です。
今度こそ本物を見てみたいです！

Q: Japanese music has been increasing in popularity worldwide due to the popularity of anime and the spread of online streaming services. As a Japanese singer, what do you wish you convey to your listeners through your music?

A: As something that enriches our lives, I am happy if my music is there for someone. I think we all go through our days with various emotions. Music is great because it can amplify our emotions, accompany us, encourage us, make us reflect, and be enjoyed at various distances. Through music, I hope that it can help someone relax a little tomorrow, or try a little harder, or be a source of healing for someone.
生活を彩るものとして、自分の音楽が誰かのそばにあるならば嬉しいです。日々、様々な感情を抱きながら過ごしていると思います。感情を、時には増幅させたり、寄り添ったり、背中を押したり、振り返ったり、色々な距離感で楽しめるのが音楽の良さだと思います。音楽を通して、明日は少し肩の力を抜こうとか、少し頑張ってみようとか、誰かの癒しになっていれば嬉しいなと思っています。

Q: Do you have a routine that you do before you go up on stage for your performance?

A: I always form a circle with the band's support members to focus our minds.
Also, if my body or mind is feeling a little tense, I gently blow on my thumbs while clasping my hands together. A chiropractor once told me that there is an acupressure point on the thumb that relieves tension, so I do this from time to time.
バンドのサポートメンバーと円陣を組んで互いの意識を集中させることは必ずやっています。
あとは、少し身体や心が緊張している場合は、両手を合わせながら親指に息を優しくふきかけるようにしています。とある整体師の方から親指に緊張を和らげるツボがあると教えていただいたので、たまにそうしています。

Q: It is admirable that you are overcoming your fear of the stage to perform your music! What advice can you give to your fans who may struggle with anxiety or lack of confidence?

A: I understand how you feel when you are troubled by anxiety and lack of confidence. Even if you manage to overcome them little by little, new challenges arise, and you find yourself struggling with them every day. If there are others like you, please don't deny the part of yourself that is struggling. You don't always have to stay positive, and the time you spend struggling can sometimes serve as encouragement when you look back on it. There may come a day when you realise that it was the time you needed to take the next step. To ease those feelings, find something that brings you joy, like music, and take small steps forward. I too am slowly overcoming various things. 
不安や自信のなさに悩んでいる気持ちはよくわかります。少しずつ克服して行ったとしても、また次の課題ができてその都度悩んでいる毎日です。同じような人がいるとするならば、その悩んでいる自分をどうか否定しないでください。常にポジティブで居続けなければいけないわけではありませんし、悩んでいる時間は振り返った時に自分を励ましてくれることもあります。次のステップに進むために必要な時間だったと思える日が来るかもしれません。そんな気持ちを和らげるために音楽や心が癒される何かを見つけて、少しずつ前へ進んでいってください。自分も少しずつですが色々なことを克服しています。

Q: What is an unforgettable experience during the past years of your careers that you will always remember?

A: I used to be bad at communicating my feelings and thoughts to others, but as I created works and performed live, I realised that if I didn't convey my thoughts to others, it would be seen as a compromise, depending on how it was interpreted.
Especially when it comes to production, I make sure to convey my thoughts, no matter how trivial or significant, even if it's clumsy. When it comes to live performances, I try to connect with the audience as much as possible.
自分の気持ちや考え方を誰かに伝えるのが苦手でしたが、作品を作ったりライブをしていく上で、自分の想いを相手に伝えなければ、捉え方によっては妥協していることになってしまうことに気付きました。
特に、制作の現場においては自分の想いを些細なことから大きなことまで、拙くても伝えるように気をつけています。ライブに関してはお客さんとなるべく心が繋がるように努めています。

Q: Please give us a message that you would like to relay to “Friends of Japan Creative Centre” or your Singaporean fans who are looking forward to your concert in Singapore.

A: It's been two years since our last tour in Asia.
It's been a while, Singapore!
I'm sure there will be some fans who are seeing us for the first time. I'm very happy to have this opportunity to spend time with you all. I look forward to seeing you all! 
2年ぶりのアジアツアーです。
シンガポールの皆さん、お久しぶりです。
きっと初めてみにきてくれるファンの方もいると思います。一緒に過ごせる機会ができてとても嬉しいです。皆さんにお会いできることを楽しみにしています！

Resources:
Bandwagon Asia: yama talks 'Thanks for Waiting' Asia tour, performing behind a mask, music recommendations, and more.
Crunchyroll: Singer yama Shows Off Their First Dance Performance in SPY x FAMILY Cour 2 Ending Theme MV
Rice Digital UK: A beginner’s guide to the Utaite cover song phenomenon
The Japan News by the Yomiuri Shimbun: yama Explores Music Despite Fear of Public Performances; Masked Singer Talks about New Album
Wordpress: ‘Utaite’ culture: the ‘doujin’ music behind Vocaloids
YouTube: yama

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