Ukiyo is a brilliant multi-talent hailing from Perth, and we though it was time you got to know the artist behind the thrilling single featuring Maribelle that was released last month – ‘Good Enough’.
Featured as a change of pace from his previously released lo-fi electronic Mixtape series, Ukiyo is driving an electrifying combination of synth-driven pop and indie-tronica with his latest single ‘Good Enough’, which dropped in late May.
Alongside Melbourne singer-songwriter Maribelle, Ukiyo states that ‘Good Enough’ is about being happy with what you’ve got: “I’m a person that struggles to keep my mind away from thinking about what ‘could’ve’ or ‘should’ve’ instead of focusing on reality.
“This track came about at a time that was very much a turning point for me with how I chose to view the world. I think it’s an important message for people to hear, especially in a time like now.”
With the accompanying music video, Ukiyo states that many people tells him that his discography is a great soundtrack for travelling, and that’s what he’s tried to encapsulate with this new track, saying that “at its core” the song represents “movement and escape.”
Although many artists have chosen to forego releasing music during COVID-19, Ukiyo states that his choice to release ‘Good Enough’ stems from the fact that “we need music to help us through” these tough times.
“All the tracks on this album were made at times when I was by myself. I find it’s the only way I can make what I perceive as a ‘Ukiyo’ song, so I think it’s a little poetic that a lot of people are going to be stuck listening to it by themselves too.”
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With that being said, check out the artist behind the new track ‘Good Enough’ as he takes us through what makes him such a unique and brilliant musician.
Check out ‘Good Enough (feat. Maribelle)’ by Ukiyo:
How did your artist name come about?
Nothing super romantic. I was up late one night and I started reading a super dodgy looking clickbait article, the kind of one where you’ve got to fend through a hundred ads just to get to the next paragraph, but this one was about Japanese words that don’t have a direct translation to English and Ukiyo was one of them. It means living in the moment and detaching yourself from the bothers of everyday life, I think that fits my music and the reason I make it.
How would you describe your music to your grandma?
Luckily grandma is an enthusiastic fan/listener so I don’t have to try to explain it to her. But I’d probably relate my music to a classical orchestra except it’s a bunch of computers making different noises.. And I’m playing all of them.
Tell us about a few of your tracks; their titles and what they’re about?
I always thought ‘Calling’ was a funny one. I actually stole the chords from a song I wrote with my band many years ago. It was just a beat without lyrics at the time so I didn’t really have much to base a name off so I just stole a word from the band song’s lyrics as well.
Original song is ‘Darling’ by my old band King’s Justice & the line was “winds of change are calling”. Then when it came time to write vocals it just kinda stuck. Most of my song titles are silly things like that.
‘Idk’ was called that because I couldn’t come up with a song name, ‘Go’ because the vocal chop kinda sounded like it was saying that word, ‘Clicky’ literally was just because I started with all these clicky kinda percussion sounds, ‘Humbug’ I was always imagining black and white stripes like the lolly, I tried to bring that through in the artwork too.
Check out ‘Clicky’ by Ukiyo:
What do you love about your hometown?
I have a love/hate relationship with Perth. I very much love the isolation and how small it is but at the same time it’s an absolute pain for collaboration and networking in the music industry.
Personally though I’m pretty introverted and I’ll spend days working on music alone so it doesn’t bother me a whole lot. The fact that I can drive half an hour and be somewhere completely secluded & different does wonders for my creativity so I don’t take it for granted.
Career highlight so far?
There’s been some really incredible ones so far. Having my song in a feature film, featured in the newspaper I’ve been reading since I was a kid, featured in big celebrity videos like Will Smith & Kevin Hart, closing out the local tent at Groovin the Moo festival, getting picked to support Slumberjack on their most recent tour.
I think the highlight so far though is still when Casey Neistat first put one of my songs in his videos. I had absolutely no following and it really transformed my life overnight and made music something that I could pursue as a career. I’ll never forget the day;
Fave non-music hobby?
I love hiking. It’s something that’s super important to me to get some new inspiration & get out of my studio. Other than that I’m a big nerd so I love staying up with technology. A bit of gaming too but I’m pretty shit so I’m constantly getting carried.
Check out Ukiyo’s ‘Midnight’:
What’s on your dream rider?
Oh man. Pick me up in a Tesla or something. And only fireball apple pies for the drinks (look it up!!). For real though I’m pretty easily pleased, I’d much rather be able to bring my friends around on tour than have anything crazy fancy.
Dream music collaboration?
The big two have always been Flume & Porter Robinson. I’d 100% completely freeze up if I was in a room with them though so maybe a bit further in the future.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I’d like to be either selling out stadiums or moved into a role where I can help others coming up through the music industry. Something in the film industry would be pretty sweet too.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Owl City – ‘Fireflies’. Absolute banger. Get me within ten feet of a piano and I’ll play it, too.
What’s on the cards for the future?
Short-term I’ve got a heap of music out this year, my first album & the first music ever where I’ve had done and sent off ahead of schedule. Super excited for everyone to hear that.
Longer term I’m constantly churning out new demos and working out what I want the next chapter of Ukiyo to look and sound like.
Check out Ukiyo:
