Tell us a few things about your new EP Zen. What is the story behind it?

I’ve been planning the Zen EP since the start of 2021 after I signed with Pacific Records at the start of 2020. It was around this time that I really started to carve out my style and find my voice in music. And although the EP is new to everyone, it’s a compilation of songs that I’ve been sitting on for a long time. I’m just stoked to finally release it. The story behind Zen is just my journey in finding happiness within myself. It’s a very introspective and self-aware EP, and what I’ve realized is I write best with subjects that are relevant to people who are conscious of their own self-care and self-love. So you can expect a lot of that in it.

Which song of the album reflects you the most?

All of the songs show a glimpse of myself but I think I’m the most vulnerable in “Who I Am”. “Zen” probably comes right after, but “Who I Am” really discusses my exploration to find self-love and try to be happy with myself. It’s especially close to my heart because it’s an overview of why I started focusing on my mental health and self-love.

Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?

I think a lot of my current musical influence comes from Kota the Friend, Cory Wong, and R&B/Soul groups like Durand Jones & The Indications and St. Paul & The Broken Bones. But Kota definitely inspires me the most.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?

The biggest challenge I had faced and continue to face is the uncertainty of all of this. “What if this music stuff doesn’t work out?” is a thought that regularly enters my head, and I’m sure it’s the same for a lot of artists. I think it was partially what kept me from switching gears and putting my all into my music. Prior to 2020, I had been making music for more than 10 years but it wasn’t until recently that I made the effort to put my music out there. I think I’ve put myself in a situation where I’m closer to saying “At least I gave it a shot” than “What if this doesn’t work out?”.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

You’re going to f*ck up a lot, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it… it’s not really advice but I think it would help with my self-criticism.

What is the story behind your name?

Kubota is my last name. Growing up as an Asian-American, I didn’t have a lot of Asian role models. Representation in media was sh** for us. What I saw on TV was what formulated the perception of Asians in other kids’ minds, so my ethnicity made for easy points as insults. At a very early age where I was trying to assimilate with American kids, I began to disassociate from my own ethnicity and ultimately lost interest in my culture. As I grew older and began thinking more independently, I learned to be proud of my ethnicity. I feel embarrassed to have thought otherwise and my friends probably don’t even know I went through this, but now, they know damn well that I’m proud to be Japanese/Asian-American, and I’ll carry that proudly within my name. Sorry for the long-winded story. There’s still a lot to it, but that’s why I chose Kubota as my artist name.

One last thing we should know about you?

I genuinely don’t know what I’m doing with my life. 😀

Thank you!

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Tell us a few things about your new song “In My Head”. What is the story behind it?

During 2020 I started to place a bit more focus on my mental health. This was a time where I was just laid off from work because of the pandemic and I only had time on my hands. I didn’t want to continue the detrimental cycle of habits and I put a lot of effort to be as productive as I could be in bettering my mental health, and I’m so glad that I made that decision. But around the start or the middle of 2021, I realized that this pursuit for mental stability doesn’t simply end and it can actually turn into a cyclical chase to better oneself without the payoff of doing so. Essentially when I resolved one problem, another problem arose and it became more of a toxic state of mind. This was the lens that I was looking through when I wrote this song.

How would you describe your musical progress over these months?

Compared to my prepared releases, I’d say my newer songs and style have continued to evolve. It sucks because the music that people hear is music that I made like a year ago but it’s kind of nice to know that I’m sitting on some tracks that I think are musically the next step forward. The downside is I begin to hate my music pretty fast so by the time it’s out, I don’t enjoy listening to it. Nonetheless, I think with each song, my style is evolving and I’m starting to dip my toes in other genres that I want to incorporate into my music.

What first got you into music?

I’ve been playing music since I was like 8 years old. You know that stereotype that all Asians took piano lessons? Well… I fit that stereotype. But honestly, it wasn’t until my dad taught me my first few chords on the guitar when I really got into music. After doing my first couple of lessons, it was an upward trajectory from there with my interest and skills in playing the guitar which ultimately got me into writing my own songs.

What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?

Back when I was in a band, I definitely enjoyed performing music live more than writing. Now that I’m kind of a single act, I think I enjoy the confines of my room while I make songs, but I’m playing more shows and really enjoy it still. Also, playing music with others definitely relieves the stress of messing up and embarrassing yourself.

What would you change in the music industry?

I’d like to switch all business-oriented executives running the industry who don’t understand the life of an independent artist to be switched out with musically creative professionals who have an experienced background within the business side of the music industry. Something that would be fun is to take those business executives, give them the living situation and budget of the average independent artist and tell them to start making their own music while building their own fanbase without the connections that they have. I think that would be a great reality show!… don’t steal my idea.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would probably berate him with crippling insults on his moronic behaviors (past and future) first. Then I’d say “Buy Apple stock and Bitcoin.”

What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

There are quite a few stories I could share here but I’ll share a more tamed story.

In middle school, my friend and I stole some alcohol from a market and we were chased out by the security guard and some cops that happened to be there. We bolted out of the store and took a sharp turn into the alleyway where there was a bush with a small opening. While my friend kept running forward, I dove head-first into the bush, went full prone position, and watched the dudes chasing me run right past me. Good times.

Thank you!

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