Last Updated on 2025-05-14 by a-indie
Miso Extra is a British-Japanese singer-producer with roots in both Japan and the UK.
She layers Japanese and English rap over eclectic beats, blending sounds from K-Pop to UK garage and R&B, creating ear-pleasing music that has garnered praise from talents like Thundercat and Fabiana Palladino.
Furthermore, Miso Extra’s “POP” has ranked high on J-WAVE TOKIO HOT 100 here in Japan, steadily gaining traction.
Her debut album, ‘Earcandy,’ set for release, was produced with Ricky Damien, known for his work with Ezra Collective, Jorja Smith, and Sampha.
It’s a work that truly embodies a culmination of her background, where diverse elements intertwine seamlessly, resulting in a collection of cohesive and sophisticated tracks.
We conducted this interview to fully explore the allure of Miso Extra and the “Umami for the ears” expressed in her debut album, ‘Earcandy.’
Miso Extra Interview
Artist:Miso Extra Interviewer:Yuuki Takita Translations:BELONG Media / A-indie staff
-Yuuki Takita: We are a media outlet that values artists’ roots, the background of how their music was created, and the music, culture, and art that influenced them. Since this is our first interview with you, we would like to start by asking about yourself to help our readers get to know you. We understand you were born in Hong Kong to an English father and a Japanese mother, moved to Japan at a young age, and later relocated to the UK. Could you tell us about your life in Japan and the UK, and what your childhood was like?
Miso Extra:I enjoy that I was able to have access to exploring both cultures and the differences in their creative outputs. This varied view has enabled me to have a broader creative pool of references to draw inspiration from and I feel its influence is present in my artistry.
-Yuuki Takita: Having roots in both Japan and the UK, and having lived in both countries, what kind of music and culture were you surrounded by as a child in each country? Also, please tell us about the cultural differences and similarities between Japan and the UK that you’ve experienced.
Miso Extra: Most of my music and culture was in the form of books, manga, TV, film and games. My favourite Japanese films being that of Studio Ghibli and I watched a lot of Detective Conan. I get most of my music references from the opening/closing theme songs and the same can be said of my love of British TV/Film too.
-Yuuki Takita: Your music video for “POP” includes scenes filmed in a Japanese gacha-pon shop. If you had to name one piece of pop culture from Japan and one from the UK that currently interests you, what would they be? Could you also share the reasons why?
Miso Extra: Ohh this one is a hard question. Probably the anime/manga but it’s a close tie with the food.
-Yuuki Takita: We understand you studied violin. How has that influenced your current music?
Miso Extra: It helped spark a love for sound.
About the Artist “Miso Extra”
-Yuuki Takita: Could you tell us about the origin of your artist name, Miso Extra? Why did you choose this name? We’ve heard it’s a wordplay related to racial discrimination you experienced growing up in the UK, with “me so horny” and “me so extra” being the source. Could you tell us more about this episode?
Miso Extra: The name is tongue in cheek and a play on words to set the tone for the kind of music I make. It’s also subtle nod to MF DOOM too.
-Yuuki Takita: In your own view, what kind of music does Miso Extra create, and what kind of artist are you? From my impression of your music and activities, I sensed a will to be a bridge between diverse cultures and music.
Miso Extra: I make Umami for the ears. Sounds that are deliciously addictive.
Miso Extra’s Roots
-Yuuki Takita: If you were to name three albums that have influenced your music, which would they be? Could you also tell us how each album influenced you, including any anecdotes?
Miso Extra:
– Hiatus Kaiyote – Choose Your Weapon
– Justice – Justice
– For All We Know – Nao
I never get bored of listening to these albums and the attention to detail and sonics from each of these projects definitely make their way into my music.
-Yuuki Takita: Are there any artists currently that you feel you resonate with? Personally, I feel commonalities with Loraine James and Erika de Casier.
Miso Extra: All the artists I worked with on this album are people I resonate with currently and that’s why they’re on the front cover. I would also have to shout out Kelly Lee Owens who I recently put out a remix with.
EARCANDY
-Yuuki Takita: Now I’d like to ask about your latest album “EARCANDY.” First, could you tell us the reason and meaning behind the title “EARCANDY”? What emotions or atmosphere are reflected in it?
Miso Extra: It’s a continuation of the play on words with me referring to my music as Umami for the ears. It’s a collection of pop songs that are sweet and addictive.
-Yuuki Takita: This work was produced with Ricky Damien, who is known for his work with Ezra Collective, Jorja Smith, and Sampha. What ideas and direction did you approach the production with?
Miso Extra: Because this was a collaborative album Ricky helped me make sure that my own sonic voice still shines through and help bridge the songs together to make it a cohesive body of work.
-Yuuki Takita: My impression of this work is that it combines Japanese and English linguistically, and sound-wise it fuses genres like K-POP, UK garage, 80s sounds, and R&B, making it truly a crystallization of your background. Despite the diverse elements intertwining, it doesn’t feel chaotic, and each track gives a very sophisticated impression. I think the beat-centric composition might be one reason, but was there anything in particular you were conscious of in terms of sound production?
Miso Extra: I wanted to make sure I was having fun making it and keeping certain instruments and sounds consistent. I think by following your creative instinct you end up in a place that is cohesive for the listener.
-Yuuki Takita: Which track in this album was a breakthrough for you personally, or which one do you feel shows the most change or evolution? Personally, “Certified” and “Don’t Care” left a particularly strong impression on me.
Miso Extra: I love them all equally but I particularly enjoy playing “Playboi” live at the moment as that one is a real journey.
-Yuuki Takita: It’s also characteristic that despite being a debut album, many artists such as Metronomy, DJ Boring, A. K. Paul, MICHELLE, and Tyson have participated. How did you come to collaborate with them? Also, if there are any anecdotes from the production process, please share them.
Miso Extra: I was lucky enough to have been connected with them through my label aside from DJ Boring who I connected with via a mutual friend.
A Message from Miso Extra
-Yuuki Takita: What kind of people would you like to listen to “EARCANDY”? Or in what situations would you like it to be listened to? If there are any points in the lyrics or sound that you particularly want people to pay attention to, please let us know.
Miso Extra: Anyone is welcome to listen to the album we operate an open-door policy in the Misoverse. The album is a journey and I almost feel as if it should be listened to in two parts. Listen to the first 6 songs on the way to a location then listen to the last 6 on the way back. Enjoy the ride!
-Yuuki Takita: There are listeners in Japan who, like me, discovered your music through your collaboration with Metronomy, or who are thinking of buying “EARCANDY” now. So finally, could you share a message for Japanese listeners?
Miso Extra: However you discovered the album, I would like to say “Welcome to the Misoverse.” It’s a pleasure to have you here and I look forward to meeting you all one day (^.^)
Miso Extra Album Release
Debut Album ‘EARCANDY’
Release Date: May 16, 2025
Tracklist:
1. Love Train
2. POP
3. Good Kisses
4. Certified
5. Playboi
6. Done.
7. Moshi Moshi (interlude)
8. Slow Down
9. Ghostly
10. Don’t Care
11. Candy Crushin’
12. Earcandy
View on Amazon
Miso Extra Artist Profile
Miso Extra is a British-Japanese rapper, singer, and producer born in Hong Kong, raised in Japan, and currently based in London. With an English father and a Japanese mother, her music explores her roots, identity, femininity, and empowerment. Influenced by diverse cultures such as K-Pop, UK garage, J Dilla, MF DOOM, Daft Punk, and anime, she develops her unique ‘Misoverse’ by weaving together English and Japanese. Her name is a play on words, subverting Asian stereotypes. Supported by artists like Fabiana Palladino and Thundercat, she has been acclaimed as an ‘artist to watch’ by numerous media outlets. Her talent is set to garner further attention with her debut album, ‘Earcandy.’
Writer: Yuuki Takita
A freelance writer born in 1991 and from Tomakomai, Hokkaido. After graduating from the same university as TEAM NACS, he enrolled in a music school and majored in the writer course.
There, he produced three music free papers and conducted interviews with artists and editing.
He used his experience to join a cross-music media company that has free papers and web media, where he wrote and edited review articles and experienced sales.
After resigning, he changed jobs to a clerk at a large record shop and also wrote disk review articles for his own media.
That was the trigger for him to start working as a freelance music writer. He is currently a salaryman and music writer who dreams of holding an outdoor music festival in his hometown Tomakomai.
He likes cats, watching movies, and reading books. Nana Komatsu and curry & biryani exploration are his lifestyle.
You can find the articles he has written so far [here].
You can find the articles he has written for other media [here].
Twitter: [@takita_funky]
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