Sahara Grim, with Roots in Japan and India: What is the New Album “Fable” Born in the Forest?

Last Updated on 2025-03-30 by a-indie

About Sahara Grim’s Musicality

-Yuuki Takita:From your own perspective, can you explain what kind of music Sahara Grim creates and what type of artist you are? My impression of your music is that you are a rare presence who delivers your own music as a music artist while simultaneously recommending the excellence of diverse music genres through your own music.

Sahara Grim: Thank you so much, because my music is uncommon, I really appreciate those who understand this and resonate with it! The music I make is not trying to sound like anyone else, it is an honest expression of what is within me. I’d say it’s a unique blend of all of my favorite music, this ranges from Brazilian jazz to surf rock to indie pop to indian classical to experimental jazz and more.

Because this is what I spend so much of my time listening to, elements of these genres naturally come through my songs in different moments. I’m not so interested in creating what’s already been made and even when I’ve tried, I’m unable to haha. When I’m making musical decisions, I go off of the simple feeling of if it feels good or not.

Origin of the Artist Name

-Yuuki Takita:Please tell me about your artist name, Sahara Grim. When I hear “Sahara,” the Sahara Desert first comes to mind. On the other hand, the word “Grim” seems to have the meaning of “severe” or “harsh.” Why did you decide to combine these two words?

Sahara Grim: Sahara Grim is my birth name. My mother found the name Sahara from a hindu name book. The meaning translates to dawn and also Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and rebirth that ensures the balance of the universe. Intense, I know! Over time I’ve gained understanding of what “Grim” means to me as an artist.

The music I write is often a way to understand my darkness or pain and alchemize it into something positive. So it feels fitting that my name encompasses both elements of darkness and light just like my music. This also relates back to the balance Shiva brings.

Sahara Grim’s Roots

-Yuuki Takita:If you were to name three albums that influenced your music, which would they be? Also, for each album, could you tell me which aspects influenced you and if there are any episodes related to them? If that’s difficult, please tell me one album from a favorite artist for each band member.

Sahara Grim: Oh I love this question! It’s a tough choice, but I’ll say “Actor” by St Vincent, “Clube Da Esquina” by Milton Nascimento & Lo Borges and “Debut” by Bjork. All three of these albums have a special quality that feels timeless to me.

“Actor” is one of my first favorite albums from when I was 13. When I was making “Fable” I wanted to revisit music that inspired me to start writing songs in the first place, simpler times before jazz or pursuing music seriously. I was most inspired by the overall energy of this album. I love that this album is soft, warm and sparkly, yet also dark, distorted and mysterious. My intention was to capture this duality in my music too. Her lyrics also create such interesting visual imagery in each song. Musically, I was influenced by the production and synths. In my song “Looking Glass” I reinterpret a melody from St Vincent’s “Laughing with a Mouth of Blood”.

As for the album “Clube Da Esquina”, I am a big nerd of Brazilian music from the 1960s-1980s and this is my all time favorite Brazilian album. This album is spiritual and transcendent. I love the colorful chords, dreamy vocal harmonies, song arrangements, orchestral elements, and recurring sonic themes. It all feels like pure beauty and bliss. I’ll always strive to write songs this good.

And lastly, for “Debut”, I love how organic this album is. With it being Bjork’s first solo album, there is a quality captured that is fresh and innocent. You can feel it’s the beginning of something very special. I was influenced by her innovative nature and playful, experimental sound effects. I love that this album is mystical and depthful, but also reminiscent of an underground 90s party.

About Artists You Sympathize With

-Yuuki Takita:Are there any artists you currently feel sympathy with? Personally, I feel you resonate with The Marías, as well as Alice Phoebe Lou and Faye Webster.

Sahara Grim: Thank you, what a compliment! I definitely feel what I am creating is in the same world as Alice Phoebe Lou. I also resonate a lot with Kate Bush, who I actually didn’t listen to as much until after I made “Fable”, but found it interesting that I was being compared to her a lot. I can see it in the way that we are creating music that is experimental, narrative, and also entirely our own.

Lately, I really resonate with Japanese artist Akiko Yano. I feel our voices have similar qualities and I love how fun and strange her music is.

About Activities in Japan and Japanese Music

-Yuuki Takita:I understand you have stayed in Japan and performed live, so I’d like to ask what kind of activities you did in Japan at that time, and where in Japan did you perform? Did you collaborate with any Japanese artists at that time? If so, please tell me about your favorite Japanese artists or Japanese music.

Sahara Grim: When I’m in Japan I spend most of my time in Kobe where my grandmother lives and where my mom grew up. When in Kobe I like to play at a local bar called “Alchemy”, spend time with family and explore Mount Maya. I also go to Tokyo to visit my Uncle and cousin. Of course I love to shop while I’m there, the vintage is incredible! You can also find me at my favorite restaurant Mominoki House. In Tokyo I’ve played at live houses like Tonelite and Gyoen Rosso 198.

I have not collaborated with Japanese artists yet, but I’m dreaming of a collaboration with Meitei. I have collaborated with my friend Lionmilk who is a Japanese artist, but he is also based in Los Angeles. Like Brazilian music, I am a big nerd for Japanese music as well. I love Arai Yumi, Tatsuro, Cibo Matto, Yasuaki Shimizu, Masayoshi Takanaka, Casiopea, Haruomi Hosono, Sachiko Kanenobu, Nobukazu Takemura, Kaoru Akimoto, the list goes on and on. For something more modern I even love Kikuo. My most recent favorite discovery is Mishio Ogawa. I’ve been listening to her album “4 to 3” non stop.