Sienná
Kyoto-born, Oslo-based artist Sienná explores nature, identity, resilience, and human imperfection through EMA, an immersive electronic journey shaped by landscapes, emotion, and spontaneous creativity.
1. EMA is described as a collection of nine “image-to-sound syntheses” inspired by interconnectedness and messages from the natural world. How did the landscapes of Kibune Valley in Kyoto and Ischia Island influence the way these compositions took shape?
Kibune valley and Ischia island are both places renowned for their unique connections to water. It was a true delight and somehow purifying to be there after a dizzying period of chronic busyness. Overtourism happens anywhere. Though, there you can still choose to be completely alone and get into zen state of mind for a good while, then you may experience the tsunami of ideas. If nothing in this life were a coincidence, we´re meant to visit every place we visit – but you’re more compatible with some particular places, like chemistry in a relationship. Kibune and Ischia were such déjà-vu places for me. I´m an ultra introverted person who´s constantly processing thoughts and ideas, but I experienced significantly more “input” from the external there, instead of circulating ideas back-and-forth inside my head.
2. You mentioned that you wanted to draw what you perceived in nature but ended up writing music instead. How do you translate a visual impression, atmosphere, or feeling into sound, and what role does spontaneity play in that process?
I used to describe that I write a song like solving a musical puzzle where the final picture is completely unclear at the start. That´s still true, but I had much clearer vision in advance for this album, so it was slightly different this time. I don´t know how a painter starts to paint on a white canvas, but I assume the process is similar – like sketching, painting the background, building up, adding details and highlights – maybe even painting over earlier unsuccessful works, too? As an electronic music artist, I tend to spend much time to select correct sound textures to start with, and edit synthwave a lot is the first foundational phase. Then I build up with a compatible layer on it and another layer over it, eventually add details often by playing hardware synthesizers and piano.
3. EMA moves through cinematic, ambient, drum & bass, glitch, electronic, and Japanese traditional influences. What attracts you to crossing such different musical territories, and how do you decide when a piece has found its natural sonic direction?
My music is electronic with no doubt. But I´ll be totally honest with you. I´m basically making music freely, without any rules or limitations for myself. What I´m focusing on, is what is correct or wrong within my egoistic premises. So, I have actually no idea why it turns out the way it does in the end. One thing that I´m sure, is that everything is correct for me at that point when I decide the track is finished and ready. Although I always find myself in an administrative situation later where I must describe my own music in some written words on press materials. That´s a real headache everytime, lol.
4. Your music embraces a non-linear approach and the concept of “perfect imperfection.” In an era increasingly shaped by AI-generated and digitally synthesized music, what does imperfection mean to you, and why is it important to preserve it?
I´ve been involved in an AI-music project. Many AI-generated tracks sound actualy great, even better than I thought in many ways. Digitally synthesized western blues don´t really sound synthesized anymore. I´m sure that very soon, it will reach the point where AI-generated music start sounding completely human with nuances and all the complex instrumentation. But, the listeners will still be humans. I don´t believe AI can satisfy the entire audience. Because the goal isn´t a perfection in the art of music. Of course, I´m aiming at good songwriting and production everytime. It can help to successfully communicate my intentions, purposes and my passion. But first og all, I want my music to have my signature or recognizable characteristic features that only I can create. That´s probably my “perfect imperfection” in music.
5. The album’s lead single, “Be A Seeker, Believer,” focuses on resilience, self-belief, and restoring hope in a troubled world. What personal or artistic experience led you to these themes, and what do you hope listeners take away from the song?
The life is wonderful right now, but I´ve spent so many troublesome years to arrive at this exact point in my life. I can say a lot about poor choices, regrets and unpleasant memories, but I know that those moments were stepping stones for my personal growth when I look back later. I cannot say “everything will be ok” to anyone, but I´m trying to remind instead that a harsh time is a crossroad moment. You make a decision that will shape your own destinations from there. The world will always stay sad and cruel, but still offer a beautiful thing to explore, too. I wanted to tell through the song that it´s ok to retreat and heal inside for a while, but it can help anchor your mind and offer a subtle relief if you can find a little moment of beauty outside when you´re moving through hard times.
6. As a Kyoto-born artist based in Oslo, your work naturally reflects an East-meets-West perspective. Looking back at your musical journey from Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku to EMA, how do you feel your identity and artistic philosophy have evolved, and where would you like to take your music next?
I look like Japanese, act like Japanese that´s my core identity, but sometimes I act like a Norwegian even more than Norwegians themselves, haha. I feel this album EMA may show more blended side of myself from a borderless perspective without losing my roots. Songwriting locations may have influence the soundscapes, although Japanese pentatonic scales can be heard here and there throughout the whole album, too. Right now, I don´t know what´s up next. But I´ll be walking around like a kid on the first day of summer vacation, waiting for another vision to fall down from the sky.