Jennifer Funnell

I wrote this a couple of days ago when I went to a little gig by this amazing Japanese singer-songwriter called Kaneko Ayano. I realised that writing songs that are filled with love and hope is her thing, and I’m happy it is.

I am inspired tonight – Kaneko ayano has inspired me!

A small woman with a powerful voice.

I’m on the tube home now, to get back to my flatmates, but I’ll write a quick note about this.

I discovered Ayano when I was 15, before my world and everyone else’s was disrupted by pandemics and bad luck. I continued to listen to her music through the years up until now and through it all I became a die hard fan. her big voice and strong messages of love and hope bring me to tears very often and definitely did tonight. But I’m not alone in my feelings for her music, and I found that out at the show.

This gig was the first gig I’d been to alone, it was scary at first but then I just decided to settle down and have fun by myself. But as soon as I arrived, after walking down the wrong way (and saw a lady doing ribbon acrobatics on the stairs of her warehouse flat), I met someone, asked for directions, and had a chat.

This French man had flown in from a little French town just to see Kaneko Ayano. and we chatted about her music and how much we love it and I understood how big of an impact her songs about love and hope and freedom really have.

he said “her songs are like freedom, and during covid I really needed that”. what a cool guy! I love the way he said it sounds like freedom, cause I feel exactly the same way.

I then met a girl who’s studying art history at SOAS and is originally from Japan. We talked about lots of different Japanese music, a thing I don’t really talk about that much but love quietly. She translated what Ayano said throughout her gig to me and I’m so grateful I met such a nice girl in such a short period of time! It makes me excited about life and all the people you can meet!

I cried quite a lot at the gig, I think mostly because younger teenage Jenny loved her so much and I love her so much now.

Music is inspiration, and people create it by reflecting on their own life, relationships and dreams. 

 

If you havent heard a song by Kaneko Ayano yet, I’d recommend you listen to her songs  明け方 (Dawn) and 布と皮膚 (Cloth and skin)

A few translations of her lyrics show just how lovely her messages are

I love this one especially

“Don’t get bored

Is it a matter of youthfulness or feelings?

Then hug each other and check

Don’t get bored

It doesn’t matter if you’re young

Let’s talk about the future Holidays

where you want to go”

her songs are light and gentle, I love them.

Thanks for reading ❤

Jenny