Photo by Ty Cole.

This Sunday, July 10, Miwa Gemini will be performing at the Can Can with The Debutante Hour and Nova Nervosa, on the second stop of her west coast tour. She is supporting her third album, Fantastic Lies of Grizzly Rose.  Tickets are $5, plus fees, available through Brown Paper Tickets.

For a some insight into Miwa Gemini, check out the Grizzly Rose story on her website.

Miwa was kind enough to take some time from her busy tour schedule to grant this phone interview.

Tom Mohrman: Fantastic Lies of Grizzly Rose has a very specific aesthetic. Was it a conscious decision, or was it born in the songwriting process?

Miwa Gemini: It was one half happy accident, and one half the result of listening to old French music… I suppose I was feeling a little nostalgic for the French imports I listened to growing up in Japan.

TM: How did writing the latest album compare to the first two?

MG: Due to the economy, I had a lot of time on my hands. [Miwa is also a freelance photographer in New York City] So, I took this time as an opportunity to write a lot of songs. The last two albums came slowly, a song here and there. This album was written in two months.

TM: Do you think writing it so quickly contributed to the “concept album” feel?

MG: Yes. I suppose writing all these songs while listening to the same music helped make it more cohesive.

TM: I read in your press release that the song ‘Pioneertown Love Story’ was originally titled ‘Grizzly Rose’. Why did you change the name?

MG: I changed the name because I didn’t want it to be the focus of the album, as is often the case with title tracks.

TM: Is this your first time in Seattle?

MG: No, I’ve been here before, but it’s been a couple of years. I love the majestic trees!

TM: How do west coast audiences compare to the east?

MG: People in the west are really encouraging. In New York City there is so much going on, that sometimes you feel obligated to go to this show, or that show. In Seattle people really seem open to seeing a band they don’t know, or just support music.

TM: Is this your first tour?

MG: No, this is actually the second leg. We just completed our tour of the Southeast in June.

TM: How was it?

MG: It was fun! Intense. We covered a lot of ground, played a lot of shows.

TM: Were the audiences familiar with your music?

MG: Yes, sometimes. Some people requested songs, which is always a good feeling – that they know the album.

TM: What do you think of CDs as a distribution method? Do you sell more CDs or downloads?

MG: Definitely downloads. I’d love to press an LP, but I looked into it and that’s a whole other can of worms. A full vinyl album would be great. Seeing the album cover would be great. I designed the album cover with other artists. I care a lot about the visuals, which is something that gets lost with downloads.

TM: Is there anything else that you’d like our readers to know about?

MG: Just that I try to make it an enjoyable show. Sort of a carnival feel. It’s like a little cabaret show, with jokes and stories thrown in between songs. If I could have a juggler, I would.

TM: The Can Can seems like a perfect match.

MG: I think so too. It’ll be a fun show. I guarantee it.