Meet Yui Yamamoto | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yui Yamamoto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yui, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

I am a musician and I am also human. My music work plays an important role in my life. I am grateful to be working in the music industry since it is what I want to do. But sometimes it is not easy to keep my work balanced with my personal life. Often, work takes precedence over everything else in our lives. Our desire to succeed professionally can push us to set aside our own well-being.

In my situation, the three things that are key to my own work life balance are the following.

They are money, time and health.

If one of these three things are missing, I may face a dangerous situation where my work life balance will be unbalanced and I will potentially not be able to continue my music career. However , when I am balanced and happy, I am more productive, take fewer sick days, and I am more likely to stay focused on a lot of my music projects.

Before, I always thought if I just had a little bit more money, I’d be happier. Indeed, the more I make, the more I want, the more I want, the more I stress. I like making money, but more money can also lead to more stress.

Making money is also closely related to time management. Working long hours to make money will cause an unbalance with my work-life flow. Therefore I had to remind myself of my life goal. To succeed in the music industry. This is the most important goal for me. I believe that maintaining a great work balance is vital to the success of my music career.

On the other hand, many people were forced to make changes to their lifestyles due to the pandemic. During the long lockdown, I began to think deeply about my future. I realized that my life doesn’t last forever.

However, I am also more aware than ever of the importance and gratitude of being able to live a normal life after experiencing the pandemic.

As a result, I am trying to spend more time with family and friends now. This day will never come back.

So how can I spend every day efficiently and wonderfully so that I can live each day without regrets? I am more aware than ever of the importance of time management now.

I used to go to the gym six days a week before the pandemic. Since I work at home, I need to go out at least once a day and exercise. I’ve also started to go hiking recently since the gym was not open during a pandemic.

I learned that inactivity over long periods of time has been linked to increased stress, fatigue, chronic pain, and a variety of health conditions. Just because I’m healthy now, doesn’t mean I always will be. Health is better than wealth. Therefore I’m taking care of my health every day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I, Yui Yamamoto, am an artist born and raised in Aichi, Japan. I moved to the city of Boston in the United States and graduated from the prestigious Berklee College of Music with a major in music business management. During this time at Berklee, I worked as a radio DJ on my own radio show called “Project-Y,” which was Broadcasted on the Berklee Internet Radio Network (BIRN). I also worked as a stage crew member on many professional shows featuring artists like Paul Simon, James Taylor, Ron Carter, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Moreover, I served as the president of Asian Students at Berklee (ASAB), a student organization, where I organized many musical events including multicultural Asian festivals and Japanese Taiko Workshops.

My music activities include a wide variety of topics.

I am not only a Composer, DJ, Keyboardist, Music Producer, but also a Music Director, Sound Engineer and Manipulator. My advantage on music is that I can take things from various viewpoints. Each role is different, however they have something in common. First, perform my assigned task. Next, fulfill my duty. Then, to make the project successful. I strongly feel that these experiences are connected to the next step and to each other.

As a performer, I have built a name for myself as a DJ with the Stage Name “Yui SensationaL☆”. I have played at multiple venues including Angel Stadium, Japanese American National Museum and Shoseian Whispering Pine Japanese Tea House.

I have also released 5 solo albums, these Albums highlight my ability to work across multiple genres with ease and craft uniquely deep powerful songs without losing sight of the commercial realities of making music. These albums move from catchy pop songs to house to jazz reinforcing my desire and passion to not be narrowed by a specific genre. My track record until now and achievements in the music industry were evaluated which had led me to become a member of the Recording Academy 2021.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I plan to spend the first 2 days leisurely if we have about a week or so since my friend may be experiencing jet lag. Then be more active from the 3rd to 6th days. I want to focus on shopping on the last day.

This is the plan ideally.

1st & 2nd Days

*Local Museums, libraries, gardens.

*Local restaurants

3rd to 6th days

*Hiking

*Beaches

*Shopping Streets

*Watching a sports game at a stadium

*Theme parks

*Night View Points

*Music Venues

7th day(last day)

*Shopping Mall

*Supermarket

Since I’m a DJ, I also love to play cool music while driving. So I always try to choose the best tracks for my friends while I drive.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

The two most influential people to guide my life and education are my parents Naomi and Yoshikazu Yamamoto. I appreciate my parents for raising me. I was born and raised in Japan.

My parents were glad to hear when I told them that I’d like to study abroad in the United States. My parents always support me even now. I have no idea how much they helped me, because it’s been often. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. My heart will always be with my parents, despite the physical distance between the US and Japan. I want to give back to my parents when I think of everything they have done and sacrificed for me.

I think I need to do it for them and make them happy while they are still healthy.

Website: http://www.yuisensational.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/yuisensational/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yuisensational

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7aWbrObQbh59BECBqX2Qow

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1F7gJvpkCp0Y9PIiHIRvEL https://www.reverbnation.com/yuisensational

Image Credits
Three Photos by Daigo Otobe(File Name:Angels 2018, Canzo 0818, Keyboardinst@Can-Zo#1 ) One Photo by Shoko Rice(File Name: Untitled-1)