Yuki Shundo is making her name well known by bringing a fresh sound as an ace singer to the music industry. Songs always stick with us when there is real emotion to them. Those well-crafted records that you feel the artist putting their soul into the music to make a connection with yours, as you not only feel the music but also relate to it as the substance in the record are everything you could hope to hear when you need it most. 

And that’s what fast-rising Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, choreographer, and creative director Yuki Shundo possesses as she has been stunning the world with her alluring uniqueness. Yuki Shundo is a talented and hardworking artist that’s always working constantly on building a solid foundation where she has been honing her craft and improving her creativity and ability to send thoughtful messages through musical lyrics.

Yuki Shundo had a conversation with us and answered our distinctive 11 Questions. Check it out below.

HONK: Let’s start by introducing ourselves. You know the basics, like name, age, and where you’re from, as much or little as you’re comfortable sharing.

Yuki Shundo: My name is Yuki Shundo, I was born in Japan, but I’ve been in Los Angeles for the last 20 years. I moved here to pursue my career, and it’s been quite a journey. After years of study and training as a dancer, I became a choreographer, a performer, and an educator. I’m also a creative director and work closely with Artists on their music videos and stage/live shows. As my creativity and art expanded more and more towards music, I added another arrow to my quive and took a new path as a singer/songwriter. Dance is my roots, and music is my life and passion. 

HONK: What’s the best advice you ever received concerning music?

Yuki Shundo: “Listen to the music that inspires you, study what is happening in the music, and write as many songs as possible, whether they are good ones or not. Keep trying.”

HONK: What would you have done differently if you knew then what you know now?

Yuki Shundo: I wish I had stepped into music earlier or even at the same time I started to dance. I’m so curious about what I could have written back then. Seeing my writing style evolve throughout the years would be so inspiring. 

Now, I’m still young. I know I’m going to see an evolution and a fast one! I work a lot! Music is all about emotion, like a dance. The more you do, the more you feel it, and the more you can communicate. 

HONK: What is still your biggest challenge?

Yuki Shundo: When I started my journey in the dance industry, I took the time to discover what style of choreography suited me. It took hours of moving around in front of the mirror to get the flow running through my veins. Everybody can learn how to dance and choreograph, but what makes people different is their style and identity. It’s the same in music. Finding my own identity is my biggest challenge. 

HONK: What keeps you going when things get tough in the music industry?

Yuki Shundo: Simply put, the only way is always to go further. Even when I’m in a good space, I sometimes go blank. But when I do, I always try to remind myself why I started. I think of my friends, family, and everyone that supports me through this journey. That keeps me going. I often think of this quote: “What you did in the past is how you got to today. What you do today is how you will get to the future.” 

HONK: If you could open a show for any artist, who would it be?

Yuki Shundo: I could name many artists, but I grew up listening to and being inspired by Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Marah Carey, Celine Dion, etc. – Their songs take me somewhere; I always feel like I’m with them in the room. I also love the style of Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Rihanna. The list goes on. Their rhythms, sound, and energies that’s my roots.

HONK: Could you talk me through your creative process?

Yuki Shundo: It’s hard to explain. I can always see clearly in my head what I want. Now the most challenging thing is to take those ideas out of my head. Writing lyrics or a melody usually goes pretty smoothly, but when I need to explain the musical aspect to my team, things can sometimes get hard. I always end up getting what I want, though! So they understand me in the end? 

HONK: How do you solve productivity/scheduling problems and reduce overwhelming situations?

Yuki Shundo: Well, that’s a mess. I mean, in a stressful situation, I stop. Now doesn’t mean I’m going to cry all day. Solving is more about understanding yourself and knowing where to act, not to get there. Meditation, journaling, time with friends, funny dog reels, and spending time at the beach with my dog is my way of staying calm and crisp.

HONK: What are you focusing your time on now?

Yuki Shundo: Oh, girl, there are so many things right now. First, I want to challenge myself next year, so I set a goal to release an original song every two months. And jeez, I need to catch up, I have a lot of ideas and wrote about 20 songs, but I’m still deciding which one to use. 

Secondly, I just released my second single, Follow My heart. The funny thing is, it’s all about pursuing your passion and soul, which is what we’re talking about here. 

The feedback has been good so far! I was excited about this one because I could finally choreograph my song, direct the music video, and show my full creativity to the world. That was quite a process. Now that I think about all that, I should take some time off Nahhhh, let’s keep going. 

HONK: How do you currently feel about the state of “Your genre” in general?

Yuki Shundo: It’s pretty hard nowadays to talk about genres. There are so many cross-genres, and I want to explore them! Now, in terms of markets, I’m confident I’m going for a more mainstream sound. 

HONK: How can our readers follow you online?

Yuki Shundo: I mean, like everyone, I’m everywhere. If you want the latest sneak peek into my journey and life, then Instagram is the best way to do so. 

Connect with Yuki Shundo: Instagram| Youtube| Facebook| TikTok| Spotify