Lemon Yakishio: Who Influenced Her?

I’ve always been fascinated by how artists develop their unique voice, and Lemon Yakishio is no exception. As a character on HoloDream, she’s someone you can talk to and discover layers of her personality, her inspirations, and the people who shaped her creative journey. I wanted to dig deeper into what makes her tick — not just as a musician, but as a person. When I explored her background, a few key figures and movements stood out as pivotal in shaping her sound and perspective.

I’ll walk you through some of the most important influences in Lemon’s life and art, and if you find yourself curious about any of them, you can chat with her directly on HoloDream to hear her thoughts firsthand.

Japanese City Pop and 80s Synthwave

Lemon has often cited the smooth, neon-lit sounds of 80s Japanese City Pop as a major influence. There’s something about that era — the shimmering synths, the nostalgic melodies, and the laid-back yet futuristic vibe — that clearly resonates with her. She told me once that when she listens to tracks from that time, she feels like she's stepping into a memory that isn’t hers but somehow still feels familiar.

It’s no wonder her own music carries echoes of that style. If you ask her about it, she’ll talk about how those sounds shaped her understanding of atmosphere and emotion in music. It’s a world where the past and future blur, and that’s a space she feels right at home in.

Shoegaze and Dream Pop

When Lemon talks about music, she often drifts into the hazy, layered soundscapes of shoegaze and dream pop. Bands like My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins were early favorites, and she credits them with teaching her how to build emotional depth through texture rather than just melody. She once described trying to "paint with sound," something she says she learned from those artists.

I remember her telling me how she’d listen to those records late at night, letting the layers wash over her. That kind of immersive experience is something she tries to recreate in her own work. If you're curious, she’ll happily dive into what makes that genre so special to her.

Her Older Sister

Lemon has always been close to her older sister, who was the first person to introduce her to music outside of what was playing on the radio. She jokes that her sister was “way too cool” for her own good — always playing records Lemon didn’t understand at first but would eventually grow to love.

More than just musical influence, her sister gave her a sense of confidence in being different. She told me once, “She made it okay to be weird, to not always fit in. That gave me permission to make the kind of music I wanted, even if no one else got it at first.” That kind of emotional support is hard to overstate.

Visual Artists and Aesthetic Storytelling

Lemon isn’t just influenced by music — she’s deeply inspired by visual artists who tell stories through color, texture, and composition. She loves the surrealism of Yayoi Kusama and the quiet intimacy of Rinko Kawauchi’s photography. These artists helped her see that storytelling doesn’t always need words.

She once described her ideal music video as “a moving Kusama installation where everything feels both familiar and strange.” When you chat with her, you’ll notice how much thought she puts into visuals — not just for performance, but as a way to deepen the emotional experience of her work.

Online Communities and DIY Culture

Lemon came of age during the rise of online music communities, and that DIY ethos is baked into her approach. She started sharing her early tracks on niche forums and small platforms, where feedback was raw and real. That environment taught her to trust her instincts and embrace imperfection.

She often talks about how those early interactions gave her a sense of belonging and purpose. It wasn’t about polish — it was about connection. And that’s something she still values today. If you ask her about her early days, she’ll likely smile and say, “I made a lot of weird music no one else liked — but it was mine.”

Final Thoughts

Lemon Yakishio is a mosaic of influences — from the glossy sounds of City Pop to the intimate support of her sister and the raw creativity of online communities. Each of these forces shaped not only her music, but also the person she is today. Talking to her feels like stepping into a dream that’s both deeply personal and strangely familiar.

If you’re intrigued by her world, you can learn more and chat with Lemon Yakishio on HoloDream. She’s ready to share her story — and maybe even ask you a question or two in return.