Alison Stewart: This is All Of It, on WNYC. I'm Alison Stewart. I'm in the studio right now with two Brooklyn-based musicians who'll be sharing a bill tomorrow night, at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Mei Semones just released her debut album, it's titled Animaru. How do I say it?

Mei Semones: That's right. Animaru. Yes.

Alison Stewart: Thank you. A Japanese pronunciation of animal. It's a bilingual album that draws from jazz, chamber pop, and bossa nova. Here's a short clip of the song I Can Do What I Want.

[MUSIC: Mei Semones - "I Can Do What I Want"]

Do what I want

I am going to do this the way I wanna do it

気にしなくて良いよ

そんな事 doesn’t matter

Alison Stewart: My other guest is John Roseboro. He's had an interesting life. He lived with the Amish, used to be a former mortician. His sound is also bossa nova [unintelligible 00:01:13], sometimes called post bossa nova. His latest album, titled Fools, was released last year. Here's a short clip of the song hit.

[MUSIC: John Roseboro - "Hit"]

Alison Stewart: Today, John and Mei are here with me in WNYC CR5 for a little experiment. It's a crossover CR5 session. First, you'll hear a solo song from John, and then you'll hear a song from Mei. At the end of the hour, they'll play together, but we're happy to have them both here now. It's so nice to meet you.

John Roseboro: Hello.

Mei Semones: Thank you. Thank you for having us.

Alison Stewart: Before we hear any music, Mei, how did bossa nova become such a strong part of your music?

Mei Semones: I guess I was first introduced to bossa nova when I was in high school, because my high school had a great jazz program, and part of that curriculum was learning tunes like Girl from Ipanema, and Corcovado, stuff like that. Then, from there, I just really fell in love with that type of music.

Alison Stewart: I've heard people, John, use your music. They say it's post bossa nova. Does that mean anything to you?

John Roseboro: Me? No.

[laughter]

Alison Stewart: I had a feeling it didn't. How would you describe it?

John Roseboro: I think it's second date music.

Alison Stewart: Second date music?

John Roseboro: I think it's interesting. It's good stuff.

Alison Stewart: Did you study bossa nova at Berklee School of Music, Mei?

Mei Semones: I would say I more studied jazz guitar, generally. I've definitely learned some bossa tunes and everything, but that wasn't the major-- That wasn't the focus. Yes.

Alison Stewart: When did you start playing, John?

John Roseboro: Guitar?

Alison Stewart: Yes.

John Roseboro: 13. Yes.

Alison Stewart: What made you pick it up?

John Roseboro: My family-- We moved around a lot and we lived in Texas for a couple years. I was always the new kid, right? The guy next to me, my neighbor, his name was Vincent Valdez, and he was the coolest kid in school. He just showed me how to do all the stuff that you're supposed to do. Skate, play guitar, and everything.

Alison Stewart: The guitar held.

John Roseboro: Yes, yes, yes.

Alison Stewart: Why do you think you kept on playing?

John Roseboro: Isolation? Yes. Something to do when you're alone. Like I said, we moved around a lot, so--

Alison Stewart: Your guitar always went with you?

John Roseboro: Yes.

Alison Stewart: You're going to play our first song for us. What are we going to hear?

John Roseboro: I'll play a song called 80 Summers.

Alison Stewart: All right. This is John Roseboro.

[MUSIC: John Roseboro - "80 Summers"]

Ever-changing and revealing itself

In every maiden lay a prophetess

The dark and comely wisdom of a queen

Like a moonbow in a new sundress, yes

Take my breath, take my last name

Marry Mary Magdalene

Bone of my bone

Body make your eyes roll

Holy vision, given woman

Dreaming dreams and I believe them

Eighty summers in your natural born life

Countless lovers, but you only get one wife

And when your sun sets, whеther good or bad

Did you love her, did you do your bеst yes

Take my breath, take my last name

Calpernia saw it in a dream

Bone of my bone

Body make your eyes roll

Jump my bones

I'll make your eyes roll

Alison Stewart: That was John Roseboro. He's here with me in Studio 5, along with Mei Semones. They'll be playing together tomorrow night, at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Fools was your latest album, John. It came out in the fall of 2024. What was something that felt different about making that music, the music on that album, than other music you made before?

John Roseboro: I think I've worked with a lot of great artists and instrumentalists, and I really tried to make arrangements where they could do their best, and step out of the way.

Alison Stewart: Mei is on that album as well.

John Roseboro: Mei's on that record. Yes.

Alison Stewart: Let's talk about you like you're not here. Why did you want to have Mei on your album?

John Roseboro: Have you heard her music? I like Mei a lot, and it's a no brainer. I think everybody that is on that record, it wasn't even a question. I knew they were going to be on that record.

Alison Stewart: Mei, let's bring you into the conversation. What did you think when John said, "Would you come perform with me?"

Mei Semones: I was down, obviously. We've been good friends for a while, so it really just makes sense. I love his music and he loves my music, I believe, so--

Alison Stewart: [crosstalk] How did you meet?

Mei Semones: We originally met-- I feel like the first way we connected was--

John Roseboro: We were in school at the same time, but went to different schools for different things. Then we both independently moved to New York, and then met.

Mei Semones: Yes, you moved here a year before me. A little bit before me. Right?

John Roseboro: A few months. Yes.

Mei Semones: Yes, yes, yes.

Alison Stewart: The first song you wrote for your new album was-- Wait a second. It's Dumb Song. Is that Dumb Song?

Mei Semones: Dumb Feeling.

Alison Stewart: Dumb Feeling. Thank you. Thank you. When did you write that?

Mei Semones: I think I wrote it-- I can't remember exactly when it was, but probably winter of 2023, going into 2024, something like that. Yes.

Alison Stewart: You told Consequence magazine that it was inspired by Nirvana, is that right?

Mei Semones: Yes, the lyrics are inspired by Nirvana.

Alison Stewart: Tell me more about that.

Mei Semones: There's a song called Dumb by Nirvana. One of the lyrics, I think it's like, "I think I'm dumb, or maybe I'm just happy," so that idea of-- I think Kurt Cobain probably meant it in a different way than I mean it, but the dumb feeling, being a happy feeling.

Alison Stewart: Do you think we could hear that song now?

Mei Semones: Yes. Yes.

[MUSIC: Mei Semones - "Dumb Feeling"]

This is a special place

But how many days do I really feel?

I think I'm special too

But how many days do I really feel

Love when the train comes to my stop

I won't try to fight it

Let the dust settle on me

I'll stay still just to spite it

言う事無いなら

無理に話さなくても

自分の言葉より

人の言葉を聴く方が

楽しいから

I don't need to get my word in

A fly stuck to the wall

I'm not here to be worth it

I'm not here to be worth it

This is a dumb feeling

There's something I like about it

This is a numb feeling

There's something I like about it

There's something I like about it

There's something I like about it

Love when the train comes to my stop

I won't try to fight it

Let the dust settle on me

I'll stay still just to spite it

Alison Stewart: That was beautiful. Your singing voice is just beautiful.

Mei Semones: Thank you.

Alison Stewart: That's Mei Semones. Your debut album, it came out just this past Friday?

Mei Semones: Yes. Yes, yes.

Alison Stewart: How are you feeling that it's now out in the world?

Mei Semones: I feel great. We worked really hard on the songs, and I really love all the songs a lot, so I'm just happy for it to be out for people to listen to.

Alison Stewart: How did you decide which songs to sing in English and which to sing in Japanese?

Mei Semones: Just whatever feels right for me. Every song on this album has both languages, I believe. Just going with the flow and whatever pops into my head when I'm writing the song. Yes.

Alison Stewart: John, you've had music come out since 2020-ish?

John Roseboro: Yes.

Alison Stewart: Does that sound right? What is something that has surprised you about the response you've gotten to your music?

John Roseboro: I don't even know what response I've gotten. I don't know.

Alison Stewart: From people who like your music. What did the people come tell you? Why the music speaks to them?

John Roseboro: I wish I knew. I wish I knew, because then maybe I could make an adjustment to my work and make it a little bit better. I don't really know. I don't know what they're hearing. I don't know what they're listening for. I appreciate them. Do you have an answer?

Mei Semones: An answer for that question?

John Roseboro: What are you listening to?

Mei Semones: What I love in your music is how honest it feels. It feels like really warm and comfortable. Feels like a hug or something. That's how I would describe it.

Alison Stewart: That's very sweet. What does it feel like for you to sing it? She described what it feels like to hear it. What does it feel like for you to sing your words?

John Roseboro: To sing the words? Well, guess we can find out. I'm not even thinking about it. I'm not thinking about it. I'm trying to think about it now. I'm grateful.

Alison Stewart: Well, you're going to both be playing at Music Hall of Williamsburg tomorrow night. Mei, what's the plan for the show?

Mei Semones: The plan for the show? Well, I'm going to rehearse tomorrow, loading in. I don't know if that's what you mean by the plan, but John will play at 8:00 PM, and then my band's going to play at 9:00. We're going to do a few songs together. I think it's actually sold out now, but whoever is coming that's listening, hope you enjoy the show.

Alison Stewart: How do you decide what songs to play together?

John Roseboro: All of them.

Mei Semones: Yes. We only have so many songs together, so it's the songs that we have together. We're going to play, I think, all the songs that we have together. Yes. Yes.

Alison Stewart: Can we hear one? What are we going to hear?

Mei Semones: Yes, we're going to play Johnny.

John Roseboro: A song called Johnny. It's of Fools. It's the first song on Fools.

Alison Stewart: This is John Roseboro and Mei Semones. Let's listen.

[MUSIC: John Roseboro and Mei Semones - "Johnny"]

When you call my name, "Johnnyyy"

Turn me into a pillar you can lean upon

Fall and I will catch you

I'm here

Through the tears, through the shades

Eyes still locked, I'm okay

Through the tears, through the shades

Eyes still locked, I'm okay

Ready for the vogue to wane, see a new day

Dawning crowns of berried bay

I'm just here to cheer you on

Johnny

I do it cos I like it, I see

For no one but there's nothing I need

Not here forever but I will be there

Through the tears, through the shades

Eyes still locked, I'm okay

Through the tears, through the shades

Eyes still locked, I'm okay

Alison Stewart: You've been listening to John Roseboro and Mei Semones. They'll be playing together tomorrow night at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Mei has a new album out, and so does John. John's is called Fools. Mei's is called Animaru. We got an unsolicited text, Mei, that says, "Brazilian here, loving this gorgeous music. Can Mei share what high school introduced her to bossa nova? My kids will be in high school, and I would love to know."

Mei Semones: Oh, yes. The high school I went to is called the Community High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Alison Stewart: Was there one particular bossa nova artist that you listened to, that maybe our listener can introduce his children to?

Mei Semones: I would say Gilberto. João Gilberto.

Alison Stewart: How about for you, John? Who would you suggest?

John Roseboro: No.

[laughter]

Alison Stewart: Just no?

John Roseboro: Don't get into this. No. Luiz Bonfá. Yes.

Alison Stewart: All right. Our listeners, that's what our musicians are telling you. Thank you so much for coming to the studio.

John Roseboro: Thank you. [crosstalk]

Mei Semones: Thank you. Thank you for having us.

Alison Stewart: That is All Of It. I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you listening, and I appreciate you. I'll meet you back here next time.