Those with their ear to the ground in the Japanese music scene may have noticed a new name popping up on major lineups recently. The four-member group kiOra first caught people's attention back in March when they officially unveiled their name on stage at the HEAD IN THE CLOUDS festival in Tokyo. Since then, they've been accumulating more buzz around their activities ahead of their debut this summer.

Based on recent announcements, the group is looking less like a local newcomer and more like a global project in the making. From training in Tokyo, LA, and Seoul to hitting high-profile events in Japan like the TGC Niigata runway show and the Nylon Japan anniversary party the group is making great strides early on to attack the international market. It was recently announced that this August they are set to open the Central Music & Entertainment Festival in Kuala Lumpur, and then will be heading to California to perform at Head in the Clouds Los Angeles. For a group that technically hasn't even fully launched yet, kiOra is hitting the ground running.

We had a chance to connect with kiOra and ask them some questions ahead of their busy summer schedule and give our readers a chance to get to know them before they take the global stage.

kiOra arrived very suddenly onto the scene in March of this year so many of our readers may be encountering you for the first time. Can you introduce and tell us a bit about yourselves?

OTO: Hello everyone! I'm OTO from kiOra.I'm the oldest member of the group and I'm from Kyoto, Japan.The name kiOra comes from the Japanese word kiyora (meaning "pure" or "beautiful"), and we're a four member group built around the concept of celebrating our Japanese heritage.

KYLA: Hi, I'm KYLA.Music has always been a huge part of my life, and I can't imagine life without it. I also love the ocean and trying new food.I hope we can share our music and everything that makes kiOra special with people all around the world.

RUKA: Hi, I'm RUKA, born on June 23, 2008. I love drawing and playing video games.Through our music, I hope to bring energy and positivity to everyone who listens.

YU: Nice to meet you! I'm YU, the youngest member of kiOra, born on August 11, 2008.My biggest strength as a performer is my singing, and I hope to deliver songs that stay in people's hearts long after they've heard them. Off stage, I love making everyone laugh. We're always aiming higher and continuing to grow as a group.

How did kiOra come together as a group? Did any of you have experience or serious ambitions to be in the entertainment industry prior to joining?

OTO: I've always dreamed of becoming an artist, so I auditioned to become a trainee at Sony Music. That's where I first met the other members. After years of training and many changes along the way, the four of us eventually came together as kiOra.

KYLA: Growing up, my parents always had music playing around the house, so music has always been a part of my life. That's what inspired me to dream of becoming an artist. I started taking dance and musical theatre lessons when I was young, and by the time I was in junior high school, I knew I wanted to pursue music seriously. I auditioned for Sony Music's trainee program, spent about five years as a trainee, and was lucky enough to debut as a member of kiOra.

RUKA: Ever since I was little, I've dreamed of performing on stage, so I joined Sony Music's trainee program to pursue that dream.

Before the four of us came together as kiOra, there were many changes in the lineup. Along the way, we were teammates, but we were also friendly rivals who inspired each other to grow. Looking back, those experiences helped me become stronger, both physically and mentally, and shaped the way I think and approach challenges today.

YU: All four of us were trainees at Sony Music before forming kiOra. After going through many auditions and training camps together, we were ultimately chosen to debut as this four member group.

Can you tell us about the meaning behind the name kiOra?

YU: The name kiOra comes from the Japanese word kiyora, and it carries the idea that there is beauty in being a work in progress. To me, being a work in progress means there is no limit to how much we can grow. That’s why I want to give everything I have in each moment and keep growing.

When we were introduced to kiOra it was said the concept for the group is “Japanese Heritage”, can you tell us what this concept means to you?

KYLA: To me, our concept of "Japanese Heritage" is about becoming something that people around the world will continue to love for years to come, just like the traditional Japanese culture that comes to mind, such as tea ceremony and kimono. Through our music and performances, I hope we can share the beauty of Japanese culture while continuing to grow into a group that represents Japan.

What kind of music do you all enjoy outside of kiOra? Are there any artists in particular that inspire you or have had any influence on your approach as a group?

OTO: I listen to a lot of R&B. Ariana Grande and Fujii Kaze have been some of my biggest inspirations.

KYLA: The first artist who truly inspired me was Ariana Grande. When I was little, I would imitate her music videos and sing her songs, and that's how I naturally fell in love with music. It wasn't just her music that inspired me. I've always admired the way she cares for others, faces challenges with strength and carries herself with confidence. She also introduced me to so many different genres of music, but the sound I connect with the most is the blend of R&B and hip-hop. I hope to bring the inspiration I've found in that music into my own performances and into everything we do as kiOra.

RUKA: I listen to all kinds of music, including R&B and J-pop, rather than sticking to just one genre. I enjoy discovering something new from every style of music, so I always try to keep an open mind when I listen. The artist who has inspired me the most is Perfume. They're one of Japan's most iconic pop groups, known for their innovative performances and choreography. I still remember the first time I saw them perform live when I was little. It left such a strong impression on me and inspired me to dream of becoming an artist myself.

YU: I listen to a lot of Western R&B as well as popular Japanese music. I enjoy both because they each have their own unique style and culture, and I always find something new to appreciate. Namie Amuro was the first artist who truly inspired me. When I was little, her music moved me so deeply that it inspired me to dream of becoming an artist myself.

You performed previously at Head in the Clouds in Japan, and will be joining the festival again in California in August. How does it feel to be embraced by such a prominent music festival ahead of your debut?

OTO: Getting the chance to perform at Head in the Clouds feels like a dream. I remember watching the festival in LA last year and thinking, "I hope I can stand on that stage one day." Through our music and performances, I hope we can bring comfort and positive energy to everyone who watches us.

RUKA: I'm so excited and incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Of course I'm a little nervous, but getting to perform our music on a stage like this is something we never take for granted. I want to enjoy every moment, give it everything I have, and make it a performance we'll always remember.

In addition to performing in Los Angeles, you’ll also be appearing in Kuala Lumpur this summer. What has it been like for you to prepare to appear in different global locations and on such large stages from the beginning?

KYLA: It's such an honor to have the opportunity to perform in Kuala Lumpur. I'm also so excited to be returning to Head In The Clouds in Los Angeles, this time as a performer after watching it from the audience last year. This will be our first time performing outside of Japan, which makes it even more exciting. We've been practicing every day with one goal in mind: to give the best performance we can and share what makes kiOra special with people around the world.

RUKA: Since this will be the first time many people are seeing us, we've been preparing with the goal of giving the best performance we possibly can. I hope our performance encourages people to want to learn more about kiOra, and if we can leave even one person with a lasting impression, that would make me so happy.

In your own words, what can the audience expect when they see you perform this summer? What kind of feelings or impression do you hope to convey to audiences and new fans through your music and performance?

KYLA: I hope people feel something fresh and exciting through the way we use sounds and expressions that are unique to Japan. I want to deliver a performance that lets people enjoy kiOra’s world and makes them think, “I want to see them again.” I also think the sound of the Japanese language and the beauty of its expressions are part of what can feel fresh and special to audiences overseas.

YU: Through our music and performances, I hope we can make people feel more upbeat. I also want to share the message of loving yourself as you are and giving everything you have in each moment.

As a new group who is already achieving such big things before your debut, what kind of aspirations or dreams do you have for the future of kiOra?

OTO: Performing at Coachella is one of our biggest dreams as kiOra.

KYLA: Our biggest goal right now is for as many people as possible to discover kiOra and become fans of our music. We're so grateful to perform alongside so many incredible artists, but one day I hope people will come to see us simply because it's a kiOra show. Holding our own solo concert is one of my biggest dreams. We'll keep giving our all on every stage as we continue working toward that dream.

Lastly, do you have any messages you would like to share with our readers?

OTO: Thank you so much for taking the time to read our interview. This is just the beginning of kiOra's journey, and we'd be so happy to have your support. We hope you'll enjoy our music, get to know us, and join us on this journey.

KYLA: I hope this interview has helped you get to know us a little better. We'll keep giving our all through our music and performances so that one day you'll be glad you became a fan of kiOra. We can't wait to meet as many of you as possible, and we hope you'll join us on this journey.

RUKA: Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know kiOra. We hope you'll enjoy watching us grow, and we'd be so happy to have your support.

YU: We'll continue doing our best to create music and performances that stay with people long after they've experienced them. We'd love to have your support.