Japan is home to many foreign residents who pursue creative endeavors, following in the footsteps of artists who found inspiration in their adopted homeland. For example, Ernest Hemingway developed his journalistic style and literary voice during his years in Paris with the “Lost Generation.” Mary Shelley spent years traveling and living in Italy, drawing inspiration from exile and loss. Josephine Baker fled American racism and became one of France’s most beloved performers. She later joined the French Resistance, becoming a symbol of artistic and political courage. Even The Beatles transformed from a local band into the world’s most influential musical act while living the expatriate life in Hamburg’s clubs.

Today, Real Gaijin was pleased to introduce a singer-songwriter, freelance bassist, narrator, voice-over artist, guitarist, vocalist, and poet who draws creative inspiration from their adopted home of Tokyo.

Who is they?

Meet Laurier Tiernan.

Originally from Alberta, Canada, Laurier Tiernan arrived in Japan 23 years ago. They started out as a punk rock musician but have since expanded their reach as an interdisciplinary artist with multiple creative endeavors.

Earlier this year, Tiernan published their first book of poetry, Fifty-Five Ways to Survive. The bilingual collection of graphic poetry traces a journey from despair to resilience and spiritual connection.

Wide-Ranging Talent

Laurier divides their time between Tokyo and Edmonton, Alberta. His writing has appeared in major publications across three continents. As a voice-over artist, he has worked on TV commercials, regular programs on NHK, and audiobooks such as Secrets of the Forsaken. Laurier is also a musician, and their songs have aired on over 100 radio stations worldwide. His handwritten poems were featured in “Living While Marginalized,” an exhibition of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists hosted by the Penticton Art Gallery in British Columbia. In the same year, Laurier debuted in the TOHO film Yokai Daisenso: Guardians as Dracula. They currently host Tiernan depuis Tokyo on CKRP, a French-language radio station in Alberta.

Key Takeaways

Some highlights from our nearly hour-long discussion are listed below:

* Overcoming Adversity: The inspiration behind Fifty-Five Ways to Survive is Laurier’s personal story of surviving a life-threatening illness, dealing with a severe medical condition and financial hardship, and overcoming the challenges of being a member of a marginalized community.

* A Wide Range of Advice for Foreign Resident Creatives in Tokyo: Laurier offered lots of practical advice throughout the interview, from explaining that getting a gig in Tokyo as an indie musician typically involves “pay to play” terms to sharing the Japanese saying, “If you’re on time, you’re late.”

* Work Hack — The Discipline of Journaling: For more than 30 years, Laurier has religiously filled three pages of a notebook every day with handwritten notes to record thoughts and ideas that they subsequently draws upon for creative expression. Good suggestion!

Timeline

Substack does not yet have the functionality to allow you to use a link to jump to a specific section like YouTube’s “chapters.” Please refer to the times listed below to navigate through our hour-long conversation. Thank you for your understanding.

Key Contacts

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurier_tiernan_writer/

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurier.tiernan.personal/

* i-Pairs Inc. Website: https://i-pairs.co.jp/narrator/laurier-tiernan/

* Impleo Narrator Index Website: https://narratorindex.impleo.co.jp/laurier-tiernan/

* Heartful Human Voice Website: https://www.hh-voice.jp/%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E-%E7%94%B7%E6%80%A7%E3%83%8A%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC/laurier-tiernan/

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriertiernan/

* nature airliner: https://natureairliner.com/

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