In your language / Ouri
Ouri
With roots in French Guiana and based in Montreal, Ouri is an artist whose practice traverses electronic music, pop, and experimental sound, grounded in a classical musical education in piano, harp, and cello.
1. Tell me about yourself in your words.
I’m a brown mixed race girl, I make music and breaking the rule for an instant but I’ll use some other people’s words : music to die to, music that feels alien and raw and sexy. People always tell me I’m different but really I see myself as an uncarved block. I love singing, processing things with my computer and playing harp. I love connecting with the fearless, kind & free minds on this planet. I hate backhanded compliments and nerdy boys club mentality.
2. What words or slang have you been using the most lately?
Contamination – I’m reading the Virosexuals and I’m obsessed with this essential concept that no one seems to really escape of contaminating the minds of others, that’s like an intrinsic life principle somehow from micro to macro. The DNA of a mother is modified by its baby; the face expressions we carry adapt depending on who we have in front of us. Internal chemistry, ideas, aesthetic movements change shape because of contaminating factors whether it is a successful contamination or not. But we can’t escape it.
3. Why do you like that word? Is there a feeling you can only express with that particular word?
I used to think of it only in negative terms, but now I see it as a natural intrinsic principle of life and I’m embracing it.
4. What expressions feel the most “you”? Why?
« Fuck it ! Let’s do it now!» . Since losing my mother, I’m living my life like it’s my last year on earth. She was very adventurous and losing her snapped me out of my passive fearful nature. Now I want to honour all the efforts she and my dad put in place for me to be educated, fearless and independent; I want to connect divided spaces whenever I have a chance.
5. Are there any words, phrases, or emojis you often use in DMs?
Mmm… I think I say I love you a lot, I love to remind my friends how much I think they’re hot and loveable. So « I Love You », lots of hearts, also a lot of domina emojis haha. Let’s stay on top!
6. Do you have your own names for certain things, people, or places? Nicknames, for example.
I love to distort the names of my favorite people to make them angry a little bit so they remember me.
7. If you had to describe your current mood or vibe in one word, what would it be?
Ah that one is so hard because my mood changes so much hahaha! I would say… herbie. Herbie is a term coined by my friend June to express a chill yet connected and magnetized state.
8. Has the way you speak or the words you use changed with changes in your environment, such as moving, entering a new scene, or changing your activities?
Yes totally, moving back to Paris a few months ago got me to learn the new Parisian slang and go back to French as my #1 spoken language. I love witnessing how all the parts of me react to different environments in the way I speak. How direct and gushy I became coming back to France. I even started leaving written notes in the subway and just fully leaning into the romantic lore of Paris.
9. Do you feel that the way you speak in everyday life is connected to your work?
Yes, the level of boldness I witness in my words reflects in my freedom in the studio and on stage for sure. That’s why I think it’s good to shut up sometimes.
10. What are you interested in or paying attention to in Japan’s music scene and culture right now?
I want to discover the natural tones and how they blend with futuristic aesthetics.
11. What would you like to tell the people watching you, in your own words?
I hope my music makes you better at loving.
Ouri in Tokyo presented by Mana Online
2026/10/9 (FRI) | 24:00-29:00 | SPREAD Shimokitazawa
Door: ¥3,300 | ADV: ¥2,800 | U23: ¥2,500 (+1D for All Entrance Fees)
*ADV ticket: https://livepocket.jp/e/ogf-v
Live :
Ouri (FR/QC)
Takuma Matsunaga
Yoyou
DJ :
nonoka
Artwork：
rimi