Kirameki are a flamboyant experimental/progressive music duo that in their music combine 2 worlds. They are the Japanese musician _ and the UK musician *. Their debut album “A Fit of the Jerks”was released by Bearsuit Records at the end of 2008 (review available here). They were so kind to give answers to the questions of AUDIOTIER. Enjoy!
First up, How You both doing and what have You beenup to lately ?
* : We’ve been busy promoting the album “A Fit Of The jerks” (sending
copies to radio stations, music magazines etc) – and working on
respective solo projects…
_ : I must write a graduation thesis. But it never advances!!
Now the obvious one. In my research of the meaning of Kirameki, I found that “Kirameki” in Japanese means glitter, glimmer, sparkle. So is the Kirameki duo all about the glam, glitter and the music sparkle?
* : We have a fair few influences – and that could be said to be one -
but the name came from a sketch entitled “Sparkle” which , in time,
turned into the track “Kirameki” – which we just liked the sound of.
It seemed to fit…
_ : The origin of the name is really simple. When I heard music of *
for the first time, I felt kirameki. Therefore we decided to introduce
itself as kirameki. There is not the particularly deep meaning.
I don’t like naming music and the unit because we have a symbol by naming it.
Can You share Your music backgrounds and how did You came up with the
intriguing artist names “_” and “*” ?
* : I used to play guitar in a few bands – incuding Idiot Half Brother
and the Pep Boys – half-baked punk/indie kind of groups. Terrible!
Knowing _ only as _ , I changed my name to * to give Kirameki a kind
of unity. It was also nice to remain anonymous and just focus on the
music.
_ : It’s not only from music that I was influenced. However, I omit it
because I take time to speak them…
When I read a book about Jacques Derrida, I hit on an idea named _.
As for “_” or Underscore as he’s know for his other projects, I was
surprised and intrigued by Your biography on the Rack & Ruin site.
From all that I came up with the idea that Your projects and “*”,
respectively, are free from the standards that academic musicians seem
to struggle all their careers?
* : We just make music that we find interesting and fun – and
hopefully the people who hear it will feel the same… we are not
academics so do not feel constrained by ideas of what music should be
or sound like…
_ : My method is common very much. It’s not new at all. And I enjoy it
while being ashamed of lack of my originality!
How You guys meet ? The UK and Japan isn’t really on the same side on
the globe…and how did Your involvement on the netlabel Rack & Ruin
evolve ?
* : I met _ on the internet (“myspace”) , looking for a musical
collaboration. I liked what I heard of his solo work and thought we
could make something interesting…
I came across Rack & Ruin just by chance and saw that they were
dealing with a a broad spectrum of musical styles. They weren’t
slavishly fixed on one genre and I found that a pretty healthy
attitude to have. Plus, their main man, Darren’s a good guy who’s been
behind and supported Kirameki from the start…
_ : We met on myspace. * reacted to a bulletin that I looked for a
partner of the collaboration, and kirameki was formed.
Would You put Kirameki in certain genre ? Rack & Ruin listed You under
electro…How (with Your own words) would You describe the sound, the
drive, the inspiration behind all the fascinatingly wicked and
surprising songs ?
* : I don’t think I could put Kirameki in one genre – and I’ve never
felt the need to. I would file it under “Kirameki”. The work seemed to
develop naturally. We work pretty quickly and try to keep things fresh
and not over-cooked. I think we have a healthy disregard for good
taste and subtlety! A Kirameki voice soon began to make itself known…
and it wasn’t a quiet (or attractive) voice…
It was (and is) always fun and exciting to see what _ does with my
sketches. And I try and keep him surprised with the way I treat his
sketches… It always feels good if you can surprise the listener with
an unexpected turn…
_ : NO. I should not decide it. A listener should interpret it freely.
I’m interested how the thing which we made is interpreted.
What kind of software, hardware and instruments are You using ?
* : no software. All cheap hardware : a couple of cheap untuneable
guitars, Yamaha CS5, Zoom MRS 1266, Akai S20, Yamaha midi keyboard,
Bussilachio (reed) organ and various effects units…
_ : Scissors, Paste, Guitar which cut B string and E string, Scissors,
Paste, Spray, Ping-pong ball, Melodica, Scissors, Paste, Book and
picture… I use anything.
How long did it take to create and record “A Fit Of The Jerks” ?
* : about a year in total – inbetween other things.
_ : It’s the first page of “The Life and Opinions of Kirameki,
Gentleman”. We took one year to write it.
We are living in historic times, the world’s economy is collapsing,
everybody is talking about the next great depression and so
forth…What’s Your take on how the music business and
musicians/artists in general will suffer financially, musically and in
other ways from it and how it will effect/change modern music/art of
today in the future ?
* : musicians/artists always seem to be suffering financially (poor
souls!). With the growing prevalence and availability of free
downloads – and some big named artists giving away their music for
nothing – it might be beginning to appear that the value of recorded
music is becoming a little diminished. This could be seen as
detrimental to the industry – though, on the other hand, you have the
internet and the kind of democratic – and free – outlets like
“myspace” that give every artist ( even us!) a chance to be heard
(whatever the quality!) – perhaps, occasionally, forcing complacent
record labels to look elsewhere for their sustenance…
The current economic situation does not trouble us enormously though -
as we’re used to surviving on thin air…
music and art will always find a way.
_ : The one of the themes in my music is value.
My music is a nothingness.
It’s resistance to economic society.
The artist needs to consider for what kind of purpose he performs
musical activities.
It’s the end of the Yea – beginning of 2009, so what are Your favourite (except Your own
LP) records of the year 2008 ?
* :
Sparks – “Exotic Creatures of the Deep”
Deerhoof – “Offend Maggie”
Animal Collective – “Water Curses”
Portishead – “Third”
MGMT – “Oracular Spectacular”
Nick Cave and the Badseeds – “Dig Lazarus, Dig!”
_ : I don’t hear a released record at this year… So, the following
is the favorite records which I had heard in the past several years.
In addition, there are a lot of favorite records!
Big Star – “#1 Record” (1972)
Shortcut Freaks – “karakuri17” (1998)
Steve Reich – “Exclusive Selection” (1999)
Taco – “Taco” (1983) : Not Taco Ockerse. They are units of the
Japanese underground music of 80’s.
Z-Rock Hawaii – “Z-Rock Hawaii” (1996)
