Name: Hiromi
Nationality: Japanese
Occupation: Pianist, composer, improviser
Current release: Hiromi's Sonicwonderland is out October 6th 2023 via Telarc.
Recommendations: Bebop Tango / Frank Zappa; I got it bad (And That ain't good) / Keith Jarrett

If you enjoyed this Hiromi interview and would like to stay up to date with her music and tour dates, visit her official homepage. She is also on Instagram, Facebook, and twitter.



When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening? Do you listen with your eyes open or closed?
 
I listen to music with my eyes closed.
 
What were your very first steps in music like and how would you rate the gains made through experience - can one train/learn being an artist?

I think "imitating" is the very first step, just like speaking a language, you imitate the words and how people raising you speak first. Then you meet more people, then you combine words and phrases that you learn from many people, and create your own way of speaking.

According to scientific studies, we make our deepest and most incisive musical experiences between the ages of 13-16. What did music mean to you at that age and what’s changed since then?

I was deeply into improvising and composing at that age, and kept pursuing that path.

What, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music and what motivates you to create?

Whenever my emotions move deeply, it inspires me to write music.

Keep being hungry to learn is the key for me always to discover something new.

Paul Simon said “the way that I listen to my own records is not for the chords or the lyrics - my first impression is of the overall sound.” What's your own take on that and how would you define your personal sound?

Music is something which delivers the energy I have in me.
 
Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from animal noises to the waves of the ocean. What, if any, are some of the most moving experiences you've had with these non-human-made sounds? In how far would you describe them as “musical”?

When bird sings, I find it very musical. The rhythm of the ocean waves, are very musical to me.

I think it depends on whether I like the sound of it or not. When I love the sound, it becomes musical.

You recorded your new album Sonicwonderland with a freshly put together quartet. Tell me a bit about what makes this quartet so strong and how the interaction changed from your first gig to the album recording sessions, please.

I met bassist Hadrien Feraud in 2016 and I instantly felt that I wanted to play more with him, and writing music for his playing in mind. The more I wrote, the clearer that the sound of the drums got, and I needed someone who plays very organic, can float together in improvisation and someone who has humor in playing. Then I found Gene Coye.

I knew I wanted one more layer in the band, and when I was writing this song called "Polaris", I heard trumpet in my head. So I started looking for someone who has a warm and dark trumpet sound, who is an amazing improviser and who can play through the effect - I eventually found Adam O'farrill.

From the very first gig, it was really special. We did 12 shows back to back and went into the studio to record.
 
Sonicwonderland was recorded at Skywalker Sound Stage. What influence does the space you record in have on the performance? What makes the Skywalker such a great space for you personally?

I love Skywalker sound, the sound of the studio is amazing and also the working environment is perfect. You can really focus there on the recording session there.

I felt great force, jedi training, hahaha.

You recorded all of the material in just three days. What are the benefits of such a situation compared to sessions with plenty of time to try things out, make changes, and rea-rrange?

The key is doing many live shows before the session so that you can do all the changes and rearrangement before going into the studio. If you do this, everything will be ready to be recorded before going into the session.

You're adept both at the synth and classical piano. Both are keyboard instruments, but they're very different in their expressive potential. For the new album, what motivated your choices of using electronic or acoustic means?

I always loved keyboard instruments. I have been a big fan of guitar players, and with the electric keyboard, I feel like I can be a guitar player! You can sustain notes, you can bend notes, you can put effects, etc.

And when I write music with keyboard, I can create something which is completely different from me writing music with piano, which I enjoy as well.

Ahmad Jamal passed away just a month before you entered the studio. What do you stil remember that you took from your time of working with him that still influences your work today?
 
Always look ahead, never look back, and looking forward to your next creation.