Name: Hiroshi Watanabe
Nationality: Japanese
Occupation: Producer, DJ, photographer, label founder at Cosmic Signatures
Current release: Hiroshi Watanabe’s Collection is out via InFiné Éditions.
Recommendations on the topic of sound: Rather than learning from external sources, I believe it’s important to become more aware of our inherent auditory sensitivity. By doing so, we can realize how deeply immersed we are in a world dominated by visual stimuli. It’s not about learning, but about recognizing the power we already possess. This realization is always within reach.

If you enjoyed this Hiroshi Watanabe interview and would like to know more about his work, visit him on Instagram, Facebook, Soundcloud, and bandcamp.  



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?

It depends on the situation, but when I encounter undeniably extraordinary music, there are moments when it feels as though I am confronting nature itself. In such instances, there is only the energy that stirs my soul, and nothing else is needed.

On the other hand, perhaps due to my profession, I often find myself analyzing music rather than enjoying it purely, which can sometimes be disappointing.

Still, music remains an irreplaceable and singular trance for me—a gateway to the fifth dimension.

How do listening with headphones and listening through a stereo system change your experience of sound and music?

The experience naturally changes, and my preference depends on the setting.

Headphones offer a tremendous sense of immersion, creating a private world where you can focus deeply on the sound. On the other hand, listening through speakers varies greatly depending on the context—whether in a studio, a restaurant, or a shop. It’s not something that can be easily generalized. Whether the music is intended as ambient background or to be appreciated with a high-quality acoustic system makes a substantial difference.

Sometimes, regardless of the sound system, the music can still be wonderful. Of course, it goes without saying that the quality of the sound system is not the sole factor.

There can be sounds which feel highly irritating to us and then there are others we could gladly listen to for hours. Do you have examples for either one or both of these?

In daily life, if I had to choose, engine noises—whether from cars or other machines—are often unpleasant. The sound of engines is rarely soothing. The way people operate vehicles or other machinery often determines whether the sound is tolerable or irritating. Perhaps it’s not the engine itself but the human factor.

As for sounds I could listen to for hours, I would choose the sounds of nature. In particular, when I’m in the mountains, I feel there’s no silence as rich and luxurious as the quiet found there.

Are there everyday places, spaces, or devices which intrigue you by the way they sound? Which are these?

For me, it’s undoubtedly the natural environment.

When I’m surrounded by mountains, the simple yet rich soundscape I encounter during my climbs is profoundly compelling.

Have you ever been in spaces with extreme sonic characteristics, such as anechoic chambers or caves? What was the experience like?

In a sense, my daily life in the studio resembles that of an anechoic chamber. While it’s not completely soundproof, it’s a space where I can hear sound directly from studio monitors.

I’ve grown accustomed to the sensation of sound without reverberation, and my work allows me to adapt seamlessly to both environments in my daily life.

Do music and sound feel “material” to you? Does working with sound feel like you're sculpting or shaping something?

This depends on the perspective. In the realm of electronic music, much of the work revolves around DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations). The structure and methodology of a DAW can feel tangible, almost like sculpting or shaping something.

However, the world of sound I envision in my mind is vastly different from what appears on a DAW screen. It exists as an absolute space—devoid of words or forms—where I’m wholly captivated by sound. This fascination never fades, no matter how many years pass.

It’s less about colors and more about the essence of the space itself—an almost shamanistic sensation that transcends personal thought.

How important is sound for our overall well-being and in how far do you feel the "acoustic health" of a society or environment is reflective of its overall health?

As mentioned earlier, certain sounds or environments can be profoundly uncomfortable for people, significantly disrupting their emotional balance.

Just like taste and sight, each person’s sense of comfort with sound varies greatly, but I believe sound has an especially profound impact. Discomfort caused by sound can often have a more adverse effect on the mind than unpleasant images or videos. That’s how vital sound is to maintaining emotional well-being.

Just as people take supplements for physical health, I believe music can serve as a powerful means to nurture mental health.

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?

As I mentioned earlier, for me, the most moving experience is the luxurious silence of the mountains, rich with meaning.

Tinnitus and developing hyperacusis are very real risks for anyone working with sound. Do you take precautions in this regard and if you're suffering from these or similar issues – how do you cope with them?

I haven’t taken any specific precautions, but I often experience hypersensitivity to sound and have even dealt with sudden hearing loss in the past. Ultimately, I believe the key is maintaining balance in sleep, mind, and body.

For me, climbing mountains offers a natural way to reset, allowing me to step away from work mode and recharge.

We can surround us with sound every second of the day. The great pianist Glenn Gould even considered this the ultimate delight. How do you see that yourself and what importance does silence hold?

Perhaps it’s because of my profession, but I often feel a sense of discomfort or emptiness in spaces or moments without music.

Over the years, my awareness of music and sound has deepened, likely contributing to this feeling. For instance, when driving alone, I find myself seeking background music that complements the moment.

For me, true silence exists only in environments where human devices—like machines and smartphones—are almost entirely absent. Time spent in the mountains embodies this perfectly. Immersing myself in nature creates a space where music no longer feels necessary.

Seth S. Horowitz called hearing the “universal sense” and emphasised that it was more precise and faster than any of our other senses, including vision. How would our world be different if we paid less attention to looks and listened more instead?

The current state of the world clearly favors visual stimuli over auditory ones, to the point of excess. If we were to enhance our auditory sensitivity and elevate our ability to listen, I believe human creativity and imagination would undoubtedly expand and become richer.

It’s disheartening to see auditory perception undervalued in comparison to visual stimuli, especially considering its profound impact.