Name: Hirotaka Kawano aka Kawatin
Nationality: Japanese
Occupation: Producer
Current release: Kawatin's Midnight Sunrise EP is out via Vordergrund.
Gear Recommendations: ER-1 mk2 by Korg is an older piece of gear, but it still holds a wealth of potential. The SH101 by Roland also remains at the heart of my music.

If this Kawatin interview piqued your interest, visit him on Instagram, twitter, Facebook, and Soundcloud.



The views of society towards technology are subject to constant change. How would you describe yours?

Technology leads us to doors of new possibilities that no one could have ever imagined. Whether we open that door and proceed to the right destination is up to us as humans.

I believe it's crucial to incorporate technology in a balanced manner.

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/producer?

My first step was over 20 years ago when I used a piece of equipment called the YAMAHA QY-70 to copy the theme of "Enter the Dragon" and remix it into drum and bass.



Although it was a cheap sound that I couldn't share with anyone, I felt infinite possibilities in electronic music worth pouring my passion into. What's crucial is the passion. That's the essence of an artist.

Making music, in the beginning, is often playful and then becomes increasingly professionalised. How important is playfulness for you today and if it is important, how do, concretely, you retain it?

I still value playfulness. Most of the music I produce starts from an experimental approach. It feels like playing with toys as a child.

Playfulness is the driving force behind enjoying music, and that hasn't changed for me to this day.

Which other producers were important for your development and what did you learn from them?

The first producer who strongly influenced me was Si Begg. His music always has a stimulating sound, as if it has time-traveled from the future. One of my favorite tracks, "Freestyle Disco," was made over 20 years ago, but I still can't imagine how he made it at that time. From him, I learned about imagination and originality.



Next, a significant influence on me was Minilogue, a unit by Sebastian Mullaert and Marcus Henriksson. Their meticulously crafted sounds, combined with the improvisation reminiscent of jazz, and their emotional and fantastical world view, undoubtedly influenced my musicality. I learned about the possibilities of improvisation from them.



How and for what reasons has your music set-up evolved over the years and what are currently some of the most important pieces of gear and software for you?

My music setup has evolved over the years to cater to improvisation. I believe there's a special moment in improvisation where one becomes one with the sound. This embodies the humanity and uncertainty that can often be lost in electronic music.

The most important software for me are Ableton Live, Max for Live, and TouchOSC.

Have there been technologies which have profoundly influenced, changed or questioned the way you make music?

TouchOSC has undoubtedly influenced and evolved my music.

What is the relation between innotative tools and "innovative music"?

Between innovative tools and innovative music, human sensibility is always essential.

Late producer SOPHIE said: “You have the possibility with electronic music to generate any texture, and any sound. So why would any musician want to limit themselves?” What's your take on that and the relevance of limitations in your set-up and process?

One of the reasons I favor improvisation is that it allows me to float between infinite possibilities and self-imposed limitations.

If I want to explore infinite possibilities, I delve into the macro world of sound; and if I feel the need to limit myself, I venture into the micro world of sound.

However, in improvisation, these worlds are always interconnected.

From the earliest sketches to the finished piece, what does your current production workflow/process look like?

I begin with experimental improvisation. Using custom generators I've developed, I play instruments like the piano, snythesizers and drum machines, naturally forming an ensemble as I go. I then capture this improvisation across 8 stem tracks.

Since I can never predict when an exceptional improvisation might occur, I'm constantly recording as a backup. Eventually, I mix and master these recordings.

From your experience, are there things you're doing differently than most or many other artists when it comes to gear and production?

My Ableton Live template is customized for improvisation. With over 600 tracks, it's definitely different from what most other artists use.

In relation to sound, one often reads words like “material”, “sculpting”, and “design”. Do you feel these terms have a relationship to your own work of and approach towards sound? Do you find using presets lazy?

I see nothing lazy with using presets. While I rarely use them, I sometimes start my sound creation from a preset.

Presets can also be educational for understanding sound.

Production tools can already suggest compositional ideas on their own. Which of these have proven particularly fruitful in this regard?

TouchOSC and Max for Live are both invaluable and fantastic.

To some, the advent of AI and 'intelligent' composing tools offers potential for machines to contribute to the creative process. What are your hopes, fears, expectations and possible concrete plans in this regard?

Improvisation is a dialogue with sound. I find the idea of AI joining this conversation very exciting.

I anticipate an entity that assists me in my musical journey, much like HAL 9000 or TARS.

Technology has continually taken on more steps of the compositional process and "creative" tasks. From your point of view, where does "technology" end and "creativity" begin?

"Technology" and "creativity" are both boundless. They have no end. They merge and intertwine, expanding eternally like the universe, as long as our passion persists.

If you could make a wish for the future directly to a product developer at a Hard- or Software company – what are developments in tools/instruments you would like to see and hear?  

It would be great to have a real-time jam session with AI.