FAULT: What’s the story behind Rac_ka?

Kanade: ( Firstly, I regret not being able to speak English better, sorry.)

About “rac_ka” We met In 2003,  became members of the same band.
Afterwards, we had the possibility of playing as a duo through the recordings
for that band.

Toru: The band started recording on 13th July 2005 , to trigger the formation of the rac_ka
project.  At that time, we just made sounds freely – like doing a funny painting, we
did not mean to make some kind of experimental, abstract, or outrageous sounds.
we feel the same even now.

Kanade: Since 2007, we have organized some events where we have also played.
The main event is called “netekiku-ongakusai” (which directly translated means Music Festival – listen while you sleep)
The audience lie down on the floor of a huge gallery while watching video works on a big screen suspended from the ceiling above their heads. The audience can enjoy listening to the concert without having to watch the performers, in a completely relaxed frame of mind.

Of course, they can doze and fall asleep anytime they like.
In 2009, we toured Europe while we were based in Berlin. That had been our dream for a long
time. We were so exited to be able to do concerts at some great places.
( For example, I recall a gallery that had a “live in” dog! )
The tour only happened thanks to our good friends in Europe.

FAULT: What’s the creative process when writing new material? Is it a
collaborative effort?

Kanade: Exactly. It is truly a collaborative effort.
First, we make sounds together for about 30 minute to 1 hour,
and then we extract the bits we like from the session.
In most cases we manage to get to make songs without any tweaking.
For more complex arrangements, sometime we edit the source material or record new
tracks over it. My sounds are deeply affected by the location, audience, lights, and my feelings.

Toru: For rac_ka, I rarely try to assemble chords and melodies in my
room alone. I’m often inspired by new kinds of equipment, but also by the voices of people, and
silence. In most cases, when I have an idea, I try to record something as soon as I can, and I try to be prepared to be able to do it anytime.

FAULT: What is the most challenging aspect of being a musician?

Kanade: I haven’t tried “to be” a musician.
I choose carefully and produce something when I feel the moment is right.

FAULT: Does your music reflect your personalities?

Kanade: It depends on the listener, I think,
but if I see myself as an audience member, I often feel the work I experience is different from the person who made it.
Some people are interested in the life story and personality of painters,novelists,or musicians,
however I’m not attracted to biographical details.
Toru: I feel true to myself only through music.

FAULT: Do you have a creative input when it comes to press shots?

Kanade: We have given that responsibility over to our talented friends, though I did take the photos on our
myspace page.

FAULT: What do you think the future holds for the music industry?

Kanade: I make sounds, play instruments, nothing more.
Toru: It’s interesting that the ways of listening to music have changed because of technological advances accompanied by changes in the way that music is disseminated. There are also changes in the way sound is engineered. Now in Japan, many people are still only familiar with mainstream “chart music” as featured on TV, but through these changes I mentioned before, I hope there will be more chances that people can discover a greater variety of music in the near future.

FAULT: Are you inspired by music? What are you currently listening to?

Kanade: Yes I am! Good music also makes me itch to make something.
Recently I often watch DVDs of Musicals from the 50’s and 60’s as well as old Japanese movies.
I’m particularly fond of Toshiro Mayuzumi’s film music.
Toru: Lately, I listen mainly to Norwegian Jazz, Film music and music from different parts of the world.
I like some things that are being produced in Doom,Stoner,Classic, and Pop Genres.

FAULT: How do you prepare yourself before a live show?
Kanade: Anyway, I try to spend some time with Toru even if its without instruments.
Even just by talking silly, eating snacks, watching DVDs, we can feel the same
texture of the air I think. But, of course to play music is the most enjoyable thing for us!
Toru: I try to empty my head as much as possible during a concert.
Ideally I sleep until right before a show so that I’m in the state of being “half asleep” when I perform on stage.

FAULT: What does the next year hold for you?

Kanade: To make a film score.
Toru: We are going to Europe again for “rac_ka Tour 2011” this June and
July with our new albums “b” and “y”. Now we are planning to have concerts in
London, Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, and Oslo. In this year, I hope our music will gain many new
listeners, and even more the following year!

FAULT: What is your FAULT?

Kanade: There is no use crying over spilled milk, and I spilled quite a lot already, so… the only way for me is to keep on going till I die!

Images by TomohikoKato

Hear More

http://www.myspace.com/rackatorikodarackaperikanadeonpedierackasvetlo
myspace

http://web.me.com/tool_chorda/???_2/netekiku3%21%21.html
netekiku-ongakusai

http://ja-jp.facebook.com/people/Kanade-Amano/1672770843
Kanade facebook