Noah
Meet Japanese musician, Noah.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a musician from Hokkaido(northern Japan), now based in Tokyo.
Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.
My city is a busy huge maze where something fun and new is always being born. You can see the moment and culture update.
My city is a busy huge maze where something fun and new is always being born.
What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?
The best thing is that I can meet exciting new people easily and directly. There are many interesting creators in various fields here and they often inspire me. Although everything is arranged compact and convenient, there is less nature and a small sky.
Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.
”Identity”, “Instinct”, “Release”
How did you start your career in music?
I started playing the piano when I was a baby. I’m naturally interested in music. And after turning 20, I properly started composing. To find my original expression, I started using my voice and I liked it because voices are a unique and handy instrument. It’s very fun to mix voices on the tracks, you can get unexpected sounds easily.
To find my original expression, I started using my voice and I liked it because voices are a unique and handy instrument. It’s very fun to mix voices on the tracks, you can get unexpected sounds easily.
Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?
People around me seemed very worried about me (I was worried too, haha) at first because it is difficult (almost fantastical) to live by music in Japan. But they were still supportive so I’m very thankful to them for their understanding.
What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?
Now, I have some album plans to work on. I believe that I should finish and release them to do my part in society. Lately, I think to myself that we are living “to be/create the best version of yourself”.
Even god never knows what the best version of yourself looks like, it’s all up to you. I’d love to prove how wonderful that is through music. And also I am excited to meet the best version of myself.
I am excited to meet the best version of myself.
If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?
I’m interested in soundtracks for anime lately. I’d love to collaborate and learn a lot from Kevin Penkin from Austria who did the soundtracks of the anime, “Made in Abyss”. His works are impressive. His music obviously did a lot to expand the anime world.
How would you describe the women around you?
They are like flowers. Kind and strong. Dignified and jovial.
They are like flowers. Kind and strong. Dignified and jovial.
Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?
Yes, there were many. I especially admired a neighbor lady called “Mrs.Bear”. She was always cheerful and nice to me and other kids too. She was leading an endearing small but valuable life. She was very good at embroidery. She often used to give me a drawstring bag or handkerchief with pretty flower-patterned embroidery or cute little initials on. She always made people around her happy.
Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?
Sadly, sometimes I hear about sexual harassment and stalking from female artists. One of my friends even stopped doing live shows because of harassment. This is a serious social problem which is not easy at all, I guess. Especially in the sexual aspects, men and women are very different even though they have equal rights. The stopgap measures can never solve the problem at its root, I believe.
Explore all possibilities without tending to focus on one way too much.
Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?
Even though it is said that it’s not very easy to live by music, there are many chances and ways, I think. Use social media well. Also, explore all possibilities without tending to focus on one way too much.
Photos courtesy of Noah, Flau Records.
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Category:
JapanDate:
November 15, 2019