Interview with KAO=S

Art-rockers KAO=S speak to JaME about mixing rock music with sword dances, and shamisenist Jack's new invention: a four-stringed shamisen.

As this is your first interview with JaME, could you introduce yourselves to our readers?

Kaori: Hi, I'm Kawabuchi Kaori, and I'm KAO=S's vocalist and sword artist. I'm also an actress, sword dancer and motion-capture performer. I have participated in many famous movies and video games, such as the Final Fantasy series and the movie "Captain Harlock".

Jack: I'm Jack, and I play the tsugaru shamisen, a classical Japanese instrument. I make use of sound effectors to draw forth the many sounds of the shamisen. I refer to myself as a "shamisenist".

Shuji: I am Yamagiri Shuji, the guitarist, main songwriter, and leader of KAO=S.

Did the three of you already know one another before forming KAO=S?

Jack: I met Kawabuchi Kaori in 2009. Kaori came to the live performance of a musician I was supporting, and we became friends. We performed together for the first time in 2010. After that, I met Yamagiri at one of Kaori's performances that I played shamisen for.

Shuji: I met Kaori first, when Kaori happened to come to one of my solo shows. She was interested in my music and we thought about doing a session together. Then, when I went to watch Kaori's sword dance performance on another day, I saw Jack onstage, accompanying her performance with his energetic shamisen-playing. I started planning a session with Kaori, Jack and myself at that time. That was the beginning of KAO=S.

Can you tell us the reason you incorporate swordplay performances into KAO=S's music?

Shuji: When I saw Kaori's sword dance, I had the idea of making music for her performance. That idea resulted in KAO=S’s song Sakura no oni -Ogre of the Cherry Tree-.

Kaori: When we did our first session, we showed each other our talents and wanted to create music that we thought was interesting. So it was natural to incorporate my sword dance with our music.

Kaori, did you learn your sword skills from a teacher, or are you self-taught? When did you start learning?

Kaori: I began “tate”—that is, Japanese sword technique—about 12 years ago. I learned “tate” for drama first. Then I wanted to create "tate" routines that were more original. So I choreographed a sword dance by myself that mixed ballet, Chinese martial arts and mime that I had learned. But I still studied traditional “tate” with a teacher.

Jack, please tell us about your invention, the four-stringed shamisen. In terms of sound, how does it differ from a regular shamisen?

Jack: I called it the “yomisen”, the four-stringed shamisen. The yomisen can be played like a guitar. It has frets for reproducible sounds, and I can play chords on it. The yomisen has a very attractive sound. It's similar to a sitar, and can make sounds like a gut-string classical guitar, too. In addition, it can produce sounds similar to an electric guitar when I use sounds effectors. The yomisen is a very useful musical instrument.

The name yomisen is based on the Japanese number four, which is pronounced as “yon”. But the reason for calling it the yomisen is not only that there is simply an extra string to the shamisen. I wanted to add the Indian philosophy of zero and the spirit of Japan as a Japanese to the instrument. I call the thick string the “String of Zero” and took the word “yomi”, which means a world in another dimension, from Japanese mythology.

You have plans to release a new album. What’s concept of this album, and what kind of songs we can expect?

Kaori: All the songs are great. The album is very true to KAO=S's style, incorporating diversity and unique sounds. We’ve included both mysterious and deep songs. Our new album's concept is about variations and the absence of borderless.

Jack: KAO=S's new album is so cool! There are more rock-style songs than our previous albums.

Shuji: We made the new album to highlight the talents of the three members of KAO=S. Jack's new musical instrument, the yomisen, features heavily. We’ve recorded some heavy progressive songs, traditional Japanese songs with modern arrangements, and some beautiful melodies. Many guest musicians feature on these songs, too.

What usually inspires you to make music?

Jack: I get ideas from all things in the universe.

Shuji: I come up with melodies when I play the guitar without anything in mind. I feel sadness and joy from the sound of the guitar, and the world of music spreads out from there.

Who are your musical influences?

Kaori: I like Nightwish, Iron Maiden, Yoko Kanno and George Winston. I have been influenced by the performances of L'Arc~en~Ciel.

Jack: I have been influenced by many rock bands from overseas, like Muse, Rage Against The Machine and Radiohead. I have also been influenced by LUNA SEA.

Shuji: Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Stone Temple Pilots, Rolling Stones and Guns N' Roses.

What gives you the strength to press on when you face difficulties in your music career?

Kaori: Believing in the value of myself.

Jack: Support from artists whom I respect, and support from family and fans.

Shuji: The reactions of fans, and the sound of the guitar

Is there a motto you live by?

Kaori: Everything is connected. Be grateful just to be alive.

Jack: No rock, no life!

Shuji: Constant effort will result in success.　

What are KAO=S's goals for the future?

Shuji: We don’t know the future, but we would like to appear live all over the world and find many more fans of KAO=S. We would also like to showcase Japanese rock throughout the world.

Do you have a message for JaME’s readers?

Kaori: KAO=S will put out some unique sounds and exciting performances around the world. Please look forward to our new album. Thank you for always supporting us.

Jack: Thank you for reading this interview to the end. Please look forward to our thrilling live performance, should you have the chance to get to one. We will never disappoint you!

Shuji: Please try out KAO=S's music. We hope to see you at our live show.

JaME would like to thank Ms Tomoko Davies Tanaka and KAO=S for this interview opportunity.

KAO=S recently performed at the Hanabi Matsuri held in Sao Paulo, Brazil on September 12th. Their comments about the gig are as follows:

Jack: One of the Hanabi Matsuri audience members said to me, "I was reminded by your shamisen of where I came from and who I am." The person was Japanese-Brazilian. I was very glad hear that.

Kaori: I was so happy to experience the warm hearts and smiles of Brazil. It was a long journey to get to Brazil, but it was worth it thanks to the very friendly and kind people of Brazil. We went to a museum of the history of the people who emigrated to Brazil from Japan, and saw how many Japanese built a new life and the hardships they struggled through. I hope to make many new friends in Brazil and grow closer to the country.

Shuji: The weather was cloudy and very cold when we visited, but we had a great time in Brazil. Everything was so wonderful that the days just flew by.