Shugo Tokumaru, 28, has developed a cult like following amongst his fans.
“Extraordinary’ is a word that describes Shugo well. He grew up in Tokyo, listening to Japanese pop and Beatles cassettes, starting to write songs at an early age. Shugo recently finished his third solo album, Exit. His first two albums, Night Piece and L.S.T., were released on local labels in Tokyo. Shugo records all of his music himself, in his apartment, using a Mac and a few microphones. He plays most of the instruments on Exit himself- over 50 instruments. Because Shugo plays every instrument on his albums, his songs cannot be replicated exactly onstage; they are the musical equivalent of snowflakes, never to occur twice in nature. For some artists, this would be a burden, but Shugo treats each show as an opportunity to re-engineer the material into a surprising new form. That could mean a stripped down solo performance, a small combo, or his full “Magic Band” – “ a dazzling octet that brings a manic energy to the Swiss Watch arrangements and swirling arpeggios of Exit.”
Shugo Tokumaru, 28, has developed a cult like following amongst his fans. His original music is played on Ipods wherever there is a young hip urban population familiar with his lyrics-less and imaginative, almost hallucinogenic instrumentals. On Youtube if you look up his music you will find vivid and exotic animated videos reflecting the art of his compositions. He has grown in popularity just recently and you will be sure to hear his name more in the future. While in NYC he played at The Bowery Ballroom and The Cake Shop, for curious and intrigued fans. His next stop is Tokyo where he has the largest following. I interviewed him with the assistance from his manager and translator.
ASIANCE: You have been doing shows in L.A., NYC, have you been excited for this outcome? I have heard that since you composed all the music and tracks yourself sometimes when you play a show the new band for the stage performance has a week to learn it all!
Shugo: Yes!
ASIANCE: How did you get into this kind of music, where you compose all the various tracks from your own mind!
Shugo: I played the piano when I was a kid, then at 14 or 15 I picked up my guitar and started making my own music. I started recording tracks with different instruments and that’s how it all started!
ASIANCE: The music videos, for example the one for the song “Button’ has such artistic animation and is filled with character. Did you help to give input for the videos?
Shugo: For each video, the director was someone I knew already and wished to make a video. I asked them to make the video and they edited and came up with something that suited the music I made. That’s basically how it turned out!
The video “Button”
ASIANCE: What was your inspiration behind this successful new album Exit?
Shugo: I was thinking I really wanted to make an album with a wider concept than my previous albums. Speaking of Exit, every song was created in a different time period. There’s not really an overall concept behind them but I wanted to make something larger than what I made before.
ASIANCE: Will your next album after Exit be composed in a similar way, all organic music from your own studio and very unique, or do you see big changes now with the success of Exit?
Shugo: I was thinking a lot about what the next album will be like. I definitely think the next album will be a combination of all the experiences I’ve had since the completion of my greatest album, Exit. Whether it is more studio-based or more taken from life, or even very different, I am still brainstorming.
ASIANCE: Who is your main audience, how would you describe it?
Shugo: I think my audience is really warm and gentle. They have the qualifications to like what I am doing, so that is basically who they are!
Great song “Parachute”
ASIANCE: What is your dream venue in the U.S.?
Shugo:(Laughter and discussion with manager) My dream venue is Carnegie Hall! In the states, NYC, I had the chance to play at the Bowery Ballroom and it is lucky to play there, but I think it would be great to play at Carnegie Hall in the future (laughter).
ASIANCE: Well, your music carries many of the qualities of an orchestra, really.
Shugo: Yes! Exactly! Great acoustics, that’s why.
ASIANCE: What do you do in your time off when you are not composing music?
Shugo: (Much laughter and discussion with manager)
There is nothing really. Maybe just watching television or reading comics or whatever (Laughter).
ASIANCE: Do you still make music out of your own home? Can you describe the atmosphere of the environment where the magic happens?
Shugo: I still make most of my stuff out of my own room in my house. That’s the place where I feel the most comfortable. It’s the place where I can concentrate in my own imagination and come up with my music. It’s very important for me to feel this comfort.
ASIANCE: We are excited to see you continue your whirlwind tour, next stop Japan!
Shugo: I was excited to play in L.A. because I had spent a lot of time there, also playing in NYC in October was great, as a showcase at The Bowery Ballroom and the Cakeshop!
ASIANCE: Thanks so much! I hope to go to the next show back in NYC!
Shugo: Thank you, yes, see you in NYC!
See his next dates here
www.shugotokumaru.com