Interview with Japanese composer Akira Kosemura

Japanese composer Akira Kosemura debuted his first solo album, “It’s On Everything”, on an Australian label in 2007 while he was still in school. That same year, he founded his own label, Schole Records, and garnered good reviews by releasing various albums of crossover genre music featuring the sounds of piano, strings, winds, synthesizers, and field recordings. His work has featured the likes of Devendra Banhart, on a single titled ‘Someday’, and has received high acclaim from media outlets around the world, including Pitchfork in the US.

See our exclusive interview with him below:

Describe your sound for us. What do you want people to feel when they hear your music?

I have no idea. I always make music for myself because I need it. So I’m not sure what people want from my music, but I hope it is not bad for everyone.

Which 3 artists have influenced you the most growing up?

I don’t like to choose 3. Film score, Electronic music and classical.

How did you discover your particular sound?

I don’t discover anything yet.

What are the most important pieces of equipment to you?

Everything around me but maybe a piano.

What outside of music inspires you to create?

The music is not an inspiration for me to make my music.

Do you have a favourite memory of your career so far that you will take with you forever?

I have no idea, however, I have some memory which is to work hard. To make something, it’s mostly hard, not fun.

If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist living or passed, who would it be?

I don’t work with anyone else, but I would like to shake hands with James Horner to say a gratitude for his work I impressed in 10 years old.