Just before his concert at Sunset in France, JaME had the chance to interview the shamisen master!
Keisho Ohno, master of the shamisen and creating traditional Japanese music with a new twist, went on tour this spring in France. JaME managed to catch him before the final show and asked him a few questions.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Keisho Ohno: I am Keisho Ohno and I’m a samurai from Japan!! (laughs)
Why did you choose to play the shamisen? Can you tell us your first encounter with this instrument?
Keisho Ohno: I started the shamisen thanks to my mother, who played it. So I debuted with her at the age of eight.
The mix of shamisen (a traditional instrument) and contemporary instruments is surprising for the French. Is it surprising for the Japanese?
Keisho Ohno: Yes, the shamisen is a surprising traditional instrument, and it’s surprising for Japanese people to see it mixed with other styles that are more contemporary. It’s new for them.
What did your teacher, Chikuzan Takahashi, think of the evolution of your musical style, especially the Keisho Ohno with Tsugaru Shamisen SOUL? Did you want to use this evolution as a break from the tradition of Tsugaru Shamisen or more to propose something in continuation of the genre?
Keisho Ohno: My master, Chikuzan Takahashi, accompanies me in this perspective of fusing jazz, blues and ethnic music. We wanted to mix lots of influences and I’d like to continue like this so I can expand my musical play using, for example, other instruments and other styles of music.
Why break with tradition? Was that a desire on your part to popularize a genre and attract a large audience, or was it simply a way to set yourself apart?
Keisho Ohno: I think that since the shamisen is a traditional instrument, it’s a genre at risk of declining. That’s why, to better conserve this instrument, I try to deepen the style and revive it in a different way.
Let’s talk about the group SHOGUN, who is featured on the single SAMURAI.
Keisho Ohno: SHOGUN is a group of talented young musicians undergoing rapid change. They were really great and I think I’d be happy to work with them again in the future.
What’s the process for composing your pieces?
Keisho Ohno: In general, I create the backing track before putting a melody on top, but sometimes I do the reverse…and sometimes, I work with the arranger to change the song.
This is not your first trip to France and Europe. How did you come to perform in the old continent? Are you proud to have shared your music outside Japan?
Keisho Ohno: Europe is the cradle of classic music. The shamisen represents one part of classic Japanese music so yes, I am very proud to perform outside Japan and particularly in Europe. For me, it’s also a favorable place to play my music because I find the “old continent” more open to the mixing of cultures and of genres.
What are your musical influences? What else do you like to listen to?
Keisho Ohno: My music is influenced a lot by genres like rock, house, techno and even classical. I like to listen to everything, I try to be as eclectic as possible.
Did the concert at the MCJP (Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris = House of Japanese Culture in Paris) went well? Did you enjoy the atmosphere? Do you expect a different atmosphere at Sunset?
Keisho Ohno: The concert at the MCJP was the first day of my SAMURAI SPIRIT 2010 tour. So it wasn’t necessarily the best, but now that my tour is almost over, I think I’ll be able to give my best tonight at Sunset.
You also played on a TGV (train de grande vitesse = high speed train). It’s a pretty unusual place to play music. Can you tell us about that experience?
Keisho Ohno: I had the opportunity to perform in an idTGV, a train service which only sells tickets online, and I was very happy to do it. The shamisen is an instrument that’s made to be portable and mobile. I like being able to present my music everywhere to different audiences.
We saw earlier a lot of fans who thanked you on your Facebook page for your show on the Bastille metro.
Keisho Ohno: Really? That’s wonderful! Thank you!
You website indicates you like DIY (do it yourself). What do you like to do yourself, do you make music that way?
(Keisho Ohno gives us an incredulous look.)
It’s on your MySpace and your official home page.
Keisho Ohno: I didn’t know that. (laughs) I won’t say I detest it but….There must have been an error in translation because I, what I like, is to clean my room! (laughs) I also like laundry detergents. Whenever a new detergent comes out, I buy it and try it. (laughs)
Is there something you’d like to do or eat in France that you can’t do or eat in Japan?
Kesiho Ohno: I love the Centre Pompidou, and I love eating and coffee! There are too many good things to eat in France!
Have you been able to do some touristy things while you’ve been here?
Keisho Ohno: Yes, yesterday I went to the Japanese quarter, near Opera Garnier and Sainte-Anne Street. I really liked it!
We like it a lot too! (laugh)
Keisho Ohno: There are a lot of ramen restaurants! Do you like ramen?
Yes, and katsudon!
Keisho Ohno: Oh really? I don’t like it too much and more generally, even if I love eating, I don’t like things that are cooked in oil, fried stuff…(laughs)
Could you leave a message for your fans?
Keisho Ohno: My new album will come out this autumn. I also plan to return to France for a new tour. I hope I’ll see you when I come back! See you soon! (in French) Salut!
JaME would like to thank Keisho Ohno and all his staff for their availability and their hospitality.
