Combining classical Japanese music with contemporary Western instruments, Don Kon Ten Shan will take audiences on an exquisite, musical journey when they perform as part of the World Music Cafe series at BEMAC.
Earlier in the year, the four-piece band wowed crowds at the BrisAsia Festival, and more recently showcased in North Queensland. “We spent an entire week in Townsville not only performing, but running workshops for budding musicians,” guitarist Phill Wilson says.
In the past, Phill was a consultant and composer for Deep Blue Orchestra, and graced the stage at major festivals: Livid, Big Day Out, Soundwave and Falls Festival. He was also a finalist in the 2005 Oz Music Awards, and received a star on the Brunswick Street Rock N Roll Walk of Fame, in Brisbane, in 2008. “I started in the punk-rock scene originally, toured with bands across Australia and Europe for ten years or so. Next, I studied composition, and from there, I slipped into orchestras and ensembles. And then while doing that, I was led to Japanese music, which is where I met up with Takako,” he explains.
Takako plays the 'koto' – a guitar-like Japanese instrument – in the band, boasting incredible, natural abilities that have placed her among the top ten koto experts in Japan. She and Phill performed together as a duet before uniting with additional Don Kon Ten Shan members, Chie Kajiwara and Steve Mason. “Chie and Steve were part of a taiko group, which is a type of Japanese drum. We started playing at the same shows, and we got along really well, and eventually, we started to brainstorm ways we could combine our instruments to perform as one.”
Although the koto and the taiko are dissimilar, the four musicians were determined to make the instruments work harmoniously. “The koto is an intimate instrument that originates from a chamber-ensemble background, played in small rooms, before silent audiences. While the taiko drums are more commonly showcased at loud, outdoor, festival-like events,” Phill explains.
“Traditionally, these two Japanese instruments would never be played together: the taiko drums would drown out the soft sounds of the koto. But we've been using technology and amplifiers to balance out the audio levels.”
Don Kon Tan Shan’s sound evokes notions of traditional and urban Japan, all while tying in Western acoustic guitar. “The addition of the guitar really helps us to better connect with our listeners,” Phill says. “It’s almost like a doorway into the music: something that's familiar for people to grasp. From there, they’re able to access the rest of the sound, explore the uncharted waters of Japanese instrumentation.”
The band name, Don Kon Tan Shan, was cleverly coined by all four members, deriving from the verbal syllables used when learning the koto and the taiko. “Instead of using written words, the Japanese use sounds, syllables, to help you to learn the songs. 'Don' is the right hand in drumming and 'Kon' is the left, so when you're learning drumming patterns it'll be 'Don, Kon, Kon', etcetera. The 'Ten Shan' comes from the syllables you use in learning to play the koto.”
Phill encourages Brisbane residents of all musical preferences to broaden their horizons and support Don Kon Tan Shan at their upcoming gig. “There seems to be a bit of fascination in what we're doing, so hopefully we can continue to expand on that, and produce something that it truly interesting.”
Don Kon Tan Shan perform at the World Music Café series, at BEMAC in Brisbane, Friday 14 October.
