With epic loop pedal and songwriting talents, Japanese one-man band Kenta Hayashi is returning to the east coast of Australia with an even bigger tour, set to wow audiences once again.
A master of layering vocals, crazy sound effects, musical instruments and electronic beats, Kenta and his loop pedal conjure unique dance and funk tracks that leave audiences mesmerised. The guitarist's fusion of soundscapes and psychedelia laced with guitar and percussion rhythms impressed audiences last November, and this time around he is keen to build on excitement of last year's tour.
With his solo April, May tour on the horizon, Kenta talks Australia, performing solo and the future.
What have you been up to since your Australian tour last November?
Hey mate. After my Australian tour, I toured Taiwan two times and I also toured Japan. I am making my new album as well :)
What are you looking forward to during your upcoming tour of the east coast?
My Australian tour last time was so wonderful, so I'm hoping to see my new friends again, and also looking forward to meeting interesting people even more this time. The other main thing is that I want to collaborate with unique artists from Australia. I wanna record them and do sampling for my new album.
Being your second tour down under, how will this year's shows be different?
I will play similar sets as I'm solo with a guitar and loop pedal, but definitely I will play some new tunes.
How do you find the Australian audiences compare to others around the world?
It depends on the place and the time, but Australian audiences are very openminded and get really excited for my live set! Which I really appreciate. I think because you got the beautiful, wide, nature island Lucky ya boiiiiii!
You moved to the US almost a decade ago and now you're living back in Japan; how do you think that experience has influenced your writing?
The eight years of living in America definitely grew my art/ music a lot. My visa was expired and I had to leave all my friends and family in America. It was really rough for me, but because of the rough time, the emotions and the changes influenced my artistic side a lot as well. I guess my music became more artistic after I came back to Japan; more vivid and sensitive with more details.
What do you find is the hardest part of performing alone?
Carrying all the shit by myself! Ha ha. I'm kidding (actually it's kind of true, ha ha). The hardest thing is making dynamics in songs, which I work hard to get with my loop machine. I don't use any tracks or sample sounds at my live shows. Every sound I make is live and I loop that, so dynamics and the flow of music are the hardest part.
And the best part?
The best part is that I get all the payment instead of splitting it four ways! Ha ha. No, the best part really is that I can control the details of the sound. It's a hard part as well, but everything is on me, so the result is always real of what I do. Playing with a band, everybody's mood and health affects the whole sound and feeling. Which is a great part of playing with a band too. So I like both.
How do you find writing your solo work while working with your band Four Minutes 'Til Midnight? Do you have a preference?
They both are different. I like both solo work and the band work. But I like writing by myself at my home studio because I can work when I want and work till the morning or even longer. The concentration is more intense with my solo work I guess. So it gets really artistic and deep. Writing with my band is very fun too; more like kids playing around and having fun, which music should be :)
Are we going to see a recording of your solo work soon?
Yes. Very soon. I already have the songs and recoding and shaping up now. I plan to release my new EP at the end of June or the beginning of July.
What can we expect from Kenta Hayashi for the rest of 2016, and beyond?
I am making my third fourth albums and an electronica album at the same time as well. I will also go to Europe on tour this year again. And maybe my third Australia tour again! I hear possibly I come back in September already :)
Kenta Hayashi Tour Dates
Thu 28 Apr - Cafe Le Monde (Sunshine Coast)Fri 29 Apr - Mandala Cafe (Gold Coast)
Sat 30 Apr - Mardi Grass Festival (Nimbin)
Mon 2 May - ReNCOUNTER (Sydney)
Wed 4 May - Play Bar (Sydney)
Thu 5 May - The Brewery (Byron Bay)
Sat 7 May - Solbar (Sunshine Coast)
Sun 8 May - The Triffid (Brisbane)
Fri 13 May - Kuranda Amphitheatre
Wed 20 May - Port Douglas Carnivale
Thu 21 May - Port Douglas Carnivale
