08/21/08
Text: Nik Mercer
Shugo Tokumaru sprung onto the pop music scene in 2004 with the critically-acclaimed yet unfortunately under-exposed Night Piece LP (Music Related). Regardless of sales, though, the debut firmly exposed Tokumaru's incredible skill with the acoustic guitar; complex rhythms overlap with earthy, somewhat folky and spastic melodies in an organic and nimble manner that puts practically every guitar band to shame. And the Tokyo-born musician was only twenty-four-years-old at the time of the record's release!
Now, one more release in (L.S.T.) and his third, Exit, finally being put out in the States on September 2 through Almost Gold Records, Tokumaru is ready to branch out and impress more potential audiences with his spectacular technical prowess and feel-good vibes.
We asked him a few of our most pressing questions to get psyched for Exit. Be sure to also listen to "Parachute" in the media player.
You've had an interesting rise to success. You were sort of under the radar with your debut Music Related release and are now coming back in a bigger way on Almost Gold. Tell me a little about your progression and what it all means to you and your musical career.
I'm not sure how to answer this, but I just think that it would be the best if my music can be delivered wherever there are people who would listen to my music. I cannot wait to see what's in store.
One of the greatest things about your music—to me, anyway—is its ability to transcend all borders, even though you sing in Japanese. How do you use your guitar to articulate meaning and emotion?
It would be great if my music turns out to be something which could stir up a lot of imagination. I use the guitar just as an instrument to play. It's the instrument which fits me the best.
Stylistically, you've this anxious quality to your music... where does this "jumpy" character come from?
I loved jumpy cartoon music in the old days. Besides, I cannot make lengthy songs because I get tired of them easily.
For pop music, your stuff is really complex and densely layered. What sort of musical training did you have and how do you write songs? Do you approach songwriting in a sort of classical composition manner or is it more organic than that?
I love anything that is logical or mathematical, so I used to explore such things a lot. I always write songs in my head, but I'm not very clever, so if you listen closely you might notice that my songs are only made of rather simple combinations of sounds... I cannot do anything that complex or humanly impossible, so I end up making music which would suit me the best.
How has Japanese music influenced you; how has American/Western music influenced you?
I've been listening to music indiscriminately since I was a child, whether it be Japanese or Western. My influence comes from all the music I've heard in my life. I've just kept on looking for music that I like. Now I'm trying to make music that I like, but it's turning out to be not so easy.
What are your other aspirations? You're in another band [Gellers], but are you working on anything else at present or in the near future?
I'm only working on my own music at the moment. I'm a bit interested in taking on production duties for someone else at some point in the future, though.
