INDEX
KYOTOPHONIE: A Collaboration with Nanao Kobayashi
In your video message for KYOTOPHONIE, you spoke about how your performance will explore both the darker and more beautiful sides of humanity. Now that you’ve had the chance to experience Brazilian culture, how do you envision your performance for KYOTOPHONIE evolving?
KOM_I： My performance draws deeply from the sights, sounds, and lessons I’ve gathered from various parts of the world. These moments of inspiration serve as my creative foundation, and I want to bring them to life in a way that feels true to my journey. Since leaving Wednesday Campanella, I’ve been focusing more on improvisation, almost like pulling from a grab bag of ideas in each moment. For this performance, though, while there’s still an element of spontaneity, I’m aiming for a more intentional structure, working towards a clear, more refined vision rather than just embracing uncertainty.
Collaborating with Nanao Kobayashi must add a special dimension to the performance. How do you think your work together will shape it?
KOM_I: Absolutely. What excites me is the synergy we’ll create together, something that could only happen between the two of us. Our collaboration will bring a unique energy to the performance, and I’m eager to see how that unfolds.
You mentioned that you often hear drum sounds in the streets of Salvador.
KOM_I: The reason I’m collaborating with Nanao Kobayashi this time is not only because I find her as a person very interesting but also because I’ve been deeply drawn to drums. Her performances with electronic instruments and the three-dimensional pieces she creates through embroidery are amazing. She creates with a focus that seems beyond human capabilities. We’ve been looking for an opportunity to work together for a while, and when the chance came for us to perform at ‘KYOTOPHONIE,’ it felt like the perfect match. When I first spoke to Nanako, she mentioned that she’s not great at accompaniment, and I thought, “Yes, we’re both lead elements.” It’s fascinating because the drums provide a foundation, and the vocals layer on top. That’s why I feel so drawn to the way Nanako plays drums, with each sound so deliberate and precise.
You both have very different musical backgrounds, don’t you?
KOM_I: There are things we share, but our approaches and perspectives are incredibly different. I focus more on expressing emotions and sentiments through sound, while Nanako seems to approach things from a more structural or cosmic perspective. It’s not mechanical; it’s very alive. I think that’s what makes it so cool—it’s completely different from my own style.
Felipe Catt, who is performing from Brazil, will also be part of the show. It will be his first performance in Japan, right?
KOM_I: I’m really looking forward to meeting him for the first time. I’m sure that at his concert in Brazil, the crowd is so passionate that you probably wouldn’t be able to hear anything else but people singing at the top of their lungs (laughs). Through Felipe, I’ve gotten to learn a lot about Brazilian music, especially the songs he covers. That has been so exciting and inspiring for me.
KOM_I with FATHER × Soundscapes from Brazil & Beyond
Performance Date: April 19, 2025 (Saturday)
Doors Open: 17:00 / Performance Starts: 17:30
Venue: Hulic Hall Kyoto (formerly Rissei Elementary School)
Tickets:
- Advance: ¥5,000
- At the door: ¥6,000
Domestic: https://eplus.jp/sf/detail/4277620001-P0030001P021001
International: https://kp-komi-cato.peatix.com/
