Hiroki Sasajima: Focusing on fine Sounds
Tobias"Monogenic“ is out soon on SRA Records. In which way does the album represent a progression for you compared to its predecessor "Renz“?
Renz, in a way, was a work with the concept of "ruin" and "incompleteness" . In contrast, Monogenic is a fine micro soundscape work. Currently, I am very interested in compositions focusing on fine sound which people generally do not pay any attention to. In this context, I think that Monogenic is an album representing my future direction.
I noticed that your current work seems to have two different kinds of tracks: Calm, meditative and pure drone pieces as well as deep soundscapes based on field recordings. Can you see a particular personal interest or process at the heart of this two-sided approach?
I think these two parts are contrasting each other. Even so, synchronization of these two parts generates a new space, and adds more richness. When composing a piece, I place importance on the balance between drone part and field recording part, so that the field recording part makes the drone part more meditative, and the drone part highlights the shape of the field recording part. And I am interested in the relationship between them.
What are your main sound sources for your drones?
For drones, the sound source doesn’t matter. I usually generate them through repeatedly converting noise or the sound of instruments.
I suppose it does matter with regards to your field recordings?
Yes. Most of my field recordings are done in areas with a lot of nature, such as outside of the city center or in a country town. There are innumerable sounds to be found there, showing all sorts of expressions - depending upon the seasons and the time of the day. I often come up with a new idea when recording in such a place. In fact, field recordings were the trigger of producing the album, this time.
Your pieces have a very natural flow. Are they recorded in a sort of live situation or are they the product of a long and intense process of sculpting?
As mentioned in the previous answer, the drone part and the field recording part are contrasting. These two parts are generated in different ways. With regards to the drone, I often repeatedly process material until I'm satisfied with the sound. On the other hand, when it comes to the field recordings, I make an effort of not processing excessively, in order to preserve the texture of the organic material. The feeling of a natural flow may come from this.
Do you see Monogenic as a collection of individual tracks or as having a distinct narrative and tension arch?
I do not think each track is individual. However, if listeners can find a little difference or different stories among them, that will be a good thing. Monogenic is an album which can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the listener. There are no factors which put any restriction on the listener’s interpretation. I believe the potential of sound is limitless.
Homepage: Hiroki Sasajima
Homepage: SRA Records
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