Hidekazu Imashige, aka GALLERY SIX, is an artist and composer who is based on Miyoshi Hiroshima, Japan.
He began his career as a musician playing drums and then in 2008, he started making ambient music releasing “Invisible” EP on Twisted Tree Line (UK), “Element Perspective 071” on Element Perspective (Japan), and some self-released albums.
In 2010, Gallery Six formed “ArtLism.JP”, an art group made up of a musician, a photographer, and a film director, under the concept of the interplay between “Art + Altruism.”
Based on his theme “multi-directionally considering aesthetics which are very familiar, often forgotten, concealed in nature or events, and finally reveal them”, he has been making ‘sound sketches’ mixing drone sounds, mainly created from a synthesizer, and materials field-recorded when he goes wherever his heart leads.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO MUSIC?
When I was 13 years old, my friends and I formed our first band where I played the drums. At that time, I was heavily influenced by X JAPAN and they inspired me to start playing music.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHILOSOPHY AND STYLE AS AN ARTIST?
My musical concept is “multi-directionally, considering aesthetics which are very familiar, often forgotten, concealed in nature or events, and finally reveal them”. I focus on beauty which is forgotten or ignored since they are too close to us. This could be the sounds of birds, water, the hustle and bustle of the city, or the voices of people close to me. I mix them with drones and obscure melodies to create awareness of the forgotten beauty.
KNOWING WHAT YOU KNOW NOW, IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?
Don't be influenced by others too much, trust your instincts. Only you can know what you truly feel comfortable with.
HOW DO YOU THINK THE MUSIC INDUSTRY DEVELOP INTO A MORE EQUITABLE AND WELCOMING SPACE FOR ASIAN MUSIC CREATORS?
Nowadays, there are many Asians who are active not only in the music scene but also in other fields such as sports or business. If the number of people like them who believe in themselves and continue to pursue their own path increases in the future, I believe that the world will naturally open up to Asian creators.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG ASIAN MUSICIANS JUST STARTING THEIR CAREERS, BASED ON WHAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED?
Thanks to social media and the Internet, which have developed especially in the last decade, it has become easier to transmit content beyond the boundaries of country and race. I think the most important thing is to trust your instincts and keep creating your works. There should be so many people who love your works. In fact, there are many people around the world who support me.
HOW HAS BEING A MEMBER OF THE ASIAN COMMUNITY INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC, IF AT ALL?
As far as I am concerned, being born and raised in Japan has nurtured in me a spirit of cherishing things, and a love and respect for nature. I think this has heavily shaped the music I make today.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU? ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS OR PLANS FOR 2021?
If COVID-19 is declared to be over tomorrow, I would like to go around the world and have live performances. Since that's not going to happen, I'm going to concentrate on making more music. On May 7th, my latest album was released, and the next album will be out on May 27th, with the following album to be released in July. The only thing I can do is to keep creating music!
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