siteSakamoto : A Ryuichi Sakamoto Web Site : What's New

Ryuichi Sakamoto and Taylor Deupree will be performing Thursday February 20th, 2014 at St. John at Hackney church as part of the St. John Sessions.

Doors open at 7:30pm, show begins at 8pm

Click here for tickets

St. John Sessions

Facebook Event Link

Click below to purchase 'Disappearance', the latest release from Ryuichi Sakamoto + Taylor Deupree

Disappearance - 12k

"Isolation, solitude, contemplation. These are the themes that discreetly weave their way through Disappearance, the first collaboration album between 12k's Taylor Deupree and pioneering electronic composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto. The initial tracks for Disappearance were recorded at Sakamoto's studio in New York City during rehearsals for the April concert. The two immediately entered the same sonic mindframe that lead to hours of concentrated, hushed music. Sakamoto's piano playing, both traditional and prepared, emerged as perhaps some of his most beautifully sparse in recent years, letting the sound of the room and shuffle of chairs take an active roll in the recording. Only the most minimum of essential notes, accentuated by silences and the scraping of the piano’s strings, plays alongside Deupree's nuanced passages, created with analogue synthesizers, strings, and found objects. These warm, human tones became the means of communication between the two artists who effortlessly created a musical language.

The five tracks that make up Disappearance are delicate and composed, however, they’re not all peacefulness and placidity. Micro-tuned edges, bursts of noise, percussive prepared piano and the warble of old reel-to-reel tape keep the mood grounded and warm, turning it inward and asking the listener to reflect on their path. “Curl To Me,” the album’s final piece, is highlighted by the sounds of Ichiko Aoba, a major up-and-coming singer/songwriter from Tokyo. Both Sakamoto and Deupree have recently worked with Aoba in Japan and wanted her presence felt on the album. Emphasizing the solitude and stillness of the recordings, Aoba provided both her voice and the almost disturbingly intimate sound of her own heartbeat.

Disappearance is a soundtrack for holding breaths. Sakamoto and Deupree lay down worn roads, but don’t leave signs, for a journey woven together by the quiet celebration of the fragility of nature and life."

	Fermata
		Ryuichi submitted a new piece for a sound installation exhibition in Arlington, VA - 'Fermata' The exhibition is free, open to the public, and will run from Thursday April 24th - Sunday Aug 10th. See links below for more info! Fermata Washington Post Article


		An Urban Soundscape Competition is being held for the Sapporo International Art Festival 2014 (SIAF 2014). As the guest director for SIAF 2014, Ryuichi will review and choose the winning submission. The submission period begins Sat. Feb. 1st - Mon. Mar 31st. Click here for more info and FAQ

	Ryuichi Sakamoto + Taylor Deupree Live at St. John, UK
		Ryuichi Sakamoto and Taylor Deupree will be performing Thursday February 20th, 2014 at St. John at Hackney church as part of the St. John Sessions. Doors open at 7:30pm, show begins at 8pm Click here for tickets St. John Sessions Facebook Event Link Click below to purchase 'Disappearance', the latest release from Ryuichi Sakamoto + Taylor Deupree Disappearance - 12k "Isolation, solitude, contemplation. These are the themes that discreetly weave their way through Disappearance, the first collaboration album between 12k's Taylor Deupree and pioneering electronic composer and pianist Ryuichi Sakamoto. The initial tracks for Disappearance were recorded at Sakamoto's studio in New York City during rehearsals for the April concert. The two immediately entered the same sonic mindframe that lead to hours of concentrated, hushed music. Sakamoto's piano playing, both traditional and prepared, emerged as perhaps some of his most beautifully sparse in recent years, letting the sound of the room and shuffle of chairs take an active roll in the recording. Only the most minimum of essential notes, accentuated by silences and the scraping of the piano’s strings, plays alongside Deupree's nuanced passages, created with analogue synthesizers, strings, and found objects. These warm, human tones became the means of communication between the two artists who effortlessly created a musical language. The five tracks that make up Disappearance are delicate and composed, however, they’re not all peacefulness and placidity. Micro-tuned edges, bursts of noise, percussive prepared piano and the warble of old reel-to-reel tape keep the mood grounded and warm, turning it inward and asking the listener to reflect on their path. “Curl To Me,” the album’s final piece, is highlighted by the sounds of Ichiko Aoba, a major up-and-coming singer/songwriter from Tokyo. Both Sakamoto and Deupree have recently worked with Aoba in Japan and wanted her presence felt on the album. Emphasizing the solitude and stillness of the recordings, Aoba provided both her voice and the almost disturbingly intimate sound of her own heartbeat. Disappearance is a soundtrack for holding breaths. Sakamoto and Deupree lay down worn roads, but don’t leave signs, for a journey woven together by the quiet celebration of the fragility of nature and life."