Since finding inspiration in his father’s extensive record collection as a 10-year-old, Katsuhiko Maeda has forged a truly unique musical identity as World’s End Girlfriend. The one-man-band channels classical filtered through a video game sensibility, touching on elements of electronic and noise-rock.
How did you develop such a diverse music style?
I think it’s natural that I have various elements in my music as I have listened to music regardless of genre since I was a child. To me, the most important thing in making music is to create my own sound which people can instantly recognize even if it was composed by piano, PC or sampling.
What inspired you to start composing at 12?
When I was 10, I was listening to my father’s record collection and Beethoven’s ‘Symphony No. 5’ came on. I was electrified. I started making music before I learned to play an instrument. I was fooling around with a piano and tape recorders at home before learning how to play the guitar.
It’s been four years since Seven Idiots. Any updates?
I’m making my new album now and I have many ongoing projects. Sorry I can’t talk about it but it’s something totally unexpected.
How do you recreate your sounds live?
I don’t play alone. This show will have guitars, drums, bass, violin, cello and vocals with a person on a PC and another doing visuals.
// July 11, 7.30pm, RMB80-380. Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu, by Shibo Didao 丁香路425号, 近世纪大道 (400 610 3721, en.damai.cn)
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