Yama Warashi: Women Make Music
Yama Warashi’s music is very unique- It is a mixture of Japanese folk (Bon dance music), Psychedelia, African, Indian, Jazz and Rock. We use both acoustic and electronic instruments such as electric keyboards, saxophone, electric guitar, Japanese harp (‘Koto’), Violin, etc. I sing both in English and Japanese, also use African rhythms, polyrhythms, Japanese bon dance rhythms. We dress up like oriental tribespeople and have visuals related to the moon and to nature. It is a bit like Japanese Shinto ceremonies, but we also rock out.
I would like to expand the variety of instruments for this new album, including such instruments as Japanese horns- Shakuhachi, Hichiriki,- Indian Tabla, Tambura and African percussion. This fund could allow us time to master these new instruments, collaborate with more musicians and work with an engineer/producer who understands what I want to achieve. I would like to create a new genre combining traditional Japanese music, Jazz, Rock and spiritual elements.
The funding will help us explore the visual aspect on stage as well. I would like to have custom designed lighting, visuals and costumes, both for on stage at the album launch and for a pop video, working with a talented director/animator for a single. I am also planning to create a booklet with words, illustration and photos inspired by the album.