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Pointilism

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Pointilism --- 2023-09-20

Features the recording of "mouse on the keys : Pointillism" held at the Matsumoto Architectural Arts Festival in February 2023. Cassette tape is limited to 150 (with serial number), which includes 11 songs including the 2 bonus tracks "The Dawn (piano version) [Cassette Bonus Track]" and "The Dusk [Cassette Bonus Track]". Exclusively distributed by Believe Music Store. Additional special thanks from booklet: Hisaya Kumano, Kazumi Hodono, Kei Sakuragi, MATSUMOTO Architecture + Art Festival, Osamu Ouchi, Shigeaki Nara, Tadamasa Saito, Takashi Nishikata, Tatsuya Hori Kawa, Taku Jotoku, Teppei Ozaki, TOBIRA GROUP, yu1ch1 (wong kei) About the recording: This piece, Pointillism is a composition originally inspired by mouse on the keys' performance at the Matsumoto Architecture Art Festival held in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan in February 2023. The title Pointillism reflects the idea of creating music in a manner akin to pointillist painting, where individual points of sound are meticulously assembled to form a cohesive whole. The genesis of this project can be traced back to a request from the Matsumoto Architecture Art Festival and producer Osamu Ouchi: "Can a musical composition be created from scratch and presented to the audience in real-time during a live performance?" Initially hesitant, but we accepted the challenge, recognizing it as an opportunity to explore a new direction for the band. The production took place over three days at Kurassic-kan, a historic sake brewery building in Matsumoto City, with a total working time of approximately 15 hours. The final day saw the live presentation of the finished work at Shinmai Media Garden in the same city. The unique conditions posed a significant departure from mouse on the keys' usual approach, as we had to create music in front of a live audience while adhering to constraints such as limited time and sound volume. The main production space was located in the entrance hall of Kurassic-kan, a wooden structure dating back to 1888. Instruments were set up from the earthen floor to the wooden-floored rooms. Unconventional choices were made when it came to instrument selection, with everyday items sourced from second-hand shop and prepared-piano being used to accommodate the sound volume restrictions. Additionally, the familiar Elektron Octatrack from Daisuke Niitome's solo work and an electric bass guitar, making its debut in our production, were incorporated. The building's ceiling featured a two-story atrium with a grid-like arrangement of beams, enhancing the natural reverb of sounds from glass and pots. Great care was taken to ensure that the electric instruments blended well with the acoustics, allowing each sound to have a distinct presence and creating a unique intensity distinct from our typical music, which was built on amplification and sound augmentation. For this project, the entire production process, from recording to presentation, was captured using Ambisonics recording technology with 360° microphones and some materials recorded using i phones. From this pool of recordings, nine tracks were carefully selected, offering a glimpse into the unaltered recordings, as well as edited and effect-enhanced versions, all organized in chronological order. The ability to record with such high-quality sound and create this piece in just 15 hours marks a significant shift in the band's approach to music production. Pointillism serves as a bridge to mouse on the keys' future endeavors, and the band looks forward to what lies ahead with great anticipation.