Kishi Bashi: Omoiyari

@Kishi_bashi

Kaoru Ishibashi, or “Kishi Bashi” is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He was born in Seattle, Washington, but grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. He went on to study film scoring at Berklee College of Music before becoming a distinguished violinist. He is now based in Athens, Georgia. The Japanese-American artist quickly gained attention after releasing his first full-length album, 151a. He has also been featured on NPR Music's Tiny Desk concert series.

Kishi Bashi’s pulls his inspiration from classical, indie, folk, and pop to create positive, radiant, and encompassing soundscapes. He uses violins and loop pedals that allow him to create a plush and symphonic multi-tracked sound throughout his records.

Kishi Bashi’s fourth and latest album, Omoiyari, was released May 31, 2019. “Omoiyari” is the idea that thinking of others and feeling empathy fosters compassion. In this album, he turns his attention to past and present Japanese-American relations. He comments on WWII as a way to bring attention to the immigration issues of today, paralleling the treatment of Japanese immigrants to that of many individuals currently. He uses the inspiration of the oppression of the past to fabricate new interpretations and explanations of love and loss. He promotes empathy, understanding, and unity to overcome differences.

He is also set to release a film next year based on his personal research and travel, exploring music in locations relevant to the Japanese American Incarceration during WWII.

I first discovered Kishi Bashi on NPR Music's Tiny Desk concert series. I was awestruck as I watched and listened to him create orchestral masterpieces independently from the ground up. He incorporates his own vocals, beatboxing, and violin into his musical performance. He is able to build depth in his music, despite only using his voice and violin by looping and layering many different pitches and beats to create new combinations of harmony. I enjoy this style because Kishi Bashi displays his wide vocal range and experimental violin techniques that work hand-in-hand. One technique being that he occasionally strums the violin as if it were a guitar or ukulele, creating a soft, folk sound.

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Omoiyari on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1oPXOnszADv8Xe3fzykSdC?si=CqQYAjFMSTOXWGB4cPlO4g

Omoiyari: A Song Film teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mneaPfF2RU

Kishi Bashi's NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgqAmZHkkTg