Matsuki Ayumu Matsuki Ayumu… One Billion Years would most certainly make for an Ample Play

Interview: Matsuki Ayumu

Published on January 27th, 2012 | Jonny Abrams

One of Rocksucker‘s early reactions to listening to the berserk yet blissed-out psychedelic fuzz-pop grooves of Matsuki Ayumu was: is this the Japanese Gruff Rhys we hear before us, and shouldn’t such a twist be considered, nay documented, as the next great evolutionary step of mankind?

His One Billion Year Record album, available now on Cornershop’s Ample Play label, is both as wonkily dreamy as early Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci (does Matsuki have any Welsh ancestry? We forgot to ask…) and as brain-frazzlingly prodigious as anything his more eminent compatriot Cornelius has blessed our ears, minds and hearts with in the past. Ladies and gentlemen, it is our great pleasure to introduce to you/you to Matsuki Ayumu

Who are your musical heroes?

The Beatles taught me what music is.

Where did you record One Billion Year Record? Did you produce it yourself? Did you play all the instruments on it?

All sound is always recorded in my room. Sometimes drums are recorded in studios using Pro Tools with my drummer friends – apart from that, I just record by myself.

Have you made other albums? If so, where can we hear them?

I have released four CDs since 2005, but now I make a song roughly once per week. It’s named “Storm of New Songs”. My brand new songs are always waiting for you on my SoundCloud.

When will you release your next album?

In Japan, my next album Story of Your Life (also a double album) is available on my website. In Europe, it will be released soon.

You wrote the song “3/11 Mimei” for the victims of the earthquake. Were you affected personally by the earthquake? How has the earthquake affected the local music scene?

With respect to the Japanese local music scene, I can’t explain very much because this is a pretty pass that is associated with various individual things. Some stop music, some work for the disaster area, some are in a terrible mental state, some lost family or friends… Personally the experience gave me many things and I had a lot of time to think about “life” and keep making songs.

“3/11 Mimei”

Do you plan to do any shows in the UK?

Not yet. I want to go in some way! (but I love recordings better than stage.)

Are you a fan of Cornershop? I love your remix of “Who Fingered Rock ‘n’ Roll”! Did you perform this at the Fuji Rock Festival last summer?

Thank you very much. Of course, Cornershop is my favorite band. I listened and listened to Handcream for a Generation when I was a teenager. It was like a dream come true to play with them at Fuji Rock and I’m proud of it. I am much obliged to Cornershop and the world wide web.

Cornershop – “Who Fingered Rock ‘n’ Roll (Matsuki Ayumu Mix)”

Matsuki Ayumu – “In June (Cornershop Mix)”

Have you met Ishihara Satomi? You must be pleased that your song helped her to overcome her constipation!

Unfortunately no, but I love that song and television commercial!

Are there any other musicians or bands that you would like to recommend to us?

Mmmm that’s a difficult question! But Japanese animation’s songs are exciting; there is individuality and the islander mentality. And Kyoto’s Budstuff is one of the best Japanese psychedelic funk bands.

Matsuki Ayumu, thank you.

Matsuki Ayumu - One Billion Year Record

One Billion Year Record is available for purchase and/or streaming right here on Ample Play’s website. For more information, please visit Matsuki Ayumu’s English language website or his Japanese language website.

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About the Author

Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.


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