Matsuki Ayumu… Earth-shapingly great tunes

Interview: Matsuki Ayumu

Published on February 4th, 2014 | Jonny Abrams

Released on Cornershop‘s burgeoning Ample Play label, Matsuki Ayumu’s One Billion Year Record finished second in our top 100 albums of 2012 list – and now we’ve got a new set of songs to savour.

Terraforming was recently the recipient of a glowing review on these pages, so it only followed that we sought to ask Matsuki about it…

Terraforming has been ready for a while now. Have you been working on another new album in the meantime?

Yes. I want to be constantly changing on my music. So I always try to make new songs.

Did you record Terraforming in your room, like you did with One Billion Year Record?

Exactly. I recorded by myself in my room without some drums which were recorded in an outside studio.

What do you think are the main differences between Terraforming and One Billion Record? What would you like to try next?

Its lyrics (I am sorry, it’s only Japanese lyrics!). Terraforming talks about resignation and hope in our current position.

And next I will make rap music maybe.

What do you think of Ample Play’s alternative version of the album? Do you agree with the choice of songs and the running order?

It’s good. Of course I agree with their choices. And “(alternative)” is also included in the original title. It means that Terraforming I think on this album doesn’t take a conventional way.

Are there any plans for you to come to the UK?

Unfortunately not yet. But I’m not good playing at live concerts, so I wanna go to the UK to record songs.

Finally, do you have any favourite albums or songs from last year?

Well, I didn’t listen to music so much last year. My music is influenced by Japanese games rather than music.

But I love some. For example “Tesagure! Bukatsumono” OP theme. Lyric is very metafictional and cool.

Terraforming is out now on Ample Play.

You can buy Terraforming on iTunes and on Amazon.

Artists: Matsuki Ayumu

About the Author

Jonny Abrams 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.