Featured Artists, Songs and Posts

Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

The Rashomon Effect:
Ambient electronic music with acoustic instruments

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

The Rashomon Effect:
I bought my first guitar when I was twelve years old and since then have played in metal, soul, folk and post-punk bands in Seattle, Los Angeles, Budapest and New York City. I’ve learned from many great teachers along the way. Around five years ago I started to make electronic music, which was a perfect fit since I love composition and sound design.

Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

The Rashomon Effect:
When I was around six, my mother gave me a set of tapes that told the life stories of great composers – Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, etc. I listened to them every night in my bed when I was supposed to be sleeping. That early love of music has never stopped evolving through styles and genres over the years. There is always more to know and more to discover. I’ve always loved meeting and playing with musicians from other countries and cultures, and the way music can circumvent the intellect and touch the heart. Music has always been deeply healing for me and in these times I am finding that aspect more important than ever.

Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

The Rashomon Effect:
Charles Mingus "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"

Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

The Rashomon Effect:
Floating Points "Silhouettes (I,II,III)"

Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Marika Takeuchi:
Modern classical music, ambient music, idm, classical crossover music, alternative music, contemporary piano music

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Marika Takeuchi:
I started playing piano at the age of three, and also played violin and french horn for several years as growing up. I then studied composition in Tokyo and film scoring at Berklee College of Music in Boston. My very first gig as a composer was songwriting for Universal Music Japan, and after I moved to the U.S, I've released my modern classical music as a recording artist, as well as writing music for films, advertisements, video games, and music libraries.

Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Marika Takeuchi:
Growing up, I always had a big passion for music. My first love was piano, and I loved singing, playing violin, and I also joined a school orchestra to play french horn. I played Japanese taiko drum as well, and I once even wanted to be a DJ. I just loved music in so many ways, and eventually realized that I wanted to write and produce music, so I can use all of my favorite instruments and sounds. But the biggest moment was when I suffered from severe depression for years and writing music helped me get through it. I realized that I could turn even negative feelings into something inspiring in my music, and that was the best therapy for me. And the whole experience had the biggest impact on who I am as an artist today.

Nagamag:
Do you have any new music coming out?

Marika Takeuchi:
My latest EP "Missing Piece" is out on May 5th, with the title track Missing Piece being released as a single on April 24th.

Nagamag:
What does music mean to you, and what inspires you to write music?

Marika Takeuchi:
Music is my best friend for life, and everything that happens in life, including both beautiful and difficult moments, inspires me to write new music.

Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Marika Takeuchi:
Moderat "Therapy"

Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Marika Takeuchi:
Jon Hopkins "The Low Places"