- Hey Shingo Nakamura! Glad to have you here to talk about your highly anticipated album ‘Solace’.
I am grateful for this opportunity! It has been a long creative journey.
- Can you please tell us more about ‘Solace’? What’s the story behind this beautiful album?
When I released my album Glow in 2021, I was unable to tour due to COVID. When venues re-opened, I was able to perform for my fans after a long hiatus. I played countless shows in Japan, the US, and Tomorrowland. Through spending time with my fans at these live experiences, I began to think more deeply about what my fans are looking for in music, shows, and memories. As a result, this album includes tracks that bring Chill and Melodic songs to the feel of classic Progressive House inorder to create unique live shows and moments in time.
- What sets ‘Solace’ apart from your previous work, and why should listeners tune to it?
What is clearly different is the number of collaborations. After being isolated in my Tokyo apartment for so long I wanted to travel the world and work with a variety of artists in their studios.
- How would you describe your sound?
The sound fuses chill and progressive elements. My career started with tracks featuring piano melodies around 128 BPM. But recently, I’ve been creating tracks at 118 BPM with no prominent melody. I like both styles, so I want to continue making music that blends them.
- Who is Shingo Nakamura and why music? At what age did you get into music and how?
I’ve been composing Progressive House and Melodic House for over 15 years. I learned piano as a child and was also part of a wind orchestra. I loved music even back then. In high school, I came across BT’s album ‘ESCM’, and that’s when I knew I wanted to create club music.
- Do you remember the name of the first song that made you love electronic music?
It was definitely BT’s “Flaming June”. I was overwhelmed by its beauty. It’s been almost 20 years since I discovered that track, but he continues to be my hero. I think you can understand how special the collaboration with him, ‘Lifeforce’, is to me. It is featured on my album Solace.
- Who or what has been your biggest inspiration throughout your music journey?
My inspiration comes from Anjunabeats and Anjunadeep. The first time I went to a club was in the late 2000s when Anjunadeep’s James Grant came to Japan. Since then, Anjuna has always been a benchmark for me. I have immense respect for them, as they continue to evolve with the trends of club music.
- What’s the one activity you love doing in your free time when not making music?
I love traveling! Eating delicious food and seeing unfamiliar landscapes in different places gives me strong inspiration. Lately, I’ve often been visiting the US as a DJ. The people are very kind.
- Can you tell us more about your dream and future collaboration and what do you hope to achieve in the next 2 years in your professional career?
Meeting BT and creating a track together has fulfilled my dream collaboration. Now, I’d like to create collaborations with small upcoming Tokyo artists, to help grow the community that put my music on the map. There is so much underground Japanese dance music that goes unrecognized in the global music scene.
- This is all for now. Thank you for your time answering our questions. Where can our community find out more about your music and your future releases?
Come to my shows, I’ll be touring and alway have time to say hello after my performance. You can follow my socials too.
