HANCE discusses his unique career and success abroad

Takayuki Okamoto ｜2023/12/20 19:00

HANCE

Tokyo-based Singer-songwriter HANCE will release his 2nd album BLACK WINE on December 13, 2023.

Debuting in his 40s and managing a company alongside his music career, he is a somewhat unprecedented artist. However, his debut song “The Night and the Lie,” with its music video shot in Valencia, Spain, garnered 1 million views on YouTube in just three months. His first album, between the night, secured the top spot on the iTunes Store J-Pop Top Albums chart in France, among other achievements, receiving significant acclaim overseas. We spoke to the artist himself to find out why his artistic career, which started in his 40s, has been successful internationally.

―Since your debut, you have consistently released digital singles and music videos. How has the international response been so far?

The music video for my debut song "The Night and the Lie" was shot in Valencia, Spain. Using that as a base, we promoted it not only domestically but also in various overseas countries. As a result, the response from overseas was even greater than in Japan, and this trend continues to persist.

―I heard that you love movies and categorize your music into the genre of "cinematic music." Is that one of the reasons that you shoot music videos abroad?

My highest priority as an artist is to create a "collection of visual works". My goal is to create comprehensive works of art that combine video and music into one. For this album, I wrote 12 songs in the style of a movie soundtrack.

―When I listened to the album BLACK WINE, I had the impression that the songs, especially those in the latter half of the album, seemed to evoke a sense of loss and regret. The album gives off a matured, nuanced flavor, as the title suggests, like aged wine.

Ever since my first album, many of the themes I deal with are often irreversible and beyond my control. However, I don't think looking back on the past is a bad thing in itself. Through the songs and visuals, I think you can appreciate the present moment by looking back on the past with a bit of nostalgia. Therefore, I think it would be good if you could view this work as something that adults can enjoy. Also, it's really akin to filmmaking. Each piece has its protagonist, and by combining visuals, it forms a single album, creating a sense similar to a collection of short films in an anthology movie.

―I understand you are a fan of director Jim Jarmusch. So, with this album, are you trying to remind us of the anthology film Night on Earth?

Yes, you're absolutely right. While I hope listeners experience the album as a whole, I also believe there are parts that may resonate more with some individuals than others. So, choosing and listening to the ones that personally resonate is also a good approach.

―The album's lead song, "Monochrome Sky," is very thrilling and cool.

“Monochrome Sky” depicts a fictional world, but at the same time, it reflects aspects of our real, current world. I feel that we are living in a world similar to 'Monochrome Sky,' with societal divisions, gender issues, and conflicts occurring. The song is my expression of the belief that there is great human wisdom and beauty in the gray areas between black and white, where people come together and intersect.

―The last song on the album, "Sleeping Flower," is a fantastical song that combines electronica and acoustic music. It leaves a lasting impression after listening to it.

The song "Sleeping Flower" is based on a song I wrote in my early 20s. It was a song filled with all the sensitive elements of my youth. I wondered until the very end whether or not I should include this song in the album as a song I wrote today. I wonder if I have become the cool adult I imagined when I was young. But when I look back, I realize that I haven't changed much. I now feel that becoming an adult is much more raw, lame, and uncool. I wanted to properly include those feelings in the album, especially in the last song.

―You are planning to hold a party to celebrate the release of your album on January 27, 2024 at "MoonRomantic(Tsuki Miru Kimi Omou)" in Minami Aoyama, Tokyo. Do you have any other live activities planned in 2024?

The release party will naturally focus on the songs from the 2nd album, and since there will be a large band, I aim to recreate the album's tracks as faithfully as possible. While I have a desire to perform live in Japan, I also feel the urge to go to the countries where people are listening to my music and perform there. As of now, I have plans to perform in Switzerland in February and participate in a music festival in Hungary in July. Regions with a diverse audience, especially in Europe and South America, are areas I want to continue reaching out to in the future. I hope to continue my activities in 2024, striking a good balance between Japan and abroad.

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