Tectonics 2024 Artist Profile
Koichi Makigami is a leader, vocalist, thereminist, cornet, and Shakuhachi player for rock band HIKASHU, known for his virtuosic vocal range and expression as well as his unique incorporation of elements of theatre, performance, and entertainment, all of which make this Japanese band so widely acclaimed both critically and popularly.
He is also active as a voice-improvisation artist and solo performer. In addition to recordings with HIKASHU, Makigami released a solo album in 1992 of reworked and reinterpreted old Japanese popular songs, produced by John Zorn. Together with this recorded work, he has conducted a series of concerts under this project.
Since 1993, Makigami has been acting as organizer and prompter for the monthly Tokyo session of John Zorn's game piece COBRA.
He formed the Japan Tuva Khoomei Association in 1998, invited many Tuvan singers, including Huun Huur Tu, Kongar-ool Ondar, Mongun-ool Ondar, NadezhdaKuular, Stanislav iliri, Andrei Mongush, Tyva Kyzy and more.
Makigami has worked and collaborated with a great many artists and musicians in a wide variety of areas and styles, such as Takahashi Yuji, John Zorn, Meredith Monk, David Moss, Ikue Mori, Phil Minton, Lauren Newton, Jaap Blonk, Carl Stone, Jon Rose, Guy Klucevsek, Derek Bailey, John Talor, Jim O’Rouke, Thomas Stronen and more.
Ongoing projects include his aforementioned unique avant-pop based on old popular Japanese music, performance using interactive computer technology, voice improvisation, and various work as organiser and producer.
