September 23, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

OTHERLANDS: Japan [Recap]

September 23, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

After leaving India, my family and I headed to Japan, towards the hotbed of the current, not-yet-named Covid-19 pandemic. We would spend 3 amazing tourist-sparse weeks here, with lovely musical collaborations before departing to Finland.

September 16, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

Miyama Village • with Yukky & Taro Inoue

September 16, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

Miyama Village • with Yukky & Taro Inoue

By trains, by bus, and by foot, I arrived to the small village of Miyama in the countryside near Kyoto, Japan. I spent the day wandering through streets of traditional thatch-roofed homes and the evening making music with Yukky (voice) and Taro (mandolin).

August 20, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

Biwa in a Cafe • with Reisui Ban [OTHERLANDS: Japan]

August 20, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

In the back room of a small cafe, down a side street in Kamakura, I met with master biwa musician and vocalist Reisui Ban to experience a moment of deep oral musical tradition.

May 16, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

Shamisen, Shaukachi, Fiddle • w/ Yutaka Oyama & Akihito Obama

May 16, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

Shamisen, Shaukachi, Fiddle • w/ Yutaka Oyama & Akihito Obama

Three instruments. Three “movements.” Before arriving to Japan, I made plans to join shamisen musician Yutaka Oyama for a gig and recording session. Covid-19 canceled our gig, but thankfully we were still able to record. Akihito Obama joined us on shakuhachi (bamboo flute) and we made some magical moments.

April 24, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

Bluegrass in Japan • with Taro Inoue

April 24, 2020

Casey Driessen

otherlands

After eight years apart, I reconnected with Japanese mandolinist Taro Inoue. He had since moved from Tokyo out to a little cabin in the countryside of Kyoto. By train, by bus, and by foot, I paid him a visit and we spent the day playing Bluegrass.