*The following is a translation using translation software. I hope you can understand.*
Asturias has been active in three different forms, starting as "Asturias" in 1987, "Acoustic Asturias" in 2003, and "Electric Asturias" in 2009, and continues to pursue new paths in progressive rock.
Acoustic Asturias (Acoas), which has been active for many years with an unconventional chamber music arrangement, ended its activities as the first Acous in 2022, renewed its members, and started again with a new arrangement that added a cello, and has now released its long-awaited first album.
The serious, heavy sound with the addition of a cello holds new possibilities that can even express the depths of the world. The album title "Somewhere not Here" was inspired by the last question, "Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?"
Please enjoy the new challenge of the new Acous, which aims to be "somewhere other than here."
＜Heliocentrism＞
I wrote this song with the intention of making it a calling card that symbolizes the new ACORS lineup, and one that will leave an impact as the first song on the album. It has the power of the cello's low notes (the lowest note = open string C is used frequently), aggressive phrases in the high range, and is a song that seems to have been written for cellist Sano. The song unfolds thrillingly with off-beat rhythms and subtle intertwining with the violin and piano. The title was inspired by the heliocentric manga "Chi. -About the Earth's Movement-". I really like the part in the middle where the cello sings calmly, which is inspired by the scene where the protagonist is saved by being bathed in the morning sun after suffering. Kitagawa's jazzy piano solo is refreshing!
＜Shinyomawari＞
The game "Midnight Shadows" released in 2017. Personally, I'm not a fan of horror games, but the world view that gives me a sense of nostalgia and melancholy stirred my imagination, and I created my favorite main theme. This time, we have arranged and recorded it with the permission of the producer. Led by a simple piano, the string ensemble adds emotion to the song. I created this song with all my heart to express the feelings of a young child towards "night", the complex emotions of curiosity and awe. I hope that each listener will remember their own childhood in their own way.
<Midsommarstång>
This was created as the second Nordic Celtic line after "Juhannus". The various characteristics of the four instruments are utilized based on an ethnic concept, and the song is quite unique, drifting between major and minor keys. Midsommarstång is a pillar decorated with flowers that is erected in the square during the Nordic summer solstice festival, and everyone sings and dances around it to celebrate the arrival of summer. I hope you will listen to it while imagining that scene.
<Time Traveller>
This popular, sad song from Eleas' second album, "Elementals," has been arranged for acoustic use. Although it was originally a band arrangement, it was a song mainly for the violin, so I think it fits perfectly as an acoustic repertoire. At times it is mellow and mysterious, and in the second half it develops aggressively with solos from each member. I hope you can feel the unique characteristics of acoustic music while comparing it to the band version.
<Rhythmus>
This song was composed by violinist Hoshino and is included in his solo album. When he joined AcoAs, he suggested that we write a song with an odd time signature, and we arranged it for a four-person ensemble. The 7/8 time signature minimalist development has a Celtic climax, making it the perfect song for AcoAs! (Ohyama).
"Rhythm" means rhythm in German. I often wrote songs with a melody in mind, so I wrote this song with rhythm in mind. One of the reasons I wanted to try writing a song with an odd time signature, which I hadn't done much at the time, was because of that! (Hoshino).
<Ricochet>
This song was created with the image of a Piazzolla-style tango. The title "Ricochet" is also the name of a Tangerine Dream album, and it refers to a bullet bouncing off a wall. I named it after the sharp, aggressive rhythm of the song. Later, I learned that there is a technique for violin playing called "ricochet," which involves plucking the strings with a bow, and I asked him to incorporate this into his solo part. This is another song in which Hoshino plays an active role with his aggressive playing.
<Snowy Landscape>
Composed by pianist Kitagawa. At first listen, it is a soothing world with gentle piano phrases and live instruments, but the beat changes subtly for each scene. He must have the DNA of odd beats (^^). This song also turned out to be a typical Acoustic song that makes use of the new arrangement (Ohyama).
The intro is a scene of gazing at the snow that has started to fall from the window of a room. The light-hearted part in the middle is a fantastical silver world depicting animals in a snow-covered forest. I composed this with the image of snow turning everything white and transforming it into a fantastical world (Kitagawa).
<White Room>
In 2007, I participated in the omnibus album "Tribute to Eric Clapton." Many famous singers participated in this album, and while many of the arrangements are from the perspective of regular pop music, we wanted to leave our own mark as AcoAs!
We boldly arranged Cream's rock classic with a chamber music perspective and progressive rock essence. As a result, we think we were able to stand out by far (?!). This remake version, in which the clarinet is replaced with a cello, is included in the album for the first time. Sekiguchi's powerful piano solo explodes!
<D'où venons-nous ? Que sommes-nous ? Où allons-nous ?>
Actually, it was composed around 2014. It was performed live several times after that, and was considered to be the next representative song with a serious and sad melody, but it was not recorded, and I am overjoyed that it has finally become a reality. The desire to make this song into a form was definitely the driving force behind restarting AcoAs, and it is a song that is very meaningful to me. The name was inspired by Gauguin's masterpiece in his later years, which is said to have been painted when he decided to die. This is the state of mind that Gauguin, who is said to have had personality problems, reached after reflecting on his life. Now that I'm of that age, I feel like I can understand his feelings. What is the purpose of human beings' birth, how do we live, where are we headed? This piece expresses my own musical life through reflection. Once again, I'd like to thank the members for performing with all their heart <(_ _)>. Please listen carefully.
With a new lineup and a fresh start, Acoustic will continue to pursue new paths in "progressive chamber music." We look forward to your continued support.
August 24, 2024 Yoh Ohyama