With the cosmic energy in her voice and music, the artist Hinano has come up with her latest song ‘Hymn No.1’. The song brings an enchanting vibe with its subtle instrumental arrangement. The artist has given his best performance in the song. Let’s ask her directly how she feels about it.
Q. Hey Hinano! Congratulations on the release of the song ‘Hymn No.1’, and the kind of responses you are now receiving for it. Tell us, how do you feel about that?
I think music can be a way for people to get away from the mundane drama of life and tune into higher frequencies. If people are experiencing anything nice from listening to my songs then that’s a cool thing.
Q. The song brings a feeling of spirituality and calmness with its musical arrangements. So, what was the purpose behind composing this song?
Usually with songs I am wanting to play with texture in the instruments and voices. The devotional feeling is always there with or without music so that’s not the motivation. I am just trying to make a sound that’s interesting.
Q. Do you idealize any singer from the same genre you belong to?
There’s no singer I dolize. I am more a fan of instrumentalists. I like listening to PT the guitarist and leader of BeOmega, the band I am in. He has enormous depth of sound. I like pianists like Alfa Mist, Ben Mehldau and Robert Glasper.
Q. How much do you believe that music connects people with God?
Sound is a powerful vibrational force. It can make or break universes. In mythology music could mesmerize, hypnotise, drive beings into an ecstatic frenzy for divine. Like Krishna’ s flute. I definitely think certain songs can inspire a deeper more poignant sense of wonder for divine and the universe. It can really touch a very profound depth in a being ie. emotions of compassion, love yearning, separation. It doesn’t have to have obvious spiritual lyrics or intent. Even a beautiful love song can do that.
Q. The music seems just brilliant. Your talent and expertise are vivid in the song. Do you want to share anything about yourself with the listeners?
It’s not easy for me to make songs because I am one person and I don’t consider myself to be a very good musician or singer. I borrow loops here and there but I am usually the whole band including backing singers so generally involves many layers . I never know how things will turn out. For me making a song has an uncertain element. I will try unorthodox things. Like sandwich 3 mixes together to create a final one.
Q. When did you realize that you want to be a musician?
I wanted to play piano since the age of 3. I only started taking lessons at 9. I used to sing alot at that age. I always thought I would like to do music since as long as I can remember. I was very inspired by my parent’s album collection. I would listen to Edith Piaf. I really loved “Early Libra” by Billy Cobham . I wondered where all the wonderful sounds came from. I was around 7 or 8.
Q. The song seems to have used a variety of instruments. What are they?
I like strings, guitars and piano mostly. I use some ethnic or electronic samples to get more texture.
Q. As you have quite a deep understanding of music, we want to ask some questions about music. So what are your views about today’s music industry?
I don’t know if there is anything much like a music industry anymore. Internet has made everything available for everybody. Corporate machinations have always taken the limelight off independent artists but these days anyone has more chance to get heard. Obviously there’s still a rat race out there for fame, money and power. Keeps people obsessed with material dramas. I think it’s a bit of a slave system if you are really in the commercial music industry ie. major record deal, touring, having to play same songs endlessly year year in year out. To me that’s not much of a creative life if creativity is the interest. For independent artists it’s all DIY from making music to self promotion. I think independence is a good thing. Gives a chance for more creative diversity.
Q. A rapid advancement has happened in music since the beginning of the century. Where do you see the music industry in the next 10 years?
I think it’s hard for people to make money off music and I think the whole monetary system has to change in general. More people are waking up and wanting to be less conditioned by an unfair system. Oneday money may not be as important as now. I think music will become less celebrity centric and more a natural aspect of everyone’s life where people are out there sharing more and more of their music for free and globally like how it is becoming today. Just more like that. The consciousness of the masses will mature I think.
Q. What do you want to achieve through music?
I want to hone my craft better. I feel I have successes and failures creatively…so trying to tidy up loose ends. My goals are more about aesthetics of sound.
Q. Do you want to disclose anything about your future projects?
I am currently working with around 40 untrained singers on my next song, all via email ie. sending files etc. The song should be finished in a couple of weeks.
Q. Do you want to leave any messages for your fans?
I think singing is healthy for the spirit and that everyone, musician or not should sing songs to uplift their spirit.
