Aki Tsuyuko

Born in Gifu, Japan, electronic composer/visual artist Aki Tsuyuko began studying both the electronic organ and Nihon-buyo, a form of Japanese classical dance, at a young age. Though she preferred piano to electronic organ and modern ballet to Nihon-buyo, learning these disciplines early on influenced the delicate, precise music she made on her own later. Erik Satie's work was another major influence: after discovering his music as a teenager, Tsuyuko interpreted his piano works to electronic organ, teaching herself composition in the process. She sent some of her music to Nobukazu Takemura in the mid-'90s, which sparked a collaboration between the two artists. Takemura released her singles and debut full-length Ongakushitsu on his Childisc label, and Tsuyuko contributed vocals and keyboards to Takemura albums including Meteor and Scope, and created video art and clay animation for Takemura's live shows. 2000 also saw the release of Ongakushitsu in the U.S. on Jim O'Rourke's Moikai imprint. While her collaboration with Takemura continued to keep her busy through the 2000s, Tsuyuko released her second album, Hokane, which was available in a limited-edition book format with photos, illustrations, and poems all by Tsuyuko, in 2006 on Thrill Jockey.