In The Dark Woods

Blending the electronic sounds of the synthesizer with the warmth of a string quartet or the eloquence of a piano, Akira Kosemura takes us on a spiritual journey that unlocks a variety of emotions. His acute ear for texture, whatever the instrument used, is particularly striking and effective, and he writes for strings with a real feeling for the humanity that lies behind the sounds he creates. With gently repeating phrases, rich harmonies, and a pulse that feels organic, *In the Dark Woods* is a sophisticated series of reflections on our inner life, prompted by the world around us.

In The Dark Woods (Official Music Video) youtu.be/YqGrbrblORs Resonance (Official Music Video) youtu.be/_hgQAYROXpw Akira Kosemura releases a new album “In The Dark Woods”. This album is produced under very intimate and personal environment, with combination of electronic and acoustic sound of Piano, Wurlitzer, and Synthesizer with a strings quartet, as similar to the music heard from his previous improvisational solo piano work “One Day” released in 2016. “Treasuring a serene feeling and an intimate conversation with oneself.” is the main concept of his new work, which recalls a vivid emotions, as music goes into one’s body and feels a blood flow deep into a heart. As indicated in the title, an entire album is filled with an obscure darkness and a world of misty sounds never to be feared of, like a comfortable quietness in the dark where a child in the womb is hearing mother’s heartbeat. As the music goes on, it gradually begin to widen an introspective worldview. The combined sounds of repeated phrases as seen in minimal music method, a sophisticated crossover sound in between acoustics and electronics, and an improvisational solo piano will present the worldview suggestive of a broad theme, such as a circulation of life or the law of nature. The highlights of the album “In The Dark Woods” and its variations “Letter From A Distance” will leave the listeners with deep emotions and afterglow, as one sees a glimpse of a path beyond the darkness found in inner deep woods after an inward conversation. "Profile" Born in Tokyo, June 6th, 1985. In 2007, debuted from Australian label with his first solo album “It’s On Everything” while he’s at school. At the same year, he founded own label “Schole Records”, and garner good reviews by releasing various albums of crossover genre music with the sound of Piano, strings, synthesizer, and field recording. Akira has composed music for films, stage, and commercials, such as “Embers (directed by Junpei Matsumoto)” starring Yuya Yagira, “Haru-chika (directed by Masahide Ichii)” starring Kanna Hashimoto and Shori Sato, a contemporary ballet piece “MANON (choreography by Kimiho Hulbert)”, TV commercial of au Santaro, and Japan Pavilion in Milano EXPO. In recent years, he works collaboratively with international companies such as IKEA, NIKON, KINFOLK, RADO. His works were introduced and received high acclaim from popular US music media “PITCHFORK” and the major Australian newspaper “THE AGE”, which drew additional attraction not only Japan but to overseas as a composer.