Can you introduce yourselves to our readers and tell us a little about your music?
Hachi: We’re Hachi&Eri from South Korea. Hachi is a 57-year-old Japanese guy from Tokyo and Eri is a 26-year-old Korean lady from Namwon, Korea.
Our debut album that was released last August is a ukulele album. We both sing and play ukulele.
What is your favourite thing about the other member of the group?
Hachi: I like Eri’s musical diversity. It’s not easy to express in English, but she has a good taste in music. She’s well versed in Korean Trot, traditional folk, Pansori, and western music.
Eri: Hachi also likes traditional Korean music and has been heavily influenced by African, Brazilian, English and American music. He has a great sense of humor as well.
Tell us about the history of the band. How did you meet and start working together?
Hachi: We met at the opening party of a restaurant. I was playing with TJ, and Eri was playing the guitar and singing a traditional Korean folk song.
How did you first discover ukulele music?
Hachi: My old friend, a famous Japanese singer Kiyoshiro, recorded an album in Hawaii back in 1983 or something, and brought back some ukuleles.
What do you most like about this sort of music?
Hachi: I’m a big fan of Ohta-san! In the US people call him Herb Ohta. He’s what I most like about this kind of music.
You recently released your debut album, Kkotteuri Piwotne. Can you tell us a bit about the album? Which is your favourite song from the album and why?
Hachi: My favourite is Kkotteuri Piwotne (And the Flowers Bloomed). Recently I realized its chord progression is similar to the hit song from the 1960s named Take Me for a Little While.
Eri: My favourites are The Star’s Night and Love It Is.
Is there a theme running through the album? What was the writing process like?
Hachi: First of all, it’s a duo album, a man and a woman. Secondly it’s a ukulele album.
As for the writing process, most of the songs we collaborated on together.
Which do you prefer: recording in the studio or playing live?
Eri: Of course live!
Hachi: I used to prefer recording, but I enjoy live music these days, too.
Hachi – As a Japanese artist in the Korean music industry, what do you think the differences are between the two music scenes? Do you think that the fans react differently to music?
Hachi: The business systems are more developed in Japan, I think. Royalties or contract stuff, things like that.. However, Korean people are much more enthusiastic than Japanese.
Hachi, you were part of progressive Time Machine but moved to Blue(s) Creation, before becoming a part of Carmen Maki & OZ all in the span of a few years. Soon after that went solo and now, you’ve switched genres to a ukulele themed group. What drove you to make this big change in your musical career?
Hachi: Well, a ukulele is not everything, but I felt like doing some small scale music this time, something simple. Maybe later I’ll do something more rock n roll.
Eri, we know a little about Hachi’s musical background but what about yours? Were you in a band before forming Hachi&Eri?
Eri: No, this is the first professional band in my life. My career is just in Pansori. Pansori is a Korean traditional musical. It may sound somewhat similar to field songs or work songs done in the Southern US. The stuff that Alan Lomax recorded. I’ve been doing that since I was 8-years-old.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Hachi: Joao Gilbelto, I want to write a songs for him!
What are your goals for the future? Would you like to play overseas?
Hachi: We reached the goal already, cause we’re playing everyday. Maybe a bit more money (laughs) Overseas? Of course, why not?
What about the near future? Do you have any concerts or releases planned?
Eri: I’m also playing with a Pansori group named Baraji. We’re going to have a concert next spring.
Hachi: My next recording will start soon, and will be released next year!
In Britain in particular, ukuleles are becoming more popular with school children as they are considered quite simple to play. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to take up the ukulele?
Hachi: We’re also beginners, so I’m not sure what to say. Enjoy it, man!
Do you have any final messages for our readers?
Hachi: Hopefully you have the chance to listen to our songs, thank you!
KoME would like to thank Monica Shin from Mirrorball Music and Hachi&Eri for making this interview possible.
