GENRE:
Organic Cinematic Electronica
MORE ABOUT:
Born in 1979 in Kyoto, Midori Hirano started creating music on her computer after graduating from university with a major in classical piano. In 2004 she released the EP “Poet at the Piano” and played throughout Europe. In 2006 she released her first album “LushRush”. Following the release, she has played both with bands and as a solo performer mainly in the Kansai area. Musicians that she has performed with in the past include Momus, Shugo Tokumaru, O.lamm, mama!milk, mamie-MU (dumbtype), YTAMO (Urichipangoon) and Hauschka, among others. Midori Hirano also works with domestic and international artists in remixes and collaborations, and also creates soundtracks for European and Asian films. In 2008 she released her second album, “Klo:yuri”. In early 2009 she did her first solo European tour.
SELECTED DISCOGRAPHY:
- “Klo:yuri” (2008)
- “LushRush” (2006)
PRESS REVIEWS:
“Midori Hirano is one of those artists that I’ve been hearing about for a while now and it’s lovely to finally hear a full album of material… even more so when it’s of this calibre. Beautifully organic sounds with guitars, pianos, strings and subtle electronics that sound absolutely magical. Lovely melodies and hints of the occasional vocal, used more as an accompaniment than to convey lyrics, shine through the mix and the delicate, floating sounds really will delight you. Heartfelt music with more than a little emotion brought to you with passion and grace. Recommended.” (Smallfish Records)
“Midori Hirano immediately takes us onto a journey that is highly varied, showing us many beautiful spots and corners. Using instruments such as piano, cello, violin, guitar and digital equipment, we enter into sensitive song structures that are enriched with some noise and field recording, and which sometimes are composed of only a few notes. Her girlish voice, which sometimes comes from very far in the back, complements them in a fairy-tale-like manner. Pop pearls from the parallel world.” (JazzThetik)
“The Kyoto-born classical pianist turned electronica artist dances the divide between electronic and acoustic sound, creating lush, layered chamber music out of piano, strings, digital samples and vocals in songs that hark back to the past while hinting, irresistibly, toward the future. Hirano’s sophomore album klo:yuri takes its cue from her minimalist full-length debut, 2006′s LushRush, although she strips away much of the live instrumentation of her previous offering, relying more heavily on field recordings, synthetic effects and her own ethereal voice. These elements are blended through subtle orchestrations and seamless improvisations to create a sensual, cinematic sound — think Michael Nyman times Hans Zimmer to the power of Sigur Rós. Yet for all its textural complexity, klo:yuri is grounded in warm, intimate melodies worthy of a private salon (albeit one furnished with a laptop and a pair of keyboards).” (Time)
LINKS:
www.midorihirano.com
www.myspace.com/midorihirano
SAT, 07 NOV 09, 18:45 KINGS PLACE – HALL 2 » BUY TICKETS HERE