Remove Records: Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself. How did the band get started?
Barbican Estate: We are 3 pieces band “Barbican Estate” based in Tokyo.
First, I (Kazuki (Gt)) and Miri(Ba, Vo) met at the venue in Tokyo Shibuya. At that time Thurston Moore came and played there.
We realized that we had the same taste for music and also other arts like movies.
And then, Koh (Dr) joined us, and we started the band in 2019!
What's your process like for recording music?
Usually, we create a foundation of song while jamming. After finishing it, we try to add other instruments like sitar, baglama while recording.
So we try to mix improvisational and oriental sounds into the songs.
What do you think of underground music in Tokyo? Do you have any favorite local bands or venues in Tokyo?
Tokyo has so many good venues. One of my favorite venue is Shimokitazawa SPREAD.
This venue has concrete floors and its looks and sounds are amazing.
Once we have played a gig with “Happy” which is one of my favorite Japanese psychedelic band at this venue.
It was a good experience for us!
Do you have hobbies outside of music?
My hobby is studying any histories of the world. Actually my major at university was “Ancient History of Greece and Rome”. By studying History, I was able to learn a lot about arts and humanities. So it has inspired me a lot for making songs.
What is coming up next for your band?
We will start the recording of our first album at the end of this month!
Who would be one band or artist you would like to collaborate with?
I would love to collaborate with past Sonic Youth members!
We have been greatly influenced by them.
How do you feel about the future of music and art?
We are living a turning point in history.
I think people want underground arts because they are oppressed by the pandemic.
Underground arts is usually great for liberating people and we expect them to go mainstream as they once did.
