Ikue Mori Quotes

Powerful Ikue Mori for Daily Growth

About Ikue Mori

Ikue Mori (born March 18, 1957) is an influential Japanese musician, sound artist, and composer known for her innovative work in the realm of experimental music and improvisation. Born and raised in Tokyo, Mori's musical journey began at a young age when she learned to play traditional Japanese instruments such as the koto and shamisen. However, it was her discovery of jazz and free improvisation that truly shaped her unique artistic identity. In 1982, Mori moved to New York City, where she immersed herself in the vibrant avant-garde music scene. She collaborated with notable figures like John Zorn, Elliot Sharp, Fred Frith, and Yo La Tengo. Her collaboration with Zorn on his album "Masada" led to a long-standing musical partnership that continues to this day. Mori's work is characterized by her unconventional use of found objects, electronics, and traditional Japanese instruments, creating a distinctive blend of sounds that defy categorization. She often employs unorthodox techniques such as striking drum sets with mallets, using her voice as an instrument, and manipulating field recordings. Some of Mori's significant works include "Nana-bi" (1987), a solo album that showcases her inventive approach to percussion, and her collaborative efforts with Zorn on albums like "Kosmos Polka" (1994) and "The Gift" (2000). Her latest project, "Akari" (2017), is a hauntingly beautiful album that explores the sounds of traditional Japanese paper lanterns. Ikue Mori continues to push boundaries in her music, influencing a new generation of experimental musicians. Her unique style and innovative spirit make her a significant figure in contemporary music.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In my music, it's not about the past or the future, it's all about now."

Ikue Mori's quote emphasizes her approach to music as being wholly focused on the present moment. In this view, the power of music lies in its ability to transcend temporal boundaries, connecting listeners to a timeless experience that is only possible when one is fully immersed in the current instant. This perspective invites us all to find joy and creativity in living fully in the now, as the fleeting nature of each moment offers limitless potential for innovation and connection.

"I like the idea that you can make something out of nothing."

This quote emphasizes the power of creativity, innovation, and transformation. It suggests that one has the ability to take intangible ideas, aspirations, or potential, and shape them into tangible realities. In essence, it highlights the human capacity to generate value from seemingly insignificant or non-existent starting points, fostering optimism and encouraging exploration of the possibilities inherent in our minds.

"When I play, I try to imagine what other people are feeling."

Ikue Mori's quote implies that she, as a musician, seeks empathy in her performance by trying to understand and express the feelings of others. This act of emotional attunement allows her music to resonate with listeners on a deeper level, fostering a sense of shared experience and human connection.

"Music is a way to communicate without words."

Ikue Mori's quote suggests that music transcends the need for verbal language, allowing people to express emotions, ideas, or stories in a universal and non-verbal manner. It underscores the profound power of music as a tool for connection and understanding across cultures, languages, and social barriers, enabling us to share complex feelings and concepts without relying on words alone.

"My music is not just for one person or one time – it's for everyone, all the time."

Ikue Mori's quote suggests that her music transcends individual experiences and moments in time. It's universal, intended to resonate with people regardless of their background, emotions, or circumstances. Her compositions are meant to be timeless, holding relevance and meaning for all listeners at any given point in their lives. Essentially, Mori envisions her music as a shared, collective experience that transcends the boundaries of personal space and time.

The most important thing is that it's much more fun to play in a band than to be in an audience in a club. That's the main thing I think, that you can do it.

- Ikue Mori

Play, Think, Audience, Club

Improvising things is always changing. A lot of momentum.

- Ikue Mori

Always, Things, Lot, Improvising

Actually, there was another band where we were three girls, around '84 when I met John Zorn, called Sunset Chorus. It was just bass and drums and guitar- we didn't make any records but we played a lot of different clubs in New York.

- Ikue Mori

Three, Records, Another, Chorus

Somebody gave me this drum machine and somebody else asked me to program something for a project. I really liked programming and I was really interested in using the drum machine.

- Ikue Mori

Project, Drum, Using, Programming

I always wanted to get out of Tokyo and in 1977, New York seemed like the most interesting place to visit. I didn't intend to live here- I just wanted to get out and see what was happening. I just happened to stay here then.

- Ikue Mori

See, Here, Out, Interesting Place

Because it's dance music, you can't really have a lot of changing in there. It's really not for me because there's too much repetition. I like more diversity.

- Ikue Mori

Too Much, More, Like, Dance Music

With a rock band, you play the same things over and over and over.

- Ikue Mori

Play, Rock, Over, Same Things

Mars is really different, into art. Lydia Lunch is more energy. James Chance is more commercial in a different way, in funk and jazz. They were all doing original things, trying to create their own sound and music. I think they're all great.

- Ikue Mori

Lunch, Doing, Commercial, Funk

I really didn't intend to be a musician when I left Japan.

- Ikue Mori

Left, Musician, Japan, Intend

I still think that I'm playing instruments, not just pushing buttons and there it goes. It's interactive and alive with the sound and the manipulation and it plays like instruments.

- Ikue Mori

Think, Still, Buttons, Instruments

So now I don't have time to practice drums. It's been five years since I've touched the drums.

- Ikue Mori

Practice, Been, Touched, Drums

The way I create music is maybe like a painting, to compose in a more visual way. Basically it's the music that I want to hear- that's my inspiration and bottom line. I just try to get ideas from books, movies, paintings.

- Ikue Mori

Inspiration, Line, Maybe, Bottom Line

Come to think of it, the way I play is like a drum machine- very mechanical.

- Ikue Mori

Play, Think, Very, Machine

I'm interested in stories and the dark side of peoples' minds.

- Ikue Mori

Minds, Side, Stories, Dark Side

I was playing in other rock bands. Any of those bands didn't last long.

- Ikue Mori

Rock, Other, Last, Bands

Blood and death. That moves me.

- Ikue Mori

Death, Me, Blood, Moves

I got tired of different drum sounds so you buy different effects for more manipulation.

- Ikue Mori

More, Effects, Sounds, Drum

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