Shishido Kavka hosts a rhythm event that brings together top drummers and percussionists! "I want people to feel the rhythm and free themselves."

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Shishido Kafka

She made her CD debut in 2012 with the song "Aisuru Kakugo" (Ready to Love) in a drum and vocal style. She also works as a model and actress, and made her first starring role in the NHK Drama 10, "Hamura Akira: The World's Unluckiest Detective." She also actively produces her own event, "El Tempo."

Please tell us about the much talked about event "El Tempo" produced by Shishido Kavka.

"El Tempo" is an improvisation session event in which I, as the conductor, use over 100 hand signals to signal the performers and create rhythms. The performers are some of Japan's leading percussionists and drummers.

　The first challenge for both conductors and performers is memorizing over 100 different hand signs. Because it's an improvisational performance, I, as the conductor, need to instantly decide which sign to use and when to use it from the 100+ available.

　The tone is determined by a single sign from the conductor, so if the tone turns out strange, it's all my fault. I always worry, "What if I can't think of any signs to use on stage?", but I'm really happy when the performers, the audience, and the venue come together as one and everyone enjoys themselves.

How to enjoy El Tempo?

　Feel the rhythm, have a drink, and let yourself go. We'll work our magic on the space.

　We don't allow minors to attend because we want to create an event that will make people want to go back to that place when they grow up. We hope it will become a playground where adults can have fun to their heart's content.

Please give a message to university students.

　I believe that university is a place where there are many things worth utilizing. If there is something you want to study at university, you should make use of it all, and if there is something you want to do outside of school, it is an environment where you can easily find time for it. There are many fun things to do in the world, but look beyond the immediate future and devote your all to the things you truly love.

I think the best thing to do is to be honest about what you like. There are probably many ways to make that happen, so I hope each of you will explore them.

From the April 20, 2020 issue of the Student Newspaper (Naoto Kajima, third-year student at Chukyo University)

Photo by professional photographer Seita Hirota