Two days ago, I saw the HU preform live. It was beautiful. I really appreciate the deep sounds and how well all the members work together to make a truly memorable show.
While watching, I observed the percussionist, Ono, playing on electric drums.
I have been fascinated by electric instruments for a while. The ones that are made of rubber where the sound is only recorded on the computer or heard through speakers rather than reverberating sounds from the instrument itself.
I have been interested in these types of equipment since I started talking about them with my friend, Shouta. He also plays a variety of instruments, and we had discussed electric percussion instruments in the past.
While I was studying the instrument (and Ono playing it) during the show, I was able to pick up the small rubber and metallic sounds that the instrument itself would make aside from the loud beats coming from the speakers.
I thought to myself, I wonder how it must feel to hit an instrument and instead of it making the sound itself, it is coming from a separate place (the speakers). I wonder if it would feel disconnected to not have the satisfaction of something coming directly from an action you are doing. I realized that it might be the same feeling of disconnect that digital artists get comfortable with feeling when we draw things that are on a screen instead of physically in our hands. There is a layer of separation from both artistic practices.
I wonder how people feel about this barrier that is between them and the art they are creating in the moment.
I will attach one of their songs. It is one of my personal favorites. I was very excited to be able to hear it played live.
Yuve Yuve Yu - the HU
The HU performing at Midway, Edmonton (Oct. 24.2021) - Photo taken by Luna Fyrewillow