Exposed Vocals Interviews ZY-MA
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
ZY-MA: You invited me to sign up by email. Thank you very much.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
ZY-MA: I was born in Gifu, and grew up in Gunma, Japan.
My friend asked ‘ Why don’t you play the drums?’ Once I started, I couldn’t stop playing!
Without worrying about anything in particular, I decided to become a professional drummer.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
ZY-MA:My family name is Iijima, and I was called Jiima by my friends. From there it became ZY-MA.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
ZY-MA:There are great but unknown musicians in the world. It’s fascinating that you can introduce your music to listeners all over the world.
My teacher Cecil Monroe and my guitarist friend’s teacher Richie Hart are really cool!
At rehearsal, I record my music on a portable recorder every time, but then I upload the recording to Sound Cloud.
Why? Because I want you to listen to it!
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
ZY-MA:I teach how to play the drums. The most important thing is to sing. Singing comes out directly through the instruments.
If you want to increase the opportunities for airplay, you need to keep on introducing your music through SNS and the like.
That’s how I’ve got a invitation from a music site such as Exposed Vocals.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
ZY-MA:I never make mistakes. But if I dropped my sticks, I’d just pick them up. That’s all.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
ZY-MA:Well, I can fool around with girls…
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
ZY-MA: I often go to a studio for a session and songwriting. Then I take out (extract) the good parts and make it into music what I want.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
ZY-MA:Youtube, Sound Cloud, Twitter,
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
This is kind of embarrassing, but it was a fun take. So this is guilty pleasure.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
ZY-MA:I’d gather my favorite musicians and travel all over the world.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
ZY-MA:Recently, I built a private studio! In the future, it will be my recording studio.
I play the drums as a support musician for singers and songwriters, and I not only play the drums, but I also DJ.
I want to dabble in many things!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
ZY-MA:Distributing your music on the Internet, of course, but getting gigs is important, too. Anyway, keep on introducing your music!
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
ZY-MA:I want to get a gig with Robert Glasper and Christian Mcbride. I like them and was influenced by them.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
ZY-MA: I’m playing drums with Satoru Miura, and we’re in the middle of recording, but it seems like it’ll be interesting.
Also, my band Game Theory will be performing, and there are so many fun things to come in this year!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
ZY-MA:I have no idea…..
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
ZY-MA:It was globe’s album, globe. I saw it on TV and I came to want it.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
ZY-MA:De-cluttering.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
ZY-MA: I will mix hip-hop sounds into various kinds of music. I’m looking forward to your constant support.