Hidè Takemoto

Meet Kyoto, Japan-born UK Open Mic performer, Hidè Takemoto:

Hidè Takemoto

Hi Hidè Takemoto, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

Where were you born?

Kyoto, Japan

Where did you grow up?

Kyoto, Japan – London, U.K.

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

Definitely mashed up my musical taste from classical – Japanese – heavy metal – pop – jazz – Spanish and Indian!

Where are you based now, and why?

London – it sounds good to me in many ways.

What got you into making music in the first place?

I was a classically trained guitarist and composer but always wanted to be on stage like all the great guitar people.

What instrument/s do you play?

Guitar

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Paco de Lucía – Spanish guitar God
Steve Vai – Electric guitar God
Tommy Emmanuel – Finger style guitar God
Francisco Tárrega – Classical guitar Legend
Keigo Fujii – My guru and Tárrega’s great-great-grand student.
J. S. Bach – God of music
Jimi Hendrix – Do I need to explain why?
Ravi Shanker – God of Indian music
Michael Jackson – God of Pop
Andy Timmons – Tone God

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

About 20 years

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

Depends. I write for myself or for commissioned work, but it always feels’ best when ideas come from nowhere and see if it evolves.

Why did you get into playing open mic nights in the first place?

I was working as a classical guitarist but I decided it was time to change my job!

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

I don’t have much experience but so far it’s always been great people, great musicians and they are all so friendly and supportive and I actually made some new friends, which you can’t get any other places apart from open mic!

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

Finding time! I wish I can do it every day. 🙂

What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?

I once played while I was having piles on my arse and people were even more supportive and someone was even crying. 😀

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?

Finding enough gigs and income to stay financially stable.

What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?

I look like a beginner and/or female, but I just haven’t had a haircut fora long time and started new job after working for 20 years as a classical guitarist!