Magnetic tape reels, once the foundation of music recording, are now collecting dust in forgotten basement corners, but in the hands of Japan’s Open Reel Ensemble, these relics become something extraordinary: the JIGAKKYU. This trio—Ei Wada, Haruka Yoshida, and Masaru Yoshida—have created an unconventional sound using bamboo bows and magnetic tape .
The JIGAKKYU is built around magnetic tape, similar to what was used in reel-to-reel recorders in the 1970s. The group spreads this tape across bamboo frames, resulting in an arrangement that looks like a bow and string yet feels like a science experiment. Running bamboo bows across the tape or plucking it at various tensions and speeds allows the musicians to produce sounds ranging from spooky hums to rhythmic, danceable beats. Effects pedals and amplifiers increase the output, giving the instrument a modern edge while maintaining its analog roots. This combination of raw materials and electronic manipulation is primal and futuristic, a bridge between eras.
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The ensemble uses bamboo bows, like those found in traditional string instruments, to play out sustained notes. They can achieve a variety of tones by adjusting the bow’s pressure or speed, ranging from deep drones to sharp, percussive hits.
Ei Wada, the group’s leader, saw the old tape reels as a resource. Inspired by Japan’s tradition of combining craft with innovation, he came up with the idea of “magnetic folklore instruments”, a phrase that sums up the JIGAKKYU. Since 2000 they have performed at international festivals like Sónar in Barcelona and Ars Electronica in Austria and have been getting great reviews.
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