The Squid's Ear Magazine

Mori, Ikue

Of Ghosts And Goblins

Mori, Ikue: Of Ghosts And Goblins (Tzadik)

Electronic innovator Ikue Mori presents a captivating 9-part work drawing inspiration from Lafcadio Hearn's chronicles of Japanese folklore, through intricate laptop electronics and synthesizer work, conjuring a series of instrumental miniatures that evoke the ethereal presence of fox spirits, phantoms, and other spectral entities, a mysteriously enchanting and seductive work.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Ikue Mori-laptop, electronics, synthesizer


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UPC: 702397405320

Label: Tzadik
Catalog ID: CD-TZA-4053
Squidco Product Code: 35729

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2025
Country: USA
Packaging: Digipack - 6 panels
Recorded at Electric Komachi Studio, in New York, New York, August to November, 2024.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Lafcadio Hearn is an author who spent much of his life researching, documenting, and preserving the ancient folk tales of Japan. He published a series of books in the late 19th and early 20th century including In Ghostly Japan, Kwaidan, and Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan. Inspired by these evocative stories Ikue captures a glimpse of these mysterious ancient myths, summoning Fox-women, insects, ghosts, goblins, dreams, and delusions. This charming collection of instrumental miniatures is some of her most beautiful and sensual solo music to date."-Tzadik



Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904) was a writer and journalist renowned for his deep exploration of Japanese culture and folklore. Born in Greece and raised in Ireland, Hearn later moved to Japan, where he immersed himself in the country's traditions and legends. His works, such as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things, In Ghostly Japan, and Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan, played a pivotal role in introducing Japanese ghost stories and supernatural tales to Western audiences. Hearn's writings are celebrated for their vivid storytelling and profound respect for Japanese heritage.


Artist Biographies

"Ikue Mori moved from her native city of Tokyo to New York in 1977. She started playing drums and soon formed the seminal NO WAVE band DNA, with fellow noise pioneers Arto Lindsay and Tim Wright. DNA enjoyed legendary cult status, while creating a new brand of radical rhythms and dissonant sounds; forever altering the face of rock music.

In the mid 80's Ikue started in employ drum machines in the unlikely context of improvised music. While limited to the standard technology provided by the drum machine, she has never the less forged her own highly sensitive signature style. Through out in 90's She has subsequently collaborated with numerous improvisors throughout the US, Europe, and Asia, while continuing to produce and record her own music. 1998, She was invited to perform with Ensemble Modern as the soloist along with Zeena Parkins, and composer Fred Frith, also "One hundred Aspects of the Moon" commissioned by Roulette/Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust. Ikue won the Distinctive Award for Prix Ars Electronics Digital Music category in 99.

In 2000 Ikue started using the laptop computer to expand on her already signature sound, thus broadening her scope of musical expression. 2000 commissioned by the KITCHEN ensemble, wrote and premired the piece "Aphorism" also awarded Civitella Ranieri Foundation Fellowship. 2003 commissioned by RELACHE Ensemble to write a piece for film In the Street and premired in Philadelphia. Started working with visual played by the music since 2004. In 2005 Awarded Alphert/Ucross Residency.

Ikue received a grant from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts in 2006. In 2007 the Tate Modern commissioned Ikue to create a live sound track for screenings of Maya Deren's silent films. In 2008 Ikue celebrated her 30th year in NY and performed at the Japan Society. Recent commissioners include the Montalvo Arts Center and SWR German radio program and Shajah Art foundation in UAE. Current working groups include MEPHISTA with Sylvie Courvoisier and Susie Ibarra, PHANTOM ORCHARD with Zeena Parkins, project with Koichi Makigami and various ensembles of John Zorn. New duo Twindrums project with YoshimiO  workshop/lecture in various schools include University of Gothenburg, Dartmouth Collage, New England Conservatory, Mills Collage, Stanford University, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago"

-Ikue Mori Website (http://www.ikuemori.com/bio.html)
6/11/2025

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Fragment 6:06

2. A Passional Karma 5:34

3. Lafcadio's Garden 4:00

4. The Unknown 4:27

5. Luminous Shadow 5:29

6. Mushi No Uta (Insect Song) 2:31

7. Hour Of The Ox 6:30

8. The Eternal Haunter 5:51

9. Story Of Aoyagi The Green Willow 5:00

Related Categories of Interest:

Tzadik

Electro-Acoustic
Organized Sound and Sample Based Music
Electroacoustic Composition
Compositional Forms
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
Solo Artist Recordings
Mori, Ikue
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New in Experimental & Electronic Music
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