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a small sun

by Shizka Ueda

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1.
hidamari 06:38
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hidamari とびらのおくからとびだした 嵐のなかへと　 ただこころをたよりに走る きみの記憶とちいさな太陽　 むねにひそませ息をはく 嵐のなかへととびだした 世界をやぶいて　 ただこころのままに走る きえる記憶とちいさな太陽 むねにひそませ息をはく 道はギザギザ　 きずだらけにもなるだろう あかい土くれ　 顔中にぬって さけべ　 おどれ　 うたえ ひだまりの輪の中で　 いま
2.
cucumbers’ theme 04:46
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3.
improvisation 5 (May 1, 2018) 07:59
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4.
yudachi 06:21
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yudachi さようなら　昨日の月 こんにちは　今日の日よ 海のひの呼ぶ声に まのびしたぼくの夜あけ 土のにおいと ちいさい雷鳴 よこしまなグレー 集中豪雨 だれかが屋根にあなをあけたよ 真夜中のプール そっとひらいて 髪のなかにも 夏がはいりこむ 砂利道でころんで 膝小僧切ったよ ガラスのかけらだけが こころから溢れた 金色の一つ目がのぞいていたよ むこうの山の稜線から ざんざんぶりの母のなみだも なまぬるくて気持ちがいいよ 帰れなくなって 帰るのをやめた むこうの山の きみに手を振る
5.
improvisation 4 (Radio show excerpt) 10:12
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6.
visage 01:27
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visage motomete hattaite kokoro no naka niwa nai kokoro no naka nimo motometa motometa chigitta kage wo oi kake te oi kake te
7.
song for guitar and voice 03:55
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8.
improvisation 1 (May 8, 2017) 05:01
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9.
black flower 05:16
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black flower くろい花 咲いてしまったくろい花 うらの川まで流しにゆきます いつもの洗濯 いつもの買い物 いつものくちべに いつものエプロンで うらの川まで出かけます 豆腐を買いにいくように しろい手首で 小脇にかかえ 土手ではひとにみられてしまいます だれにも気づかれずにそっと流したいのです 咲いてしまったくろい花 だれにもみられないように流しましょう 夕陽は貫いて わたしの頬を焦がす おなかのなかの曼珠沙華 とびちって家を焼きつくす 土手はぐらぐらゆれるけど 今日のたらいにはくろい花 えんじのスカート　 刺繍のつっかけ ご近所様ともあいさつするの いつものくちべに いつものエプロンで いつものたらいを小脇にかかえ 小走りします
10.
improvisation 2 (May 8, 2017) 14:17
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11.
hidamari awano mix 08:20
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hidamari とびらのおくからとびだした 嵐のなかへと　 ただこころをたよりに走る きみの記憶とちいさな太陽　 むねにひそませ息をはく 嵐のなかへととびだした 世界をやぶいて　 ただこころのままに走る きえる記憶とちいさな太陽 むねにひそませ息をはく 道はギザギザ　 きずだらけにもなるだろう あかい土くれ　 顔中にぬって さけべ　 おどれ　 うたえ ひだまりの輪の中で　 いま

about

This debut album by Shizka Ueda titled “a small sun” consists of original songs and improvised pieces she recorded in New York City and Ann Arbor, Michigan with local musicians and the engineer and co-producer, Sean Schuster-Craig (Jib Kidder), who also mixed the album. Lyrics represent the worldview of shizka, who conducts clinical psychology activities on a daily basis. Her falsetto voice and guitar combined with Schuster-Craig’s sampling and overdubs create a folky avant-pop mind trip. In “Hidamari” the story in which a dream and reality overlap culminates from the combination of natural sounds and sampled percussion, while “Yudachi” expresses the nostalgia of childhood emerging from overlapping sounds of everyday life. The improvisational sessions are composed of various acoustic instruments along with toys and other devices with guest appearances by Jason Adam Voss, philip gayle, and Sean Schuster-Craig.

Born in Kanagawa, Japan, Shizka grew up surrounded by her older brother’s record collection, absorbing many diverse genres of music. Her solo performances are her playing guitar and singing layered with samples and loops that have evolved into a unique style all her own. In 2012 she co-founded the low-fi electronic unit The Cucumbers. In 2018 she expanded her live and recording venues to Tokyo, New York, and Michigan. In 2021 she formed the experimental pop group Nolens Volens, playing her original pieces along with cover songs by artists from around the world as well as improvisational works in progress. Based in Tochigi, Japan, Shizka is a clinical psychologist and has co-authored three books with essays on psychology and music.

credits

released November 29, 2023

Shizka Ueda: guitar, voice, synthesizer, percussion
Sean Schuster-Craig: guitar, bass, cello, voice, percussion
Philip Gayle: guitar, waterphone, voice, percussion, bicycle wheel (1,2,4,5,8,9,10)
Levon Henry: bass clarinet (1,9)
Memi Cotan: drums (11)
Michio Ogawa: guitar (11)
Yamazaki Neiro: bass (11)
Jason Adam Voss: assorted instruments (23)

Recorded and mixed by Sean Schuster-Craig in NY, NY & Ann Arbor, MI.
All songs written by Shizka Ueda.

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Accretions

An artist-based independent label with an ear towards improvised and experimental sounds.
We are celebrating our 35th anniversary this year with many new releases including a 12" compilation LP.
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