Ryosuke Kiyasu 'Snare Drumming As Performance Art' NZ Shows Announced

Ryosuke Kiyasu, drummer for Keiji Haino's legendary heavy psych unit Fushitsusha since 2012, is journeying to Aotearoa for a pair of solo events at Tāmaki Makaurau's Audio Foundation and Pōneke's Pyramid Club this coming April. The Japanese artist's boundary pushing percussion performances take minimal instrumentation to dizzying heights, bringing to light a full spectrum of sounds that can be coaxed from a single snare drum. Anyone with a hunger for senses-expanding aural experimentation needs to head along to the dates below [you'll see me in the front row – Ed.]...

UPDATE 19/03/20: Japanese snare drum master Ryosuke Kiyasu has announced the cancellation of his April Aotearoa events here.

Ryosuke Kiyasu
Wednesday 8th April - Pyramid Club, Wellington [cancelled]
Thursday 9th April - Audio Foundation, Auckland [cancelled]

Watch a short BBC News interview with Ryosuke Kiyasu with snippets from a live performance event...

Press release:

Ryosuke Kiyasu began his drumming career in 1995, working with a number of different groups across various styles. In 2003 he relocated to North America seeking to further his experience as a drummer, and to play solo with snare drums. While living in Canada, Kiyasu started the hardcore band, THE ENDLESS BLOCKADE, and then after returning to Japan in 2004, grindcore outfit, SETE STAR SEPT, and free jazz group, KIYASU ORCHESTRA. Since then he has released numerous works and has performed throughout the world, developing a unique style incorporating amplification, feedback, brute force and theatrical humor.

Since 2012, Kiyasi has worked alongside legendary Japanese artist, Keiji Haino, as a drummer in FUSHITSUSHA. His solo work on snare drum explores every aspect of the instrument – skins, rims, top and bottom, hit with sticks, brushes, fingers and fists, soft and hard, slowly or rapidly – mapping the territory of the Snare through sound and performance.

Snare Drumming as Performance Art: Short bursts of intense energy, recalling the harsh noise of mid-90s, as well as the regimented displays of traditional percussion ensembles and military bands. As percussion transforms through performance as a drone, the acoustic properties of the enclosing space are elicited – by way of thousands of drum-strokes, room modes and overtones make themselves apparent.

Ryosuke Kiyasu has performed throughout Asia, North America, Europe and the Pacific, including United States of America, Canada, Indonesia, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Mongolia.