Chihei Hatakeyama

*100 copies limited edition* "My initial idea for this album was to create a sequel to "Above The Desert" and explore guitar drones again. I used to record guitar drones daily, but having a clear concept influenced the outcome. Listening to the recorded songs, I noticed an unexpected number of Fender-type guitars and fewer Les Pauls, my usual main instrument. I combined new guitar effects and processed the improvised material in various ways. In guitar drones, the difference between Gibson and Fender types lies in the 100HZ to 200HZ range. For this album, Fender guitars were used to manage the mid-low range and highlight higher frequencies.

I mixed and edited the album in fall 2024, a hectic time with an upcoming European tour and frequent gigs. Weekdays were spent in the studio, and weekends were for performing around Japan. A significant influence on the album's image was Shirahama in Izu, where childhood visits with my family left lasting memories. The area's Showa-era ambiance and beautiful sea helped shape the album's final image.

The title "Thousand Oceans" reflects the countless oceans in the universe. The slight pitch shifts in the guitar drones resemble waves, which inspired the title." - Chihei Hatakeyama