ANNA HARDY
This Japanese artist was already an accomplished pianist, organist, violinist and flautist before she discovered prog.
Multi-instrumentalist Anna Hardy hadn’t encountered prog music until she’d already joined a prog band – an unusual situation, perhaps, but one that illustrates how difficult it can be to discover the genre in her native Japan.
The nation’s audiences are renowned for the way in which they connect with artists from overseas; but with so many calls on their attention, some music they might love is inevitably going to pass them by. So it was for Hardy, who’d begun playing piano at the age of three and soon took up violin and later flute as well.
“At high school I started working as the chapel organist,” she says, offering a hint of her talents. “My family and friends hadn’t been interested in prog so I hadn’t listened to any – instead it was classical music like Bach, Sibelius and Liszt.” That changed when she joined Japanese prog band Mizuki da Fantasia in 2016, and met producer and journalist Quo Ichiro.“He introduced me to [the music of] Genesis, King Crimson, Rick Wakeman, Renaissance and many more,” Hardy says. “As soon as I heard prog I was very interested.
I cautiously started writing songs in consultation with Quo and learned a lot more from studio engineers and other musicians.”
The result is her debut solo album, Lunatic Spells, recorded as a result of the band going on hold. “I think progressive rock and classical music share the idea that musical expression should be unlimited,” she explains. “I aimed for a true fusion with contemporary prog music.”
Still, Hardy says it remains hard to gain attention in Japan. “It’s not easy where hip hop and dance music are so popular,” she says. “Many young people are comfortable with the stereotype that prog music is incomprehensible – I’d like to get rid of that, break that stereotype down.”
She describes her experiences so far with Mizuki da Fantasia as exciting and positive. “Vocalist Mizuki and I knew each other before I joined, so it was very natural to play in her band,” Hardy recalls. “It was fun, and a great way to get to know the world of prog and rock. I hope more people will listen to my music in the future, and
I’d like people all over the world to listen too.” MK
“I’d like to get rid of prog’s stereotype and break it down.”