Delicate. Ethereal. Otherworldly. These, and any number of similar adjectives, have been used to describe the music of Ichiko Aoba. Having first picked up the classical guitar at age 17 after being inspired (and later mentored) by eight-string classical guitarist Anmi Yamada, her sonic universe is anchored on her crystalline voice and the folk melodies that she crafts, often just on her guitar. Her sound now encompasses more experimental compositions and sweeping orchestral arrangements, but the way her work is talked about stays the same: “sublime beauty” (Pitchfork), “enchantingly intimate” (Treble), “immersive, celestial landscape” (The Guardian).

Watching her and her team sweep into Esplanade's cargo lift, all these adjectives do not fully capture the breadth of her artistry. Instead, the word which surfaces is “intentional”. From the angle of her guitar to the placement of flowers and props, every movement, action, and position is made of deliberate, purposeful choices. And the results speak for themselves. Alongside her primary collaborator, pianist Taro Umebayashi, Aoba transformed the lift into a sparkling, cinematic world—speckles of nature-inspired sounds alongside fluid melodies conjured by Umebayashi and Aoba’s deft fingers.

Special thanks to Camera Rental Centre Singapore for their support of this video.

Audio recording & mixing: 4th Wall Studios
Video: Lee Jing Wei