Hi I'm Shaw-Han Liem, I'm from Canada and I make music using the name "I Am Robot And Proud"!
Your new record "touch/tone" will be released on September. What do you have the concept when you start to make this?
My last album was quite a long time ago, in 2008. Since then I have been working on some collaborations, and also creating a video game called "Sound Shapes" which was released for play station 3. So I took a long break before working on this album! When my game was complete, I started to think about my new album and working on new musical ideas. I wanted this album to Feel more "physical" and also to try some new melodic structures.
How did you make this record?
I started sketching out ideas a long time ago. I think the most fun part of the creating the album is finding different sounds, and sampling a lot of different instruments.
What inspires you to create music?
I'm really inspired by combining technology and art. I like to experiment with writing software, to create new types of sounds or new musical ideas that I wouldn't have thought of before.
How did you become interested in sound construction?
Actually when I first started making albums (in 2001), I didn't know too much about sound theory and synthesis. I just wanted to create music and using a computer was the easiest way for me. Since I have been using computers for creating music for many years now, I started to get deeper into understanding of various softwares and hardware. I would love to create my own music software or hardware controller one day!
Do you think that you were influenced by any kind of music?
I'm most influenced by musicians from my home town in Toronto. And actually none of them are making electronic music. I like to watch all my friends playing music, and it really motivates me to work on my own music.
Why did you choose the name of "I Am Robot And Proud"?
It comes from an old "Astro Boy" cartoon. I chose the name when I was still in high school!
You will come to Niigata soon! How do you feel about "Niigata"?
Last time i played there was 2010, we had a show in the beautiful temple with Shugo Tokumaru's band. What a great atmosphere that was, I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to coming back!
Do you have some japanese favorite artists?
In 2010 i made an album where I invited some of my favorite musicians to remix my songs. Many were from japan like Oorutaichi, Shugo Tokumaru, Watchman and Lullatone. Of course I've made some collaborations and played a lot with Yuri Miyauchi as well.
Please let me know near future plan.
For now I am rehearsing for the tour and working on my live visuals!
Please give a massage to japanese fans!
Thank you for your support, and I'm looking forward to traveling in Japan and playing my music soon! I'm also trying to learn some japanese words!
INTERVIEW in August 2013
TRANSLATED by Naoko Yamada
TEXT by Masato Hoshino