Interview with HANCE

A singer-songwriter who made his debut in his 40s while managing his own business at the same time, HANCE has had a somewhat unconventional journey into the music scene. Reflecting his unique perspective, his music offers a decidedly "adult" sound, pulling from a wide variety of genres and incorporating the experiences he has accumulated through his travels around the globe.

His debut single, The Night and the Lie, set the tone for his works, with a sound tailored to adult listeners and an elegant music video filmed in Valencia, Spain. The singles that followed helped pave the way for his first album, between the night, which was released in May 2021.

In December 2023, HANCE released his second album BLACK WINE, an immersive, cinematic work that highlights his unique, borderless approach. It pairs a diverse collection of tracks influenced by genres such as R&B, rock, jazz and Latin music with striking videos filmed in historic areas of Switzerland. Shortly after the release, JaME had the chance to ask HANCE some questions about the inspiration behind the album, his artistic vision, his passion for film, and his future plans.

For any readers who are unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe the music you make?

HANCE: I would describe my music as ‘cinematic music of the adults, for the adults, by the adults,’ offering a dramatic and grandiose journey akin to the immersive soundtrack of a fictional epic.

Where did the artist name “HANCE” come from? Is there a meaning behind it?

HANCE: I’m asked this question frequently, but it doesn’t have a particular meaning. But the name ‘HANCE’ is my artistic name and not my real one, so I face that character with a certain distance from my private self.

Like this fictional character Daisuke Jigen from the Japanese manga series "Lupin III", I’d like to be close to this image of having masculine and cool features.


What inspired you to start creating music?

HANCE: My grandfather was an obstetrician/gynecologist as well as a classical conductor and record collector, so I was influenced by a wide range of music. Inspired by a lot of genres of music, including classic, rock, jazz, Latin, pop, and chanson, I started getting creative with music when my grandfather gave me a classical guitar when I was in middle school.

Was there any particular artist or moment that influenced your current musical direction?

HANCE: My music draws inspiration from a diverse range of genres, making it challenging to pinpoint a specific category. Having travelled to various countries, I’ve absorbed the unique cultural elements of each region, which may be one of the reasons why HANCE’s music is borderless and genre-less.

Just like cooking, it’s akin to gathering musical influences from around the globe and infusing them with my own Japanese sensibilities.

What made you want to pursue music as a solo artist, as opposed to with a band or other creative collective?

HANCE: While the conventional expectation for a band is to mirror the collective taste and will of each member through democratic collaboration and equal contributions, my project as HANCE is distinctly personal in nature.

To bring the images and soundscapes in my mind to their fullest realisation, I partner with specialists I trust in specific fields. For filming, there’s this person; for arrangement, there’s that person; and for promotion, there’s another. It’s like Luffy from "One Piece" assembling his crew one by one, and I am the leader and project manager of a team of specialists in each field that I choose to work with. I’m an entrepreneur while a musician, so my experience here is similar to that of running a company.

Why did you select BLACK WINE as the title for your latest album?

HANCE: I’ve always loved wine, and I felt that the maturation process of wine, evolving into a more refined and flavourful state over time, mirrors my approach to crafting my own works. ‘BLACK’ symbolises the chaotic state of the world today, and coming to terms with ‘myself’ and the ‘world’ is also included in BLACK WINE.


Is there a concept or overarching sound you were aiming for with BLACK WINE?

HANCE: While there’s music in the world that appears to chase after pleasure, and I won’t disregard that genre, HANCE’s music distinctly sets itself apart from such pursuits. I’ve endeavoured to dramatise the spectrum of emotions – joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness – integrating them into the diverse scenes of daily life for the audience, much like a soundtrack for a short film.

It’s been mentioned that this album is similar to a soundtrack for a film. How did you go about writing the songs? Did you have a specific image or story in mind from the beginning, or is it something that came together along the way?

HANCE: Though I identify as a musician, my approach to work aligns more with that of a film director. It's similar to how a film director can tackle both serious suspense and comedy. In each song, I delve into the process by crafting an imagined narrative, envisioning diverse main characters spanning different ages and genders. Following that, I intertwine melodies and lyrics that match the narrative. The final product is a music video. This album serves as a compilation of each unique story and the accompanying imagery, resembling the soundtrack of a short film.

The music videos for Monochrome Sky and The Moon of Sherlock were both filmed in Switzerland. How did you choose this location for the music videos, and what kind of atmosphere were you aiming to create?

HANCE: I admit that I chose Switzerland as the filming location because I have a friend who lives there, and I had an idea that this friend would be able to help me with arranging locations and casting.

However, Switzerland offers a multitude of diverse locales. The decadent images of Monochrome Sky overlapped with the historical buildings of Zurich and Basel. The setting in Basel, where I shot the video for The Moon of Sherlock, perfectly captured the envisioned imagery I had in mind.

Up until now, HANCE’s music videos have been filmed not only in Japan but also internationally, spanning locations such as Valencia, Spain and Berlin, Germany. I am open to visiting anywhere in the world if there is a place close to my image.


Since it’s been mentioned that BLACK WINE was imagined as something of a soundtrack, are there any films or soundtracks that made a strong impact on you as an artist?

HANCE: I’ve got inspired by omnibus films such as "Night on Earth" by Jim Jarmusch and "7 Days in Havana", set in the Cuban capital of Havana. I like films that don’t convey intrusive or eccentric messages, but rather resonate with the everyday experiences and emotions of people. Above all, I am drawn to the ‘scent’ that emanates from these films.

Is there any particular film genre you are fond of? If so, why?

HANCE: I especially like films like "The Godfather", which express masculine romanticism and a sense of sorrow. Specifically, I watch a lot of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro films. Although there are many extreme/violent scenes, I’m attracted to those aspects of films that delve beyond superficiality, expressing the vulnerability and fragility in human beings.

You’ll be performing at Japan Impact in Switzerland in February. What are you looking forward to from your appearance at the convention?

HANCE: This year, I anticipate performances not only in Switzerland but also in Spain in April and May, along with appearances at music festivals in Hungary and Germany in July. Looking ahead, my aspiration is to extend performances beyond Japan and take HANCE’s music across the globe. The theme of ‘Music transcends national borders’ has always been my guiding principle, and I am eagerly anticipating how HANCE’s music will be embraced outside of Japan.

Switzerland is the country where I shot my music videos, and the country holds a special place in my heart, so I’m thrilled to visit.

Do you have any interest in anime or gaming, or past experience visiting other anime-related events?

HANCE: Unfortunately, I have never participated in such events myself, but I have been familiar with anime and video games since I was a child. I’m aware of the global popularity of Japanese anime and games, and I’ve heard that many of the festivals where I’ll be performing overseas draw audiences fond of Japanese culture.

Are there any goals you would like to achieve as a musician?

HANCE: Crafting my own music, transforming it into a video, and delivering it to listeners worldwide – I’m in the midst of fulfilling a dream I’ve had for years, so I already feel extremely happy now. But on top of that, if the opportunity arises, I would love to create soundtracks or theme songs for films, given my deep love for cinema!

What else can fans look forward to from HANCE in 2024?

HANCE: I sincerely thank you for listening to HANCE’s music in this world overflowing with musical choices. I know that sometimes, life can be challenging and filled with moments of sorrow. If HANCE’s music can offer support during those times, nothing would make me happier.

I will continue to meticulously craft each and every one of my songs, so please stay tuned for future releases. If I ever have a concert near where you live, please come and experience my music live!

JaME would like to thank HANCE and Vegas PR Group for making this interview possible.

A trailer for BLACK WINE can be viewed below, and links to download and stream the album on various online music platforms are available here.