Chris Randall Photo
Guitarist and composer Hiroya Tsukamoto played an amazing show at Fair Haven Furniture, turning the cozy, intimately-lit space into a personal mini-concert hall. His mix of detailed fingerpicking and heartfelt storytelling made for a captivating night, with every note filling the unique setting with warmth and emotion.
Tsukamoto, who hails from Kyoto, Japan, and is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, mixed different styles of music into his set. In one song, he used fast bluegrass-style banjo picking, adding a fun, energetic feel to his guitar playing. In another, he made his guitar sound like a Japanese shamisen, using sharp, percussive strumming to create a totally different vibe.
These influences, along with his impressive fingerpicking and unique compositions, made the concert feel like a journey through different musical traditions.
Tsukamoto’s music had a calming, almost meditative quality that made me feel completely at ease. One song he performed, “Hobbomack,” honored the Indigenous Quinnipiac and Sleeping Giant. Check out some of the songs in these videos, including “As If It Were Yesterday” above and “Hobbomack” directly below.
