With their latest album Paramnesia, UK-based instrumental quartet Kusanagi venture deep into the hazy realms of abstract dream states, navigating the blurred lines between memory and reality. But how does a band with no lyrics manage to guide listeners through such an intricate concept?
We sat down with the band to explore how they crafted this conceptual journey, the genres they bend, and even which animals would front their dream-state house band. Kusanagi (Liverpool, UK) was formed in October 2011 and consists of four members, Alan Caulton (guitar), Ben Davis (guitar), Dan Hunt (bass) and Dean Caffery (drums). All members share a common interest in creating music that has been inspired by a variety of different styles and genres from Post Rock, Electronic, Metal, Hip Hop, Synth Wave and Classical.
“Paramnesia” explores abstract dream states and blurred lines between reality and memory — how did you translate such a conceptual theme into instrumental music without lyrics to guide the listener?
The band had a few ideas about what kind of aesthetic and vibe musically they wanted to pursue based on the first track that they completed writing which was titled “Equilibria” which then gave the guitarist Alan Caulton an idea of the possible abstract links between Reality and Dreams and to see if there was a word or theme that would be able to convey this possible abstract world where the music could take the listener on a journey through these various dreamscapes. After a couple of weeks of reading through different concepts based on this idea the word “Paramnesia” seemed to be the perfect choice to describe this particular dream-like musical world that the band was trying to create.
Your sound pulls from a wide range of genres including Post-Rock, Electronic, Metal, and even Classical — how do you balance these influences without one overpowering the others?
Over the years of writing music together, the band have kind of a musical language and understanding of what kind of different genres and influences they would like to include from each member depending on what they are all being inspired by in that moment or where they as a collective would like to take the music further when beginning a particular project. The balance of blending styles and influences can be slightly challenging at times but the band really enjoy the creative process, combining every member’s ideas and musical vision to create the music that they are inspired to make for each of the particular projects that they are involved in.
Festivals like ArcTanGent and Portals are known for showcasing cutting-edge, experimental acts — how have those live experiences shaped your songwriting or performance style for this album?
The various shows and festivals that the band have been involved with over the years have given the opportunity for each member to experience how the band’s music translates to an audience and has given the band an insight into how the audience responds to certain aspects of the music, whether that’s a feel or a vibe that they are particularly resonating with which then feeds back to the band and that intern has been a positive and constructive element for when writing certain sections of the music and how the band constructs a set of songs for a live setting.
You’ve also created local events to support other artists. Can you talk about how that collaborative spirit feeds back into your own creative process?
The band has been involved with various local events over the years which has really given the band the opportunity to give other local artists the platform to showcase their music, this collaboration experience has truly been positive and has intern help the band to be apart of the wider music community in the UK which the band has to credit many of the bands and artists they have been fortunate enough to share the stage over the years, who overall have given them the inspiration to continue to create the musical projects that they are involved with.
The track names on Paramnesia evoke both scientific and surreal imagery — were they chosen after the music was written, or did the titles influence the composition in any way?
The first track name that the band came up with was “Equilibria” which was the beginning of the writing process for the album which gave the band the musical inspiration for the overall album concept. Has each track was being written and musical ideas were being pursued certain track tiles were being put forward one of those being “In Sleep We Heal” which then gave the idea to link the tiles to the concept by using three main words that would act like an abstract connection to the music and these were, Night, Sleep, Dream which would then possibly give the listener the opportunity to subconsciously follow the musical journey guided by each track title.
If your dream state from Paramnesia had a house band made of animals, what species would play each instrument — and who would be the diva demanding a bigger dressing room?
● Drums – ” Dean the Octopus” a human only has two arms and two legs, but when let loose on the kit he reassembles a creature with many more, that’s the only way to try and understand how he is able to play such cool and complex drum parts.
● Bass – “Dan the Bear” Strong, powerful and little cuddly, this particular animal when his claws are let loose on the Bass will slowly entice you into his cave with lush melodic lines and then tear your face off with huge powerful mega riffs.
● Guitar – “Ben the Llama” just like the animal described, cool ,calm and collected but in an instant could be poised strong looking out on a hilltop playing either a complex melodic part or a glorious dynamic lead line.
● Guitar – “Alan the Flamingo” skinny, slightly camp and always wondering about some might say, possibly the diva of the animal world generally mincing through the grass paying either a nice subtle melodic section, a few chords or communicating with the others to see if he can have the best lake view with beverages and light snacks included at wherever the animal house band are performing at that night.
Paramnesia is more than an album — it’s an immersive, instrumental exploration of the subconscious. Whether you experience it through headphones or live in a darkened venue, Kusanagi invite you to let go of reality and lose yourself in the dream.
Capital Chaos TV 
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