We interviewed 19 year old Kanako Omae. Several years ago she quit high school because she wanted to be a drummer and she moved to New York to live with her mother and pursue this dream. We interviewed her to try and ascertain how she felt about her music after the past three years living with her mom.

--Why did you want to be a drummer?-

When I was a child, I played piano and flute. During my 2nd year of junior high, I became interested in live music because I was inspired after attending a show of my favorite band.

Later on, I was a member of the music club in my junior high school. I formed my first band in high school. When I first saw the drums I was astonished by their power and energy and I realized that this was the instrument I wanted to play. I concluded that I needed to go to New York to study drums. Although this dream was far-fetched I became increasingly convinced that this is what I needed to do.
Naturally, my father was opposed to this idea, because I was only in my first year of high school. Moreover, I am his only daughter and he was reluctant to let me go. We discussed it many times and ultimately he relented under the condition that I go "with my mother".

--After you went to the U.S. was it easy for you to play?-

Initially it was very hard for me. I couldn't find a band and also I couldn't speak English. I looked through flyers and musician wanted magazines, but no one replied or paid any attention to me. The reasons were always the same: "You're only 16 years old", "You're a girl" and "You're a Japanese girl." Then the terrible events of 9.11 occurred and all of the live music that normally happens in New York completely stopped. There were many terrifying rumors about new threats and I felt very scared. But eventually musicians came back to play again. The city became active again and I noticed that people seemed to be healed by the music.
Thus, I really felt that after 9.11 people became more gentle. Consequently, I changed my music style. I decided that I was no longer interested in bringing aggressive rock drumming into the world - I wanted to be a tender drummer instead. After I had this important change of perspective, I was able to find a band. Now I play with my band 'Fake ID'. Our music can best be described as Jazz, Funk and Fusion.

--Describe in more detail this change of perspective?-

Initially, I thought that if I played rock music, then I wouldn't have to study. But since I went to language school (ZONI) I have realized this isn't the case. You need to study no matter what you do. Now I have taken the G.E.D. and I am currently applying to American colleges. There are so many races and cultures in New York. Being here, in an environment very different from Japan, allowed me to find new possibilities and new hopes for my future.

At B.I.M.C. (a school I am involved in) they accept many kinds of young people who don't go to school. When people don't go to school they are always told 'cheer up!', but it the solutions for this problem are often more sophisticated and resist easy answers. If you have lost an idea of how to pursue this goal and get your life on track then B.I.M.C. can help.

--What are your immediate musical goals?-

On February 1st we will release the CD 'Welcome to New York'. I wrote all the music for this album. Generally I compose music when I am near water, like when I'm taking a show or washing the dishes, etc. In addition, this spring we are planning a tour to Japan. Besides this, I want to have a lot of gigs. I love playing music. So I hope to make more music, to play the drums more and I want to develop as an entertainer who truly makes people happy.