Aki Onda - Cassette Memories

For many years now, Aki Onda has been among the many proponents of the resurrection of the cassette. One of his most noted contributions to this cause is his Cassette Memories series of performances and recordings. Culled from two decades worth of sound diaries, Onda has taken to re-constructing and re-imagining personal and public memories through his cassette collages, in essence producing an improvised reality. He has resigned himself to site-specific solo performances, reserved for spaces with their own specific memory. This makes for a synergistic effect where, in his own words, "Memories make memories."



Onda thus far has produced two entries in his recorded Cassette Memories series. Their shape is more meticulously crafted than his performances. When recording, Onda is able to cover several years worth of tapes and subsequently memories in a matter of seconds, though he is often more inclined to juxtapose several memories and let imagination take hold.

Aki Onda - Ancient & Modern: Cassette Memories Vol. 1
Phonomena Audio Arts & Multiples, 2003
Liner notes

Aki Onda - Bon Voyage!: Cassette Memories Vol. 2.
Improvised Music from Japan, 2003
Liner notes