A Japanese American Duo with a Vision
Photographing SOULANDSCAPE, an LA-based Japanese duo, at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center was an experience that felt deeply rooted in both the past and the future. Their performance blended electronic beats with video game sounds, transporting the audience into an immersive sonic world. But beyond their innovative music lies a rich historical context—the Japanese American community’s resilience and contribution to American culture over the last century.
The History of Japanese Americans in Los Angeles
The Japanese American community has a long and complex history in Los Angeles. Starting in the early 1900s, Japanese immigrants arrived on the West Coast, often settling in neighborhoods like Little Tokyo, where SOULANDSCAPE performed.
This vibrant community faced tremendous adversity during World War II, when over 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in internment camps. This dark chapter in American history is a reminder of the deep scars of racial injustice, yet it also speaks to the strength of the community, which rebuilt itself despite immense challenges.
Rethinking the Future Through Music
SOULANDSCAPE’s music represents a rethinking of the future—an acknowledgment of history without being weighed down by it. Their performance was an artistic statement about moving forward, blending tradition with innovation. In many ways, this mirrors the experience of Japanese Americans themselves, who have had to navigate the tension between preserving their cultural identity and assimilating into a rapidly changing society.
Their music poses a question: How can we honor the past while creating something new? This is a question that all artists face, especially those who come from communities with complicated histories.
SOULANDSCAPE’s answer is found in their bold soundscapes—a mixture of old and new, electronic and organic, historical and futuristic.