Experimental musician Keiji Haino sat down with Vice Japan in 2016 and shared the secret behind his enigmatic reputation.

Keiji Haino has been making wildly unexpected music since the early ‘70s, when he ditched theatre after hearing The Doors for the first time. For Haino, the experience of live performance remained more real to him than any of his studio recordings, and this interview by Vice Japan gives insight into the rest of his creative process. Haino approaches the concept of freedom without angst, and his psychedelic, often noisy improvisations showcase this philosophy. From refusing anything close to standard tuning for his instruments to consciousness filling every inch of his performance space with his explicit awareness, the unpretentious yet cerebral perspective he shares is both sharp and a joy to listen to. Thankfully, the video has been translated into English, so make sure to select the option if you need it.