Ikue Mori is a Japanese musician, composer, and drummer known for her innovative work in the experimental music scene. After moving to New York City in the late 1970s, Mori became a key figure in the downtown music scene, particularly as the drummer for the influential No Wave band DNA. She later transitioned to electronic music, creating unique soundscapes using drum machines and computers. Mori's avant-garde approach to music has earned her a significant place in the world of experimental art.

"I got tired of different drum sounds so you buy different effects for more manipulation."



"I still think that I'm playing instruments, not just pushing buttons and there it goes. It's interactive and alive with the sound and the manipulation and it plays like instruments."



"I always wanted to get out of Tokyo and in 1977, New York seemed like the most interesting place to visit. I didn't intend to live here- I just wanted to get out and see what was happening. I just happened to stay here then."



"Because it's dance music, you can't really have a lot of changing in there. It's really not for me because there's too much repetition. I like more diversity."



"Somebody gave me this drum machine and somebody else asked me to program something for a project. I really liked programming and I was really interested in using the drum machine."



"The way I create music is maybe like a painting, to compose in a more visual way. Basically it's the music that I want to hear- that's my inspiration and bottom line. I just try to get ideas from books, movies, paintings."

