[EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW] The “Ambitious, Cool, and Honest” Ichiro Suezawa

The “Ambitious, Cool, and Honest” producer, composer and writer, Ichiro Suezawa agrees to an interview with HypnoticAsia!

The Tokyo born Berklee College of Music graduate is known for his work with K-POP producing team Duble Sidekick which he has helped produce for artists F-VE Dolls, SISTAR, B1A4, MBLAQ and more. He has also worked with artists in Japan such as, world-known artist, Jin Akanishi, EXILE, etc. In the USA, he worked with Michelle Branch, Christina Millian and Bruno Mars.  After working as a major composer on Jin Akanishi’s album “Japonicana,” he is now working with U.S. artists like Sabi, as well as, working with Beyonce and CeeLo Green. Suezawa was also a bass player in Bruno Mars’ band and beat maker/engineer for his project in 2007.

Now, Ichiro Suezawa will work with artists like Chad Future, J Soul Brothers, MISIA and even EXILE. With many projects lined up, the producer took time out of his schedule to answer some questions for us.

Check out what he has to say below!

HYPNOTICASIA: Introduce yourself to the readers at HypnoticAsia.
ICHIRO SUEZAWA: Hey what’s up?? I’m Ichi, a music producer and songwriter based in LA. I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan and I’ve been working on so many projects in Asia, Europe and here, in the U.S. 🙂

HYPNOTICASIA: How did you get started with music and how were you introduced to the music scene in Asia?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  My music career started in LA after I graduated Berklee College of Music in 2007. I’ve been playing and performing music since I was in high school. I wasn’t heavily engaged in the production side of music at the time when I was in Japan so, when I started working in the studio in LA as a producer, I didn’t do any of those Asian projects at first. At the time, I was mainly working with Bruno Mars and a couple other American artists. That was totally a great opportunity for me to know the level which I have to be in and going forward as a world class producer and songwriter. Then I connected with so many different writers in LA and naturally, since I came from Japan and I understood the J-Pop and K-Pop style well, I got involved deeply in the Asian pop music scene.

HYPNOTICASIA: How would you describe your music to those who haven’t heard it before?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  “Sound of Uniqueness.” I always try to put some kind of unique (almost “weird”) elements in the songs so that it stands out more from other songs and catching the listener’s attention.

HYPNOTICASIA: Has it always been your dream to become a music producer?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  Nah, when I was a child, I didn’t even know what music producers do for the songs. Lol. But I’ve always had passion in music so my first dream was to become a drummer in a rock band. When I was in high school, the position was taken and I picked Bass instead. Then I dreamed to become a professional bass player. That’s the main reason I studied in Berklee, but when I was in school, I finally realized my interest was always in the creation of music rather than performing music.

HYPNOTICASIA: Who or what has been your biggest influence to write, compose and produce?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  So many!! I can’t pick one on all the aspects but I can say, Michael Jackson and James Brown as Music Entertainers; as songwriters and producers, Max Martin, Pharrell, and Stargate. Also, as sound design and productions, I’m heavily influenced by Daft Punk, especially their first album, “Discovery”. (I don’t like the current album though…)

HYPNOTICASIA: Do you have an artist already in mind when you write or produce music?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  For American artist projects, definitely “yes”.  Well, most of the time, I write and produce music for American artists initially, because it’s easy to switch for the other countries’ styles from the U.S. hit song style since they’re so influenced from American pop music. So most of my Asian placements were originally for American artists. And when I get a request from the Asian artist side, I re-arrange the song to match what their market and audience expect to hear.

HYPNOTICASIA: Which do you prefer, co-writing or writing on your own? Do you have a full producing team or do you work alone?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  I always prefer to do co-writing with someone who is better than me. Of course, I can fully write a whole song by myself but there is no surprise element for the process.  Also, I’m more of the producer type and I always need someone who is really good at lyrics and toplines.

HYPNOTICASIA: Approximately how long does it take for you to complete one song?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA: It really depends on the project. Every project has different priorities and time schedules. So even if I thought I finished the song, they usually go back and fix some parts and re-edit or re-arrange so many times to complete the products. Though, talking about my preproduction (demo making) time, I spend half the day to make a beat and half the day to write and record vocals. Then I come back the next day with my fresh ears to edit and mix down the song. So usually, 2 days for the demo.

HYPNOTICASIA: What are some equipment/instruments you use when producing and composing tracks?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  For sequencing the beat, I use Logic with lots of software instruments and plug-Ins. And whenever I finished my skeleton work of the production, I switch to ProTools and do arrangement and all of the audio recordings off ProTools.

HYPNOTICASIA: Are you currently working on any projects that you can reveal?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA: So many projects I’m working on right now! I’ll touch on those projects in the following questions. 🙂

HYPNOTICASIA: We heard you are currently working with Chad Future, what are the two of you working on and how is that coming along?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  Chad is a very good friend of mine and we’ve been connected through one of my favorite co-writers, Drew Ryan Scott. Right now, Drew and I are working together with Chad Future to help his records and it has been coming along really well! I can’t wait to let you guys check those out!

HYPNOTICASIA:You’ve mentioned that for Japan you are working with artists such as, EXILE, J Soul Brothers and MISIA. What can you say the difference is when writing for K-POP versus J-POP?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA: For me, there is huge difference between J-Pop and K-Pop. J-Pop is influenced by more U.K. pops and rock roots. So the sound they like is usually rock oriented like guitars, and real drum sounds etc.. And also Karaoke is one of the main aspects of music sales, J-Pop has to be “Sing-able” for every audience. So usually Ballad and slow tempo songs are often required from J-Pop clients. On the contrary, K-Pop is influenced by the U.S. pops and hip hop roots. So the beat should be heavy and danceable. And they’re heavily engaged with their visuals. The sound and production have to be something “Eccentric” and “Colorful”.

HYPNOTICASIA: What’s the hardest thing about producing music for artists around the world?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  I think this question is something really profound. Like I said, I’m Japanese, born and raised in Japan so I do know what kind of song, sound, and production Japanese audience like. Yea, it’s in my blood. I’ve moved and lived in America for over 10 years and now I totally understand what the American audience wants to hear for pop music. Then last year, I lived in South Korea for 8 months. I was able to understand what the Korean audience are really listening and expecting to hear from my productions.  For me, the hardest thing to producing music is how I can expand my senses to reach out to as many people as possible to let them hear my music and also be able to touch deeply in their soul through my music… Oh yeah, that’s extremely hard man!

HYPNOTICASIA: While living in Seoul, you’ve teamed up with producers Duble Side Kick and have worked on numerous different K-POP projects for artists like MBLAQ, F-IVE Dolls, SISTAR, B1A4, Tahiti and more, what was the experience like working with the team on these projects?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA: That was truly an amazing opportunity for me to work with those big artists in Korea. I had so many great experiences and every single person who I encountered in Seoul was so nice and sweet. I definitely believe this experience which those guys gave me made my music career much more versatile and better.

HYPNOTICASIA: You were a major composer on Jin Akanishi’s album, “JAPONICANA,” what was it like working on the album? Where did the inspiration for each song come from?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA: Well, to be honest, at first I didn’t know who Jin Akanishi was when I was introduced from the Warner Bros American side. They thought I knew Jin because I’m Japanese and Jin is such a big icon in the J-Pop scene. This Jin Akanishi project was the very first major project after I signed with Warner/Chappell music publishing. So even though Jin is Japanese and he has a big fan base in Japan, this project was for his U.S. debut album. The most challenging thing was how to make the records sound Americanized but in the same time, somehow make it coherence from his previous records. And since Jin is an artist who is heavily engaged in the production side and has a strong opinion for his records, I mainly helped him to get his song ideas together at the sessions.

HYPNOTICASIA: We heard you’ve recently teamed up with Cassius D. Kalb for your upcoming releases, how do you feel about working on these U.S. projects?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  So Great!! I’m literally working every single day with Cassius and we’ve done so many great records together in just a couple of months. We wrote songs for Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, CeeLo Green and Sabe etc.. Cassius is one of the greatest writers whom I ever worked with and I’m learning so much from him and at the same time, we have great team work, supporting each other. I can’t wait to let you guys hear these projects!

HYPNOTICASIA: How do you celebrate when you see music you’ve worked on climb high on the charts?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  Haha! I definitely celebrate with all of co-writers and go crazy!

HYPNOTICASIA: If you could pick one artist to work with that you haven’t already, who would it be and why?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  So hard to pick one! But if I have to choose only one, I would say Madonna because she is always finding out young and edgy new talent and puts it in her records. That’s why her records are always different and still able to hold her identity. Man, it would be such an honor if I can work with Madonna.

HYPNOTICASIA: What types of songs are on your playlist right now?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  1. Ariana Grande’s new album, “Yours Truly“ (Literally I’m obsessed with her. She’s so great! ;)) 2. Kendrick Lamar’s new album, “good kid, m.A.A.d city” (This album is a masterpiece. He is one of the best rappers. I think he will get a Grammy this time for sure.)

HYPNOTICASIA: Is there a motto or saying you live by?
ICHIRO SUEZAWA:  Ambitious, Cool, and Honest

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