Opened in April 2020 in Tokyo's Takeshiba area, the luxury hotel "mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection" (hereafter, mesm Tokyo) is part of Marriott International's "Autograph Collection" brand, which bestows its name upon unique hotels possessing distinctiveness, high quality, and hospitality. mesm Tokyo, with its concept of "TOKYO WAVES," offers services and content based on the ever-changing "now" of Tokyo. Particularly noteworthy is the CASIO digital piano "Privia PX-S1000," provided in all 265 rooms of the hotel. This time, singer-songwriter Hitomi Yaida experienced the appeal of Privia × mesm Tokyo.

When you hear Hitomi Yaida's name, the image of her holding a guitar likely comes to mind. However, she says her first encounter with music was through the piano.

“Looking back, the first instrument I touched was the piano. I took piano lessons as one of my extracurricular activities when I was in elementary school. We had an upright piano at home. After I started playing guitar and debuted, I began writing songs mostly on guitar. But if I only use guitar, my ideas tend to become repetitive, so I occasionally use the piano. It helps me see new perspectives.”

As she spoke, Yaida placed her hands on the keys of the CASIO Privia in the "chapter 4 Suite Luxe" room on the 26th floor of mesm Tokyo. Then, as if testing its feel and tone, she carefully played a melody.

"The touch of the keys is important, and I find the Privia's moderate weight to be very pleasing. Many digital pianos in this category have keys that are too light, and when you play them, they feel mushy and don't match your intentions. But this one not only has a great touch, but you can also control not just the volume but the tone itself with the strength of your keystroke. It allows for expression beyond just loud and soft, enabling nuances like gentle and intense, truly reflecting human emotion. I found that to be wonderful."

Amidst the pandemic, Yaida has also been spending more time on creative activities at home.

"I want to be able to play a sound the moment inspiration strikes, so at home, besides my guitar and digital piano, I have almost all other instruments, like electronic drums and bass. Since the pandemic, I've been spending more time making music at home, composing melodies and thinking about arrangements, and I've realized anew how much I can do right here."

Yaida, who has a collection of instruments at home, turned her attention to the design of the Privia.

"I prefer a simple design without a clutter of buttons and switches. Also, the slim and compact body is a plus. Because it's simple and compact, it shouldn't clash with the interior."

So, if it were Yaida, what color Privia would she place where in her home, and how would she use it?

"Hmm, first, I'd choose black and place it in the living room. Not in a way that requires me to psych myself up to play, but rather to casually play a few notes as I pass by. I can picture it blending into my daily life like that."

2020 marked Hitomi Yaida's 20th anniversary since her debut. She was actively engaged in creative activities, including the release of an original album.

"As I approached my 20th anniversary, I felt a deep sense of gratitude towards everyone around me for allowing me to continue my music career for so long. That's why, for this milestone album, I wanted to release an original album that looked towards the future, rather than a best-of album. I was happy to see that wish fulfilled."

"Although it's my 20th anniversary, there have been so many things over those 20 years that I can't just quickly look back on (laughs)," Yaida said, expressing her gratitude to those around her.

So, what strategies has she employed to maintain her motivation and keep her inspiration flowing over the past two decades?

"For the first four or five years after my debut, I was afraid to collaborate with others or perform with everyone at events. Part of it was self-consciousness, and I also lacked confidence. But at one point, a senior artist I respected advised me to try putting myself in unfamiliar situations. When I actually collaborated with people I hadn't worked with before or tried new arrangements, it was incredibly stimulating and rewarding. So, I believe challenging myself is important for a long career."

And from April to May, Yaida will be taking on her first solo performances at Billboard Live.

"I've been to Billboard Live as an audience member several times, and I always felt it was an adult space where you can enjoy live music along with drinks and food. It's also a venue where musicians can relax and show their true selves. I'll be performing at Billboard Live in Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama, and just imagining myself on that stage makes me excited."

Regarding the venue, Billboard Live, she commented, "Its appeal lies in its sophisticated atmosphere combined with the ability to see the musician's true self." Now, she will be the one gracing the Billboard Live stage for the first time in her solo career.

Yaida stepped out onto the balcony of her 26th-floor room at mesm Tokyo, gazing intently at the Tokyo waterfront scenery, including Hamarikyu Gardens and the Sumida River.

Although Yaida has now become quite accustomed to life in Tokyo, she recalls that when she moved to the city after graduating from university to pursue her music career, she intensely disliked Tokyo.

"Just the thought of getting on the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo would give me hives (laughs). I found the people of Tokyo, who walked briskly and silently, to be cold. But I made friends, found my favorite eateries, and now I think there's no city as convenient and wonderful as this."

Then, Yaida looked back into the room from the balcony and said, "But this is completely different from the Tokyo I knew."

"I feel that mesm Tokyo strikes a good balance between luxury and functionality. I believe it's a place where one can switch gears or find tranquility."

"The art pieces subtly placed around are incredibly detailed, and the balcony has the ambiance of a luxury resort hotel in Asia. It's a hotel that even I, as a Tokyo resident, would want to visit. And the fact that every room has a Privia makes it even more appealing. I sometimes go to Enoshima or Nagatoro in Saitama Prefecture to clear my head and work on songs, and this hotel is also a great option."

At the end of the interview, Yaida connected her smartphone to the Privia via Bluetooth, played music, and tested the speaker quality.

"It's also an excellent speaker, the sound quality is great. If I layer my own piano sound on top of this, I think I could do all sorts of fun things. For example, I might play Lady Gaga's piano ballad and sing along with all my heart (laughs). It opens up a world of possibilities."

A dream collaboration between Yaida and Gaga... Indeed, the possibilities are endless.

Privia PX-S Series Special Page
https://music.casio.com/ja/products/digital_pianos/privia/

#RoomPiano Special Site
https://music.casio.com/ja/heyakatsu_piano/