Musical Influences and Journey

Shu Sato is a Japanese-born composer and music producer whose work is deeply influenced by his multicultural upbringing. Raised in Brussels, London, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Houston, and Toronto, he grew up with a broad and diverse perspective on the world. His passion for music ignited at the age of eight when his father took him to several classical concerts in London. One performance, in particular—Vivaldi’s Four Seasons—left a profound impression on him, planting the seed of a dream to one day compose symphonic pieces.

That same year, he began learning the piano, but his teacher believed he was too young to coordinate both hands effectively. Discouraged, he abandoned the instrument. Shortly after, at age nine, he moved to Japan for the first time, expecting to feel a sense of belonging. However, instead of finding a home, he faced rejection and bullying, making him feel more like an outsider than ever. At twelve, his family relocated to Los Angeles, where he picked up the guitar and taught himself to play. Lost and broken, he turned to music as a form of salvation—not to imitate idols, but to express his emotions, struggles, and personal stories. The guitar became his medium for composition rather than a tool for replication.

As he developed his craft, he immersed himself in the alternative rock scene of the late ’90s and early 2000s, drawing inspiration from legendary bands like Radiohead, Blur, Oasis, The Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, Marilyn Manson, David Bowie, Placebo, Nine Inch Nails, and Kate Bush. He also learned to record and produce music using a home PC, constantly refining his skills. In high school, a close friend introduced him to jazz, sparking a love for the works of Bill Evans and Miles Davis. At the same time, he rediscovered classical composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Vivaldi, Bach, and Debussy—recalling the origins of his musical journey. He was also influenced by 19th- and 20th-century Impressionist painters, whose works revealed a fascinating interplay between Western and Japanese aesthetics. This artistic awakening led him back to the piano, broadening his compositional approach.

Upon returning to Tokyo for university, Shu formed the rock band Universal Moment in pursuit of commercial success. Though the band never broke into the mainstream, it led him to a crucial realization: his musical strength lay in the fusion of Western and Japanese influences. He delved into the works of filmmakers like Akira Kurosawa, Hayao Miyazaki, and Takeshi Kitano, recognizing a kinship between his compositional style and the music of Joe Hisaishi and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Listeners often remarked that his piano pieces evoked cinematic imagery, reinforcing his natural inclination toward storytelling through music.

During this period, Shu launched a recording studio to support Tokyo’s indie music scene. Though financial challenges eventually forced him to step away, his passion for music never faded. Transitioning into the corporate world, he continued to compose and produce music.

In 2019, he moved to Amsterdam with his wife and expanded his musical endeavors. He began composing, producing, and performing for the band Blue Cognac, collaborating with the talented singer Victoria Arias. He also launched Waves of Reminiscence, a project where he not only writes and records piano compositions but also produces accompanying films, aiming to create immersive experiences that evoke nostalgia and longing.

Shu’s music is a "translation" of emotions, stories, and life events into melodies, harmonies, and sonic landscapes. He describes his creative process as receiving waves of emotions and transforming them into musical movements, rather than consciously "crafting" a piece from nothing.

With his unique blend of influences and deep storytelling sensibility, Shu’s work resonates with a wide range of audiences. As a professional composer, he specializes in crafting evocative soundscapes for films, games, commercials, and artists seeking distinctive, genre-defying compositions. Always open to new collaborations, he continues to push the boundaries of musical expression.

"his musical strength lay in the fusion of Western and Japanese influences"

From Tokyo’s Indie Scene to Amsterdam

Translating Emotions into Sound