From breathtaking anime and pop music arrangements to captivating performances that have reached audiences beyond Japan, feat. A is redefining what a classical instrumental trio can be. Consisting of pianist Hibiki (Bicky) Hoshino, violinist Eiki Okuda, and cellist Kentaro Yamamoto, the trio blends the elegance of classical instruments with the energy and emotion of contemporary music, creating performances that resonate with listeners around the world.
In this edition of City Stories, feat. A shares the story behind the group’s formation, the meaning behind their name, their creative process, memorable performances in Dubai, their love for anime music, and their dream of bringing their unique sound to audiences across the globe. Get to know the trio behind the music as they talk about their journey, inspirations, and aspirations for the future.
Please introduce yourselves and tell us what instrument each of you plays in feat. A.
- Hibiki (Bicky) Hoshino – Piano
- Eiki Okuda – Violin
- Kentaro Yamamoto – Cello
How did the three of you meet, and how did feat. A come together?
Kentaro and Bicky first met while attending the same university, while Eiki and Kentaro met through work. Although we had known each other separately, it wasn’t until the formation of feat. A that the three of us came together for the first time. That’s how this unique trio was born.
1What is the meaning behind the name “feat. A”?
The “feat.” in our name is short for “featuring.” Since we primarily perform cover songs, we wanted the name to express our respect for the original artists by symbolically “featuring” them in our performances.
The letter “A” represents ideas such as “No. 1,” “top,” and “the best.” It reflects not only our desire to deliver the highest-quality performances but also our determination to keep improving, aim for the top, and reach an even wider audience.
Overall, the name feat. A embodies our respect for the artists whose music we perform while expressing our commitment to delivering exceptional music and continuously striving for excellence.
What inspired you to form an instrumental trio?
All three of us enjoy performing pop music, and we thought it would be exciting to express those songs through a classical instrumental ensemble. That shared vision inspired us to form the trio.
How would you describe feat. A’s musical style to someone hearing your music for the first time?
While our repertoire mainly consists of pop music, our performances are shaped by the unique chemistry between the three of us and Bicky’s original arrangements, giving each piece its own distinctive character. Some songs even take on a more classical atmosphere. Rather than limiting ourselves to a single style, we value finding the most suitable expression for each individual piece, allowing every performance to have its own unique identity.
Which artists or composers have had the greatest influence on your musical journey?
All three of us have been deeply influenced by the music of Joe Hisaishi. His beautiful melodies and the vivid imagery his compositions evoke continue to inspire us and shape the way we approach music today.
How do you choose the songs you perform?
We primarily select songs with memorable, catchy melodies that can capture listeners’ hearts from the very first note. At the same time, we carefully consider whether each piece allows the unique qualities of our classical trio—violin, cello, and piano—to shine.
While our repertoire mainly focuses on pop music, we also incorporate film scores and classical works into our programs. By blending these different genres, we hope to offer audiences a rich and diverse musical experience that showcases the many colors of music.
Could you walk us through your creative process when preparing a new arrangement or performance?
Our creative process is led primarily by our pianist, Bicky. It usually begins with a simple question: “How would this song sound if feat. A performed it?” From there, Bicky builds the foundation of the arrangement around the piano before carefully developing how the violin and cello will interact within the piece.
We pay particular attention to the cello, as it offers much more than just a low register—it provides a rich, warm resonance that adds depth and fullness to the music, and we strive to make the most of those qualities. The violin, meanwhile, takes on a variety of roles. Beyond carrying beautiful melodies, it also contributes rhythmic elements and incorporates techniques such as pizzicato, allowing for a wide range of musical expression.
With only three instruments, we are constantly exploring the full potential of our sound. We are committed to creating music that can only be achieved through this unique combination of piano, violin, and cello.
What has been the most memorable performance or concert you’ve had so far?
One of our most unforgettable experiences was performing at an anime event in Dubai. Many people in the audience were hearing us perform for the very first time, and quite a few attended dressed in anime costumes, creating an incredibly energetic atmosphere.
The audience responded enthusiastically to every song we played, and that strong sense of connection is something we still remember vividly. Being able to feel their reactions to every note in real time made the performance especially meaningful, filling us with both joy and gratitude.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a group?
Each of us has developed our own musical perspective and approach over the years, so one of our greatest challenges has been respecting those individual differences while shaping a unified identity as feat. A.
With limited rehearsal time, we are constantly exploring how deeply we can refine our musical expression and deciding where to focus our energy to create the strongest impact. It’s an ongoing process of growing together while striving to become a more cohesive ensemble.
What is your favorite piece to perform at the moment, and why?
It’s difficult to choose just one favorite, but if we had to pick, it would be the theme from Detective Conan. Our violinist, Eiki, is a huge Conan fan, which makes performing it even more special for us.
The theme features an incredibly catchy melody while also unfolding in a dramatic way, allowing the three of us to fully showcase the strengths of our ensemble. We especially enjoy performing its fast-paced, suspenseful passages and bringing out the changing emotions throughout the piece.
When performing overseas, do you notice any differences between international audiences and Japanese audiences?
International audiences tend to express their emotions very openly. When they enjoy something, they respond immediately, creating an incredible sense of energy and connection throughout the performance.
Japanese audiences, on the other hand, often listen quietly and immerse themselves deeply in the music before expressing their appreciation with warm applause at the end. We find their attentiveness and thoughtful way of experiencing music equally inspiring.
Both audiences have their own unique charm, and wherever we perform, we value connecting with the people in front of us and communicating through music.
Through feat. A’s music, what do you hope your audience feels after listening to your performances?
We hope our music allows people to forget the stresses and difficulties of everyday life, even if only for a little while, and simply enjoy the moment from the bottom of their hearts.
Especially during our overseas performances and when we play anime songs, we hope our music resonates with the audience’s memories and emotional connection to those works, creating a truly special and unforgettable experience for everyone.
Are there any countries or venues where you dream of performing in the future?
Honestly, we’d love to perform in every country if we had the chance! We’ve already had the opportunity to perform in Dubai, and the response from the audience was unlike anything we’d experienced in Japan. Their energy and enthusiasm made a lasting impression on us, and we’d be thrilled to have more opportunities like that. Our dream is to perform in venues all around the world and connect with audiences from different cultures.
Is there an artist you’d love to collaborate with someday?
We’d love to perform with a wide variety of artists, both in Japan and internationally. We believe every collaboration offers a chance to discover new musical ideas and create something unique together.
What have you learned from one another as you’ve worked together as a trio?
Before every performance, we spend time rehearsing and refining our arrangements together. From our arranger, Bicky, we’ve learned a great deal about bringing out the unique character of each instrument and creating harmonies that allow the ensemble to shine.
Since each of us comes from different musical backgrounds—whether classical, pop, or other genres—we have countless discussions about interpretation, phrasing, articulation, and how each piece should be expressed. Beyond music, we’ve also learned from one another through our daily interactions and the way we approach both our performances and our work as a team. We continue to grow together every day.
What goals do you hope to achieve as feat. A in the future?
Our biggest goal is to become an artist that can tour the world and perform for audiences across the globe. One of the dreams we’d especially like to realize is a tour throughout the Middle East, with Dubai as a key destination.
We also hope to perform at anime-themed concerts and events around the world, sharing our love for Japanese animation through music. We’ll continue working hard to further develop our unique musical identity and introduce feat. A to even more people, so we can bring our performances to audiences in countries everywhere.
If you had to describe feat. A in just one word, what would it be, and why?
If we had to describe ourselves in one word, it would be “Invincible.”
Although each of us has a unique personality and musical style, when the three of us come together, we create a powerful sound that feels truly one of a kind. It’s a kind of musical chemistry that’s difficult to replicate anywhere else.
That connection becomes even more evident during our live performances, where the energy between us allows us to deliver our very best. We believe that unity, combined with the unique strengths of each member, is our greatest weapon—and what makes feat. A truly special.
Do you have a message for your fans around the world?
To everyone who follows us on social media, everyone we’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person, and everyone who continues to support us—thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts!
This year, feat. A celebrates its second anniversary, and as we enter our third year together, we’ll continue working hard to share our music with all of you in even more ways.
Thank you for your continued support. We love you all!
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