My name is Ari Koinuma.  I’m a Japanese-born, Minnesota-based guitarist and songwriter.

My passion lies in writing introspective songs that also rock.  In fact, my sweet spot is heavier, ambitious art rock/progressive rock that features lyrics that match the intensity of the music, with dark imageries and mysteries.  My dream is to join the ranks of In Flames, Tool, Porcupine Tree and King’s X in writing and performing such material.

But I also have a softer, folkier side as well, and enjoy writing quietly reflective songs like those from Toad the Wet Sprocket, Death Cab for Cutie and Jars of Clay.  I am a family-man with a full-time job, so for now I end up pursuing the latter style more simply because songs are simpler and easier to put together with the resources/time that I have.

This is my personal web site, which I sporadically update because I am busy:

• Writing and recording songs for Minnasia, my recording unit with the singer Voua ‘Bob’ Yang,
• Blogging and making videos about guitar gear and guitar-based songwriting/arranging, and
• Twittering.

I have demos and lyrics of my songs posted here, but they are in the process of getting recorded and migrated to Minnasia.

If you find me interesting, please find me on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.  Thanks!