Schole Records: Spare Moment Creativity
Known for its innovative approach to sound and artist development, Schole Records has gained recognition globally for its blend of ambient, neo-classical, and cinematic music. With a roster of unique and boundary-pushing artists, Schole continues to shape the contemporary music landscape while staying true to its independent roots.
Akira Kosemura, a composer and pianist, and Shin Kikuchi, a creative director and artist, founded Schole Records while still in college, driven by a shared passion for fostering artistic freedom and creative exploration. Since 2007, their vision has shaped the label’s core philosophy, which encourages the development of creativity during moments of personal freedom. This ethos is reflected in the name “Schole”, which is inspired by the ancient Greek word for “spare moment’. As Kosemura’s explained to the magazine Fifteen Questions, his vision was simple: to provide artists with the space and freedom to create without the constraints of genre, allowing them to nurture their individual voices while exploring emotional and atmospheric music.
Shin Kikuchi, originally a visual artist, expanded his creative expression into music production, blending the two disciplines to create a unique, multi-sensory experience. As Schole’s creative director, Kikuchi has shaped the label’s visual identity and forged connections between music and art. Together with Kosemura, their combined disciplines have been key to Schole’s approach, where music and visual art seamlessly intersect.
While Kosemura’s work as an artist remains central to Schole’s identity, the label has evolved to encompass a wide array of creative projects. Over the years, Schole has worked with both Japanese and international artists, forging unique collaborations that blend diverse cultural influences, including a notable partnership with American folk artist Devendra Banhart on the track ‘Someday‘, featured in Kosemura’s album MOMENTARY: Memories of the Beginning. Notably, Schole’s music has been featured in a number of film soundtracks, including Audrey Diwan’s Mais vous êtes fous in 2019. Schole’s recent release of the soundtrack for the new TV series based on the widely popular Japanese manga Honey Lemon Soda is another notable example of their expanding musical influence. These collaborations reflect Schole’s commitment to crossing cultural boundaries while maintaining an unwavering focus on the essence of music.
In addition to its musical projects, Schole Records has extended its creative output into artbooks, blending visual art with sound in unique and meaningful ways. These projects emphasize Schole’s holistic approach to creativity, where music, design, and art converge to create something greater than the sum of its parts. This creative spirit has been a driving force behind Schole’s success, allowing it to reach a wider audience and expand its influence in the artistic community.
Schole Records has always been ahead of its time while building a global presence. The label’s relationships with music supervisors and its ability to break through international borders has allowed it to establish a strong network of collaborators worldwide. Schole’s reach is global, with its music resonating in film, television, and concert halls across the world.
The partnership with IDOL
With this partnership, IDOL and Schole Records are joining forces to further champion independent music, creating new opportunities for artists to share their work with the world. As Schole continues to push the boundaries of music and culture, this collaboration promises to allow the label to expand its already impressive global reach.
Schole Records has always been about more than just music—it’s about the freedom to create and share that creativity with the world. Through this partnership with IDOL, Schole is poised to continue its journey of discovery and innovation, breaking new ground in the music industry while staying true to its independent spirit.