Ato no Mae means “Before a Trace”, and is the collaborative unit of Takako Minekawa – who debuted as a singer in the early 1990s and has since become a leading voice in the field of improvisation – and Takahiro Kawaguchi, active since 2004 in both improvisation and sound art. Their performances fluidly cross boundaries, incorporating found objects, self-built instruments, keyboards, and voice. What they create goes beyond music itself, leaving behind an atmosphere, a presence, and traces within the space. Particularly in site-specific works that activate the entire venue, their performances are often described as resembling scenes from theater or cinema. The name “Before a Trace” reflects their philosophy: the traces that emerge after a performance are not mere remnants, but vital components of the work itself – an essential outcome that defines their artistic practice.