[BakaGaijin]

www.nextmusicfromtokyo.com

Next Music from Tokyo: Vol 5


feat:
mouse on the keys, Kinoko Teikoku, chi-na, harafromhell

May 17 Toronto @ The Rivoli

May 18 Toronto @ The Rivoli

May 20 Montreal @ Divan Orange

May 22 Vancouver @ Rickshaw Theatre

website: www.nextmusicfromtokyo.com

Tickets $10 Advance $15 Door

Next Music from Tokyo is a non-profit cross-Canada tour showcasing the best independent and underground music from Japan.



mouse on the keys

mouse on the keys are a 3pc band comprised of two pianos and one drum. Since 2006, they have pioneered a unique sound
creating instrumental music that fuses jazz, classical and post-rock with the energy of hardcore punk.
Composer Akira Kawasaki’s rapid fire drumming is powerful and complex to an almost absurd degree. Atsushi Kiyota and Daisuke Niitome
each play electric piano/keyboard setups with Kiyota playing the intricate lead and Niitome providing rhythm and synthesized bass.
Support musicians include Jun Nemoto on saxophone and Daisuke Sasaki on trumpet.
Even without lyrics MOTK’s music is intelligent and full of emotion drawing inspiration from art, philosophy, history and architecture:
“Our songs are the soundtracks of the world we live in.”
In fact, their debut album An Anxious Object is a documentary of songs reflecting on post-war Tokyo: its vast, ultramodern landscape and its residents
who have lost touch with traditional culture. Film projected visuals are incorporated during live performances to illustrate and convey these themes.
mouse on the keys’ music has the sophistication and technical chops to impress fans of both jazz and classical music.
Musical influences range from Debussey, Stravinsky, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Robert Glasper and minimalist composer Steve Reich.
Their roots in hardcore punk manifests in their intense and aggressive playing style, relatively short song lengths… and occasional
stage diving by drummer Kawasaki. MOTK perform gigs at jazz festivals and punk/HC shows without looking out of place in either setting.
mouse on the keys have quickly become one of the most sought after Japanese bands for music festivals around the world.
2010 brought MOTK to Europe with concerts in Germany, Poland and France. Last year they were flown in to perform in the Philippines,
Taiwan and Hong Kong and graced Fuji Rock back home in Japan.
This year they’ve already been invited to Singapore, Chile and of course… Canada for the Next Music from Tokyo tour.
mouse on the keys are world class musicians with a refreshingly original sound who put on an exhilarating performance that should not be missed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAcy16aDInQ&feature=player_embedded

きのこ帝国 (Kinoko Teikoku)
Kinoko Teikoku are a shoegaze band who don’t mind breaking a few rules. Instrumentally, they follow the giant footsteps of Ride and MBV
but make musical detours along the paths formed by Cap N Jazz, Radiohead, Explosions in the Sky, Jeff Buckley and Battles.
However, the vocals are where Kinoko Teikoku veer off most from traditional shoegaze. Some songs harbour the soft ethereal drone of classic shoegazer
but their hallmark is the dynamic range of Sato’s hauntingly beautiful vocals that soar skyward with passion and intensity.
The band’s line-up parallels that of Lush with two young females handling guitars, lead and backing vocals and their male counterparts on bass and drums.
Closing 2012 with a performance at Countdown Japan, Kinoko Teikoku have quickly emerged as one of the brightest up and coming bands in Tokyo’s massive indie scene. Sato, who also performs solo under the moniker kugatsuhascome (September has come) made an appearance at last year’s Fuji Rock Festival.
Depending on their mood and setlist Kinoko Teikoku can set the tone either dark and serious or energetic and fun. But either way their performances are enchanting, LOUD, and completely unforgettable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hehWmivkQpM&feature=player_embedded#at=188


チーナ (chi-na)
チーナ (pronounced “chee-na”) is an orchestral indie-pop band based out of Saitama, Japan near Tokyo. Having grown bored of performing solo,
singer-songwriter and pianist Kyoko Shiina formed her own band fusing classical music with elements of jazz, pop and post-rock.
In 2007, the band’s core was formed when Shiina was joined by violinist Yukako Shiba and Eri Hayashi on contrabass.
After a rotating cast of support musicians, guitarist Shouta Nishiyori and drummer Kazuya Matsumoto became official members in 2009. Building a
strong reputation through breathtaking live performances the band was quickly signed by Victor Music/Sophori Field in the same year.
チーナ’s first mini-album “Shupoon!!” showcases Shiina’s sublime singing voice and eccentric sense of humor. While the new 2 song ep
has チーナ flaunting their musical dexterity with more aggressive and intricate compositions.
Matsumoto would quit the band in January 2011; however, チーナcontinue on stronger than ever with support drummer Naoto Kikuchi.
They performed a “one-man” (single band) concert in front of a sold-out crowd on April 9, 2011.
チーナ’s unique style, formidable skill and ebullient personality made them crowd favorites in Canada
during NMFT vol 3. And vice versa チーナ thoroughly enjoyed their experience in Canada… to the point
they named their 2nd album “Granville” which includes the title track: “Granville Island Market.”
チーナ are ecstatic to have a 2nd opportunity to perform for Canadians in May.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb9wzRoJ2qI&feature=player_embedded

harafromhell
One day the members of Harafromhell decided to form a punk band… and immediately realized they have
no idea what it takes to be punk. So they decided instead to just be themselves and make the best music possible from the heart.
Harafromhell originated in Dec 2010 when Hara and Ishizuka, guitarist and drummer respectively from the band Nekoze,
joined forces with singer songwriter Tatejima Yoko to form a melodic pop-punk band with female vocals.
Melodic emo/pop-punk bands are a dime a dozen but what separates Harafromhell from their peers is
the drive and ferocity of their live performances.
Ishizuka is a BEAST on drums, relentlessly punishing his kit as if holding a grudge against it.
Singer Tatejima is normally reserved when performing solo with an acoustic guitar but with Harafromhell she loses
her inhibitions and becomes much more dynamic.
Guitarist Hara plays with the intensity of a demon.. from hell (hence the band name).
2nd guitarist Yamaguchi is the sole introvert who chooses to focus diligently on hitting his notes and chords.
In October 2012, original bassist AGO was replaced by Kuroki who, like Yamaguchi, has a cooler demeanour but
the energy of his fellow band members is slowly beginning to rub off on his playing style.
Harafromhell may lack the virtuosic skill of mouse on the keys and チーナ (chi-na) or the menacing wall of noise
capable of Kinoko Teikoku but the catchiness of their music coupled with their turbocharged live performance
may make them underdog favorites in May.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mYe8hxDBugI


Cheers,

BakaGaijin

[BakaGaijin]

Promo video for NMFT vol.5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0j-hNEjDL0

Tour document of NMFT vol.4 feat. Zazen Boys, group_inou, charan-po-rantan, Praha Depart: http://vimeo.com/64388637

[Toilet & Bowels]

I'm glad this is happening in Canada

[EVOLghost]

Bullshit! Why won't they do that shit here. i'd fucking LOVE to see Mouse on Keys.