Currents: February 2012

Soba de Yokereba, a rare picture disc from Hikashu, released in 1985

Uragoe Tour

Hikashu plans to do a tour of west Japan in early May for the support of their newest album, Uragoe. Right now it includes Kobe on May 6, Kyoto on May 7, and Nagoya on May 8. Please note that the schedule is still under coordination and subject to change. More on this later.


Jazz Art Sengawa 2012

Jazz Art Sengawa 2012 is under preparation, and plans to be held on 20-22 of July. Being reached the 5th year, the 3-day annual festival still continues to be small but intimate, truly eclectic and simply one of the best music event in Japan. Of course the main curator is Makigami Koichi so Hikashu is likely to appear as they have before in the past.


Dance Music Series

Regarding reissue project of the past Hikashu recordings, Makigami Koichi and Inoue Makoto has been working on the archival tapes from mid 1980s. At that time, the band made some music for contemporary dance and ballet troupe. Some of them were released as "Soba de Yokereba" and "Nanimo Kamo Odore" in 1985 and 1987 respectively. And those are the albums which they'd like to resurface.

Being tentatively called "Dance Music Series," those recordings have never been re-released but now finally be reissued after all those years. Although the details still not revealed, the albums are expected to include new mix and bonus tracks, as the two have done on the superb "Watashi No Tanoshimi" (which is also a part of the series) reissue in 2010. Can't wait.

New Album "Uragoe" Release Concert

The long-awaited new album from Hikashu, entitled "Uragoe," will be finally released in April. For commemorating the release, a concert will be held in Star Pine's Cafe of Kichijoji on April 5.

At this writing, the album is in finishing stage. If everything's all right, the album will be available at the concert. Officially its release date is April 8, so this is also the first opportunity to get the album. Go to the show, buy the album, and support the band!



April 5, 2012
"New Album Release Concert"
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 3,600 yen - at door 4,000 yen
(one drink order minimum)
Ticket available at SPC box office
or eplus here
For reservation, call the club at 0422-23-2251

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo

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Food (Thomas Strønen, Iain Ballamy) Japan Tour 2012 with N.P. Molvaer and Makigami

Makigami Koichi have organized a Japanese tour of a European group called Food in April.

Food is a musical unit of contemporary jazz and improvisation, consist of Thomas Strønen on drums from Norway and Iain Ballamy on saxophone from UK. They have released six albums, the latest is called Quiet Inlet on ECM.

Also, as guest, Nils Petter Molvaer on trumpet from Norway and Makigami himself will join the performance. The dates are as follows:

April 19 - Shinjuku Pit-Inn, Tokyo
April 20 - BankArt Studio NYK, Yokohama
April 21 - Wynterland, Kobe
April 23 - Rag, Kyoto
April 24 - Tokuzo, Nagoya
April 25 - Coo, Sapporo
April 26 - Shibuya Classics, Tokyo

This tour was originally planned in April last year, but cancelled due to the obvious reasons. The members never forget that and have decided to do it again. We have to thank them for that. Attend the gigs and show your appreciation.


April 19, 2012
@ Shinjuku Pit-Inn
Tokyo
open 19:30 - start 20:00
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen

Shinjuku Pit-Inn, Tokyo

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April 20, 2012
@ BankArtStudio NYK
Yokohama
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen
student 2,000 yen (student ID required)
guest: Kanda Yoshiko on percussion, Nakamura Hitomi on Hichiriki

BankArtStudio NYK, Yokohama

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April 21, 2012
@ Wynterland
Kobe
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen
ticket available via TicketPia and Lawson Ticket

Wynterland, Kobe

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April 23, 2012
@ Rag
Kyoto
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen

Rag, Kyoto

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April 24, 2012
@ Tokuzo
Nagoya
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen
ticket available via TicketPia

Tokuzo, Nagoya

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April 25, 2012
@ Coo
Sapporo
open 19:30 - start 20:00
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen

Coo, Sapporo

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April 26, 2012
@ Shibuya Classics
Tokyo
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen
student 2,000 yen (student ID required)
guest: Hayashi Masaki on piano

Shibuya Classics, Tokyo

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Two Upcoming, Interesting Sessions in Shibuya

On two consecutive days of mid March, two interesting sessions by Hikashu-related musicians will be held in Shibuya, Tokyo.

One is Kuro Yagi Shiro Yagi [Black Sheep White Sheep] plus Makigami Koichi. The group is a bass-drums duo of Sakaide Masami and Sato Masaharu. It's a sort of offshoot unit from Hikashu, and this time Makigami will sit in.

The other is a special session coordinated by Makigami. The participants are Makigami, Yokogawa Tadahiko on violin, and an ex-Hikashu Yoshimori Makoto on keyboard.

Both gigs are mainly improvisation. If you like adventurous, unadulterated live music, these two events are a must-see.




March 18, 2012
Kuro Yagi Shiro Yagi with Makigami Koichi
Sakaide Masami (bass, sampler), Sato Masaharu (drums, sampler), Makigami Koichi (voice)
@ Bar Isshee
Shibuya, Tokyo
open 19:30 - start 20:00
music charge: not fixed, pay as much as you'd like to
entrance charge: 500 yen
(one drink order minimum)

Bar Isshee, Shibuya, Tokyo

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March 19, 2012
"Q is A - Viva! Free Improvisation"
Makigami Koichi (voice, etc), Yokogawa Tadahiko (violin, electronics), Yoshimori Makoto (piano, synthesizer)
@ Last Waltz by shiosai
Shibuya, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv & at door - 3,000 yen
(one drink order minimum)
For reservation, call 03-6427-4651 or e-mail at lastwaltz@shiosai.com

Last Waltz, Shibuya, Tokyo

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Hikashu and Ooru Taichi

On Februrary 24, a double-bill concert of Hikashu and Ooru Taichi will be held in Aoyama, Tokyo.

Ooru Taichi is a performer and composer based in Osaka. Started performing as a solo act in 1998, he has been experimenting with his own distinctive style - improvisational narrative using imaginary language, backed with self-made, mixed-genre track. He said his goal is "to make a kind of music never heard before."

Also, Hikashu and Mr. Ooru are supposed to jam together on stage.

There's no Hikashu gig in March, so do not miss it.


February 24, 2012
Hikashu and Ooru Taichi
@ Tsuki Miru Kimi o Omou
Aoyama, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
(one drink order minimum)
Ticket available via eplus here
For reservation, call the club at 03-5474-8115

Tsuki Miru Kimi o Omou, Aoyama, Tokyo

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