New album "Kumo wo Ayatsuru" (Cloud Management - Sing a song of "Kavakov's Dream") INFO * Upcoming - Monthly Concert 2025 @ SPC Kichijoji Tokyo JAN25 FEB26 MAR26 APR24 INFO + Makigami Koichi Residency @ The Stone New York City JUN4-7 2025
Regarding the ongoing rerelease project of Hikashu albums, there is a big hole in its line-up. And that hole is now about to be filled. Yes, "Uwasa No Jinrui" will be reissued finally, and it's official.
"Uwasa No Jinrui" [The Human Being] is the 3rd album of Hikashu, recorded and released in 1981. Other than being the representative work from the early period of the band, it's important in their history for various ways. In short, making and releasing the self-produced album made them matured and established as an artist. In short, releasing the album marked a major turning point in the history of the band.
The album was different from any previous efforts from the band in many ways. It's dark, serious and hard to grasp - it's a concept album, based on the underground film no one knew or seemed to care - "Freaks" by Tod Browning.
This sudden move alienated many fans. The record company didn't like it either and was not eager to promote it. But it was inevitable. In a way, they had to redeem their true self. Being a "pop act" was a nice game for a while, but they were not as such from the start, and they dared to take a risk.
By releasing the album, they paid high a price. But they won, in the long run. They made an immortal work, and now it's hailed as a masterpiece of Japanese rock in the eighties.
The remaster edition of "Uwasa No Jinrui" will be released in August.
New Album is coming
It's too soon, you say? Of course the band just released an album a few months ago, but to tell the truth, they have already recorded enough material to fill an album about a year before the NYC session (which resulted in the "Uragoe" album) took place in May 2011. In fact, several tracks on the "Nikoselon Part Three" EP are from the 2010 session. And it seems they intend to release more from it in future.
Right now there is no information though. We'll let you know when things get clear.
Jazz Art Sengawa is the best music event for jazz, avant-pop, and improvisation in Japan. This year's festival will be held on July 20-22.
The line-up is utterly impressive as always, and of course it includes Hikashu.
What makes this event so special is that it is curated and organized by musicians themselves. And it is for music cognoscenti. Just take a look at the line-up and you could see that clearly.
Also, geographically, it is very convenient if you are in Tokyo area. Sengawa is a town located in Chofu, westside of Tokyo. It could be accessed by Keio line, took 20 minutes from Shinjuku. There is an entry on Wikipedia about Sengawa Station, here
There are three venues used for this year's festival - Sengawa Theater, Kick Back Cafe, and Jenny's Kitchen. The line-up and ticket information are as follows.
July 9 update: Regarding the Sengawa Theater shows, 3 day Ticket and 1 day Ticket for July 21 are both sold out. For the other days, the supply is limited as well so better obtain them in hurry.
July 20, Friday
@ Sengawa Theater
18:30- Chikotsu
19:00-19:30 Ito Hiromi (poetry reading), Sawai Kazue (koto)
20:00-21:00 Cicara-Mvta Okuma Wataru (clarinet), Ohta Keisuke (violin), Sakurai Yoshiki (guitar), Kawaguchi Yoshiyuki (alto saxophone), Kita Yoichiro (trumpet), Sekijima Takero (tuba), Yoshida Tatsuya (drums), Kogure Miwazo (chin-dong)
16:40-17:20 Higuchi Keiko (vocal), Kanda Shinichiro (piano)
18:10-18:50 Kato Takayuki (guitar) solo
The Producers of the festival are Makigami Koichi, Fujiwara Kiyoto, and Sakamoto Hiromichi.
Note: the time table for Jenny's Kitchen is to be announced. Some personnels are yet fixed as well. All subject to be updated.
June 11 update: The time table for Jenny's Kitchen added. Some personnels are updated.
Ticket information
Sengawa Theater: All the tickets are available at Sengawa Theater box office.
3 day ticket - 12,000 yen
1 day ticket: 3,000 yen for July 20 5,000 yen each for July 21 and 22 The 1-day ticket applies for all program (except "Voice Play for Children" on July 21, which required 500 yen for advance or 1,000 yen at door separately - Free admission for children under 5 years old. Session for Improvisation, and Sunday Matinee Concert are admission free). The prices here are for advance - plus 500 yen each at door.
1 stage ticket - 2,500 yen for each act, sold only on the day of the performance. Start selling at Sengawa Theater box office at 10:00 AM.
Please note: you can't see the shows if you have just the 1-day ticket or 3-day ticket only! For entrance, you need a pass, which issued for each day.
To obtain the pass, exchange your 1-day or 3-day ticket with it at the Sengawa Theater office. Need not to hurry - You should get the pass if you have the day's ticket.
Kick Back Cafe: adv 3,500 yen - at door 4,000 yen for each day (one drink or food order minimum) tickets available at the venue. For reservation, call the cafe at 03-5384-1577 or mail to info@kickbackcafe.jp (Japanese)
Jenny's Kitchen: 1 day ticket adv 3,500 yen - at door 4,000 yen 1 stage ticket adv 1,500 yen - at door 2,000 yen for each act ticket available at the Sengawa Theater box office
Remember - all the tickets are available limited quantities only, so better be in hurry.
It just recently came to our attention that a unpublished concert footage of Hikashu from 2007 has been surfaced at YouTube.
It was a showcase event of various jazz acts from new generation. Why Hikashu was chosen is unknown (they're not a jazz band, and not novice in any sence, you know) but maybe there was an intention introducing the band to jazz audiences.
Anyway, enjoy the clip. The band did some improvising before "Mottai Nai Hanashi," [A Waste of Inspiration] a selection from the "Hanauta Hajime" album. Their performance starts at 07:30.
In late May and early June, Makigami Koichi will perform in Bergen, Norway. He will take part in two gigs - one is a solo performance, and the other is a collaboration with a free music unit called the Living Room Trio.
The Living Room Trio is a improvised music group consisted of Torben Snekkestad on saxophone, Thomas Strønen on drums, and Søren Kjærgaard on keyboards. Makigami has performed with them several times so they know each other somewhat well.
As for the solo performance, here's a blurb from the festival's site:
Voices and electronics from three musical, mental and geographical continents meet. The controversial Dave Phillips is known for his powerful musical stance on animal rights; Japanese Makigami Koichi's high register and noh-inspired dadaism is at the other end of the scale, while Tone Åse from Norway introduces the audience to the remarkable genre 'sound novella.'
June 2, 2012 Dave Phillips, Makigami Koichi, and Tone Åse "Three Strong Solos" @ Bergen International Festival Bergen, Norway 20:00 - 21:45 Information: http://www.fib.no/en/Product/?TLp=572328
On May 20, an another formation of John Zorn's Cobra will perform at La Mama of Shibuya, Tokyo.
What interesting this time is a participation of Mita Freeman from Hikashu. It's been a while Hikashu members (other than Makigami) taking part in Cobra, and no one can deny Mita is such a great improviser, so do not miss this opportunity.
John Zorn's Cobra Tokyo Operation Sunshine Unit "commemorating the eclipse"
May 20, 2012 @ La Mama Shibuya, Tokyo open 18:30 - start 19:00 adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen (plus 600 yen for a minimum drink charge at entrance) Tickets available at La Mama box office, Lawson ticket, and e+
Hi. I'm an avid follower of a Japanese rock band, Hikashu. They are formed in 1978 and still going strong. Simply put, they are the greatest band from Japan. Really. They play some pretty good compositions, and collective improvisation of mastery kind. If you like the Mothers of Invention, Henry Cow, John Zorn, Derek Bailey, or any kind of good music plus having a sense of humor, just try them. They are so unique that I cannot describe what the band exactly is, but I try my best. Also, I did all the translations of the lyrics, except where noted.
DISCLAIMER: This blog is NOT official and NOT affiliated with Hikashu in any way. The opinion expressed here is solely mine, an advocate of the band, and it doesn't reflect their intention. Take a note for that, and have fun.
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