New album "Nariyamazu" released on Dec 23 2020 INFO* Upcoming gigs - "Monthly Hikashu 2021" @ Star Pine's Cafe Kichijoji Tokyo JAN 25, FEB 26, MAR 22, APR 20
Since 2019, Hikashu has been holding a concert once in every month at Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo. And last month the band announced that the series will continue this year. The projected dates are:
January 25 "Birth" February 26 "Enchant" March 22 "Thought" April 20 "Outgrow" May 26 "Leap" June 25 "Circumvent" July 14 "Pleasure" August 13 "Crossing" September 27 "Reverie" October 26 "Transform" November 14 "Supernatural" December 28 "Overview"
As shown above, each month has its title. The exact meanings of them are not disclosed but it's safe to say that they are just a bunch of imagery. Anyway, the series will be started on January 25, Makigami's birthday, and we fans eagerly anticipate what kind of joy the band will bring to us. Happy new year and best wishes to all.
1. Nariyamazu / Eternal Echoes 2. Senbazuru No Dance / 1,000 Kurge Dance 3. Maul Meira (Bitter) 4. Arayuru Chie Kara / All the Wisdom 5. Kuroi Pan No Amasa Taruya / How Sweet It Is, Muhu Pagarid 6. Moichido Aitai / Wish Meeting You Again 7. Dokomademo Tochu / Perpetually on the Way
words - Makigami music - Hikashu except Makigami (1, 3), Makigami and Sakaide (2)
produced by Makigami Koichi recorded in Talin, Estonia and Tokyo by Makigami Koichi and Sakaide Masami mixed by Sakaide Masami mastered by Ono Seigen at Saidera Mastering released on December 23, 2020
As for everyone, 2020 is a year of suffer and accident for Hikashu. For example, this year they had to cancel the most of the appearances, including the annual christmas concert which they had been doing since 2008. But there's some emergence, and one of them is Nariyamazu, their first original album since Anguri, which was released in 2017.
Indeed, the album itself is born from accident. In March, Hikashu went to Estonia because they had been booked for a local festival. Of course, at that time, the pandemic was already rampant, but they choose to do that anyway. Fortunately, they avoided cancelling the event and managed to do a show, although shortened with limited audience.
Originally, they intended to do a series of show and some sightseeing - it was the first time for them to visit the country - but almost everything had to drop. Since unexpectedly they had a plenty of time, they tried to do something else instead. So they looked for a studio, secured it, and did some recording. That's the foundation of this album.
Back to Tokyo, the band did some tweaking on the recording in studio, and added some tracks from recent concert as well. Mastering was done by the masterful Ono Seigen.
Cover photo is done in Estonia. The location was near historical district, and when they were there, almost nobody was around. Ordinarily the place was packed with people, but at that time, quite desolated. It seemed that it symbolized the situation appropriately, so they choose to do impromptu photo session, and the result was used for the album.
As for the music, this time the band decided to devote themselves collective improvisation heavily. There's only a few composed tracks. Lyrics is also mostly gibberish. All in all, this approach reminds us "Ten Ten," their only album devoted for improvisation and this could be described as the part three of the trilogy (There's already "Ten Ten Ten," a sequel). There are some differences between them though.
It's quite refreshing to see a 40-years band continuing to do something new. It's a troubled time, so listen some Hikashu and revive your spirit.
Recently Makigami reported on his instagram account that Hikashu's new album, entitled "Nariyamazu" which its English title "Eternal Echoes," is currently in mastering process at Saidera Mastering of Tokyo.
The album is recorded during their trip to Estonia in late March, then overdubbed in their Tokyo studio. Hopefully the album will be out at the end of this year. Can't wait.
Makigamisantachi is a trio of electro improvisational music, consisted with the members of Hikashu. They formed in late 1990s and released debut album in 2005. They continue to exist today, performing sporadically, and now the sphomore release has come this year, the first in 15 years.
The album was edited and constructed from two concerts held in 2016. Regarding the title, both "Gaburi" and "Zorori" is onomatopoeia in Japanese language, the former is "bite," and the latter is "crawl."
All in all, an unexpected and welcoming release from this idiosyncratic group.
Makigamisantachi - Gaburi & Zorori (2020)
1. Water Pillow
2. Gaburi
3. Thundering
4. Tunnel of Rainy Season
5. Fry in the Night
6. Beautiful Eye
7. Rain of Trifoliate Orange
8. Shining Lizard
9. Flower of Pumpkin
10. Galaxy Standing Absently
11. Whole Body of Ox
12. Being Stomped by Rainbow
13. After All
14. What to Be Idiosyncratic
15. Theory of Crayfish
16. Orangish Green
17. Trying to Conceal
18. Owl's Remove
19. A Crystal Sings
20. Sheep Making Rust
21. Zorori
recorded at Airgin, Yokohama on May 5, 2016 and Daikanyama Unit on January 24, 2016.
On July 2, Hikashu will perform at Star Pine's Cafe of Kichijoji, as a part of the on-going "Hikashu Monthly 2020" concert series.
The band had to cancel April and June shows, and resumed the series last month as livestream only. And this month they will have audience. It is the first time for them playing in front of people, although there is some limitation for the number of persons in attendance.
Also, as of the last time, the performance will be livestreamed on prepaid and could see anywhere, if the bandwidth is secured.
"Hikashu Monthly 2020 July" July 2, 2020 @ Star Pine's Cafe Kichijoji, Tokyo open 18:30 - start 19:30 adv 3,900 yen - at door 4,300 yen livestream 2,500 yen (3,000 yen after 19:30) url https://tiget.net/events/94702
The livestream content is archived after the broadcast and possible to play until July 6.
At this point the situation is still unpredictable but something must be done. It's their way to attempt back to normal.
It's pay admission and its fee is 2,000 yen advance. After the show started, the charge is at door, which is 2,500 yen. It's basic price and there are other two plans - 3,000 yen and 4,000 yen respective, available. The content is the same with all the plans; the surplus is donation for the related parties. It supports all the major credit cards.
The content is accessible from outside Japan. Unfortunately, the service does not have English support. Use online transation service like Google Translate instead.
Missed the concert? Need not worry. It's available until the end of June 14, so you can watch the performance at a later date.
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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