Hikashu's monthly concert series continues in 2023

 

⁡マンスリーヒカシュー2022
『唐突という執着』
ゲスト：イノヤマランド/マリアンヌ東雲/KERA

ご来場&ご視聴ありがとうございました🌟
年末に相応しく、アンコールまで超大盛り上がり&贅沢なライブでした🎹

来年はヒカシュー45周年🎉
来年もよろしくお願いします！
#マンスリーヒカシュー pic.twitter.com/RdBo1LslqJ

— ヒカシューファンクラブ (@hikashufanclub) December 30, 2022

On December 30, there was the year's end concert with guests at Star Pine's Cafe Kichijoji, and Hikashu had finished the activities of this year.

And it's officially announced that the monthly concert series at SPC will continue in 2023. Now it's 5th year.

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the things 'go back to normal' anytime soon, but Hikashu will be active as ever, and we can expect a new album is coming. The band certainly have a new material to fill an album. Some of them are already performed in public, and we can say it sounded great. So let's look forward to the album. Have a nice new year's eve.

Year's end concert on December 30, 2022

Hikashu will hold a year's end concert at Star Pine's Cafe on December 30, 2022.

For years, Hikashu has been holding a special concert around christmas season with guests, Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, this event has been halted. Now the situation is gradually changing, and this year's end concert is one of their attempts to 'back to normal'.

The guests are Inoyama Land, Kera, and Marianne Shinonome from Kinoko Hotel.

The concert will be long one so started early. The hours is different than usual so be careful.

December 30, 2022
"Hikashu Monthly 2022"
guest: Inoyama Land, Kera, Marianne Shinonome
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
open 15:30 - start 16:00
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen
There will be streaming broadcast available and ticket is sold at e+ (e-plus) (sorry, outside Japan is not supported).

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo

Jazz Art Sengawa December 1-4 2022

This year's Jazz Art Sengawa has been slated to December due to the renovation of the venue, Sengawa Theater of Chofu, Tokyo.

Hikashu's appearance is scheduled to the afternoon of December 3rd. This is a special program - a continuation of the project "Kabakov's Dream" which have performed in Niigata this summer (see here for details). The project is a work in progress, and the audience is going to see it in a working stage.

The entire schedule is as follows:

December 1, 2022
"A Wind from Berlin"
Takase Aki (p), Daniel Eltman (sax), Uchihashi Kazuhisa (g), Nakaya Akiko (alive painting)
19:00-
guest: Ino Nobuyoshi (b)

December 2, 2022
"Running in the Sky"
Samm Bennett (per), Fujiwara Kiyoto (b), Akaihirume (vo), Nagamine Maki (scenography)
19:00-20:30

December 3, 2022
"Kabakov's Dream Continued"
Hikashu
Makigami Koichi (vo, cor, thermin), Mita Freeman (g), Sakaide Masami (b), Shimizu Kazuto (p), Sato Masaharu (ds)
guest: Koketsu Masayo (sax)
14:30-16:00

"What a Wonderful World"
Arthur Binard (poetry), Nanao Tavito (vo, g), Kumasaka Rutsuko (accordion), Sakamoto Hiromichi (vc, etc)
19:00-20:30

December 4, 2022
"Wonderful World of Idiosyncratic Playing"
Tokushu Soho Yon [Tachibana Hideki (alto sax), Kita Yoichiro (tp), Takahashi Yasuyuki (tb), Honto Misaki (baritone sax)], Yamaga Gaku (g), Sakamoto Hiromichi (vc, etc)
11:00-

"Trio looking for a bone of jellyfish"
Makigami Koichi (vo), Sato Yoshiaki (accordion), Kanda Yoshiko (percussion)
15:00-

Each set - 3,500 yen

Sengawa Theater, Chofu, Tokyo

Now taking pre-order - Chirgilchin live in Japan 2022 album

The tour has ended and an album is coming.

The Japan tour of Chirgilchin, one of the leading ensembles of Tuvan throat singing, was held in October 2022, which was organized by Makigami Koichi, and it was a success as most shows were eventually sold out.

Now Makigami and co. are preparing a live album of the ensemble and taking pre-order.

The album is selected from the recordings of the tour. Unfortunately the albums of Chirgilchin are now hard to find and there's a huge demand of the recordings, so Makigami's effort is trying to fill the gap.

You can place pre-order through the following form.

Chirgilchin Japan Tour 2022 live CD pre-order - HIKASHU music store

Find troubling? Comment here, or use the contact form of the right bar, so we can help you safely placing the order.

The forthcoming album is scheduled to be shipped around mid-December 2022.

本日 #日経新聞 夕刊より。#チルギルチン を取り上げていただきました。日経新聞にホーメイ取り上げてもらったの初めてかな? 「喉をマジカルに響かせる」とか、「かような超然とした手作りの表現」とか言葉遣いが見慣れない感じ。 pic.twitter.com/cdWlNLb7IU

— ayako makigami (@aya7216) October 25, 2022

The tour was covered by various newspapers. This is an article by Nikkei, which is a major economic paper, equivalent to the Finantial Times from the UK. (Actually Nikkei now owns FT.)

Chirgilchin at Granship Hall, Shizuoka

Chirgilchin in Kamakura

Makigami Koichi organizes the Tuvan Khoomei Ensemble "Chirgilchin" Japan Tour October 2022

In October 2022, Chirgilchin, an influential throat-singing group from Tuva, tours Japan. The tour is organized by Makigami Koichi.

The dates are:

October 7 - Shinmai Media Garden, Matsumoto, Nagano
October 8 - Shinmai Media Garden, Matsumoto, Nagano (sold out)
October 9 - Granship Hall, Shizuoka, Shizuoka
October 10 - Haremame, Daikanyama, Tokyo (sold out)
October 11 - Haremame, Daikanyama, Tokyo (sold out)
October 14 - Mojo, Tokorozawa, Saitama (sold out)
October 15 - Kiunkaku, Atami, Shizuoka
October 16 - Jochiji, Kamakura, Kanagawa

(October 5 update - Oct 10 is sold out, and Oct 11 is newly added.)
(October 7 update - Oct 8, 11 and 14 are also sold out.)

Chirgilchin, meaning "dance of the air in the heat of the day" or "miracle" in Tuvan, is a group of Tuvan musicians performing traditional Tuvan music. It was established in 1996.

Chirgilchin - wikipedia

Currently, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has created barriers not only to economic but also to various cultural exchanges.
Tuva is no exception.
Music is the greatest thing that can affect the human mind.
We can communicate with each other, even if there is a difference between countries and languages.
Friends in Russia and Ukraine, without discrimination, will always be friends.
With Khoomei, which seems to be pouring down from the heavens,
We can seek for peace from the very root of our being.

Makigami Koichi

Go see them if you have any slightest interest in it. This is a very precious opportunity for all of us. Chirgilchin is one of the top of the field, and considering the current situation, seeing them perform in Japan is itself a miracle. So go see them and experience the great tradition from Siberia. 

The most recommended date is the Shizuoka Granship concert on October 9 because of its nice acoustics.

The details of each date are as follows:

October 7&8, 2022 

"Festa Matsumoto"
@ Shinmai Media Garden
Matsumoto, Nagano
festamatsumoto.com
October 7 - start 19:00, 5,000yen (as a part of an act) info
October 8 - start 13:00, adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500yen info

Shinmai Media Garden, Matsumoto, Nagano  

October 9, 2022

@ Granship Hall

Shizuoka, Shizuoka

MC: Makigami Koichi

open 14:30 - start 15:00 

adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen

www.granship.or.jp 

Granship Hall, Shizuoka, Shizuoka  

October 10&11, 2022 

(update: Oct 10 is sold out, and 11 is additional date)

@ Haremame (Haretara Sora Ni Mame Maite)

Daikanyama, Tokyo 

special guest: OLAibi MC: Makigami Koichi 

open 18:30 - start 19:30 

adv 5,000 yen - at door 5,500 yen

haremame.com/schedule/73561 

Haremame (Haretara Sora Ni Mame Maite), Daikanyama, Tokyo  

October 14, 2022 

@ Mojo 

Tokorozawa, Saitama

support: KAMOSU MC: Makigami Koichi 

open 18:30 - start 19:00 

adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen

mojo-m.com 

Mojo, Tokorozawa, Saitama  

October 15, 2022 

@ Kiunkaku 

Atami, Shizuoka 

open 18:00 - start 18:30 

adv 3,500 yen

Yahoo Passmarket 

Kiunkaku, Atami, Shizuoka  

October 16 

@ Jochiji

Kamakura, Kanagawa 

open 14:00 - start 15:00

adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen 

Jochiji, Kamakura, Kanagawa

Makigami Koichi sings "Kabakov's Dream" in Niigata on July 30, 2022

On July 30, Makigami Koichi will tackle with the works of Ilya and Emilia Kabakov in a live setting.

Kabakovs are Russian-American conceputual artists originally from Ukrainian region of Soviet Union, now a US residents.

Throughout his forty-year plus career, Kabakov has produced a wide range of paintings, drawings, installations, and theoretical texts—not to mention extensive memoirs that track his life from his childhood to the early 1980s. In recent years, he has created installations that evoked the visual culture of the Soviet Union, though this theme has never been the exclusive focus of his work.

Ilya Kabakov - wikipedia

In 2000, Makigami came to know about Kavakov's work for the first time and has been inspired from their work since then.

This time, with a special setting located in Niigata, a perfecture of Chubu region of the mainland Japan, Makigami and his band Hikashu, with additional members, will perform some songs based on the texts of Kavakov's work.

"When I see Kavakov's work, I can hear some imaginary music through the gaps in the accompanied texts from the installations.
Here I try to discover an imaginary called Kavakov's Dream in this occasion.
With something in my back - maybe wings of angels, or a box of light."

Makigami Koichi

The members are:
Hikashu
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin), Mita Freeman (guitar), Sakaide Masami (bass), Shimizu Kazuto (piano, keyboards), Sato Masaharu (drums)
with
Koketsu Masayo (alto saxophone), Ito Chieko (dance), Nakayama Akiko (live painting)

Also, on July 31, there are a workshop for voice and mouthharp (11:00 start) and solo performance (15:00 start) of Makigami at the same venue.

Remember, this is a special evening with special program. So do not miss it.

July 30, 2022
"Makigami Koichi sings Kavakov's Dream"
@ Matsudai Nobutai
Tookamachi, Niigata
open 17:30 start 18:00
adv 1,500 yen - at door 2,000 yen (children 800 yen)
Information in English - Tokamachi City Association for Tourism

Matsudai Nobutai, Niigata

Hikashu Now online event on Feb 15 2022

There will be a live streaming event about Hikashu next week.

Hikashu members talk about their recent releases "LA LA WHAT" and "Zekkei" blu-ray, plus the band's overseas activities.

Also there will be some improvised music, performed live in the studio by ShiroYagi KuroYagi, a bass-and-drum duo of Hikashu members, with Makigami Koichi.

The program can be viewed via YouTube or Dommune site:

YouTube Dommune channel
www.youtube.com/user/dommune

Dommune
www.dommune.com

February 15, 2022
"Hikashu Now!!!"
@ Dommune
19:30 - 24:00 (JST)
Appearance: Makigami Koichi, Sakaide Masami, Sato Masaharu
Live music: Kuroyagi Shiroyagi with Makigami Koichi

Information on Dommune site (Jpn) www.dommune.com/streamings/2022/021501/

Zekkei DVD reissued in Blu-ray format

Zekkei DVD will be reissued this year and now accepting online pre-order.

Zekkei is the live album by Hikashu released in 2018. The double CD documents the band's annual christmas concert at Daikanyama Unit, Tokyo on December 26, 2016. The concert featured songs with the group backing up a variety of musical guests including Hirasawa Susumu.

Zekkei DVD depicts the same concert and released as an accompaniment bonus disc with the album for the first pressing only.

The DVD has become highly sought after and now back with popular demand. But beware - It's online order only and the quantity is limited. So better get hurry.

An on-line store dedicated for the product, operated by the band's management:

hikashu-zekkei.stores.jp

Unfortunately, it is for domestic order and in Japanese language only.

If you live in foreign countries and want to buy this, consider using forwarding service. If you have questions you can contact us via the mailing form in the side bar.

The following is an extract from the DVD:

LA LA WHAT video

 

Hikashu just uploaded a video of the title track from their new album "LA LA WHAT".

The instrument Makigami strumming in it is a wooden trumpet from Latvia.

The music itself is from early 1980s - one of the songs prepared for their 1981 album, The Human Being, but unused. Recently Mita discovered the demo. He reworked on it and here is the result.

LA LA WHAT

words - makigami music - mita

Fake over truth
Money over conscience
War took advantage
Defecting to my own room
LA LA WHAT

An evening of folk songs
Singing everyday life
Melodies are a disappointment
Reflections like narcissists
LA LA WHAT

Medding over understanding
Mimicry too descent
Even permafrost melting
Passionately delusion
LA LA WHAT

Reality from afterimage
That girl is a myth buff
The eyes are easily blinded
By media manipulations
LA LA WHAT

jijitsu yorimo feiku
ryoushiki yorimo okane
binjo surunoga senso
jibun no heya ni bomei
LA LA WHAT

kurashi muki wo utau
foku songu no yuube
kitai hazureno merodi
narusisuto meku hansha
LA LA WHAT

rikai yorimo chokkai
bijin sugiru gitai
eikyu toudo mo tokeru
jonetsuteki na sakkaku
LA LA WHAT

zanzo kara no riaru
shinwa suki no anoko
jouhou sousa wa itomo
konome wo mienaku saseru
LA LA WHAT

New Year "LA LA WHAT" Lucky Bag Campaign

 

The official Hikashu store has started a lucky bag campaign for commemorating the release of the band's new album, LA LA WHAT. 

THE CAMPAIGN IS VALID UNTIL JANUARY 15, 2022 (JPN standard time) SO BETTER HURRY!

There are three packages (all includes "LA LA WHAT" CD) available as follows:

Lucky Bag #1 4 CDs - JPY 10,000 yen plus S&H

• "LA LA WHAT" CD
• "Zekkei" CD
• Other 2 CDs (unselectable)
• T-Shirt (size: S, M, L, XL)
• Tenugui (traditional japanese handkerchief, cotton 100%)
• Sticker (3 pieces)
• Mini Button Badge

Note: Notify the size of T-Shirt. The color of the items are unselectable.

Lucky Bag #2 "LA LA WHAT" plus some merchantise - JPY 10,000 yen plus S&H

This includes:

• "LA LA WHAT" CD
• T-Shirt (size: S, M, L, XL)
• Socks (size: 23-25 cm or 25-27 cm)
• Lunch Tote Bag
• Tenugui (traditional japanese handkerchief, cotton 100%)
• Mask
• Sticker (3 pieces)
• Mini Button Badge
• Document Holder

Note: Notify the size of T-Shirt and Socks. The color of the items are unselectable.

Lucky Bag #3 "LA LA WHAT" plus some merchantise - JPY 5,000 yen plus S&H

• "LA LA WHAT" CD
• T-Shirt (size: S, M, L, XL)
• Mini Tote Bag
• Sticker (3 pieces)
• Key Holder
• Mini Button Badge

Note: Notify the size of T-Shirt. The color of the items are unselectable.

This is quite a bargain, but again, the campaign will be ended on January 15 (jpn standard time) so better hurry getting it. The store generally accepts international order and all you need for ordering is PayPal account, but in case of you have some worries (for example, the store could process orders in Japanese language only) we're happy to help you. Just tell us what you want via the contact form in the sidebar so we can work it out. Thank you.

Experience the DSD Sound - Listening "LA LA WHAT" in High Resolution Audio

 

Hikashu has been releasing a high-resolution edition of original albums since 2011 Uragoe. This month, there is a public event listening to the high audio version of their new album, LA LA WHAT. DSD is the format Hikashu using for their high definition audio works.

Direct Stream Digital - wikipedia

The participants of the event are Makigami Koichi, Sakaide Masami and Ono Seigen from Saidera Mastering. Sakaide is recorded and mixed the album, and Ono took charge of DSD mastering.

The location is Haremame, abbreviating Haretara Sora Ni Sora Maite, which is a venue in Daikanyama, Tokyo.

For LA LA What, Sakaide mixed the DSD audio using KORG Nu 1 in 11MHz, then Ono did 11MHz DSD mastering through analog process. At the event, the audio is played through the house PA, Meyer Sound Ultra series UPA-1A.

It is a precious opportunity to listening to high resolution audio through PA systems of a dedicated live music venue, in high volume. Especially improvised music. So do not miss it if you interested.

Saidera Mastering commented for LA LA WHAT: "High resolution audio is quite a suitable for improvising music. DSD 11.2 MHz. It makes clear that each instrument has different sounds. Apertures and images of sound could be heard precisely."

ヒカシュー『虹から虹へ』を聴く https://t.co/afm00RmY1N

25分00あたり〜〜
ハイレゾって言うのは、即興演奏聴くのにとってもいいですね！DSD 11.2MHz。それぞれが、いろんな違う音を奏でてるっていうのが、隙間とかね、音像がしっかり聴こえてくる。

— Saidera Mastering（サイデラ・マスタリング） (@saidera001) December 10, 2021

January 23, 2022
Ono Seigen and Haremame present Hikashu Listening Party - "LA LA WHAT" in DSD audio
@ Haremame (Haretara Sora Ni Mame Maite)
Daikanyama, Shibuya, Tokyo
open 16:30 - start 17:30
adv 2,000 yen - at door 2,500 yen
haremame.com/schedule/72051/

Hikashu Monthly Concert 2022

Hikashu has been helding a monthly concert series at Star Pine's Cafe in Kichijoji, Tokyo, and it continues. Now it's 4th year. The schedule is as follows:

January 25, Tuesday

February 17, Thursday

March 9, Wednesday (guest Koketsu Ayayo on alto saxophone)

April 22, Friday

May 27, Friday

June 27, Monday

July 12, Thursday (changed from July 21)

August 26, Friday

September 22, Thursday

October 26, Wednesday

November 25, Friday

December 30, Friday

Hikashu Monthly Concert Series 2022

@ Star Pine's Cafe

Kichijoji, Tokyo

New Year's Greetings 2022 from Hikashu

Shimizu: Hi. Thank you all and Happy New Year. As ever I play music this year so come and see us. Thanks again.

Sato: Hikashu will continue the monthly concert series at Star Pine's Cafe this year. Also with Harada Daijiro (actor), I'll perform a music and reading event in February 22-23 at the same venue. This is based on "Ten Nights' Dream" by Natsume Soseki. It's not just a reading with musical accompaniment but a duo performance of reading and live music. So check it out too.

Mita: Happy new year 2022. Hikashu will perform at Star Pine's Cafe every month this year and also I'm thinking some things to do as solo so stay tuned. No one know what lies ahead so enjoy the moment. Thank you. Period.

Sakaide: Happy New Year. 2022. So much of 2. Well, I have some perception that things are gradually changing these days and this year will be great one. I keep on making and performing music. That's what I'm thinking right now. I wish you all the best. Thank you.

Makigami: Happy New Year. 2022 has come. This two years everybody has been struggling and having some hardships. I hope things unfortunate out there getting better. And Hikashu will continue the monthly concert series in 2022, now it's 4th year. So see you all at the venue.