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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Feb 25, 2012
Feb 19, 2012
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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Feb 18, 2012
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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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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Feb 4, 2012
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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Jan 29, 2012
Minna No Senkan
While waiting the new album, we have chance to see Hikashu among other new acts in February.
It's an event called "Minna No Senkan," [Everybody's Battleship] held on February 11-12 in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It's a sort of showcase gig, the 24 bands will appear. What interesting is that most of the bands booked are emerging, post-two-thousands musicians, and Hikashu is the only act from 1970s (or even 1980s). We think this means something.
And the venue is also interesting - a cabaret called "New Japan" in Shinjuku. Cabaret used to be very popular and influential place for socializing in post-WWII Japan, but the culture dwindled after 1980s. Shinjuku New Japan was one of the most famous, and one of the few surviving spot today. Although now it is no longer a "cabaret," its facility is still intact and the atmosphere of the golden period is well-preserved. Experience the good old days of Showa retro at Shinjuku New Japan.
February 11-12, 2012
"Minna No Senkan"
@ New Japan
Shinjuku, Tokyo
open 12:00 - start 13:00
adv 3,800 yen for each day, 6,800 yen for 2 days ticket
(one drink order minimum)
Ticket available at eplus - 1day ticket 2days ticket
Note: Hikashu will perform on February 11 only. Their time-slot is 17:30-18:00.
Minna No Senkan official site (Japanese)
New Japan, Shinjuku, Tokyo
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It's an event called "Minna No Senkan," [Everybody's Battleship] held on February 11-12 in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It's a sort of showcase gig, the 24 bands will appear. What interesting is that most of the bands booked are emerging, post-two-thousands musicians, and Hikashu is the only act from 1970s (or even 1980s). We think this means something.
And the venue is also interesting - a cabaret called "New Japan" in Shinjuku. Cabaret used to be very popular and influential place for socializing in post-WWII Japan, but the culture dwindled after 1980s. Shinjuku New Japan was one of the most famous, and one of the few surviving spot today. Although now it is no longer a "cabaret," its facility is still intact and the atmosphere of the golden period is well-preserved. Experience the good old days of Showa retro at Shinjuku New Japan.
February 11-12, 2012
"Minna No Senkan"
@ New Japan
Shinjuku, Tokyo
open 12:00 - start 13:00
adv 3,800 yen for each day, 6,800 yen for 2 days ticket
(one drink order minimum)
Ticket available at eplus - 1day ticket 2days ticket
Note: Hikashu will perform on February 11 only. Their time-slot is 17:30-18:00.
Minna No Senkan official site (Japanese)
New Japan, Shinjuku, Tokyo
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Jan 1, 2012
Tabaimo the Artist
The cover of Hikashu's upcoming album will feature an artwork of Tabaimo, a young female artist who has been recognized internationally as a sensational new voice in contemporary art scene. Her English bio is here.
Many of her work depict modern, daily life of ordinary Japanese, which is often tedious, mundane, and just plain boring. She makes such humdrum things into wonderful pieces of art.
There is an interesting story regarding the origin of her name: "Tabaimo" is a childhood nickname endowed by the friends of her sisters (she is the middle of three sisters). "Taba" is a short of "Tabata," which is her family name, and "imo" means "younger sister." So she uses a nickname of tender years as artist name, which is a kind of unusual in the world of art, but it surely gave her some merit because that childlike name is very easy to remember in Japanese, regarding its pronounciation. Moreover, she gave one more twist: the selection of kanji characters. That is, she applied the unusual kanji characters to the name. She choose "束" [bundle] for "taba," and "芋" [potato] for "imo." So her artist name means "Bundled Potato." This selection is also childlike, and it even gives an impression of somewhat unrefined or unsophiscated, but that was probably her intention.
She is now preparing the artwork for Hikashu. Let's look forward to the finished piece.
"Hatsuimo," the first film document of her work, made in 2001.
Recent exhibition held at an American gallery
Many of her work depict modern, daily life of ordinary Japanese, which is often tedious, mundane, and just plain boring. She makes such humdrum things into wonderful pieces of art.
There is an interesting story regarding the origin of her name: "Tabaimo" is a childhood nickname endowed by the friends of her sisters (she is the middle of three sisters). "Taba" is a short of "Tabata," which is her family name, and "imo" means "younger sister." So she uses a nickname of tender years as artist name, which is a kind of unusual in the world of art, but it surely gave her some merit because that childlike name is very easy to remember in Japanese, regarding its pronounciation. Moreover, she gave one more twist: the selection of kanji characters. That is, she applied the unusual kanji characters to the name. She choose "束" [bundle] for "taba," and "芋" [potato] for "imo." So her artist name means "Bundled Potato." This selection is also childlike, and it even gives an impression of somewhat unrefined or unsophiscated, but that was probably her intention.
She is now preparing the artwork for Hikashu. Let's look forward to the finished piece.
"Hatsuimo," the first film document of her work, made in 2001.
Recent exhibition held at an American gallery
New album will be out in April 2012
The release date of Hikashu's upcoming album, tentatively titled "Uragoe," is now set on April 8, 2012. Uragoe means "falsetto" in Japanese.
The album was recorded at EastSide Studio NYC in May, 2011. It contains, at least, four compositions plus collective improvisation.
Some of the tunes are already performed live regularly. "Uragoe," the title track, is a mid-tempo song features Makigami's adventurous vocals. "Fude o fure, Kanata-kun" [Wave the Brush, Kanata-kun] is a fast and fierce tune, and contains an extended interlude jam in 4/4. "Yuugata No Iesu" [The Affirmation of Evening] is also a long, dynamic tune with an impressive, dreamlike introduction played by Shimizu Kazuto. And "Umaretate No Hana" [A Newly Born Flower] is a solemn ballad.
All the tunes are written during their NYC stay in last May, so everything is new. As far as we could tell, all the previewed songs are just great music with interesting lyrics, as always.
In short, the material is unlike of their previous efforts, but the Hikashu-ness is still intact and well-preserved. All we could do is to support the unique, veteran band which daringly continues to seek new directions after 30+ years of its existence. Hurrah for Hikashu!
Related Entry:
Tabaimo the Artist
The album was recorded at EastSide Studio NYC in May, 2011. It contains, at least, four compositions plus collective improvisation.
Some of the tunes are already performed live regularly. "Uragoe," the title track, is a mid-tempo song features Makigami's adventurous vocals. "Fude o fure, Kanata-kun" [Wave the Brush, Kanata-kun] is a fast and fierce tune, and contains an extended interlude jam in 4/4. "Yuugata No Iesu" [The Affirmation of Evening] is also a long, dynamic tune with an impressive, dreamlike introduction played by Shimizu Kazuto. And "Umaretate No Hana" [A Newly Born Flower] is a solemn ballad.
All the tunes are written during their NYC stay in last May, so everything is new. As far as we could tell, all the previewed songs are just great music with interesting lyrics, as always.
In short, the material is unlike of their previous efforts, but the Hikashu-ness is still intact and well-preserved. All we could do is to support the unique, veteran band which daringly continues to seek new directions after 30+ years of its existence. Hurrah for Hikashu!
Related Entry:
Tabaimo the Artist
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