The Living Room Trio (Snekkestad, Strønen, Kjærgaard) with Makigami Koichi Japan Tour 2014

Makigami Koichi has organized a Japan tour of a European improvisation group called The Living Room Trio in April this year. This is the first time they ever play in Japan.

The Living Room Trio is formed in 2009 and consisted of Toben Snekkestad on saxophones, Thomas Strønen on drums, and Søren Kjærgaard on piano and synthesizer.

From their site:

Norwegian saxophone wizard Torben Snekkestad formed a new project for the Copenhagen Jazzfestival in 2009 called “The Living Room”. The trio consist of some very exiting musicians from the Nordic new music/ jazz/improv/electronica scene. The ensemble has now toured in Scandinavia and have developed into a powerful unit, with a unique sound, based on improvisation and compositional frameworks. The trio have also played concerts in Norway with the japanese vocal master Koichi Makigami.

These three young talented musicians are armed with strong individual improvisations, subtle structures, highly-charged grooves and interactive curiosity!

Makigami has been playing with the trio on and off for years, and at last, we will come to know how they actually sound like. Of course, Makigami will sit in all the gigs, and some dates will have a guest, Janmah Shimamura on guitar. Also, the tour includes the two double-bill gigs with Hikashu.


The tour dates:

April 23 Shinjuku Pit-Inn @ Shinjuku, Tokyo
April 24 Valentine Drive @ Nagoya
April 25 Sakuraza @ Kofu (with Hikashu)
April 26 La Mama @ Shibuya, Tokyo (with Hikashu)
April 28 Air-Gin @ Kannai, Yokohama

April 23, 2014
@ Shinjuku Pit-Inn
Shinjuku, Tokyo
open 19:30 - start 20:00
www.pit-inn.com

Shinjuku Pit-Inn, Shinjuku, Tokyo

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April 24, 2014
@ Valentine Drive
Nagoya
Guest: Janmah Shimamura on guitar
open 18:30 - start 19:30
valentinedrive.com

Valentine Drive, Nagoya

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April 25, 2014
@ Sakuraza
Kofu, Yamanashi
Other Act: Hikashu
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen
www.sakuraza.jp

Sakuraza, Kofu, Yamanashi

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April 26, 2014
@ La Mama
Shibuya, Tokyo
Other Act: Hikashu
open 18:00 - start 18:30
adv 3,600 yen - at door 4,000 yen
(one drink order minimum)
lamama.net

La Mama, Shibuya, Tokyo

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April 28, 2014
@ Air-Gin
Kannai, Yokohama
Guest: Janmah Shimamura on guitar
open 19:00 - start 19:30
yokohama-airegin.com

Air-Gin, Kannai, Yokohama

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Makigami's Spring Party at Yugawara on March 9

On March 9, Makigami Koichi will hold an intimate concert at his hometown, Yugawara.

Originally he was scheduled to play that day in Kyzyl, the capital city of Tuva Republic, but the event was postponed to October. Having already booked musicians, he decided to play with them at his hometown instead.

The musicians are: Makigami on voice and shakuhachi, Shika Udai on cello, Yanagiya Koharu on vocals and shamisen, and Sato Masaharu on percussion. You can expect a lot of music - from khoomei, siberian mouthharp to traditional popular songs of 18-19th centuries Japan (Edo period - wikipedia).

And if you live in Tokyo, Yugawara (or its neighboring town, Atami) is definitively worth to pay a visit.

Being famous for hot springs, Yugawara is one of the most popular spa resort in the greater Tokyo area, and it takes an hour and half from central Tokyo via train.

March of Yugawara is a high season for its famous ume (Japanese apricot) trees and people gather to see the splendid scenery.

March 9 is Sunday. So it's a nice way to spend a holiday to visit a beautiful place, take a traditional bath (there are lots of them), then enjoy a special concert. Moreover, the gig is admission free (donations welcome!). Let's have a nostalgia trip with great music.

Yugawara, Kanagawa - wikipedia

Hakone, Yugawara - GoJapanGo.com

March 9, 2014
"Yugawara Ume Trees Party - Musical Journey from Edo to Siberia"
@ Atami-City Izumi Community Center (Atami-Shi Izumi Kominkan)
open 14:00, concert 14:30-16:00
admission free (donations welcome!)
musicians:
Makigami Koichi - voice and shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute)
Shika Udai - cello
Yanagiya Koharu - vocals and shamisen
Sato Masaharu - percussion

Atami-City Izumi Community Center, Atami, Kanagawa

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Kyushu Okinawa Tour 2014

Starting late this month, Hikashu will tour the southern islands of Japan, Kyushu and Okinawa. Especially the Okinawa gig is noteworthy because this is the first time for them to play the beautiful isle. The first time in 36 years!


Tour dates:

February 28 - At Hall, Oita
March 1 - Navaro, Kumamoto
March 2 - Space Terra, Fukuoka
March 4 - Output, Okinawa


February 28, 2014
@ At Hall
Oita
Other acts: the Lunarians and others
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
for inquiries, call the venue at 097-535-2567 or mail info@athall.com

At Hall, Oita

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March 1, 2014
@ Navaro
Kumamoto
Other act: Doit Science
open 19:30 - start 20:00
3,000 yen
(one drink order minimum)
tel 096-352-1200
sound.jp/navaro

Navaro, Kumamoto

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March 2, 2014
@ Space Terra
Fukuoka
open 17:30 - start 18:00
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
www.spaceterra.net　

Space Terra, Fukuoka

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March 4, 2014
@ Output
Okinawa
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
(one drink order minimum)
outputop.com
Ticket now available via Lawson Ticket

Output, Okinawa

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"Chakra Biraki" lyrics and its translation

Hikashu in NYC, May 2013.

Here's a translation of the words on "Chakra Biraki." The original pronounciations follows.


1. Tengoku Wo Nozokitai [Glimpse into Heaven]

Major thoughts and huge prayers fell into decline,
And everybody just hung their socks.
The practices of Inuits , the places to die in for African elephants,
and the muscles of Indians, all filled the socks.
Would you tell me the way how I should pray?
I want to glimpse into heaven,
Maybe even if it's disappointing.

There's such a mess in the heads.
The gum I'm chewing is also a mess.
Henzel and Gredel ate cakes and were taken in.
Even such perils have no meaning for such insensible people.
If there's Santa Claus, I wonder he let me know the way
How I should hung the socks in my room?
I want to glimpse into heaven,
Maybe even if it's disappointing.

Seeing the invisibles,
Please teach me such an enjoyment.
Hiding the visibles,
Please don't waste your life for doing as such.
An alley of Christmas, a carcass of Santa Claus.
The socks in my room has a lot of holes which someone unknown made.
Please let me know the way how I should spent the day?
I want to glimpse into heaven,
Maybe even if it's disappointing.


2. Mosura No Uta [The Song of Mothra]

introduction:
Welcome, everyone.
We are living in the atomic age.
But people, does that mean there are no mysteries of life?
Have all of its wonders become obsolete?
No! Life is not without its mysteries! Let's go up front.
This mystery is not a dream.
Tonight you will see the original life, the original mystery...
It is what I've discovered in my journey to the South Pacific.
I hope you enjoy the two lovely fairies.


Mothra oh Mothra
With thy everlasting
Mistic life
Respond to prayers of
Thy humble servants

Now resurrect Mothra
Gain a powerful life
Take us under your wing
Protect the peace
The peace is a way to lead us
Everlasting prosperity


3. Damekana?! [No Good?!]

No good?
No good?
No good?

No good.


4. Chakra Biraki [Chakra Opening]

Let me open your chakra.
Let me open your chakra.
Let me open your chakra.

Be here without a name.
Be here without a name.
Be here without a name.

A full of difficulties ahead.


5. Kibanda Bandana [Yellowish Bandana]

Bandana turned yellowish, bandana turned yellowish,
Bandana turned yellowish, bandana turned yellowish.
The heyday of youth has been over.
Mandara appeared, mandara appeared,
Mandara appeared, mandara appeared.
That's respectable.

It's hard to lead a social life.
Space and existence are just out of understanding.

Soap bubbles burst, soap bubbles burst,
Soap bubbles burst, soap bubbles burst.
That's a miscalcuration.
Infrastructure is shaky, nfrastructure is shaky,
Infrastructure is shaky, nfrastructure is shaky.
There's a supposition.

World economy is a mess.
The situation are still recognized superficially.

Tenioha and nǐ hǎo, Tenioha and nǐ hǎo,
Tenioha and nǐ hǎo, Tenioha and nǐ hǎo.
Wondering if the spirit of language is working.
The master refused, the master refused,
The master refused, the master refused.
The humorousness is irritating.

Bandana turned yellowish.


Note: Tenioha are particle words in Japanese grammar. It's actually consisted of four words - te, ni, o, and ha. They may be used as one word. Nǐ hǎo (你好) is "hello" in Chinese. See wiktionary for details.


1. Tengoku wo Nozokitai [Glimpse into Heaven]

Sekai wo kugiru ookina shisou mo inori mo chiniochite
Christmas no kutsushita wo tada burasageru hitobakari
Esukimou no fuushuu mo Africa no zou no shinibasho mo
Indian no kinniku mo sono kutsushita ni haraippai
do do donnafuu ni inoreba iinoka chikotto oshiete kurenaika
te te tengoku wo nozokini ikitai
gakutto surukamo shirenai kedone

atama no naka wa gucha gucha
kannderu gum wa kucha kucha
Henzel mo Gredel mo okashi wo tabete damasareta
donkan na yatsura niwa sonna kiken mo imiga nai
Santa Claus ga irunonara boku no heya nimo kutsushita wo
do do donnafuu ni inoreba iinoka
chikotto oshiete kurenaika
te te tengoku wo nozokini ikitai
gakutto surukamo shirenai kedone

mienai mono wo miru koto
sonna tanoshimi wakete kure
mieteru koto ni futa wo suru
sonna ikikata yamete kure
Christmas no uradoori Santa Claus no henshitai
boku no heya no kutsushita wa dare ga aketaka anadarake
do do donnafuu ni inoreba iinoka
chikotto oshiete kurenaika
te te tengoku wo nozokini ikitai
gakutto surukamo shirenai kedone


2. Mosura No Uta [The Song of Mothra]

introduction:
minasan yoku irasshai mashita
ima wa genshiryoku no jidai ni narimashita
demo minasan, kiseki wa mukashi no koto de shouka
soshite shinpi wa kotoba dake no mono de shouka
iie kiseki wa imademo arimasu
shinpi mo yume deha arimasen
dewa tadaima yori gendai no kiseki gendai no
shinpi
watashi ga nankai no kotou de hakken itashimashita
kawaii yousei wo goshoukai shimasu


Mothra Ya Mothra
Dengan Kesaktian Hidupmu
Restuilah Doa Hamba-Hambamu Yang Rendah
Bangunlah Dan Tunjukkanlah Kesaktianmu

Mothra Ya Mothra
Dengan Hidupmu Yang Gemilang
Lindungilah Kami Dan Jadilah Pelindung
Perdamaian

Perdamaian Adalah Hanya Jalan Yang
Tinggal Bagi Kami
Yang Dapat Membawa Kami ke Kemakmuran
Yang Abadi


3. Damekana?! [No Good?!]

damekana?
damekana?
damekana?

damekana


4. Chakra Biraki [Chakra Opening]

omae no chakra wo aketeyaru
omae no chakra wo aketeyaru
omae no chakra wo aketeyaru

namae no naimama sokoni iro
namae no naimama sokoni iro
namae no naimama sokoni iro

zento tanan


5. Kibanda Bandana [Yellowish Bandana]

bandana kibandana bandana kibandana
bandana kibandana bandana kibandana
seishun owatta na
mandara ukandana mandara ukandana
mandara ukandana mandara ukandana
sonkei shichatta na

shakai seikatsu mamanaranu
uchuu sonzai wakaranai

shabondama shibondana shabondama shibondana
shabondama shibondana shabondama shibondana
keisan kuruttana
infra fuandana infra fuandana
infra fuandana infra fuandana
soutei morattana

sekai keizai mama naranu
amai ninshiki kawaranai

tenioha de nǐ hǎo tenioha de nǐ hǎo
tenioha de nǐ hǎo tenioha de nǐ hǎo
kotodama todokukana
dan'na ga kobanda na dan'na ga kobanda na
dan'na ga kobanda na dan'na ga kobanda na
hyoukin sawatta na

bandana kibandana

Hikashu featuring Charan Po Rantan - Chakra Biraki [Chakra Opening] (2013)

Hikashu featuring Charan Po Rantan - Chakra Biraki [Chakra Opening] (2013)



1. Tengoku Wo Nozokitai [Glimpse into Heaven] 3'38"
2. Mosura No Uta [The Song of Mothra] 3'26"
3. Damekana?! [No Good?!] 4'19"
4. Chakra Biraki [Chakra Opening] 12'57"
5. Kibanda Bandana [Yellowish Bandana] 2'18"


Hikashu:
Makigami Koichi - vocals, theremin, cornet
Mita Freeman - guitar, vocals on 3 and 5
Sakaide Masami - bass
Shimizu Kazuto - piano, keyboard, bass clarinet
Sato Masaharu - drums
Inoue Makoto - synthesizer on 2

Charan Po Rantan:
Chiharu - button accordion, vocals
Momo - vocals


Produced by Makigami Koichi
Recorded 2013 in NYC, Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Nagoya.
Recorded by Sakaide Masami, Makigami Koichi, Usui Yasuhiro, Marc Urselli on 5
Mixed by Sakaide Masami, Marc Urselli on 5
Mastered by Ono Seigen at Saidera Mastering

Released on December 25, 2013


Strange christmas song, some absurdities, and Harmolodic pop


At first sight, it looks like a special release for christmas, and that's rightly so: it's released on the holiday, and contains a christmas song.But it's more than that.

This release is remarkable for three things. First, it contains a collaboration with other artists, and that is seldom for Hikashu. They frequently play with other artists on stage, but not for recordings.

Charan Po Rantan, the collaborator, is a sisters duo consisted of Chiharu (button accordion, vocals) and Momo (vocals), formed in 2009. They are under the influence of old European music like musette, chanson, and klezmar. Their popularity has been steadily peaking since their debut. The collaboration with Hikashu started in 2010, and since then they have been performing together on stage on and off.

Secondly, this contains a recording of music from the classic Japanese monster movies which Inoue Makoto, an original member, is quite fond of (he took part in this recording as well.) This is the first time for them to release such kind of music, although the band has been playing those songs on stage from early 1980s. (Actually, some of them were recorded at that time but still remain in the can.)

And thirdly, this disc represents "absurdity" which has been one of their distinctive elements from the beginning. And this element has rarely been documented for their records as well.


1. Tengoku Wo Nozokitai [Glimpse into Heaven]
(words - Makigami Koichi, music - Nomoto Kazuhiro)

This is a new recording of their only Christmas song, originally from the "Ningen No Kao" [People's Faces] album (1988).

The presence of the Charanpo sisters on this track is quite dominant. Momo shares vocals with Makigami, but the accompanyment is mostly done by Chiharu's accordion.

Lyrically this is quite interesting. Probably this is an only christmas song in which Santa Claus is eventually killed. Very humorous.


2. Mosura No Uta [The Song of Mothra]
(words -, music - Koseki Yuji)

This is from the film called "Mothra" (1961) (wikipedia), and one of the most popular songs from the classic monster movies. The original artist is the Peanuts (wikipedia), one of the true superstars of Japanese pop in post-WWII. They also appeared in the movie as "Sho-bijin," which means "the Small Beauties."

At first, Makigami recites the introduction from the movie, then the fairies start to sing.

The lyrics is all Indonesian, probably because of exoticism (remember, the fairies are from some tropic islands). For solo order, Shimizu took first on piano, then Inoue followed on synthesizer.


3. Damekana?! [No Good?!]
(words - Mita Freeman, music - Makigami Koichi)

First of all, do not play this track too loud because its dynamics is somewhat large. You've been warned.

Anyway, structually this is a very simple song. And quite repetitious. Driven by an eerie vamp on bass guitar, Mita Freeman goes berserk with his vocal and guitar. Utterly strange and nobody could understand what it actually means. You have to take it as it is or simply discard it at all.

Actually, this is a very, very old song which could be traced as early as 1980, and this is the first recording. Mainly used for turnaround at their gigs. A representative "absurd" song of the band, along with "Shaka," a selection from the "Ningen No Kao" [People's Faces] album (1988).


4. Chakra Biraki [Chakra Opening]
(words - Makigami Koichi, music - Hikashu)

Collective improvisation. A very extended track, over 12 minutes, and the atmosphere is calm and restrained, interesting throughout. This supposedly works as an interlude.

At around 8 minutes, Makigami repeated two phrases. One is "Omae no Chakra wo aketeyaru" [Let me open your chakra], and the other is "Namae no naimama soko ni iro" [Be here without a name].

The track ends with Makigami's remark, "Zento tanan." That means "a full of difficulties ahead."


5. Kibanda Bandana [Yellowish Bandana]
(word and music - Mita Freeman)

This is a leftover from the Bankan sessions. Written by Mita Freeman and he also takes vocals. The lyrics are consisted of wordplay mostly. Once he just got the title rhyme, and developed an entire song from that.

This one is musically interesting, too. As soon as taking a listen to it, you could tell that this is apparently based on the Harmolodics concept, especially the way how the rhythm is treated. This track proves that Hikashu could be a great Prime Time ensemble if they put their mind to it.


Overall, this is a very welcoming release. "Damekana?!," [No Good?!] an old favorite, is finally materialized, and "Kidanda Bandana" [Yellowish Bandana] is simply too important to be discarded.


Available worldwide via HMV Japan.

The first gigs for 2014

A New Year's Greeting from Hikashu

The first gigs for 2014 have been announced and all scheduled for February.

It seems that Hikashu decided to take a rest in January. They deserved it very much - because in December last year, their workload was so high. What they did in that month were an album and a mini-album released, and two huge concerts held with a lot of guest.

Then in February, they will be back active in live circuit. In that month, there are three gigs in Tokyo. Among them, an exclusive concert at Star Pine's Cafe in Kichijoji is recommended most.

Other two gigs are interesting as well because of the line-up. The Shibuya gig is with Carmen Maki and Hara Masumi, both singers are veteran and must-see if you have a zest for post-WWII Japanese popular music. And the Ikebukuro gig is with two emerging bands which already having a strong fan base.

And in March they will tour in Kyushu and Okinawa. Especially the latter is notable - because they've never been in the island in their 36 years history. Anyway, the tour will be covered later, and here we will go into details for their February gigs.

2013 was a very good year for us Hikashu fans. Let's hope 2014 will be fruitful as well.


Hikashu appearances in February 2014

February 13 @ LaMama, Shibuya, Tokyo (with Carmen Maki and Hara Masumi)
February 15 @ Ruido K3, Ikebukuro, Tokyo (with Podo and Za-ningen)
February 20 @ Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo

poster for the Ikebukuro gig in Shibuya

February 13, 2014
"Carmen Maki, Hikashu, and Hara Masumi"
@ La Mama
Shibuya, Tokyo
other acts: Carmen Maki, Hara Masumi
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 3,500 yen - at door 3,800 yen
www.lamama.net

La Mama, Shibuya, Tokyo

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February 15, 2014
"Human Being Exposition at Toshima-ku"
@ Ruido K3
Ikebukuro, Tokyo
other acts: podo, Za Ningen
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 3,500 yen - at door 3,800 yen
www.ruido.org

Ruido K3, Ikebukuro, Tokyo

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Febaruary 20, 2014
"Hikashu 2014"
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 3,600 yen - at door 4,000 yen
venue's info (Timeout Tokyo)

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo

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The Plastics announced line-up and set list on December 23

The Plastics - from left to right: linda dada, Shima Takemi,  Nakanishi Toshio, Sakuma Otoya, Tachibana Hajime

The Plastics just announced that line-up and set list for the double-bill concert with Hikashu on December 23, 2003 at Daikanyama UNIT, Tokyo.

Of course, all the original member will be present - except Chika. Unfortunately, she'll not be there. And her replacement is linda dada, a vocalist and drummer from a band called N' Ninagawa Boys. Moreover, Sakuma Otoya, a son of Sakuma Masahide, will join as a keyboard player. Also there are several supporting musicians.


The Plastics:

Nakanishi Toshio - vocals, guitar
Tachibana Hajime - guitar
Sakuma Masahide - keyboard, guitar
Shima Takemi - rhythm box, guitar
Sakuma Otoya - keyboard
linda dada - vocals

with

Yamakawa Fuyuki - khoomei
Hayashi Mio - oboe
momo - keyboard

Sakuma Masahide

linda dada

The Plastics are supposed to play over one hour. The set list is as follows:


01.　TOP SECRET MAN
02.　COPY
03.　DELICIOUS
04.　DIGITAL WATCH
05.　I WANNA BE A PLASTIC
06.　ROBOTS
07.　GOOD
08.　IGNORE
09.　MOCHIGUSARE
10.　INST
11.　DIAMOND HEAD
12.　CARS
      and others


How about this? Quite interesting. And as for Hikashu's set, Umezu Kazutoki will join on saxophone.

So on this gig, you will probably see four groups - The Original Hikashu featuring Makigami Koichi on bass and vocals (they'll play first), The Plastics, Hikashu with Umezu Kazutoki, and naturally, all the musicians will be back to play together for encore. What they will actually play is anyone's guess.

So now you know it's destined to be once in a lifetime thing. Do not miss it.

The Plastics and Hikashu circa 1980 (source: Inoue's twitter)