Dec 31, 2017

The first gig of 2018



Hikashu's first gig of 2018 will be held at Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo on January 25. It's also Makigami's birthday.


January 25, 2018
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 3,900 yen - at door 4,300 yen

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo

Nov 21, 2017

Hikashu Cinematic Christmas Concert 2017



Since 2008, Hikashu has been holding a special concert in December at Unit, a live venue of Daikanyama, Tokyo. This year it marks its 10th anniversary, and the band prepares the special program for the event.

This year's theme is film music, and Hikashu will play a series of famous compositions with various guests, plus the selections of their latest album, Anguri. It's going to be a memorable evening.

Inoyama Land is an ambient music duo consisted of Yamashita Yasushi and Inoue Makoto, both are the founding members of Hikashu. Actually their partnership predates the band, started in 1977, and they have been together since then.

No Lie-Sense is a duo of Suzuki Keiichi and Kera, both are the iconic figures of Japanese new wave movement. The unit started in 2013 and released two albums to date. It was named because they happened to have no driver's license.

Marianne Shinonome is a vocalist and keyboard player, currently leads her own band called Kinoco Hotel. She collaborated with Hikashu at many occasions, most recently she joined a Tokyo concert of Godzilla Legend in last September.

Kaiso Shimai, "the Seaweed Sisters," is a group of three instrumentalists. Although quite young, all the members has been classically trained at conservatoire, and known for its technical proficiency at arrangement and performance.

cast:

Hikashu
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin, cornet), Mita Freeman (guitar), Sakaide Masami (bass), Shimizu Kazuto (piano, synthesizer, bass clarinet), Sato Masaharu (drums)

Inoyama Land
Yamashita Yasushi (synthesizer), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer)

No Lie-Sense
Suzuki Keiichi (vocal, guitar), Kera (vocal)

Marianne Shinonome (vocal)

Kaiso Shimai (The Seaweed Sisters)
Wakame (saxophone), Kombu (saxophone), Mekabu (piano)







December 22, 2017
"Hikashu's Cinematic Christmas"
@ Unit
Daikanyama, Tokyo
open 17:30 - start 18:30
5,000 yen
smash-jp.com

Unit, Daikanyama, Tokyo

Nov 11, 2017

Hikashu - Hirasawa Susumu 2016 live album soon released on the net




It's just announced that a live album of Hikashu's christmas concert last year will be released through online distribution.

The sold-out gig had many guests including Hirasawa Susumu on vocals and guitar. He sung some Hikashu numbers and Makigami did the same with Hirasawa's songs. The audience went wild and there is a huge demand for the recording. Now it looks like the demand be fulfilled.

Currently the details for the release, like the date and the method (download or stream), are still unknown. What is certain is that it contains Hikashu/Hirasawa's collaboration and it was recorded in extreme high resolution, hence no physical release - simply it couldn't fit into disc.

In fact, the concert was documented with sixteen Korg MR-2000S recorders. So it's quite an audiophile recording.

And the album is tentatively called "Zekkei," which means "magnificent scenery." We'll let you know when the details go public.

Oct 24, 2017

Hikashu - Anguri in the Style of Unlanding (2017)




Hikashu - Anguri in the Style of Unlanding

1. Anguri / Anguri
2. Doremo Ga Seikai / All are correct
3. Shikou no Moso / Suprematism
4. Narisumashite Soro / Solemn Pretender
5. Tsubuyaku Kai / Selfish Shellfish
6. Iine / I Like It
7. Tomei Sugiruyo / Too Transparent
8. Ryokai Desu / Roger That
9. Zenhoui Ayashige / Omni Suspicion
10. Mamonaku Tengoku / It will be heaven soon
11. Aisenaiyo, Sonnanja / You cannot be in love, I guess
12. Chakuriku Shinaikei / In the Style of Unlanding
13. Iishitumon Desune! / Good Question!

Words by Makigami
Music by Makigami (3), Mita (6, 11, 13), Sakaide (1, 8), Sato (7), Hikashu (2, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12)

Hikashu:
Makigami Koichi - vocal, theremin, cornet, shakuhachi, mouth harp
Mita Freeman - guitar
Sakaide Masami - bass
Shimizu Kazuto - piano, synthesizer, bass-clarinet
Sato Masaharu - drums

additional musicians:
Mori Ikue - laptop on 3, 8, 13
Chris Pitsiokos - alto saxophone on 9, 10, 12
Fubuki Yukie - vocal on 6, 9
Afrirampo - vocal on 9
Inoue Makoto - synthesizer on 8, 9, 10, 12

Produced by Makigami Koichi
Recorded by Mark Urselli at Eastside Sound NYC on May 1-2, 2017
Mastered by Scott Hull at Masterdisk NYC

Released on October 10, 2017


In May this year, Hikashu had been in New York City. The band came to the town in order to take part in a concert and studio recording of Godzilla Legend, the solo project of ex-member Inoue Makoto. The next day after the concert at Japan Society, both group went into Eastside Sound, Hikashu's favorite studio, and recorded two albums. One is "Godzilla Legend V" which was released in September, and the other is Anguri, the 23rd album of Hikashu.

Anguri is not "angry," mind you, but a Japanese word describing "mouth-opened by surprise." You can see all the members doing "anguri" on the back cover of the album. In Japanese it's simply called Anguri, but the full English title is "Anguri in the Style of Unlanding."

The album has 13 tracks, seven of which are compositions, and the rest are improvised. As the title suggests, it's full of surprise, of course positively. All the songs are newly written especially for the album.

"Suprematism" is inspired by Black Square, painting by Kazimir Malevich. The band witnessed the iconic work during a Russian tour. There is also a refenence to White on White, another piece by the same author, the different title used for the song though.

"I Like It" is a mid-tempo song with humorous lyrics. It sounds quite relaxed as it could be described even as pastoral. Besides handclapping and female backing vocals, provided by Fubuki Yukie, a stage actress and singer, it has some cowbells which it's used to be in the possession of Blue Oyster Cult, so the band was told. Maybe this is the same one used for "(Don't Fear) the Reaper."



There is a person who always give promptly affirmative answer to any incoming email, hardly bother whatever it says. That habit comes to fruit as "Roger That."

The album closes with magnificient "Good Question!" which is based on Makigami's day-to-day interaction with smartphone AI.

Regarding improvised tracks, Chris Pitsiokos, a bright young saxophonist from NY downtown scene, and Inoue Makoto are contributed as guests.

The cover illustration, with impressive piercing eyes, is done by Kondo Akino, a Japanese artist who currently resides in NYC. There is also another piece on the liner notes. 

The album is available worldwide via HMV Japan.





1. Anguri
words - makigami, music - sakaide

Knocking on an obscure gate
To look for extraordinariness
Cartograph of pain

Being frugal and breathless
How long could this be
Or is this deep into the night

A series of crying
Located in the end of vocal chord
The pure land
Sprint of Buddha

Walking while the shoestrings remain untied
The sky is leaning
Clearing a puddle


3. Suprematism
words and music - makigami

What is it
What is it
There are some crackings on the black square

What is it
What is it
The absolute blackness of delibate darkness
gradually peeled itself off

Black Square
Black Square
Black Square
Black Square

What is it
What is it
There are some dullness on the white square

What is it
What is it
The light beamed from outside echoed on the daydreaming eye

White Square
White Square
White Square
White Square


6. I Like It
words - makigami, music - mita

I like it, I like it

Considering every situation
Considering every situation
Considering every situation

I like it, I like it

Driven by every sentiment
Driven by every sentiment
Driven by every sentiment

I like it, I like it

Loving the nice way
Loving the nice way
Loving the nice way

I like it, I like it

Being full of distorted function
Being full of distorted function
Being full of distorted function

I like it, I like it

Travelling with crooked eyes
Travelling with crooked eyes
Travelling with crooked eyes


7. Too transparent
words - makigami, music - sato

Making a bloody promise
with flaming heart
Ambushing quietly
Waiting for an encounter

Who are you
Too transparent
Who are you
Too transparent

Incitement sans tension
Decision sans mind
How come you leave a ring
Due to the relentless untoward events

Who are you
Too transparent
Who are you
Too transparent

Tacit knowledge
Eternal silence
Hanging foolishly
Soaked in shame

Who are you
Too transparent
Who are you
Too transparent


8. Roger That
words - makigami, music - sakaide

What town we are reaching for
(Roger that)
If we remain travelling like this
(Roger that)

Lives matter above all
Lives matter above all

Whatever happens
(Roger that)
Probably there are some dissents
(Roger that)

Oct 23, 2017

Makigami Koichi @ the Stone New York City December 26-31 2017




In coming december, Makigami does a residency at the Stone, the NYC live music space directed by John Zorn. The personnels are:

12/26 Tuesday 8:30 pm
Chris Pitsiokos (sax) Tim Dahl (bass) Makigami Koichi (voice, theremin)

12/27 Wednesday 8:30 pm
Ned Rothenberg (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, shakhachi) Shelley Hirsch (voice) Billy Martin (drums) Makigami Koichi (voice, theremin)

12/28 Thursday 8:30 pm
Agra Darma
Ikue Mori (laptop) Sylvie Courvoisier (piano) Makigami Koichi (voice,theremin)

12/29 Friday 8:30 pm
Nels Cline (guitar) Yuka Honda (keyboards) Shanir Blumenkranz (bass) Tim Keiper (drums) Makigami Koichi (voice, theremin)

12/31 Sunday 8:30 pm
NEW YEARS EVE IMPROV BENEFIT
John Zorn, Chris Speed (saxes) Makigami Koichi (voice) Ikue Mori (electronics) Jim Black (drums) Chris Tordini (bass) and many special guests

See the Stone website for details:
thestonenyc.com

Oct 20, 2017

Hikashu Euro Russia Tour November 2017




It's just announced that Hikashu will tour Europe and Russia in November 2017. The dates are:

November 14 - kepler14, Köln, Germany
November 16 - DOM, Moscow, Russia
November 17 - Cafe Hærverk, Oslo, Norway
November 18 - Kjøt, Bergen, Norway
November 20 - 5e, Copenhagen, Denmark


Don't miss this one if you're nearby.


Oct 3, 2017

Gigs in October 2017



Waiting anxiously Hikashu's new album "Anguri", while it's clear the most notable activity of the band in the foreseeable future is the new album release concert held at Star Pine's Cafe in Kichijoji on October 10 (described here), it's noted that there are other appearances for this month, as listed below:

October 6 - "Pre-Machi" @ Hearts+, Otsuka, Tokyo
October 7 - "Yokohama Jazz Promenade" @ KAAT Yokohama Art Theatre, Yokohama
October 10 - "Anguri" Release Concert @ Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo
October 16 - LaMama, Shibuya, Tokyo

"Pre-Machi" is a sort of showcase gig for the event called "Aki No Yoimachi" which is held in November, and Hikashu has already been booked for the latter one as well.

Yokohama Jazz Promenade is a huge jazz festival with a distinguished history. Hikashu's appearance starts around noon, so do not forget to come early.

Unfortunately, pianist Shimizu Kazuto is not available at the LaMama's gig, and ex-member Yoshimori Makoto will join the band as substitute.


October 6, 2017
"Pre-Machi"
@ Hearts+
Otsuka, Tokyo
other acts: Owarikara, Kuchusen, Rahulas
open 18:00 - start 18:30
adv 2,800 yen - at door 3,300 yen
hearts-web.net/plus

Hearts+, Otsuka, Tokyo



October 7, 2017
"Yokohama Jazz Promenade"
@ KAAT Yokohama Art Theatre
Yokohama
start 12:00
jazzpro.jp

KAAT Yokohama Art Theatre, Yokohama



October 16, 2017
@ LaMama
Shibuya, Tokyo
other acts: Kozure Miwazo, Oedo Sukeroku Daiko (Traditional taiko ensemble)
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,300 yen
lamama.net

LaMama, Shibuya, Tokyo

Sep 20, 2017

Hikashu New Album "Anguri" Cover Art and Track List Revealed


On October 10, Hikashu's new album will be released. It's 27th album for the band and called "Anguri." Anguri is a Japanese word roughly translated as "mouth-opened for surprise."

The album has 13 tracks and the running time is about 50 minutes. The titles are as follows:

Hikashu - Anguri: in the Style of Unlanding

1. Anguri / Anguri
2. Doremo ga Seikai / All are correct
3. Shikou no Mousou / Suprematism
4. Narisumashite Sourou / Solemn Pretender
5. Tsubuyaku Kai / Selfish shellfish
6. Iine / I like it
7. Toumei Sugiruyo / Too transparent
8. Ryokai desu / Roger that
9. Zenhoui Ayashige / Omni suspicion
10. Mamonaku Tengoku / It will be heaven soon
11. Aisenaiyo, Sonnanja / You cannot be in love, I guess.
12. Chakuriku Shinaikei / In the style of unlanding
13. Iishitumon desune! / Good Question!

Hikashu:
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin, cornet, shakuhachi, mouth harp)
Mita Freeman (guitar)
Sakaide Masami (bass)
Shimizu Kazuto (piano, synthesizer, bass clarinet)
Sato Masaharu (drums)

Additional musicians:
Mori Ikue (electronics)
Chris Pitsiokos (alto saxophone)
Fubuki Yukie (vocal)
Afrirampo (vocal)
Inoue Makoto (synthesizer)

Release date: October 10, 2017

The cover illustration is drawned by Kondo Akino, a Japanese artist who currently resides in New York City. From her tweet:



Quite attractive, isn't it?

Now HMV Japan takes pre-order worldwide. See here for details.

New Album Release Concert @ Star Pine's Cafe Kichijoji Tokyo on October 10, 2017




Hikashu will release a new album "Anguri" on October 10. To commemorate it, a special concert will be held on the same day at Star Pine's Cafe of Kichijoji, Tokyo.


October 10, 2017
"Anguri" Release Concert
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 3,900 yen - at door 4,300 yen
mandala.gr.jp/SPC

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo

Aug 11, 2017

Jazz Art Sengawa 2016 digest video




Last week a digest video of Jazz Art Sengawa 2016 uploaded on YouTube. Hikashu's appearance starts at 4:44, performing together with Food, Thomas Strønen on drums, Iain Ballamy on tenor saxophone.

JAZZ ART せんがわ(SENGAWA) 2016 ダイジェスト(Digest)

Jazz Art Sengawa this year will be held on September 14-17 at Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo. Hikashu is the last act of the last day, and it has a guest, a young saxophonist from NYC, Chris Pitsiokos.

Jazz Art Sengawa 2017 September 14-17

For other video related to the festival, see the following playlist:
Jazz Art Sengawa on YouTube

Jun 25, 2017

Jazz Art Sengawa 2017: September 13-17




This year's Jazz Art Sengawa will be held on September 13-17 at Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo.

Jazz Art Sengawa is an festival for jazz, avant-pop, and improvised music as a showcase for acts from Japan and abroad. From its inception, it has been led by three artists, Makigami Koichi, Fujiwara Kiyoto, and Sakamoto Hiromichi. The main venue for the event is Sengawa Theatre, which is located in Chofu, a west surburb of Tokyo.

And this year's event there are two things outstanding change. One is duration - now it's vastly expanded as 5 days event, as it had been set for 3 days long in the past. And the other is a return of John Zorn's Cobra. While it's been absent from the festival for a few years, the ever-popular game piece was a big attraction, and now it's back.

Of course Hikashu is on the roster as well - and this time they are with Chris Pitsiokos, a prominent NYC saxophonist who participated in the band's recording session last May. And this is the first time they play together in public.

Metropolis, a Tokyo-based English magazine, has this to say:
Addressing Japan’s staid jazz festival scene is Jazz Art Sengawa, at a sleek Tadao Ando development in suburban Sengawa. This year’s event takes in performances by Makigami himself alongside co-director/ cellist Hiromichi Sakamoto, with the theme, “feral ·intimate·alive.” Makigami will direct a staging of John Zorn’s notorious game-theory music piece “Cobra” to conclude the event, and also perform with his influential art-punk group Hikashu. Sakamoto will attack his cello as per usual with power tools, an experience that seldom fails to startle. Also on the bill are one-time Sonic Youth member and noted noise music artist Jim O’Rourke, along with Rob Turner, the percussionist behind GoGo Penguin, a British trio acclaimed for its innovative mashups of elements of electronica, trip-hop, jazz, rock, and classical music.

The schedule is as follows:


September 13 Wednesday

19:30-
Fujii Satoko Orchestra Tokyo featuring Alister Spence


September 14 Thursday

19:30-
Tokumarushugo + Kafka Ibiki
Kafka Ibiki - Jim O'Rourke, Ishibashi Eiko, Yamamoto Tatsuhisa

Jazz Art Trio
Makigami Koichi, Fujiwara Kiyoto, Sakamoto Hiromichi


September 15 Friday

19:30-
John Zorn's Cobra


September 16 Saturday

13:30-15:00 directed by Makigami Koichi
VocColours with Kita Yoichiro
Komori Keiko + Morgan Fisher + Makigami Koichi

16:30-18:00 directed by Sakamoto Hiromichi
"An Encounter with silent film"
Minakata Michiko
Nanao Tabito + Sakamoto Hiromichi with silent film screening

19:30-21:00 directed by Fujiwara Kiyoto
Itabashi Fumio + Fujiwara Kiyoto
Daifukusei (Saito Kazushi, Fukuda Ayumi)


September 17 Sunday

13:30-15:00 directed by Sakamoto Hiromichi
Nakamura Tasuya + PIKA + Sakamoto Hiromichi with Nagamekurashitsu (Neguro Yosuke, Hasegawa Itsumi, Yasuoka Ako, and others)

16:30-18:00 directed by Fujiwara Kiyoto
Sakata Akira + Peter Madsen + Fujirawa Kiyoto
Matsumoto Osamu Musica Immaginaria
(Sone Mao, Nakayama Takumi, Hirayama Junko, Matsumoto Osamu, Yamada Azusa, Katano Goro, Nozaki Kurara, Yamada Rei)

19:30-21:00 directed by Makigami Koichi
Hikashu with Chris Pitsiokos
(Makigami Koichi, Mita Freeman, Sakaide Masami, Shimizu Kazuto, Sato Masaharu)


Ticket is currently available. Go get them while it's out.

Jazz Art Sengawa facebook

Jazz Art Sengawa 2017 - Sengawa Theatre website


Hikashu at Jazz Art Sengawa Metropolis


September 13-17, 2017
Jazz Art Sengawa
@ Sengawa Theatre
Chofu, Tokyo
6,800 yen for 1 day ticket
12,500 yen for 2 days ticket
18,000 yen for 5 days pass

Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo

Jun 4, 2017

Hikashu at Fuji Rock Festival 2017




Hikashu will perform at Fuji Rock Festival on July 28, 2017.

Simply put, Fuji Rock is the biggest rock festival in Japan, and this is the 4th appearance for the band.

Tickets are now available - go get them quick before it's too late.

For details, see Fuji Rock Festival Official Site.







July 28-30, 2017
"Fuji Rock Festival 2017"
@ Naeba Ski Resort
Yuzawa, Niigata

Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa, Niigata



Jun 1, 2017

New album coming out in late 2017


Hikashu reveals plans to release an album this year.

Last month they went into studio, Eastside Sound of NYC, and recorded an album with the band's right-hand man, engineer Marc Urselli.

They prepared ten compositions for the session, and recorded seven. It has some additional musicians including the band's long-time friend and collaborator, Ikue Mori.



The album is now tentatively called "Anguri" - not Angry, mind you. It's a Japanese word, means "stunned," "aghast," or "open-mouthed." Whatever, with all it implies a lot of surprise.

Makigami said it will be released in late October this year. Hold your breath and you'll get a good thing. That's for sure.

May 31, 2017

Kyushu Tour July 2-4 2017



This year the band's annual tour of Kyushu will be held in July. The schedule is as follows:


July 2 - Space Terra, Fukuoka
July 3 - At Hall, Oita
July 4 - Navaro, Kumamoto


July 2, 2017
@ Space Terra
Fukuoka
open 17:30 - start 18:00
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
spaceterra.net

Space Terra, Fukuoka



July 3, 2017
@ At Hall
Oita
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
athall.com

At Hall, Oita



July 4, 2017
@ Navaro
Kumamoto
open 19:30 - start 20:00
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
navaro.info
For reservation contact camnaschca_ATMARK_gmail.com

Navaro, Kumamoto

Gigs in June 2017 - Kansai and Chubu regions



In June, Hikashu tours Kansai and Chubu regions of Japan. The dates are:

June 1 - Sakuraza, Kofu
June 13 - Tokuzo, Nagoya
June 14 - Chicken George, Kobe (with Afrirampo)
June 16 - Rag, Kyoto
June 17 - Mokkiriya, Kanazawa
June 24 - Freakyshow, Shizuoka

The Kobe show is a double bill gig with Afrirampo, a female duo who performed with Hikashu last December.


June 1, 2017
@ Sakuraza
Kofu
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 3,900 yen - at door 4,500 yen
For inquiries call the venue at 090-6155-9628

Sakuraza, Kofu



June 13, 2017
@ Tokuzo
Nagoya
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen

Tokuzo, Nagoya



June 14, 2017
@ Chicken George
Kobe
Other act: Afrirampo
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen

Chicken George, Kobe



June 16, 2017
@ Rag
Kyoto
open 18:00 - start 19:30
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen

Rag, Kyoto



June 17, 2017
@ Mokkiriya
Kanazawa
adv 3,500 yen - at door 4,000 yen

Mokkiriya, Kanazawa



June 24, 2017
@ Freakyshow
Shizuoka
Other Acts: Roden Ginza and others
open 17:00 - start 17:20
(Hikashu is the headliner)
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen

Freakyshow, Shizuoka

Apr 27, 2017

Hikashu and Godzilla Legend to go into recording studio after the performance at Japan Society NYC on April 28, 2017





Regarding the Godzilla Legend concert at Japan Society NYC on April 28, all the advance tickets are sold out. But day-of-performance ticket MAY be available. Ask Japan Society for details.

Godzilla Legend—Music of Akira Ifukube - Friday, April 28, 7:30 PM - Japan Society


The personnel for the Japan Society concert:

Inoue Makoto (synthesizer)

Hikashu:
Makigami Koichi (vocals, theremin)
Mita Freeman (guitar)
Sakaide Masami (bass)
Shimizu Kazuto (keyboard)
Sato Masaharu (drums)

Charan Po Rantan:
Koharu (accordion, vocals)
Momo (vocals)

Horns:
Tasumi Kogoro (trumpet)
Yoshida Ryuichi (baritone saxophone)
Goto Atsushi (trombone)


Shortly after the performance, Godzilla Legend and Hikashu go into studio respectively, and record new material. According to Makigami, these albums are, if everything falls into place, to be released at the end of this year. Can't wait.


Apr 4, 2017

"Quit Your Band" - very interesting book about contemporary music scene in Japan is just out




Ian F. Martin is a music writer from UK who has been in Japan and his first book is just out. It's called "Quit Your Band" and its subtitle is "Musical Notes from the Japanese Underground." Sounds interesting, doesn't it? Unfortunately, we don't see the book yet, but it looks really promising.

See the following interview. A must if you are interested in contemporary Japanese music scene.

Quit Your Band! Musical Notes From The Japanese Underground - thequietus.com

There is no reference to Hikashu in this interview and we don't know he ever mentioned the band in his book, but in fact he once selected "Ikitekoi Chinmoku" as the best album of 2015.

And this another interview he did mention our beloved band.

Dive into the Underground Japanese Musical Scene with Ian Martin

In this interview, he actually said "Hikashu are easily my favorite Japanese band of all time." No kidding.

There's a trailer for the book.



And he talked about it at his blog, Total Exposure.

Mar 17, 2017

Thank You Origato - a tribute concert to Nakanishi Toshio at Roppongi Super Deluxe Tokyo on April 13, 2017




On April 13, Hikashu will perform at a concert called "Thank You Origato." It's a tribute event to Nakanishi Toshio, who passed away in February this year after the battle with cancer.

In 1979, Nakanishi started performing professionally as the frontman of the Plastics, the seminal act of the Japanese New Wave movement. In that year, Hikashu released the first single as well. Naturally, they soon became close and their friendship lasts even to this day. In 2015, Hikashu invited the Plastics in their annual christmas concert, and the latter did a splendid 90 minutes set, including an encore.

Nakanishi has been quite an influencial figure for various fields - music, fashion, and  graphic design. He has departed but his legacy lives on.

This Roppongi concert is to commemorate such a prominent singer/guitarist/designer and people who admire him gather to play. Surely it's going to be an evening to remember so do not miss it.

A part of the profit is going to be given to Nakanishi's family.


Appearances:

Diamond Heads (a Plastics cover band)
Takagi Kan, Onishi Tsuru, Oyamada Keigo, Kuni Sugimoto, momo
with guests - Nomiya Maki, Noemi, Linda, Tachibana Hajime, Shima Takemi

Hikashu
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin, cornet), Mita Freeman (guitar), Sakaide Masami (bass), Sato Masaharu (drums), Inoue Makoto (synthesizer)

Sato Taiji (Theater Brook)

Tachibana Hajime

and DJs


April 13, 2017
"Thank You Origato"
@ Super Deluxe
Roppongi, Tokyo
open 19:00 - start 19:00 - close 23:30
2,500 yen for entrance



Super Deluxe, Roppongi, Tokyo

Godzilla Legend hits New York City in coming April




Godzilla Legend, the solo project of ex-Hikashu keyboard player Inoue Makoto, will perform at Japan Society in New York City on April 28, 2017. This is the first time for the orchestra to perform outside Japan.

Inoue started Godzilla Legend as his solo project in early 1980s. At first, it was just doing the music of classic Japanese monster movies, including Godzilla, using synthesizers with modern arrangement. But it quickly gained some popularity, and grew exponentially. Eventually it spawned three albums and live concerts as an orchestra which many musicians of Japanese New Wave movement took part in. After that, the project went long hiatus but resurrected in 2011.

The personnel of the show is still unknown but it's likely to be the full orchestra with all the members of Hikashu. So two drums, two keyboards, full horn section, and Charan Po Rantan the sister duo as Shobijin - the beautiful twin little pixies of Mothra - everything in there.

Do not miss this opportunity. It's truly an once-in-a-lifetime event. Experience their thick orchestral sound in person. We're sure you'll be blown away.


April 28, 2017
Godzilla Legend—Music of Akira Ifukube
start 19:30
$ 32/$28 for Japan Society members

Japan Society notification





Japan Society, NYC

Feb 28, 2017

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo on April 19, 2017




Hikashu play at Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo on April 19, 2017. This is the first gig after the oceania tour so expect some interesting road stories.


April 19, 2017
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 3,900 yen - at door 4,300 yen


Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo


Jan 1, 2017

Hikashu New Zealand Australia Tour February-March 2017




Hikashu tours New Zealand, then Australia in February - March 2017. This is the first time for the band to visit the countries, let alone playing. The dates are:


February 21 - Pyramid Club, Wellington, New Zealand
February 22 - Meow, Wellington, New Zealand
February 23 - Auckland, New Zealand
February 24 - Whammy Bar, Auckland, New Zealand
February 25 - Audio Foundation, Auckland, New Zealand
February 28 - Make It Up Club, Melbourne, Australia
March 1 - Foundry616, Sydney, Australia


Do not miss this oppotunity if you are in the region.