Tokyo's Coolest Sound

KiQ (Instagram, Twitter) (pronounced "ki-Q") is a band that was formed last year around singer & guitarist Yamanoha (ex-Yomei Hyakunen), also with bassist Isobe Satoshi (also of Puné Loi), drummer Terunuma Kōsei (seen playing with jan and naomi, etc.), and guitarist Mitsuno Daiki (of Magical Lizzy Band). Each member having different rock-related roots, the result sounds very unique and refreshing, which they describe as "balloon rock" (the band name also has the meaning of "hot-air balloon"). Check out the music video for the song "Atachipa" below, which was shot at one of my favorite venues, U.F.O. Club in Koenji (Tokyo).

This first album titled "FuU" (pronounced "fuyū") features guest apparances of Buoy, shirotoeda (shirotoeda), KameJu (KameJu (of Turtle Recall), and OBAKECHANT (SoundCloud) (of Netanoyoi). The artwork is a painting by Hideyasu Moto.

The song "Atachipa" was released in advance on 7" on Rhion Records, with for B-side a different mix of "Balloon, Balloon, Balloon". It can be found at Jet Set and HMV.

A special show for the release will be held on Tuesday June 28 at Shibuya WWW, also featuring various guest musicians and DJ Hideyasu Moto (Rhion Records). Tickets are on sale here.

KiQ "FuU"

1. Crescent Moon Insect
2. Atachipa
3. Stories (feat. shirotoeda)
4. Lunch Box
5. Aze
6. A Woman
7. Trelmolo
8. Balloon, Balloon, Balloon
9. Baroque
10. Spring (feat. Buoy)
11. Thank you Darkness

mimikaki DISK MKD-004
Out now (5/18), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Atachipa"