Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Last Monday (December 27) was my first occasion to see CTO LAB., a side-unit of Imai Kentarō (The Aprils), polymoog (Elektel) and Okada Tōru (Moonriders), which I had been wanting to see for a long time. After work I rushed to Koenji High, a quite nice venue that hosts many electro events. This one had a title that translated to something like "Playing with static electricity × Joy Ride".

I got there about an hour after the early start time of 18:30, but still in time to catch most of cute pop unit spoon+. aco sings and dances in front of the large screen, sometimes interactively with the video.

Last week on Tuesday December 22 was the first of two days of a performance-themed event at La Foret Museum, Harajuku, titled "Harajuku Performance+". On that day were two artists that I especially wanted to see, Nomiya Maki and Open Reel Ensemble, and ironically they were the two first of the evening (out of five).

On December 18, Groove Unchant was of passage in Tokyo part of a tour for the release of his first album "Notre Musique" (out last month on Orange Records). Even though it's Unchant's first album, he's been famous for many years as a DJ, mostly active in the Osaka/Kansai area, and also for producing artists such as Dahlia. The Tokyo show was held at 8bit Cafe in Shinjuku, a bar/cafe that allows playing retro game consoles but also hosts various DJ and live events.

First to perform was marino. I had seen her before sing in a DJ type of set, but this time she played a live set with guitar and bass! She said it was her first time to do this kind of show in the Tokyo area. A bit unlike her album, which is quite electro, the set was more jazzy though still danceable. She sang at least a new song, and also some covers, of "L-O-V-E" (Nat King Cole) and "Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now" (from Hairspray musical). Another cover was of "Java Jive" (Manhattan Transfer), which fit just great with her online tea shop that she launched earlier this year. She had brought a selection to sell at the event too (I got some Nirgili and Darjiling tea bags).

On December 11 was held a very special event organized by Yasuda Toshiyuki. The place was a beautiful house with a large garden in Yotsuya managed by Pierre Barouh, a French artist quite famous in Japan especially for his label Saravah. Recently the house, named La Keyaki, has been hosting various art events including music shows.

This was the first of a series of events titled "we 'hub' music" meant to feature artists of not always similar styles but who are likely to interest the same audience. This time were featured guitarist the firefly clan, Yasuda-san himself, and Wono Satoru.

It's been a month already since I went to this really fun event titled "Electronic World Cup 2010". Organized by Kishino Yūichi (hige no mibōjin aka La veuve moustachue aka The Mustached Widow), it was actually a tour that went to Osaka and Kyoto before its finale at SuperDeluxe in Roppongi on November 12. Featured were indies artists from Spain, Belgium and Australia, as well as Japan. I was mainly there to see higemibo who was to perform with pianist/songwriter Gary Ashiya, a return after some 2+ years, but I found myself pleased with all the acts thanks to Kishino-san's great taste.