Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Recently I got to go to an interesting event held in a café called Slow Comedy Factory in Shimokitazawa. Limited to some 30 people, as many seats as there were, the event featured electro artists Fujimura Tohru and Yasuda Toshiyuki (MySpace) (ex-member of Fantastic Plastic Machine).

The music made its way to everyone's ears through headphones, brought by each, connected to serial-linked hubs dispersed around the room. I had heard of this sort of event before, such as the worldwide Le Placard festival, which was also held in Tokyo until 2008.

What they played was entirely improvised music, performed on various sync'd instruments. The sound was rather techno with constant beats. They played two sets, each consisting of one evolving song.

In between they talked about how listening to music through headphones can make you more attentive and absorbed, and if someone was to tap your shoulder it might make you jump in surprise. Also many people were using their phones (browsing, reading emails, etc.) while it wouldn't usually be at a regular show.

I found it a really fun experience and will definitely be willing to attend this kind of show again!

Yasuda Toshiyuki released last year an album of children's songs with an electronic flavor, "Children's Songs 2050", and recently a remix mini-album titled "Renix".

Larger sizes and more photos at Flickr