tip top nap – “calm down”

Kyoto’s tip top nap put out their first single, “Yureru/Hakuchuumu”, in July, and just a couple weeks ago they followed it up with a new three-track EP titled “calm down”. The band has added its name to the remarkably versatile 2018 roster of fresh faces in the Japanese shoegaze scene at a time when the Kansai region could use a little depth. Tip top nap hops back and forth between bouncy post punk and slow dreamy psychedelia on the intro track “Dull”, slowing it down completely on the EP’s ambient, acoustic slowcore finale, “Hum”. Sandwiched in between the two is the band’s strongest track to date. “Moon” plays like the Kinoko Teikoku track that fans have been praying for for a few years now. It’s a mellow, emotional song that builds slowly to an explosive, heart-melting chorus, carried throughout by vocalists Natsumi Yamamoto’s gorgeous, breathy vocals. The song climaxes with a minute or so of roaring guitars and dreamy moans before dying down to an outro beat that gives you some time to catch your breath.

Check out tip top nap’s “calm down” EP on Bandcamp.

softsurf – “Into the Dream”

In July of 2016, the Nagoya Shoegazer Expo was held at KD Japon and Daytrip, two venues in Nagoya’s Tsurumai area that have more or less been the stage for the emergence of the local shoegaze scene over the last few years. To be honest, it wasn’t much of a shoegaze event at all, but more of an alternative rock showcase curated by a fan of the genre. With the exception of mishca and Aysula, many of Nagoya’s more established shoegaze representatives were conspicuously absent from the lineup. Little-known local newcomer softsurf was buried on the bill, scheduled to take the stage at 3:30 in the afternoon at the Monday event.

It’s been a hell of a year since that event for softsurf. They put out a 2-track demo single and absolutely packed the house at our Daydream event in Nagoya. They stepped up their gigging schedule and earlier this year supported NIGHTS’ Jenna Fournier on her Japan tour. They established themselves as one of the brightest new acts in Japan, and boast one of the best live shows I’ve seen in a long time. And today softsurf has released its debut EP, “Into the Dream”.

I’m not the biggest fan of band comparisons, and I don’t really use them a whole lot when writing reviews. But in softsurf’s case, given the overall tone of the Japanese shoegaze scene, it’s hard not to at least mention similarities to Slowdive – something that hasn’t really been done since Pastel Blue called it quits years ago. You find a whole lot of Ride, Pale Saints, and My Bloody Valentine influence in Japan, but softsurf goes agains the grain, opting to bury melodies deep within hazy, billowy guitars. You get a sense of it from the single they released, but the depth of softsurf’s sound absolutely blows you away when you see them on stage. It’s impossible for a recording to capture the intensity and fill space like a live performance, but “Into the Dream” is as good a representation as one could hope for.

Both of the tracks released on softsurf’s first demo, “Blue Swirl” and “Beautiful Day” appear on the EP in much more beefed-up forms. There’s not much to be said that I haven’t already mentioned in previous reviews, other than the fact that the quality is, expectedly, much-improved. The remaining three tracks are all new. “Another Garden” is a sweet, whimsical dream pop track that follows more of the Japanese shoegaze model with its more prominent melodies. It’s one of the catchier tunes on “Into the Dream”, injecting a bit more bounce into an EP that is otherwise based around texture-building.

For me, the real strength of “Into the Dream” lies in the other two new tracks. “Rainy Moon” sits smack in the middle of the five track EP and starts off with a gentle, lulling verse, crescendoing at points, but not quite fully taking off. That is until about halfway through when the song explodes into a mass of big swirling guitars. Frontwoman Yuki Udono’s vocals really shine on “Rainy Moon”, going from sweet and soft to powerful, matching each phase of the song. It’s an intense track, and also my personal favorite in any softsurf live set.

If the first four tracks don’t sell you on the Slowdive comp, the finale, “Dawn of the Sun”, most definitely will. There isn’t much in the way of subtle developments in this song, as it kicks right off with big screaming guitars. There’s a heavy “When the Sun Hits” vibe, the way the song takes off and carries you through a thick atmosphere of layered guitars and reverb-soaked male-female twin vocals. It’s not the most original of their tracks, but it’s a beast of a song that you just sort of get lost in.

There’s a good reason this was my most anticipated release of the year, and softsurf, with the help of some fine production work, delivered. Softsurf has announced itself as one of Japan’s finest shoegaze bands, coming a long way since last year’s Nagoya Shoegaze Expo. You can see them live at this year’s Daydream events in Kyoto, Nagoya, and Tokyo. And folks interested in buying “Into the Dream” can do so via Nagoya’s File Under Records (see the link and directions below).

File Under Records (Nagoya): http://www.fileunderrecords.com/?pid=120872924

Directions for overseas customers: Send an e-mail with the name of the title you would like to purchase to file-under.rec@nifty.com. After confirming the total with shipping, payment can be made via PayPal.

“Into the Dream” trailer:

A Guide to Daydream pt. 3 – Tokyo

The event will host some of the finest shoegaze, dream pop, alt rock, etc. that Japan has to offer. I will be previewing each of the events as they come. Day three of the event will be held at Shinjuku Nine Spices in Tokyo this Saturday, December 10th.

Over the last few years, Kyoto Shoegazer has emerged as the biggest showcase of the local shoegaze scene in Japan. This year the Kyoto Shoegazer team has put together Daydream, a four day festival spanning three cities that will kick off in December. The event will host some of the finest shoegaze, dream pop, alt rock, etc. that Japan has to offer. I will be previewing each of the events as they come. Day three of the event will be held at Shinjuku Nine Spices in Tokyo this Saturday, December 10th.

ここ数年京都シューゲイザーは日本のシューゲイザーを特集する一番大きなイベントになってきている。今年、１２月から4日程３都市でイベントDAYDREAMを行う。このイベントに日本の高品質のシューゲイザー、ドリームポップ、オルタナのバンドが出演する（あと、香港からのゲストも出る予定！）。Muso Japanは各イベントをプレビューする。次は１２月10日東京新宿Nine Spicesにて行われるDAYDREAM TOKYOである！チケット予約は以下のリンクから。

Home Page/イベントホームページ

Ticket Reservation/チケット予約

colm

Colm is sort of a Kyoto Shoegazer supergroup, consisting of members of Ether Feels, Kailios, shelives, and AOQ. The band is relatively new, and Daydream Kyoto will be their third gig since forming up earlier this year. The band’s sound combines elements of shoegaze and pop. Colm recently finished recording its first EP, and the 4-track CD was released at the Kyoto event.

Ether Feels, Kailios, shelives, 青くのメンバーから成るバンドColmは、京都シューゲイザーシーンのスーパーグループ。今年結成して、Daydream Kyotoが３回目のライブ。シューゲイザーとポップをミックスしつつ、大音量でキャッチーなメロディのあるサウンドが特徴。4四曲入りデビューEPを完成して、Daydream Kyotoよりリリースされた。

yukino chaos

One of Japan’s brightest young acts, Yukino Chaos has come on strong over the last couple years with dynamic live performances and some really impressive recordings. 2016 saw the release of a new demo single “Hope For The Future” and a supporting slot at Tokyo’s Niman Den-Atsu alongside Melt Banana, Looprider, and Qujaku. The band was also invited to Shanghai along with Broken Little Sister earlier this year. They’ll be releasing a split EP with fellow Daydream performers Ether Feels in December.

日本の輝かしき若い才能のひとつYukino Chaosは、精力的なライブ演奏と印象的なレコーディングで近年目を離せない存在となっている。彼らの2016年は、デモシングル“Hope For The Future”のリリース、東京の二万電圧でのMelt Banana, Looprider そして Qujakuとの共演、Broken Little Sisterと共に上海へ招かれた年でもあった。12月には共にDAYDOREAMに出演するEther Feelsと制作したスプリットEPがリリース。

ether feels

There are few active shoegaze bands in Japan that have put out as much consistently good material as Ether Feels. Their melancholy blend of pop and shoegaze has resulted in a sound that is all their own, and their quality has earned them a good amount of attention outside of their home country. Their Daydream performances will wrap up a busy year that’s included gigs around Asia, the release of a greatest hits album titled hen The First Time We Met and an upcoming split EP with Yukino Chaos.

日本でEther Feelsほど、コンスタントに良い楽曲をシーンに提供してきたバンドはそういないだろう。彼ら独自のポップとシューゲイズのメランコリーな配合は、日本国外でも注目を集めてきた。DAYDREAMでのパフォーマンスは、アジア各地でのライブ、ベストオブアルバムhen The First Time We Metのリリース、Yukino ChaosとスプリットEPの共同リリース、と忙しい年の有終の美を飾るだろう。

magic love

While a lot of bands infuse their sound with indie pop or post rock, Tokyo’s Magic Love incorporates the howling guitar noise associated with a more “classic” shoegaze/dream pop sound. On all of their releases to date, the band has consistently been able to balance a lulling, dreamy style with bouts of sheer loudness. This year they put out their first release since 2014, an EP titled “Night Falls”.

シューゲイザーシーンにはインディポップ、ポストロックから影響を受けているバンドが多いが、Magic Loveのサウンドは、いわゆるクラシックなシューゲイザーバンド的なうなるギターノイズと持続するビートを操るのが特徴。今までリリースした作品では、Magic Loveのドリーミーで時折爆音を響かせる手法が表現されつつ、落ち着いたボーカルも遠くから響き、彼らのサウンドとうまく調和している。”Night Falls EP”を、今年2年振りにリリースしました。

<a href="http://magiclove.bandcamp.com/album/night-falls" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Night Falls by magic love</a>

citrus nowhere

Citrus Nowhere is a new and exciting young band from Tokyo that made a name for itself earlier this year with its debut self-titled EP. They’ve since released more material via Soundcloud and have appeared on both Muso Japan compilations. The band’s tendency to drown whimsical melodies in a mass of roaring noise makes them one of the more unique bands in the Japanese shoegaze scene. For fans of massive noise.

東京を拠点とするCitrus Nowhereは有望な若手バンド。今年デビューEPをリリースし、サウンドクラウド、Muso Japanのコンピにも様々な音源をリリースした。キュートなメロディを激しく鳴り響くノイズに溺れるサウンドで、日本のシューゲイザーシーンの中でも個性的ななバンド。爆音ノイズファンにオススメ。

soranisomaruoto

Soranisomaruoto is a newly formed rock band founded by former sorutomanitooto member Minako. The Tokyo four-piece’s sound draws on a number of genres, from shoegaze to post rock to j-pop to prog rock. The band’s appearance at Daydream Tokyo will be their first ever live performance.

ソラニソマルオトはminako(ex.sorutomanitooto)を中心に結成されたロックバンド。shoegaze/post rock/j-pop/progressive rockなどに影響を受けたミクスチャーサウンドを鳴らしている。12月10日が、デビューライブとなる。

Longstanding Japanese shoegaze representative Lemon’s Chair has been a fixture in the scene for years. The trio is known for evolving beautifully layered melodic songs into a deafening, hazy “wall of sound”. In addition to their musical accomplishments, members of Lemon’s Chair have been extremely involved in the national shoegaze scene, organizing the Japan Shoegazer Festival, indie label High Fader Records, and the popular Yellow Loveless My Bloody Valentine tribute album. This is one of the most important bands in Japanese shoegaze over the last 10 years.

Lemon’s Chairは、日本のシューゲイザーシーンのベテラン代表者バンド。インスト３ピースで美しいメロディを大音量の轟音にうまく昇華することで知られている。バンド活動に加えて日本のシューゲイザーイベント“Japan Shoegazer Festival”や、インディレーベル“High Fader Records”の運営、日本国内バンドが参加したマイブラトリビュートアルバム“Yellow Loveless”にも参加。日本シューゲイザーバンドの、最重要バンドのひとつ。

A Guide to Daydream pt. 2 – Kyoto Day 2

This time I’ll be looking at Daydream Kyoto Day 2, which will take place at Nijo Nano. Follow the links below for event info and ticket reservations.

Over the last few years, Kyoto Shoegazer has emerged as the biggest showcase of the local shoegaze scene in Japan. This year the Kyoto Shoegazer team has put together Daydream, a four day festival spanning three cities that will kick off in December. The event will host some of the finest shoegaze, dream pop, alt rock, etc. that Japan has to offer. I will be previewing each of the events as they come. This time I’ll be looking at Daydream Kyoto Day 2, which will take place at Nijo Nano. Follow the links below for event info and ticket reservations.

ここ数年京都シューゲイザーは日本のシューゲイザーを特集する一番大きなイベントになってきている。今年、１２月から4日程３都市でイベントDAYDREAMを行う。このイベントに日本の高品質のシューゲイザー、ドリームポップ、オルタナのバンドが出演する。Muso Japanは各イベントをプレビューする。今回は１２月４日二条NANOにて行われるDAYDREAM KYOTOのDay2！チケット予約は以下のリンクから！

Home Page/イベントホームページ

Ticket Reservation/チケット予約

Honeydew

Honeydew is a Tokyo-based alt rock power trio. Originally formed in New York, the band’s sound is influenced by a number of 90s American alternative bands, and versatile enough to appeal to a wide range of fans. Their live performances are ultra-tight, and their high-energy performances are absolutely must see.

Honeydewは、東京を拠点に活動するオルタナティブロックトリオ。元々ニューヨークで結成された彼らのサウンドは、90年代に活躍したアメリカのオルタナティブバンドより影響を受け、その多様性から幅広くファンを獲得している。タイトでエネルギッシュなパフォーマンスは必見だ。

me in grasshopper

With members based between the Kansai and Tokai regions of Japan, it’s only fitting that me in grasshopper will be performing at Daydream events in both Kyoto and Nagoya. Over the past few years the band has become one of the flag bearers for the Nagoya shoegaze scene on the strength of their sweet melodies and subtle yet persistent guitar noise. Their 2015 “NEW SATURDAY e.p.” was one of the best of the year. In 2016 the band supported YUCK on their Japan tour, and they will be supporting Brooklyn’s Lazyeyes in Nagoya in January.

メンバーが関西・東海地方出身のme in grasshopperは、DAYDREAM KYOTO・NAGOYAの両日に出演する。美しいメロディーと緻密且つ鳴り響くギターノイズにより、この数年で名古屋シューゲイズシーンを代表する存在となった。2015年にリリースされた“NEW SATURDAY e.p.”は、その年の最高傑作の一つ。2016年、YUCKの日本ツアーをサポートし、来年1月にはブルックリン出身Lazyeyesの名古屋公演をサポートする予定。

Yuragi

Hailing from Shiga prefecture, Yuragi is yet another young, exciting band to emerge from the Kansai-region over the last couple years. Their sweet but strong sound incorporates whispy vocals and big wall of sound guitars driven by uptempo pop beats. 2016 has been a big year for the band with the release of their “bedside” single and the announcement of their upcoming “nightlife e.p.”, which will be out on 12/27. They’ve also announced they will be supporting Lazyeyes on the New Yorkers’ Japan tour.

滋賀出身の「揺らぎ」は、ここ数年関西地方から現れた、とても若いエキサイティングなバンド。ウィスパーボイスとアップテンポでポップなビートに乗せられたギターサウンドとが合わさる、美しく力強いウォール・オブ・サウンド。シングル“bedside”のリリース、“nightlife e.p.”(12/27リリース予定)の発表と、2016年は重要な年となった。またニューヨーク出身のLazyeyesの日本ツアーでサポートすることも決定している。

Acidclank

Acidclank is another one of those exciting young Kansai bands. The Osaka indie rock outfit put out a really impressive album titled nner in 2015, on which they demonstrated their ability to create a range of sounds from shoegaze to psych at a consistently high level. Once a home recording project, Acidclank is now a fully functioning live band that has been gigging a ton over the last year or so. These guys have a bright future ahead of them.

Acidclankは、関西の注目すべき若いバンドのひとつ。大阪のインディーロックバンドであるる彼らは、2015年にアルバムInnerを引っ提げ、シューゲイズからサイケまで幅広いサウンドを、ハイレベルな領域で制作できることを証明した。ホームレコーディングプロジェクトに始まったAcidclankは、今や数々のギグ経験を積んだライブバンド。彼らの輝く未来が楽しみだ。

ether feels

twelve fluffy chair

Local band Twelve Fluffy Chair offers a sparkly brand of shoegaze pop. The Kyoto foursome recently released their second EP B A R, which features some cute guitar-driven pop tracks. Their strength lies in their ability to write ultra catchy choruses and melodic hooks, as well as adding a little edge to otherwise light, playful songs.

京都の地元バンドTwelve Fluffy Chairの特徴は、キラッキラのシューゲイズポップ感。ギターが効いているポップなセカンドEP B A Rを、最近リリースした4人組バンド。とてもキャッチーなコーラスとメロディアスなフック、そして軽快で遊び心のある曲にエッジを与える才能が彼らの強み。

boyfriend’s dead

Boyfriend’s Dead is a Kansai-area shoegaze veteran and a band that adds an element of fun to any gig they play. Their sound is an upbeat, danceable blend of shoegaze and pop, and their energy and stage presence makes for a great live show. The band’s most recent release came in the form of a self-titled EP released on local Osaka-based netlabel Thru The Flowers.

Boyfriend’s Deadは、関西のシューゲイザーのベテランで、彼らが出演するギグはいつも楽しさ与えてくれる。アップビートで踊りたくなるようなシューゲイザーポップ、そして強いエナジーとステージでの存在感が素晴らしいライブ演奏を作り出す。最新作は、大阪のネットレーベルThru The FlowersからリリースされたセルフタイトルEP。

A Guide to Daydream pt. 1 – Kyoto Day 1

Over the last few years, Kyoto Shoegazer has emerged as the biggest showcase of the local shoegaze scene in Japan. This year the Kyoto Shoegazer team has put together Daydream, a four day festival spanning three cities that will kick off in December. The event will host some of the finest shoegaze, dream pop, alt rock, etc. that Japan has to offer. I will be previewing each of the events as they come. First up is day one of Daydream Kyoto, taking place on December 3rd at Nijo Nano. Click the link below for ticket reservation.

ここ数年京都シューゲイザーは日本のシューゲイザーを特集する一番大きなイベントになってきている。今年、１２月から4日程３都市でイベントDAYDREAMを行う。このイベントに日本の高品質のシューゲイザー、ドリームポップ、オルタナのバンドが出演する（あと、香港からのゲストも出る予定！）。Muso Japanは各イベントをプレビューする。最初は１２月３日二条NANOにて行われるDAYDREAM KYOTOである！チケット予約は以下のリンクから。

Home Page/イベントホームページ

Ticket Reservation/チケット予約

colm

Colm is sort of a Kyoto Shoegazer supergroup, consisting of members of Ether Feels, Kailios, shelives, and AOQ. The band is relatively new, and Daydream Kyoto will be their third gig since forming up earlier this year. Though they haven’t made any music available to this point, Colm will be releasing their first recorded material at Daydream.

Ether Feels, Kailios, shelives, 青くのメンバーから成るバンドColmは京都シューゲイザーシーンのスーパーグループ。今年結成して、DAYDREAM KYOTOが３回目のライブ。このイベントで初めての音源リリースとなる。

yukino chaos

broken little sister

Making the trip to Kyoto from Yokohama is Japanese shoegaze mainstay Broken Little Sister. Broken Little Sister has grabbed attention from shoegaze fans all over the world with their iconic “memories, violet & demon” LP as well as the Beatles cover album “Beatless” they released under the moniker Meeks. Just this year the band has played in Taiwan and China. Though seasoned veterans of the Japanese shoegaze scene, Daydream will mark the band’s first performance in Kyoto.

日本のシューゲイズシーンの重鎮 Broken Little Sisterが、横浜から京都へやってくる。彼らはLP“memories, violet & demon”、Meeks名義でリリースしたビートルズのカバーアルバム “Beatless”によってシューゲイズファンの注目を浴び、今年は台湾と中国でもパフォーマンスを行う。彼らは日本のシューゲーズシーンの経験豊かなベテランであるが、DAYDREAMが今回京都初のパフォーマンスとなる。

kailios

Local Kyoto-ites Kailios create simple but catchy music. The band’s sound, which draws on 90s US alt rock and indie pop, is very upbeat and super easy to listen to. Their feel-good style and energy translate to fun and entertaining live performances, which also happen to be really tight. Kailios’ three-track “Cars” EP is highly recommended.

地元京都のKailiosは、シンプルでありながらキャッチーなバンドサウンドを作る。90年代のUSオルタナティブロック、インディーロックの影響が感じられるサウンドは、アップビートでとても聴きやすい。楽しく愉快でタイトなライブパフォーマンスは、心地よいスタイルとエネルギーが感じられるはず。3曲入りのEP “Cars”は必聴。

the seadays

Formed in July of last year, The Seadays is a four-piece alternative rock band from Kyoto. Over the last year-plus, they’ve gigged in Tokyo and Kyoto and hosted their own event “Umi Rock Festival” this past July. Whether they’re playing uptempo aggressive tunes or slow, melodic stuff, The Seadays’ sound is strong and explosive, making for high-energy, highly entertaining live performances.

昨年の7月に結成されたThe Seadaysは、京都出身の4ピースオルタナティブロックバンド。結成以来、東京と京都でギグを積み重ね、この7月には“Umi Rock Festival”を主催。アップテンポでアグレッシブなチューンや、ゆったりとしたメロディーの曲であっても、爆発的な力強いエネルギーを感じさせるそのパフォーマンスは、観客を魅了する。

shinda boku no ishikawa

My Dead Girlfriend frontman Yuki Ishikawa will be performing at Daydream Kyoto as his solo project My Dead Ishikawa. He released his debut solo album “A Corpse in the Happy Valley”, earlier this year, and while there are some shades of MDG-esque shoegaze on the record, the new project explores a wide range of sounds from guitar pop to noise to grindcore and more. As a performer, few can match the energy and flamboyance of Ishikawa on stage.

死んだ僕の彼女のフロントマンである”石川”は、今回ソロプロジェクト「死んだ僕の石川」として登場する。今年前半にソロデビューアルバム“A Corpse in the Happy Valley”をリリースし、「死んだ僕の彼女」色を含みつつもギターポップ、ノイズ、グラインドコアと幅広いサウンドを冒険している。石川のように、エネルギッシュで刺激的なライブパフォーマンスをする人物はなかなかいない。

sea of tranquility

Sea of Tranquility will be making the trip from Hong Kong to perform at Daydream Kyoto. The band has been picking up steam recently thanks to their beautifully dense and dreamy brand of shoegaze, which has drawn comparisons to the likes of Slowdive and Cocteau Twins. Earlier this year Sea of Tranquility played in Taiwan at Leave No Trace But Gaze, where they shared the stage with Daydream Kyoto day 2 performers Ether Feels. This will be their first performance in Japan.

Sea of Tranquilityは、DAYDREAM KYOTOでのパフォーマンスのため、香港からやってきます。SlowdiveやCocteau Twinsと比較されるほど、美しく深くドリーミーな独自のシューゲーズサウンドで最近人気を集めています。今年台湾で行われた、Leave No Trace But Gazeでは DAYDREAM KYOTO DAY2 に出演する Ether Feelsと同じステージに立った。本公演が、彼らの記念すべき日本初のパフォーマンスとなる。