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Tag - indie-rock

 
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July 25, 2026
 

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INDIE ROCK

Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 23, 2023
Math rock act Jyocho provides a cheerfully chilling soundtrack to new Junji Ito series
The quartet brings its unique blend of frenzy and sweetness to horror artist Junji Ito¡¯s new macabre Netflix series.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 31, 2018
Kate Sikora carves out a space in Tokyo¡¯s indie scene
Kate Sikora is an odd sort of import.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 23, 2018
It¡¯s pop, but complicated: Tokyo Shiokouji takes minimalism in new directions
Fuji Rock Festival¡¯s Rookie A Go-Go stage has served as a springboard for bands from Asian Kung-Fu Generation to Chai, but each year it draws a few acts with rather less obvious commercial appeal. The most peculiar group to appear this year was Tokyo Shiokouji, an eight-piece ensemble featuring percussion,...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
May 10, 2018
Cero chooses a more complicated kind of pop on ¡®Poly Life Mutli Soul¡¯
If you wanted to pinpoint the moment Cero broke the glass ceiling of Japan¡¯s indie music scene, it would be March 7, 2016. That¡¯s when the group ¡ª still cresting on the buzz generated by its ¡°Obscure Ride¡± album the previous year ¡ª performed that record¡¯s signature singalong, ¡°Summer Soul,¡± alongside...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 7, 2018
Father John Misty bets his music will not be remembered as ¡®an artifact of the year 2017¡¯
Josh Tillman was in Japan when he made a life changing decision: to quit as drummer of Fleet Foxes and finally pursue the sort of music he¡¯d always wanted to make. His swan song came in Tokyo.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 23, 2018
London is the place to be for Luby Sparks
Some bands have all the luck. While many of their peers will probably be toiling on the live circuit for years before gaining any recognition beyond their immediate circle of friends, the college kids of Luby Sparks are already going places.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 25, 2017
For Uhnellys, surviving Tokyo¡¯s live-scene circuit has been an exercise in perseverance
When you¡¯re an independent rock band, maintaining a do-it-yourself ethic long-term can be difficult. Many acts eventually have to scale back, and dreams of a musical career turn into the reality of having a really cool hobby. Uhnellys, however, have kept up the fight.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 27, 2017
Tricot fine-tunes a formula that got the trio noticed overseas on ¡®3¡¯
It has never been easy for Japanese bands to find success both domestically and abroad. For the most part, they can muster notable attention on one side or the other, but rarely both ¡ª regardless of how many awkward English-language songs or cringe-worthy collaborations they attempt. However, tricot...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 26, 2017
What¡¯s in a name? Just ask Cairophenomenons
When a band changes its name, it sometimes signifies a switch in artistic direction. For indie band Cairophenomenons ¡ª previously known as Cairo ¡ª the decision was far more practical, even if the new moniker is a bit of a mouthful.
CULTURE / Music / STRANGE BOUTIQUE
Feb 26, 2017
Music venue Three tries to up its numbers
Tokyo¡¯s independent live music scene has always been somewhat dysfunctional.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 15, 2017
Paellas aim to redefine the sound of ¡®now¡¯
Fitting into the sound of the moment while still standing apart from it can be a tricky thing to do. Paellas guitarist Satoshi Anan says he wanted the feeling of ¡°now¡± to come out on his band¡¯s newest album, ¡°Pressure.¡±
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 27, 2016
Alabama Shakes take a risk that pays off in ¡®Sound & Color¡¯
With their blended appearance and a sound steeped in soul yet born of the millennial rock scene, Alabama Shakes could symbolize a post-racial dream that, as the recent U.S. election shows, remains a work in progress.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / STRANGE BOUTIQUE
Nov 27, 2016
A reading list for Japan¡¯s music scene
Sometime in the spring of 2014, a friend of mine who works for a small publishing company asked if I would write a book about the Japanese music scene for him.
CULTURE / Music
Nov 20, 2016
Ogre You Asshole flirts with tension on latest album
The members of Ogre You Asshole are bracing for something. At least, that¡¯s what the title of their seventh album, ¡°Handoru o Hanasu Mae Ni¡± (¡°Before Letting Go of the Handle¡°) suggests. (The album¡¯s official English title is the less tense ¡°Everythingsomethingnothing.¡°)
CULTURE / Music / STRANGE BOUTIQUE
Oct 30, 2016
Mama¡¯s Tattoo event pushes women to write new narratives
Deep in Tokyo¡¯s indie music hub of Shimokitazawa, the twin venues of Three and Basement Bar often play host to some of the most diverse and offbeat expressions of Japan¡¯s underground music culture.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 14, 2016
Dinosaur Jr. to bring Tokyo a glimpse of life in ¡®ear-bleeding country¡¯
Lou Barlow is looking forward to his trip back to Japan. It¡¯s the cuisine, more than anything that has him anticipating his return to the country, but it¡¯s not what you might think.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 10, 2016
Bo Ningen: ¡®We¡¯re Japanese, but a London band¡¯
Though seasoned music festival veterans overseas, the four members of British rock band Bo Ningen had never been to a Japanese event until Fuji Rock in 2013.
CULTURE / Music / STRANGE BOUTIQUE
Jun 26, 2016
Wrapping up a musical trip across Japan
When I first embarked on my attempt to visit every prefecture in Japan and learn about the local indie music scene in each one, the idea that I would be able to draw any meaningful generalizations from the adventure seemed ludicrous. The music scene of Tokyo alone is an incomprehensible mess, so how...
CULTURE / Music
Jun 3, 2016
Mitsume¡¯s long days on the road pay off
Over the past decade, a go-to method for older rock bands to drum up excitement for a tour is the promise of playing a classic album in its entirety. It¡¯s a win-win proposition: Fans get to feel nostalgic while the artists themselves can coast by on material they¡¯ve played countless times before.
CULTURE / Music
May 1, 2016
DYGL soaks in New York¡¯s garage rock and politics
The life Nobuki Akiyama has been living since moving to the greater New York City area in March sounds like a dream come true for any young musician.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Japan to set up expert working group on accepting foreign nationals
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (second from left) addresses a meeting of ministers responsible for policies concerning foreign residents, held at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
Head of Swiss euthanasia firm dies after collapsing while ascending Mount Fuji
Around 200,000 people typically scale the 3,776 meter Mount Fuji each year.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Japan to set up expert working group on accepting foreign nationals
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (second from left) addresses a meeting of ministers responsible for policies concerning foreign residents, held at the Prime Minister's Office on Friday.
Inside Toho Archive¡¯s mission to save Japan¡¯s cinematic memory
The goal of restoration is not to artificially upscale but to return the film to the condition it was in ¡°the very first day it appeared in the world,¡± says Nobushige Toshima, president and sales division manager of Toho Archive.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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