KIRINJI

The tiny desk welcomes KIRINJI, Horigome Takaki's solo project he originally formed in 1996 with his brother Yasuyuki. In recent years, the world has fallen in love with Japanese city pop, and KIRINJI is riding that wave with its complex and unique urban sounds. Watch as KIRINJI breathes new life into its highly acclaimed music with an enticing performance.

KIRINJI

MUSICIANS
Horigome Takaki (Vocals/Guitar)
Oda Tomomi (Vocals/Synthesizer)
Maika Loubté (Vocals)
YonYon (Vocals)
Shin Rizumu (Guitar/Chorus)
Chigasaki Manabu (Bass)
Ibuki Fumihiro (Drums)
Miyakawa Jun (Keyboards)

SET LIST
Rainy Runway
The Heel "Akudama"
crepuscular "Hakumei" (feat. Maika Loubté)
killer tune kills me (feat. YonYon)
No Time Left "Jikan ga Nai"
Runner's High

KIRINJI

KIRINJI, originally formed in 1996 by brothers Horigome Takaki and Yasuyuki, made their major debut in 1998. After Yasuyuki's departure in 2013, KIRINJI reformed as a six-member band, and in 2021, KIRINJI became Takaki's solo project. On September 6, 2023, he released the album Steppin' Out under the new label syncokin. The album charted globally and garnered a significant international audience on Spotify. In addition to his own releases and live performances, Takaki contributes music to various artists, produces scores for TV and film, and creates theme songs. His genre-blending sound, deep knowledge of music, innovative production techniques and distinctive lyrics have earned widespread acclaim from his fans, fellow musicians and renowned celebrities.

Oda Tomomi (Vocals/Synthesizer)

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1986, Oda Tomomi began studying classical music, focusing on piano and composition, from a young age. Her passion for diverse musical genres grew, and during university, encounters with Tsugaru shamisen player Takahashi Chikuzan II and jazz saxophonist Kikuchi Naruyoshi sparked her career as a performer. Oda has since worked as a composer, arranger, vocalist, pianist and synthesist. She's also a member of the bands CRCK/LCKS (since 2015) and DC/PRG (2013 to 2021), and a live support member for cero, UA and KIRINJI. Oda has also contributed music to films and dramas such as Tokyo Ghoul 2 and released two solo albums.

Maika Loubté (Vocals)

Raised in Paris, Hong Kong, and now residing in Tokyo, Maika Loubté is consistently exploring both novel and nostalgic music styles. Connecting numerous dots of sound, she creates original, yet subconsciously familiar melodies listeners have emotional connections. As a multicultural songwriter, producer and singer, Maika takes in global influences as she experiments with sound using a number of vintage analog synthesizers in her home studio in Tokyo and has collaborated with the likes of Ryan Hemsworth and Miho Hatori. As a performer, she captivates fans with her unique vocals while playing a plethora of electronic instruments on stage at clubs and festivals throughout Japan and Asia. Her music has been featured in campaigns for Mazda, RVCA, and on an original Netflix anime series. On October 18, 2024, Maika released her highly anticipated new mini album mani mani.

YonYon (Vocals)

A DJ, promoter, music producer and radio personality, the born in Seoul and raised in Tokyo artist is a truly multifaceted talent. As a singer-DJ, familiar to the trends of various generations, she is able to play on a wide range of BPM's and has an edgy sound to her style that makes her music easy to listen and dance to. She has performed not only in Korea and Japan but has had appearances in numerous major clubs and festivals across Asia, Europe and The United States. Her style not only fires up large masses but is also known to energize audiences in even the most intimate venues. As a songwriter, her lyrics go beyond the boundaries of genres and language, captivating her listeners with an addictive groove and messages that resonate with every word used. Produced with an unusual cross-border sound, these songs have gained support from fans in the music scenes from both countries. In recent years, she has been expanding her global fan base by working with guest performers from various scenes such as KIRINJI, Takuya Kuroda, Yaeji and Joe Hertz. YonYon's genre-bending sounds have become a bridge between Japan and Asia and the underground and mainstream. With each and every performance, she keeps spreading love and peace with her music.

Shin Rizumu (Guitar/Chorus)

Shin Rizumu (his actual name) was born on July 17, 1997, in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. As a high school freshman, he garnered online attention by uploading his compositions to SoundCloud. In April 2015, his analog 7-inch single Shinri no Mori was played on heavy rotation across 33 national radio stations. He has since released two albums and several analog singles. Beyond his solo work, Shin creates commercial songs, radio jingles, and provides songs and orchestral arrangements for other projects. He is also actively involved in supporting and performing various artists during their live tours.

Chigasaki Manabu (Bass)

Born on April 25, 1971, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Chigasaki Manabu specializes in electric bass and double bass. He has supported numerous artists and bands live and, in the studio, including KIRINJI, Horigome Yasuyuki, Sakamoto Maaya, Oomori Seiko, Hanazawa Kana, Tamaki Koji, Ohsawa Yoshiyuki, Yamashita Kumiko, Kukikodan and NONA REEVES.

Ibuki Fumihiro (Drums)

Born in 1990 in Obihiro, Hokkaido Prefecture, Ibuki Fumihiro is an active member of the bands LAGHEADS, ME-GA-NE BROTHERS and OOPS! PIG PALE ALE INC., while supporting artists such as Aimyon, Onuki Taeko, Kadomatsu Toshiki, kiki vivi lily, KIRINJI, ZUTOMAYO, Toki Asako, Nakamura Kaho, Hazama Miho, Hata Motohiro, Hanaregumi and Hoshino Gen. In 2020, he released his solo album CHUBBY CHASER.

Miyakawa Jun (Keyboards)

Born in 1987 in Aichi Prefecture, Miyakawa Jun is a talented pianist, organist and keyboardist. He made his major debut with Victor at the age of 21 and has released three original albums, with his third album, The Way (T5 Jazz), being praised as an important work ushering in a new era of Japanese jazz. Miyakawa's skills in composition and arrangement are also highly regarded, and he has contributed to many projects as an arranger and producer. Mastering a variety of keyboard instruments, Miyakawa works across genres such as jazz, R&B, soul and pop, delivering performances that resonate with many collaborators across generations and genres. He is a member of LAGHEADS, Takuya Kuroda / aTak band, and Yuji Ohno & Lupintic Six, and actively supports and records with artists like Yonezu Kenshi, KIRINJI, TENDRE, King Gnu, MILLENNIUM PARADE, IO (KANDYTOWN), Shibasaki Ko, Awesome City Club, kiki vivi lily, Maharajan, Arata Hikaru (WONK), MONONKVL, Oowada Kei, Nao Yoshioka, Ayado Chie, TOKU, KEIKO LEE, TOMONAO HARA, Suzuki Hisatsugu, Ichihara Hikari, Yano Saori and many more.

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