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NEWS EVENT SPECIAL SERIES

A­R­T­I­S­T­S

Artists creating content together

TAMIW

#MUSIC

A post-trip hop band formed in 2018, led by Vo. tami. Despite the band format, their sound is based on electronic tracks via bass music and hip-hop with sampling and analog synths, creating alternative music with a perfect sense of balance. After forming, the band released their first album "flower vases" in 2018. in 2019, they will embark on a 20-show U.S. tour. In 2019, they toured the U.S. for 20 shows, and in 2020, they released their second album "future excercise". The band's studio "Hidden Place" in Sakai Temple, Osaka, Japan, is where they have been working since the release of their second album. In 2021, the band released two singles, "Lights" and "Pure PscychoGirl". In February 2022, they released their first EP "Floating Girls" in limited stores and digitally, and in September, they re-released it as a nationally distributed version with a DVD including live footage. From November to January of the following year, "Eyes on Me," "Kick Off," and "My Innocence" were released digitally for three consecutive months, garnering attention. On February 22, 2023, they released their third album, "Fight for Innocence".
https://tamiw.net/

Keiichi Sokabe

#MUSIC

Born on August 26, 1971. Virgo, type AB. Born in Kagawa Prefecture.
Started his career as vocalist/guitarist for Sunny Day Service in the early '90s, and released his first album "Young People" in 1995. In 2001, he made his solo debut with the single "Guitar," inspired by the Christmas terrorist attacks in New York City. In 2004, he established his own label, ROSE RECORDS, and began his activities based on independent/DIY music. Since then, in parallel with Sunny Day Service and solo work, he has continued to express himself in unconventional ways, producing, providing music, film music, commercial music, writing, acting, and more.

PASOCOM MUSIC CLUB

#MUSIC

DTM unit formed in 2015. The members are Osaka natives, Soli Shibata and MasatooHan_2F2D. In 2018, they released their first album “DREAM WALK”, their first nationally distributed album. In 2019, their 2nd album “Night Flow” was selected for the “12th CD Shop Grand Prize 2020” and attracted a lot of attention. Their 5th album “Love Flutter” will be released on August 7, 2024.

Sohbana

#MUSIC

Born in 1997, he is self-taught and has continued to grow since his first submission in 2017, winning top prizes in the “Bocacolle” award race and writing for “Project Sekai”. His lyrics are “This is the reality, but let's do our best” type. He is also active as a writer, writing lyrics for MAISONdes “Traenohime” (2023), Shoko Nakagawa's “65535” (2023), and “PEAKY (2024). Graduated from Kyoto University, Faculty of Education.

Roka

#MUSIC

A singer-songwriter from Kanagawa Prefecture, she writes lyrics, composes music, and arranges her own songs. In November 2024, she released her first single “Cuteness”. It was released in November 2024. Despite the fact that it was just after her debut, she was selected for J-WAVE's “SONAR TRAX” in December 2024, the month after her debut.

Little Black Dress

#MUSIC

Born on November 3, 1998, Ryo is a solo project of singer-songwriter Ryo from Okayama Prefecture. She began her storytelling activities in the fall of her first year of high school at live houses and street shows in her hometown of Okayama, Japan; in 2016, she moved to Tokyo in the spring of her junior year of high school and was selected as the opening act for “MISIA CANDLE NIGHT” held at Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara Prefecture. Later, she was named “Little Black Dress” by creative director Mitsuo Shindo and started her solo project; made her independent debut in May 2019 with the digital single “Sugoroku/before kindness becomes a sting”; major debut in 2021 with “Natsu dara nake no glider” Author.

KOM_I

#MUSIC

An artist who expresses herself primarily with her voice and body. Influenced by Japanese local performing arts, folklore, and classical music of Northern India. She is currently living in Bahia, Brazil, and is working on a book about her birth experience in the Peruvian Amazon. Major works include “YAKUSHIMA TREASURE,” an album with Oortaichi inspired by Yakushima Island, “Dream Nested in a Stone Chamber Tomb,” a performance at the Ishibutai Kofun Tumulus in Asuka Village, Nara, and a solo performance of Christian Marclay's graphic score “No Solo performance of Christian Marclay's graphic score “No! He founded the artivism collective “HYPE FREE WATER” with visual artist Jiri Murata to learn and advertise water-related issues, and is also an actor, having appeared in NHK's “Rainy Day,” Netflix's “Followers,” and the film “The Fukuda Village Incident. He left the music unit Wednesday Campanella in 2021. He is currently living in Bahia, Brazil.

BUSSTRIO

#MUSIC

A collective that produces performance works, launched in 2010. Members are Yuichiro Konno (leader/director/director), Wakako Hashimoto (performer/producer), Mai Kuroki (painter), Kana Sakato (performer), Rei Chujo (performer/producer), and Misaki Hondo (musician).

Sayo Komada

#MUSIC

Dual-style shamisen artist, trained in both Tsugaru and Nagauta traditions. She began studying Tsugaru shamisen at age seven, followed by minyō folk singing at ten. At fifteen, she won first prize at the 9th Tsugaru Shamisen National Championship. A graduate of the Tokyo University of the Arts (2022), she was granted the name “Kineya Goshikoma” in 2023 by the fourth-generation head of the Kineya Gosaburō school.

Blending tradition with innovation, her viral Instagram videos — featuring shamisen renditions of Western guitar riffs — have drawn attention for their bold crossover between classical Japanese music and pop culture. In 2024, she released her debut album Tsukimae Koiuta and performed at the 125th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Peru, further expanding her international presence.

Rubens

#MUSIC

Formed in Tokyo in 2022. Current lineup consisting of Serena (Vocals/Guitar), Etsu (Guitar), Mary (Bass), and Matsumaru (Drums) began activities in April 2023. They have released 8 singles and 2 EPs to date. Their single “Tenshi-san,” released last year, gained significant attention both domestically and internationally, with its music video surpassing 1.2 million views on YouTube. Their live performances are also highly regarded, with their December 2023 show at LIQUIDROOM as the opening act for indigo la End generating buzz. Their first solo show at Shindaita FEVER in January 2024 sold out. Amidst the buzz surrounding their latest single “Tsukinami-chan,” which presents a new new wave/post-punk sound, their first nationwide tour kicks off in October. Their first full-length album, ‘MELT’, will be released digitally on October 29th and as a Tower Records exclusive CD on November 5th, drawing attention to their upcoming activities.

川辺素

#MUSIC

1987年生まれ。バンド・ミツメのボーカル、ギターを担当。2024年、ミツメの活動休止以降ソロ活動を本格化し、2026年6月17日に1stソロアルバムをリリース予定。プロデューサーとしてもあいみょん、Gingersamm、やまもとはると、UNFAIR RULEなどのアーティストの制作に数多く携わっている。

GRAPEVINE

#MUSIC

Kazumasa Tanaka (Vo/Gt), Hirotake Nishikawa (Gt), Toru Kamei (Dr)
The band started its activities in Osaka in 1993. The band was named after Marvin Gaye's "I heard it through the grapevine. Moved to Tokyo and made their debut in September 1997 with the mini-album "Kakusei" from Pony Canyon. In 2014, he moved to Speedster Records, where he has consistently released five full-length albums. Their 2021 album "New Fruits," which includes the songs "Gifted," "Nezumi Jodo," and "Awake Mashi wa Itsumo Narimasenai," debuted at No. 8 on the Oricon Weekly Ranking. The current lineup is Kazumasa Tanaka (Vo/Gt), Hirotake Nishikawa (Gt), Toru Kamei (Dr), Isao Takano (Key), and Satoru Kindo (Ba). 3 years after the release of their first new album on September 27, the band will launch a nationwide tour "GRAPEVINE TOUR2023" in October.

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NiEW’S PLAYLIST

NiEW recommends alternative music🆕

NiEW Best Music is a playlist featuring artists leading the music scene and offering alternative styles in our rapidly evolving society. Hailing from Tokyo, the NiEW editorial team proudly curates outstanding music that transcends size, genre, and nationality.

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