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Artists creating content together

Naotaro Moriyama

#MUSIC

Born April 23, 1976, in Tokyo, Japan, folk singer, has been supported by people of all ages for his unique world view and one-of-a-kind voice since his major debut in October 2002 with the mini-album “Dry Song is Just Right for Fish Food”, and has continued to release songs and perform live regularly. In recent years, he has also expanded his activities as an actor, appearing in NHK Saturday dramas such as “Kokoro no Kizu wo Healing to Itsuka” and NHK's serial TV novel “Yale.” His acting skills have been highly evaluated, and he is also scheduled to appear in the movie “Natsu no Suna no Kamo” to be released on July 4, 2012.

sahoterao

#MUSIC

Born in Tokyo in 1981, she made her debut in 2007 with a piano storytelling album “Omi”. He has provided theme songs for Nobuhiko Obayashi's “Transfer Student: Sayonara Kimi” and Momoko Ando's “0.5mm”, produced music for commercials (KDDI, Kewpie, JA Mutual Insurance, etc.), and has written numerous newspaper (Nikkei, Hokkaido) and web articles as well as music. In addition to his original works, he has also been engaged in his life's work of discovering and rearranging old songs buried in the land. For six years, he was in charge of the “Prewar Music Exploration” series in Music Magazine. He has also been invited to participate in art projects throughout Japan, including “Sumida River Rage” (2021) in the East Tokyo area, “Contemporary Regional Tales” (2022) in Susaki, Kochi, and “Sense Island/Land” (2024) in Yokosuka, and his expressive activities through research are increasing. He organized the Big Issue support live “Rin Rin Fusu” by himself, which was held for the 11th time in 2024 at Tamahime Park, Yamatani. She has also teamed up with writer Erika Kobayashi to produce music reading plays that bring back to life the voices of women buried in history with music of the time, such as “Girls: Spinning and Weaving” about female workers and “Girls: Making Balloon Bombs” about female students who were mobilized for weapons manufacturing. She is also active in a three-piece band “Wakareru Fuyu ni Wakareru” with Reisaburo Adachi and Wataru Iga. His most recent music album is “Shu Shain. He is scheduled to release an album “Watashi no Suki no Roudou Uta” (My Favorite Labor Songs) in June 2025.

Ayatake Ezaki

#MUSIC

Musician, born in 1992 in Fukuoka, Japan, studied piano at age 4 and composition at age 7. He graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts with a Bachelor's degree in Musicology and received a Master's degree from the University of Tokyo. In addition to playing keyboards for WONK and millennium parade, he has recorded and produced works for King Gnu, Vaundy, Yonezu Genji, and many other artists. He has also composed music for the movie "Homunculus" (2021) and other theatrical productions, and continues to work freely across a variety of fields, including organizing a music label and participating in art education.

後藤正文

#MUSIC

1976年静岡県生まれ。ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATIONのボーカル&ギター。新しい時代とこれからの社会を考える新聞『THE FUTURE TIMES』の編集長を務める。インディーズレーベル『only in dreams』主宰。

vöv

#MUSIC

A music group formed in 2020 for the Corona Disaster, consisting of four members: kaitö (Composer / Vo / Cho), kaïyo (Vo / Cho), äoi (Vo / Cho), and rëiji (Vo / Cho). The concept is “enjoy the sound”. The members, kaitö and rëiji, are brothers. They are always pursuing new sounds and rhythms without being bound by genres.

Salasa

#MUSIC

A singer-songwriter from Shonan. She is not only active in music, but also works as an artist, apparel brand buyer, photographer, hula dancer, and more. Influenced by “blues,” a genre of music born out of sadness and depression, she sublimates negative emotions and things into her works under the theme of “Live Bluesy.

She Her Her Hers

#MUSIC

An alternative band formed by Hiroyasu Takahashi, Taiki Matsuura, and Tomasong, known for their dynamic and boundary-pushing sound.

The band gained significant momentum in 2019 with the release of their third album, Location. That same year, they signed with the Chinese label Weary Bird Records (Taihei Music Group) and successfully completed a seven-city tour in China, marking their breakthrough into the Asian music scene.

Their creativity continued to flourish with the release of Afterglow in March 2022, followed by Diffusion of Responsibility in November 2023. The latter album inspired their largest undertaking yet: the “Diffusion of Responsibility” Asia Tour 2023-2024, which featured 17 solo performances across 16 cities, solidifying their presence in the region.

In October 2024, the band released their latest album, Pathway, and wrapped up their journey with a triumphant solo performance at Tokyo’s iconic Ebisu LIQUIDROOM.

ALAN

#MUSIC

Formed in 2019, this 5-piece band is based in Tokyo. The band's two overlapping guitars and strong vocals create lyrics and songs with a unique world view. The music is close to the daily lives of “adults living in Tokyo today”.

JU!iE

#MUSIC

Born in China, graduated from a music academy in Beijing, and entered Berklee College of Music in the US by himself. He has formed his own musical style based on Jazz, which he majored in at Berklee College of Music, and is characterized by his global creativity in English, Japanese, and Chinese. In parallel with his artistic activities, he has been active in a wide range of activities such as providing music and producing. She also attracts attention as a model, and has more than 140,000 followers on Instagram and 500,000 followers on weibo.

Yuichi Kishino

#MUSIC #ART

Born in Tokyo, 1963. He has taught at the Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts, the Faculty of Media Expression, Kyoto Seika University, and Art School. He calls himself a "studier" to encompass a wide range of activities, including music units such as "The Bearded Widow" and "Watts Towers. In 2015, he won the Grand Prize in the Entertainment Division at the 19th Japan Media Arts Festival for "The Right Way to Count". He is the producer of "Sumiyume Odori Procession," a dance dedication to the repose of the souls of the dead in Sumida Park, which has recovered from the remarkable damage 100 years after the Great Kanto Earthquake.

Tomoaki Baba

#MUSIC

Born in Sapporo, Hokkaido in 1992. Enrolled in Berklee College of Music in 2011. After graduating, he is based in New York. After returning to Japan in 2020, he has focused on leader projects and released three leader albums, including "ELECTRIC RIDER" (2024). In the animated film "BLUE GIANT" to be released in 2023, he played the saxophone of the main character, Dai Miyamoto.

Glen Check

#MUSIC

Formed by Junwan (Vo / Gt) and Hyokki (Ba / Key), the band debuted in 2011 with the EP “Disco Elevator” and won the Best Dance Electronic Music Award at the Korean Popular Music Awards for two consecutive years with the 2012 release “Haute Couture” and the 2013 release “YOUTH! Dance Electronic Music Award for two consecutive years. In 2023, Jaybo (Gt / Key) officially joined the band, and they are currently performing as “Band Live Set” with the addition of drums. In 2023, Jaybo (Gt / Key) officially joined the group, and now performs live in two forms: “Band Live Set” with drums, and “Electronic Live System”, an electronic set.

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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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