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A­R­T­I­S­T­S

Artists creating content together

downt

Formed in 2021. Formed in 2021. 3 members: Yui Togashi (Vo,&Gt), Takaaki Kawai (Ba), and Tener Ken Robert (Dr). Based in Tokyo. The world view expressed by their delicate and bold performance with a sense of urgency, their excellent sense of melody and emotional words, and their gentle and fresh wind-like, sometimes sharp and passionate singing voice is beginning to expand beyond the boundaries of genres in an open and airy manner. In October of the same year, they released their first album "downt" from ungulates, which instantly became a hot topic at record stores and distros such as FLAKE RECORDS and HOLIDAY!

Yu Irie

Film director and screenwriter, graduated from Nihon University College of Art in 2003 with a B.F.A. in film directing. 2009, his self-produced film “SR Saitama no Rapper” made a big splash. In 2011, he won the Takasaki Film Festival's Emerging Director Award for “Shinkattechan the Movie: Rock ‘n’ Roll Won't Stop Ringing.” In 2019, he won the Japan Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay for “AI Kaihatsu. His latest film, “An no Koto” will be released on June 7, 2024.

LAUSBUB

Formed in March 2020 by Riko Iwai and Mei Takahashi, who were both members of the light music club at the same high school in Sapporo, Hokkaido, this new wave techno-pop band exploded onto the scene on January 18, 2021 with a Twitter post, reaching #1 on the SoundCloud worldwide weekly chart. In July 2024, they released their first album “ROMP”.

mr.daibouken

#OTHER

A comedy duo from Asai Planning. A senior-senior duo consisting of Ryosei, a physical comedian, and Ibuku Ipponmichi, a square-cropped man with a strong sense of humor. They broke up at the same time as each other and formed in November 2021. The duo lives together.

NTsKi

#MUSIC

Artist and musician from Kyoto. He produces gentle yet somehow eerie vocals and tracks that mix a variety of musical styles. In 2021, he was selected by Bijutsu Techo as one of the newcomer artists who will pave the way for the 2020s. He has attracted attention from prominent artists in Japan and abroad, and has participated in works by Giant Claw, Food Festival a.k.a foodman, Tagaryu, KM, and others. Other projects include songwriting for Dirty Hit's new singer Wallice, the METI-sponsored Japan Pavilion at SXSW2019 under the general direction of Yoichi Ochiai, virtual singer te'resa, and music for a fashion brand. On August 6, 2021, he released his first album, “Orca”, on the Ohio label Orange Milk/EM Records, and it was selected as Bandcamp's Album Of The Day, and also charted on Apple Music Japan's electronic album chart. On November 10, 2023, he released his second album “Calla” on “EM Records”. On November 10, 2023, his second album “Calla” was released on the EM Records label.

Yasuhito Higuchi

#MOVIE

After serving on the editorial board of “Cahiers du Cinema Japon”, he established the label “boid” in 1998 to produce and sell videos, books, CDs, etc. Since 2004, he has planned and screened a series of Bakunon (explosive sound) screenings using a live sound system for music at the Baus Theater in Kichijoji, Tokyo. In 2020, he launched a new label, “Voice Of Ghost. He is the author of “Eiga wa Bakudo de Whispering” (boid) and “Eiga to Rock ‘n’ Roll ni okeru Amerika to US to Tenka wa Kattaruka” (How America and the United States Fought in Eiga and Rock 'n' Roll) (Seidosha). His latest book, “Sorekara kara kara no other world: Fantasy Film Diary 2021-2023” (boid) will be published on December 25, 2012. BAUS,” a film he produced and directed by Motosora Boki, is scheduled to open in theaters nationwide on March 21, 2025.

Kuma Overdose

London-based/LA-bred artist and producer Kuma Overdose’s dreamy, intimate songs often blur the lines between 90’s Japanese city pop, jazz and old school hip hop. His lyrics explore sentimental themes of nostalgia and love, often accompanied by his soft, melty vocals.

Since his debut, Overdose has proven to be a multidisciplinary artist of immense creative prowess, with all his releases to date being self-produced and lyrics self-written. Through the years, he’s carved his own distinct aesthetic and sound; following the success of ‘MINTIA’, and ‘Bike Lane’, he has received over a million streams across all digital platforms and garnered universal critical acclaim - it’s no wonder why Kuma Overdose is one of the most important emerging Asian artists and producers of the decade.

After moving to London in 2020, KOD has made a name for himself in the industry, having collaborated with the likes of UK hip hop artist, Lord Apex, and performing alongside JNR CHOI, Bktherula, Rico Nasty, and more. Not to mention his extensive catalog, now spread across a collection of vibey EPs and singles, Kuma Overdose is definitely one to watch in London’s evolving music scene.

Syota Sometani

Born on September 3, 1992 in Tokyo. He began his career as a child actor and played his first leading role in a film, “Pandora's Box,” and in 2011, “Himizu” won the Marcello Mastroianni Award at the 68th Venice International Film Festival, becoming the first Japanese actor to win the award, attracting attention both in Japan and abroad. His recent major film credits include “Kimi no Tori ha Utaueru” (My Bird Sings), “The First Supper”, “First Love”, and “Nikkoku Nikki (Diary of a Strange Country)”. He also appeared as a voice actor in “The Dragon and the Freckled Princess” and “Suzume no Dokkimari”.

CHAPPO

#MUSIC

Instrumental band formed in 2019, both born in 2000. On December 13, 2023, their first single “Fukidashi” was released on 7” from Kakubarhythm. The band incorporates various elements into their music with a stranger-than-music sensibility. The duo is on an unusual journey with an unknown destination.

Karasuya Satoshi

#BOOK

Manga artist, born in 1973. His works include the “Karasuya Satoshi” series (Kodansha), “Surprising Curry” series (Shinshokan), “Allergy Senki” (Bunka-sha), “Onobori Monogatari” (Takeshobo), and horror collections “Inheruno” (Kodansha) and “Otoshi” (Akita Shoten).

Mom

#MUSIC

現行の海外ヒップホップシーンとの同時代性を強く感じさせるサウンドコラージュ・リズムアプローチを取り入れつつも、日本人の琴線に触れるメロディラインを重ねたトラック、遊び心のあるワードセンスが散りばめられた内省的で時にオフェンシブなリリックに、オリジナリティが光る。音源制作のみならず、アートワークやMusic Videoの監修もこなし、隅々にまで感度の高さを覗かせる。

中村茜

東京都生まれ。日本大学芸術学部在籍中より舞台芸術に関わる。2004年から2008年までSTスポット横浜プログラムディレクター、2006年株式会社precogの立ち上げに参画、2008年より同社代表取締役。2016年から2018年までアジアン・カルチュラル・カウンシル(ACC)のグランティとしてバンコクとニューヨークに滞在。現代演劇、コンテンポラリーダンスのアーティストやカンパニーの国内外の活動をプロデュースするとともに、サイトスペシフィックなフェスティバルや領域横断的な人材育成事業、動画作品をバリアフリーと多言語で配信するプラットフォーム事業などを手掛ける。海外ツアーや共同制作のプロデュース実績は30カ国70都市に及ぶ。2012年から2014年まで国東半島アートプロジェクト及び国東半島芸術祭(国東半島芸術祭実行委員会主催)パフォーミングアーツプログラム・ディレクター。2019年、True Colors Festival ~超ダイバーシティ芸術祭~(日本財団主催)アソシエイトディレクター兼副事務局長。2020年、アクセシビリティに特化したオンライン劇場「THEATRE for ALL」統括プロデュース。令和3年度(第72回)文化庁芸術選奨・文部科学大臣賞新人賞【芸術振興部門】受賞。

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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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