On December 13th, Hedigan’s will make their debut in the world of live streaming with their first performance on their official YouTube channel, celebrating the release of their album Chance.
Joining them behind the scenes is Yukako Yajima, the editor and music writer who has chronicled Suchmos from their early days and brought us exclusive interviews with Hedigan’s for NiEW. Get ready for an in-depth, up-close report from the heart of the action.
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Hedigan’s Stance: A Legacy Worth Sharing
It was a day when the cold suddenly made its presence known. The headline “Sudden Winter” popped up on the screen, capturing the unexpected chill. The temperature, as I made my way to the interview, hovered in the single digits. A kind message from the staff came through: “Stay warm, it’s pretty cold out there.”
Just days before, I had caught wind that Hedigan’s was about to hold their first-ever live streaming event, and I didn’t hesitate to reach out for an interview. After hearing their newly finished debut album Chance, what immediately struck me was how incredibly alive the sound felt. In an interview, drummer Ouchi described the album as having “a tangible, almost corporeal quality,” joking, “It’s like, ‘Oh, there’s Mocchan’s organs in here,’ or ‘Shoji’s arms made it in,’” and I couldn’t help but laugh. In fact, I opened my official report of their first tour with a sentence I’d never used in a music article before: “It felt like touching organs.” But that’s the thing about Hedigan’s music—it lets you feel the human body within the sound. Of course, technical mastery plays a big role, but I found myself wanting to understand what kind of internal conversations and atmosphere within the band gave rise to such fresh, vibrant music. And I felt compelled to share that with the world. I believe it could offer a guiding light for current and future band members, showing them a path forward.
The location I was guided to for the recording was a vast warehouse. As I walked from the nearest station, I started to wonder, “Is this really the right place?” When I arrived, there was no stage, no microphones, no speakers, no amps—nothing. It seemed that today would be the first time a band would perform there.

Formed by YONCE of Suchmos (Yosuke Kawanishi), Hedigan’s is a dynamic new band consisting of five talented members: Yosuke Kawanishi (YONCE), Shoji Kurita, Yusuke Kurita, Takuma Motomura, and Gaku Ouchi. They made their official debut in 2023 with the release of their first digital single LOVE (XL) under F.C.L.S. In February 2024, they’ll drop their highly anticipated first EP 2000JPY, followed by their debut album Chance in November. A sound that’s pure soul-friendly music!
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Why This Space? The Journey from Delivery to Setup
At 6 PM, the load-in kicked off. The band members arrived, unloading their instruments, amps, and gear from the cars. Everything needed for the performance—PA system, lights, cameras—was brought in. In this bare space, they started to build a set where the five-member band could perform and be filmed. When I asked Ouchi why they chose this particular location, he shared that the band had discussed how this stark, minimalist environment felt like a better match for Hedigan’s than a more glamorous setting.


The ceiling soared high, and the walls and columns were bare concrete. I wondered what kind of resonance five instruments would create in such an open, raw space. When I asked, “Did you have any doubts about performing and recording in an unfamiliar environment?” everyone laughed and replied in unison, “We were definitely nervous.” Yet, this choice of location seemed quintessentially Hedigan’s.
“As long as things go according to plan, it’s no different from something you could enjoy at home,” said YONCE (Vocals, Guitar). For Hedigan’s, it’s about bringing people together, taking the time and effort, and seeking those unexpected moments—things that couldn’t be anticipated. That same energy is present in their music.
Even if things don’t go perfectly, that’s fine. “In a world where people constantly worry about where responsibility lies, we decided to venture into the unknown together. It’s more interesting that way,” YONCE explained. It’s because they’re pushing against conventional values that we can sense such depth and richness in Hedigan’s sound.


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Rehearsing and Soundchecking: The Playful Spirit of Five Musicians
As preparations continued, there wasn’t a hint of anxiety on anyone’s face. Ouchi sat behind the drum kit, checking the sound, while Motomura took his turn, playing a few beats on Ouchi’s drums. One by one, the others joined in, each giving it a try, and even though it was a little awkward at times, the moment ended with applause from everyone on set. “The atmosphere is open, even with the staff,” the members had said, and this moment truly embodied that sense of camaraderie.


Afterward, YONCE picked up Motomura’s bass, and Motomura took the drums, sparking an impromptu session between the two. Soon after, Motomura grabbed Shoji Kurita’s guitar, and Shoji started playing the harmonica. Naturally, Ouchi’s drums found their way into the mix. “When there’s downtime, the only things you can do are smoke or play an instrument,” Motomura said with a laugh.
By 8:30, the rehearsal officially kicked off. It was a run-through, just like the performance would be, but whenever there was a camera or lighting change, someone would begin playing, and the others would quickly follow. The entire evening felt like watching kids just discovering their instruments—playing for fun, goofing off, and getting lost in the sound. In a way, Hedigan’s music is the result of five musicians naturally coming together, creating an energetic flow of melodies and laughter that builds throughout their sessions.

INDEX
On Stage: The Moment of Freedom
At 9:35 PM, the five gathered in a circle, linking hands and lifting them high to get themselves pumped up. (Apparently, this was a first for them, as it’s not something they typically do.)

The setlist, carefully selected to highlight “songs that have been refined through recent live shows” and to create “a familiar live performance vibe,” included eight tracks: Natsu Terry, LOVE (XL), Gray, Sono Go…, Curtain Call, Saisei, Haiboku no Sahou, and O’share.

The sound of Hedigan’s—a fusion of five unique voices—is an unpredictable journey, one that neither the audience nor the band can foresee. It’s a moment where music transcends understanding, reaching realms beyond what’s expected. This is what Hedigan’s offers: a dive into the unknown.
In Sono Go…, an outro not heard on the recording is introduced. Wild, layered vocals build up, and the instruments increase in intensity, leading to a final shout of “Papa! Mama!” Hedigan’s’ “gag sense”—those spontaneous, one-of-a-kind moments that only live performances can deliver, moments so unexpected and exhilarating they make you laugh—emerged time and again during their set. The same energy is felt in Haiboku no Sahou. With a live outro not found on the track, Hedigan’s music pulls you in, making you wonder where it’s taking you next, and it’s impossible to look away.
“When playing the end of Haiboku no Sahou, I try to clear my mind completely,” Motomura shared. “I want to become nothing more than the hands of a clock. It’s krautrock, from Germany in the ‘60s and ‘70s, a genre that emerged as a defiant statement after Germany’s defeat, rejecting American influence. It’s a form that rejects pleasure, and I try to stay true to that. So I play with no thoughts, with no intention of feeling good, or letting the audience feel good.”
YONCE, laughing, added, “I’m only playing things that even a fifth-grader could do. I’m just alternating between two strings at the same spot. I try to become a machine, just following the drums. It feels like listening to a long speech from the principal, where my mind just starts to drift off in other directions.”




Within this collection of tracks, songs like Curtain Call and Saisei showcase YONCE’s profound vocals, with pop melodies that seep deeply into your soul.
“For me, live shows are all about liberation,” YONCE shares. “Before it starts, while the background music and sound effects are playing backstage, I might be thinking, ‘I’ll talk about this,’ or ‘For this part of the song, I’ll approach it differently today.’ But then, you realize none of that matters. Once the performance begins, you’re completely immersed in the present moment. It’s the ultimate trance. Honestly, I don’t usually remember much afterward.”


On this particular day, an intense focus unlike any other seemed to envelop the five members, amplifying their usual live energy.
“There was a strange, almost eerie level of concentration today,” YONCE remarked.
“The way the sound expanded was really unique. In a studio or a sealed space, the sound is crisp and clear, but today, the strong echo made it feel like you had to tune your ears to catch every nuance. That heightened tension created an incredible sense of immersion. I’ve never felt this kind of focus while performing—it was truly enjoyable,” Motomura shared.
“The cold definitely had an impact. When it’s cold, there’s this sharp edge to the tension and energy. The environment and temperature really do affect the performance,” Yūsuke added.

By 11 PM, the recording wrapped up. The five members, having navigated the tension of performing in such an unconventional space, wore expressions of triumph, their faces reflecting the joy and satisfaction of embracing the “unexpected moments” that had unfolded.
Hedigan’s debut album Chance serves as a documentary of the band’s journey, capturing the emotional highs and lows they’ve experienced. In the same way, this live footage is a snapshot of several hours spent together, where the five members reveled in the unpredictable, enjoying the moments that defied their expectations. Though experienced in other bands, Hedigan’s was formed to share an ideal way of life and the true joy of “connecting with friends through music”—something clearly expressed through the live performance and the conversations that flowed naturally.
Hedigan’s “Warehouse Session”
Live streaming
YouTube “Hedigan’s “Warehouse Session
Friday, December 13, 2024 from 22:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8xg9-daKWs
Hedigan’s “Chance”

November 20, 2024 Distribution Release
1 地球(仮)
2 マンション
3 その後…
4 グレー
5 再生
6 Mission Sofa feat.井上真也
7 But It Goes On
8 O’share
9 カーテンコール
10 ふしぎ
https://fcls.lnk.to/Chance
CD
January 15, 2025 release
3,950 yen
[DISC 1]
1. 地球(仮)
2. マンション
3. その後…
4. グレー
5. 再生
6. Mission Sofa feat.井上真也
7. But It Goes On
8. O’share
9. カーテンコール
10. ふしぎ
[DISC 2 “Live at SPACE SHOWER MUSIC Presents “EPOCHS Music & Art Collective 2023″”]
1. 夏テリー
2. LOVE(XL)
3. サルスベリ
4. 説教くさいおっさんのルンバ
5. 敗北の作法
6. 論理はロンリー
CD pre-order link
https://hedigans.lnk.to/Chance
Hedigan’s “TOUR Chance”2025
January 25, 2025 (Saturday) – Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama Bay Hall
February 1, 2025 (Saturday) – Fukuoka Prefecture, BEAT STATION
February 9, 2025 (Sunday) – Saitama Prefecture, HEAVEN’S ROCK Kumagaya VJ-1
February 11, 2025 (Tuesday, Holiday) – Miyagi Prefecture, darwin
February 15, 2025 (Saturday) – Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya CLUB QUATTRO
February 16, 2025 (Sunday) – Osaka Prefecture, BIGCAT
February 23, 2025 (Sunday, Holiday) – Hokkaido, cube garden
March 2, 2025 (Sunday) – Tokyo, Zepp Shinjuku (TOKYO)
Tickets on sale now!
https://lit.link/hedigans