In today’s world, we often make choices based on online reviews, trending music on social media, or recommendations from subscription services. With so many external opinions shaping our daily lives, how often do we truly pick something simply because we love it?
In this age of influence, one band is here to celebrate those who passionately follow their own desires. Karakoram no Yamayama, a cinema pop band formed in Tokyo in the summer of 2021, is making waves with their unique sound and bold approach.
Just two years after their formation, they’ve already played at major festivals like SUMMER SONIC and FUJI ROCK, even sharing the stage with their musical idol, Hideki Mukai. Their latest EP, *Shukan Kibatsu*, delves into the concept of “hyperreality”—a world beyond the real and unreal, inspired by YMO’s *Geijutsu*.
Lead vocalist and guitarist Sōtarō Ishida explains that this “hyperreality” is about embracing those who are fully immersed in what they love. Their surreal, captivating expression has been described as “something new and cool” by listeners, evoking the whimsy of *Doraemon* and the imaginative flair of Shinichi Hoshi. It’s a rejection of both the days when passion was cool and the cynicism of modern detachment. In this “hyperreal youth” of Generation Z, perhaps we’ll find the answer to what “coolness” will look like in the future—genuine, unapologetic, and uniquely ours.
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The Origin: An Original Song That Resonated with the Entire High School Grade
I’d like to ask Ishida, who is primarily responsible for songwriting and composition, about his project “Shibuya Session” under the name Sota Ishida, which he started before forming Karakoram no Yamayama. What inspired this project?
Ishida: In my first and second years of high school, our cover band took first place in the school festival voting, beating out the seniors. But in my third year, our female vocalist left, so we formed a ZAZEN BOYS cover band. Unfortunately, we lost to a Masaki Suda cover band. I realized that if I didn’t do something, I would graduate in second place, so I needed to figure out a way to stay on top…
So, you decided to involve as many people as possible, right?
Ishida: Exactly. I thought about how we could win and came up with the idea to gather all the musicians in my grade and create an album, which became “Shibuya Session.”
Did you feel a sense of accomplishment?
Ishida: When we released the first album Shibuya Session during the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone was at home, and suddenly, all my classmates started listening to the album at the same time. It was such a great feeling to sense that connection. Even though we were all in different places, we were all listening to the same music, and that gave me a thrill. That feeling of excitement is where it all began. Shibuya Session was a four-part series, one for each season, and the fourth album was released during the pandemic. After that, I became more focused on Karakoram no Yamayama.
Did you not pursue music until high school?
Ishida: I started playing piano at age 3, and then picked up guitar in upper elementary school. I made an EP with Ryota Ogawa and joined the brass band in high school.
So, instead of sticking to one instrument, you’ve been involved with a variety of music as a player.
Ishida: From a young age, I had a vague sense of “I’m doing music.” Because of that, I felt I had to get closer to music more than others. As a result, I ended up exploring various genres.
The music of Karakoram no Yamayama is difficult to categorize into a specific genre, as it incorporates vocals, rap, and harmonies in a technical manner. With such a diverse musical background, how did you arrive at this sound?
Ishida: Throughout my life, every time I started something, I’d find someone better than me and end up going in a different direction. I think the result of constantly avoiding people better than me is this mix of various elements. The coolness of creating a new trend with something that doesn’t exist yet was influenced by Ryuichi Sakamoto, and I have a strong desire to pursue that.
