Kishi burst onto the scene a year and a half ago and just became an instant sensation. It's very well deserved as the dude is crazy talented. He creates these wispy, complex arrangements that somehow manage to stay pop friendly.
It's the kind of music that would be the soundtrack to a video of your life's greatest moments. Get this.
Lighght is Kishi Bashi's follow up to his acclaimed debut, 151a for which he was awarded the accolade of Best New Artist by NPR. 151a was recorded over a stretched out 4 years when, The singer, composer and violinist went on tour with the likes of Sondre Lerche, Regina Spektor and became a full time member of Of Montreal. Kishi Bashi's second full-length album, Lighght (pronounced 'light') was released on Joyful Noise Recordings on May 13, 2014. The album's title is a one-word poem by Aram Saroyan. His third studio album, Sonderlust, was released on September 16, 2016 by Joyful Noise Recordings. It was produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear.
The Details
Limited edition gold spattered vinyl with bonus gold colored 7'.
Violinist, singer, and composer Kishi Bashi is slated to release his new album on May 13, 2014. The album entitled 'Lighght' (pronounced 'Light') continues and expands the sound of his critically acclaimed debut, '151a' - which earned Kishi Bashi the title of 'Best New Artist' by NPR. Since the profoundly successful release of '151a' two years ago, Kishi Bashi has toured relentlessly, captivating audiences across the globe with his loop-based live show, and fostering a groundswell of devotees.
'151a' was crafted over a four-year period while Kishi Bashi was touring and recording with Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and of Montreal (where he was a full-time member and co-producer). In late 2012, after the success of '151a', Kishi Bashi decided to focus solely on his own music and began composing the new material which has become 'Lighght'.
'Lighght' takes its title from the one-word poem by minimalist poet Aram Saroyan. As Kishi Bashi explains, 'The poem's blatant assault on literary convention and classical form was attractive to me.' It is apparent that such an approach informed the new album, which has both broadened and redefined his classical foundations. 'Though I have studied classical composition, I prefer to take an unconventional path when it comes to creating and thinking about music,' says Kishi Bashi.
Though violin remains his primary instrument and songwriting muse, Kishi Bashi has expanded his palette to include more diverse and nuanced instrumentation. Bright and soaring avant-pop songs are prevalent, as are Eastern-tinged arrangements, gentle ballads, Philip Glass inspired improvisations, and more than a few moments that flirt with 70s prog (in the tradition of ELO or Yes).
If this sounds jarringly kaleidoscopic, that's because it is. But it works. Listen and see.
Price $17
| Background information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 November 1975 (age 45) |
| Origin | Seattle, Washington / Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Instruments |
|
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
Kaoru Ishibashi (born November 4, 1975), who performs as Kishi Bashi, is an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. He is a founding member of Jupiter One, and, for a few years, was a member of the band of Montreal. He embarked on his career as a solo artist in 2011, releasing his debut album 151a at Joyful Noise Recordings in 2012 to immediate fanfare and critical acclaim.[1][2][3][4]
Biography[edit]
Born in Seattle, Washington, Ishibashi grew up in Norfolk, Virginia where both of his parents were professors at Old Dominion University. His mother is from Naha, Okinawa Prefecture.[5] After graduating from Matthew Fontaine Maury High School in 1994, he went to Cornell's School of Engineering. At Cornell he co-founded a band named Tamarisk. After flunking out of Cornell,[6] he went to study film scoring[5] at Berklee College of Music[6] before becoming a renowned violinist.[citation needed].
Kishi Bashi is also the singer and founding member of the New York electronic rock outfit, Jupiter One. In 2011, he started to record and perform as a solo artist, recorded and toured internationally as a violinist with diverse artists such as Regina Spektor, opening for Sondre Lerche,[7]Alexi Murdoch, and of Montreal. He supported of Montreal on their spring 2012 tour.[8]
Shortly after Ishibashi debuted his full-length solo album 151a on Indianapolis label Joyful Noise Recordings, NPRAll Songs Considered host Bob Boilen listed Kishi Bashi as his favorite new artist of 2012 noting that he created 'a radiant, uplifting soundscape' with songs such as 'Bright Whites.'[9] In the same year, Microsoft licensed 'Bright Whites' for use in a commercial for Windows 8.[10] Around the same time, Sony used Kishi Bashi's song 'It All Began With A Burst' from the same album for a commercial introducing their Xperia Tablet S.[11] In addition to these placements, Smart licensed 'Chester's Burst Over The Hamptons' for their line of smart cars in the United States.[12]
Kishi Bashi has since been invited to play in major festivals such as SXSW and Austin City Limits and gone on an extensive US tour with supporting acts such as The Last Bison (from his native Hampton Roads, Virginia). In early 2013, Kishi Bashi held a North American tour across the United States and Canada, continuing in EU and UK in spring 2013.
In 2014 Kishi Bashi released his own line of coffee through Jittery Joe's called Royal Daark Blend. Each purchase comes with an exclusive song download.[13]
Discography[edit]
Studio albums[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [14] | US Indie [15] | US Rock [16] | ||
| 151a |
| —[A] | 47 | — |
| Lighght |
| 53 | 11 | 13 |
| Sonderlust |
| 153 | 17 | 19 |
| Omoiyari |
| —[B] | 10 | — |
| '—' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Live albums[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US [14] | US Indie [15] | ||
| Live on Valentine's |
| — | — |
| String Quartet Live! |
| —[C] | 37 |
| '—' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Compilation albums[edit]
- '7' Box Set' (including covers of the Talking Heads, ELO, and Beirut) (2013) – Joyful Noise
Extended plays[edit]
- Room for Dream EP(2011) – Aerobic International / Joyful Noise
- Philosophize! Chemicalize! EP(2013) – Joyful Noise
- Room for Dream EP(2017) – Joyful Noise
Notes[edit]
- ^151a did not enter the US Billboard 200, but peaked at number six on the Top Heatseekers Albums Chart.[17]
- ^Omoiyari did not enter the US Billboard 200, but peaked at number 39 on the US Album Sales Chart.[20]
- ^String Quartet Live! did not enter the US Billboard 200, but peaked at number seven on the Vinyl Albums Chart.[22]
Projects[edit]
Kishi Bashi's first EP, Room For Dream, came out in May 2011 on Aerobic International. Room For Dream features four songs, including a duet with Kevin Barnes and can only be purchased from downloading platforms such as iTunes or Bandcamp.
His live show is a solo performance based on live violin and vocal looping and beat boxing. He has often been compared to Andrew Bird and Owen Pallett.[23]Kishi Bashi's first full-length record, 151a, was released by Joyful Noise Recordings on April 10, 2012 after receiving partial funding through Kickstarter.[24] The title '151a' refers to the Japanese term 一期一会 (pronounced the same way '151a' is in Japanese), which carries a meaning similar to 'once in a lifetime'.[25][26] The three b-sides from the Room For Dream EP ('Conversations at the End of the World,' 'Evalyn, Summer has Arrived,' and 'Unicorns Die When You Leave') are included on the Australian/NZ edition of '151a' as bonus tracks. The Australian/NZ edition also replaces 'Intro / Pathos, Pathos' with an instrumental version of the same track.
Kishi Bashi's second full-length album, Lighght (pronounced 'light') was released on Joyful Noise Recordings on May 13, 2014.[27] The album's title is a one-word poem by Aram Saroyan.[28]
His third studio album, Sonderlust, was released on September 16, 2016 by Joyful Noise Recordings.[29] It was produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear.
Kaoru Ishibashi (born November 4, 1975), who performs as Kishi Bashi, is an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter. He is a founding member of Jupiter One, and, for a few years, was a member of the band of Montreal. He embarked on his career as a solo artist in 2011, releasing his debut album 151a at Joyful Noise Recordings in 2012 to immediate fanfare and critical acclaim.[1][2][3][4]
Biography[edit]
Born in Seattle, Washington, Ishibashi grew up in Norfolk, Virginia where both of his parents were professors at Old Dominion University. His mother is from Naha, Okinawa Prefecture.[5] After graduating from Matthew Fontaine Maury High School in 1994, he went to Cornell's School of Engineering. At Cornell he co-founded a band named Tamarisk. After flunking out of Cornell,[6] he went to study film scoring[5] at Berklee College of Music[6] before becoming a renowned violinist.[citation needed].
Kishi Bashi is also the singer and founding member of the New York electronic rock outfit, Jupiter One. In 2011, he started to record and perform as a solo artist, recorded and toured internationally as a violinist with diverse artists such as Regina Spektor, opening for Sondre Lerche,[7]Alexi Murdoch, and of Montreal. He supported of Montreal on their spring 2012 tour.[8]
Shortly after Ishibashi debuted his full-length solo album 151a on Indianapolis label Joyful Noise Recordings, NPRAll Songs Considered host Bob Boilen listed Kishi Bashi as his favorite new artist of 2012 noting that he created 'a radiant, uplifting soundscape' with songs such as 'Bright Whites.'[9] In the same year, Microsoft licensed 'Bright Whites' for use in a commercial for Windows 8.[10] Around the same time, Sony used Kishi Bashi's song 'It All Began With A Burst' from the same album for a commercial introducing their Xperia Tablet S.[11] In addition to these placements, Smart licensed 'Chester's Burst Over The Hamptons' for their line of smart cars in the United States.[12]
Kishi Bashi has since been invited to play in major festivals such as SXSW and Austin City Limits and gone on an extensive US tour with supporting acts such as The Last Bison (from his native Hampton Roads, Virginia). In early 2013, Kishi Bashi held a North American tour across the United States and Canada, continuing in EU and UK in spring 2013.
In 2014 Kishi Bashi released his own line of coffee through Jittery Joe's called Royal Daark Blend. Each purchase comes with an exclusive song download.[13]
Discography[edit]
Studio albums[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [14] | US Indie [15] | US Rock [16] | ||
| 151a |
| —[A] | 47 | — |
| Lighght |
| 53 | 11 | 13 |
| Sonderlust |
| 153 | 17 | 19 |
| Omoiyari |
| —[B] | 10 | — |
| '—' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Live albums[edit]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US [14] | US Indie [15] | ||
| Live on Valentine's |
| — | — |
| String Quartet Live! |
| —[C] | 37 |
| '—' denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Compilation albums[edit]
- '7' Box Set' (including covers of the Talking Heads, ELO, and Beirut) (2013) – Joyful Noise
Extended plays[edit]
- Room for Dream EP(2011) – Aerobic International / Joyful Noise
- Philosophize! Chemicalize! EP(2013) – Joyful Noise
- Room for Dream EP(2017) – Joyful Noise
Notes[edit]
- ^151a did not enter the US Billboard 200, but peaked at number six on the Top Heatseekers Albums Chart.[17]
- ^Omoiyari did not enter the US Billboard 200, but peaked at number 39 on the US Album Sales Chart.[20]
- ^String Quartet Live! did not enter the US Billboard 200, but peaked at number seven on the Vinyl Albums Chart.[22]
Projects[edit]
Kishi Bashi's first EP, Room For Dream, came out in May 2011 on Aerobic International. Room For Dream features four songs, including a duet with Kevin Barnes and can only be purchased from downloading platforms such as iTunes or Bandcamp.
His live show is a solo performance based on live violin and vocal looping and beat boxing. He has often been compared to Andrew Bird and Owen Pallett.[23]Kishi Bashi's first full-length record, 151a, was released by Joyful Noise Recordings on April 10, 2012 after receiving partial funding through Kickstarter.[24] The title '151a' refers to the Japanese term 一期一会 (pronounced the same way '151a' is in Japanese), which carries a meaning similar to 'once in a lifetime'.[25][26] The three b-sides from the Room For Dream EP ('Conversations at the End of the World,' 'Evalyn, Summer has Arrived,' and 'Unicorns Die When You Leave') are included on the Australian/NZ edition of '151a' as bonus tracks. The Australian/NZ edition also replaces 'Intro / Pathos, Pathos' with an instrumental version of the same track.
Kishi Bashi's second full-length album, Lighght (pronounced 'light') was released on Joyful Noise Recordings on May 13, 2014.[27] The album's title is a one-word poem by Aram Saroyan.[28]
His third studio album, Sonderlust, was released on September 16, 2016 by Joyful Noise Recordings.[29] It was produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear.
On December 7, 2017, Ishibashi started a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for a documentary film titled Omoiyari: A Songfilm by Kishi Bashi,[30] which is currently slated for an early 2020 release and will detail the struggles faced by incarcerated Japanese Americans during World War II. An album of songs created for the film was released by Joyful Noise Recordings on May 31, 2019, marking it as his fourth studio album.[31]
References[edit]
- ^'Kishi Bashi: Unique Performances In Time'. NPR.org. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
- ^'Kishi Bashi: 151a'. PopMatters. 2012-05-21. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
- ^'Kishi Bashi 151a'. exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
- ^'Kishi Bashi - 'Bright Whites' (Windows 8 Commercial) - Earbuddy'. Earbuddy. 2012-12-17. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
- ^ abTom Murphy (2013-02-19). 'Kishi Bashi on learning how not to get pushed around by jaded New York Broadway types'. WestWord. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
- ^ abBuerger, Megan (2012-03-30). 'As Kishi Bashi, Kaoru Ishibashi finding hard-earned success on the solo circuit'. The Washington Post. ISSN0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-01-26.
- ^'Show Review: Sondre Lerche with Nightlands and Kishi Bashi at Great American Music Hall, 6/28/11'. Spinningplatters.com. 2011-07-02. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
- ^'Kishi Bashi Announces Headlining Tour'. CMJ. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
- ^Apple, Fiona (2012-06-12). 'Discussion: Our Favorite Music Of The Year (So Far) : All Songs Considered'. NPR. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
- ^Krenn, Nick. 'Subliminal Stunner: Kishi Bashi – 'Bright Whites' – (Windows 8 Commercial)'. Earbuddy. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^Ilsley, Colin. 'Sony Commercial for Sony Xperia Tablet (2012)'. Rick (Popisms). Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^'2013 Smart Electric Car TV Spot, 'Parking Garage''. ispot. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
- ^'Kishi Bashi Turns Lighght to Daark With New Coffee Blend'. TRANSVERSO. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
- ^ ab'Kishi Bashi – Chart History: Billboard 200'. Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^ ab'Kishi Bashi – Chart History: Independent Albums'. Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^'Kishi Bashi – Chart History: Rock Albums'. Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^'Kishi Bashi – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums'. Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^'Sonderlust by Kishi Bashi on Apple Music'. Apple Music (US). Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^'Omoiyari by Kishi Bashi on Apple Music'. Apple Music (US). Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^'Kishi Bashi – Chart History: Album Sales'. Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^'String Quartet Live! by Kishi Bashi on Apple Music'. Apple Music (US). Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^'Kishi Bashi – Chart History: Vinyl Albums'. Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved April 15, 2020.
- ^'Kishi Bashi | Similar Artists, Influenced By, Followers'. AllMusic. 1975-11-04. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
- ^'Kishi Bashi 'Manchester' PREMIERE'. Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
- ^'KISHI BASHI君を応援しよう！'. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
- ^'Sing Speak: A Collaboration of Kishi Bashi & Brian Omni Dillon - Events — Housing Works'. Housingworks.org. 2013-02-04. Archived from the original on 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
- ^'New Kishi Bashi: album details announced! | Journal // Joyful Noise Recordings'. Joyfulnoiserecordings.com. 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
- ^'Lighght | Kishi Bashi'. Bandcamp. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
- ^'Sonderlust by Kishi Bashi'. Bandcamp. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
- ^'Omoiyari: a Songfilm by Kishi Bashi: Indiegogo'. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
- ^'Omoiyari by Kishi Bashi'. Bandcamp. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
External links[edit]
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kishi Bashi. |
Kishi Bashi Light Vinyl Plank Flooring
- Podcast featuring 'Manchester' by Kishi Bashi
Kishi Bashi Light Vinyl Tablecloth
