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Guess what, a mysterious Japanese traditional music band is coming to Melbourne! This band is well known for playing traditional Japanese and other musical instruments, and they are conducting a Live Tour with two shows in Melbourne!
This is a great opportunity for those who are into Japanese traditional music. Want to know more about the band and their music? Here is our introduction of 鮪 the Magro.
Let us start with the profile of the Magro.
ー鮪 Magro profileー
The band is from Tokyo. It has been active as a retrospective Alternative traditional Japanese music band, which somehow stands for the proud of the Japanese soul. The performance and stage work are always trying to reflect the Japanese spirit.
Their music is influenced by various cultures such as Deep Blues and Jazz, Afro Cuban and Psychedelic Rock etc, and it perfectly combines the essence of these cultures into itself. The traditional musical instruments from Gagaku and ancient times also blended in their music. In addition, they also add in sounds they gathered from travelling and nature, which makes their music into a mixture of new (Neo) and old (retro).
The nostalgic, warm harmonic vocal consists poems from literature drags the audience into the sensual world. The improvisation is done unflinchingly, with free concepts and sensitivity which is why their live shows are always popular.
This Melbourne tour will have the vocals of a dynamic female artist who used to work with various DJs and other artists as a rapper, the sounds of western musical instruments (electric guitar, drum, harmonica, melodica, flute, mandolin, steel guitar, bass, small musical instrument – small percussion, whistle – etc), the sounds of Japanese traditional musical instruments (Gagaku Hichiriki, Samisen, Sanshin etc), and the sounds of folk instruments (jiyanbe and DUNDUN etc)
The musical instruments from different genres make this session extremely attractive. The dynamic singing in accordance with the rhythm of blues and various tunes played on the musical instruments will remind you of the “good old times” of Showa.
Here, we would like to introduce Mr.Miura who plays the unfamiliar musical instrument named Hichiriki.
*Gagaku Hichiriki player Mr. Mitonori Miura
Mr. Miura was born in 1982. He is from Kure City in Hiroshima Prefecture. He was influenced by his grandparents and became familiar with Gagaku from early childhood. He majored in Gagaku in Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. He studied Hichiriki, and sang under Tougi Masaki (Music department of the Imperial Household Agency). He has played Hogaku, Western music, restoration music including Tokyo Gakuso. He also had recordings, attended FM broadcasts, performed in various events and salon concerts. Apart from Japan, he has been to the stages of Europe and South America as well. Currently he is focusing on domestic and overseas performances with bases in Hiroshima and Tokyo.
*Hichiriki, the instrument.
Hichiriki is one of the wind instruments used in Gagaku. Tongue made with reed is inserted in an 18cm long bamboo tube to produce the sound. It is a small musical instrument; however its intense sound magnitude has a unique sense of existence. It is sensual and its sound has a rich feeling as if a person is singing.
The instrument originated from Kameshigeru (West Asia). It was brought to Japan in approximately 6th century by a Korean musician and from then onwards it played an important role as the main melody musical instrument at the Imperial Court. On one hand it is a folk musical instrument and has wild, dynamic aspect whereas on the other hand it has a sense of subtle elegance which fits in well with the sophisticated Imperial Court. Only musical instrument with long history has the charm like this.
The background of each member of the band is different, which makes it very interesting to look at: one of them is a genius artist, one is a poet, the other one is a baseball player.
We could probably have a new perception of the world after we listened to the music of this band with such interesting members.
鮪 Magro Melbourne tour
＠Open Studio
Date & Time：25th January (Wednesday) 8:30pm〜
Venue：Open Studio
Address：204 High St, Northcote
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Open-Studio/87688711119
＠Bella UNION
Date & Time：3rd February (Friday) 8:30pm～
Venue：Bella UNION
Address：Level 1, Trades Hall Corner of Victoria & Lygon Streets,Carlton South (enter off Lygon Street)
Fees：$15(+$2 booking fee – $18 at the door)
Booking：http://www.bellaunion.com.au/ticketing/show_528/
鮪 magro official website
http://toypusher.ddo.jp/index.html
鮪 magro Myspace page
http://www.myspace.com/jazzaholicmagro
