Asobi Seksu
Asobi Seksu is a band that I have listened to over the years, but never quite as frequently as I would have liked. They always remain on my radar, and I’ve always been interested in their sound, but I had yet to pay as much attention to them as they deserved.
Lead singer Yuki Chikudate and guitarist James Hanna (the two core members of the band), have currently commissioned an acoustic tour in support of their release Rewolf along with bass player Billy Pavone and drummer Larry Gorman. I managed to finally catch their live act last Friday in a very intimate setting downtown at Le Poisson Rouge.
ARMS opened and it was really a delight to see Todd Goldstein play again. I’m happy to see that the album Kids Aflame is getting more and more attention. I’m also looking forward to his sophomore release. The songs on Kids Aflame were all written several years ago and I think it’s really the next album where ARMS will stretch its musical wings and blow us right out of the water.
But most importantly, Asobi Seksu. I’ll be the first to say that Yuki Chikudate is an utter delight. She’s a little charming pixie who flits across the stage between a baby grand and her glockenspiel, chattering away to the audience and poking fun at her fellow band members. Her delicate vocals were usually backed by either Hanna or Gorman, who manage to provide their leading lady with an extra touch of strength.
Some favorites of the night were “Bliss,” “Layers,” and “Walk on the Moon,” but I particularly enjoyed the story Chikudate told before launching into “Blind Little Rain.” Apparently, this song came to James Hanna when he was watching the sunset on Martha’s Vineyard… after having consumed some magic mushrooms. Chikudate had also mentioned earlier in the night that all their parents were attending the show.
Thoroughly entertaining, the group encored with Donovan cover “Celeste” and sent the audience off into the night feeling inspired and introspective. Case in point, both Rewolf and Hush seem to be playing on my iPod constantly since then.
Check out Asobi Seksu’s Ahead of the Curve shoot done for mtvU at SXSW 2008.
