HARU NEMURI Makes A New Vow with Latest Sinigle!

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“Don’t Make Love Vow” Single Art

HARU NEMURI has teamed up with Thailand’s Pyra for a new single called “Don’t make love vow”. Pre-add and pre-save “don’t make love vow” here:

“The song was created from a critical perspective on the system of marriage,” says HARU NEMURI on the lyrics of the upcoming single. “The institution of marriage has historically served as a mechanism to bind and regulate individuals and communities economically, socially, and religiously. In Japan, only heterosexual (men and women couples) are granted the right to use this institution, which could be seen as society imposing normative rules on forms of love and is profoundly unequal. Having to constantly prove one’s relationships to authorities and receive their endorsement is, simply put, strange. So, in this song, from the perspective of if love truly exists, does it really require such a contract? Isn’t this just an obsession by having “no guarantee without a contract”? The song attempts to separate love from the institution, challenging the necessity of the institution itself.

Pyra exploded on TikTok in 2021 with educational and critical videos about Thai society, particularly the conservatism of the junta government that took over in 2014. Her social media activism is a natural extension of her music, which she describes as ‘dystopian pop’, and deals with similar themes. Learn more on Pyra here. NEMURI and Pyra share a passion for social justice, which makes this collaboration so strong and important. HARU NEMURI and Pyra began working on this song after HARU’s December 23 show in Thailand with production continuing in Bangkok.

HARU NEMURI recently wrapped up a run of shows in the United States, with many of them selling out and venues being upgraded due to demand. The New York Times called her show one not to be missed when she performed in Brooklyn, NY at Elsewhere last month. HARU NEMURI has been expanding her presence in both the U.S. and Europe with shows and numerous collaboration releases. On October 4, the ‘SOUL KISS’ collaboration EP with Frost Children was released. A peak moment of both of their efforts, the songs on the EP encapsulate hardcore, EDM, pop, post-rock and indie - transcending borders, genres and preconceived notions. Stream it here

More on HARU NEMURI

Haru has always made music for herself first, but now the world is listening — even if they can’t understand a word of the Japanese language in which she sings, raps, and frequently screams. Not many teenagers are inspired equally by American post-hardcore icons such as Fugazi and Japanese avant-garde music legend Susumu Hirasawa, but therein lies the magic of Haru Nemuri and the work she has created over the past five years.

Her album, ‘SHUNKA RYOUGEN’ out now, was heralded by publications like Pitchfork, The Fader, Paste Magazine, noting, “blending elements of J-pop, rap, and hardcore, the experimental Japanese artist’s latest album presents a convincing balance of nihilism and hope,”. ‘Shunka Ryougen’ is available to stream in full at this link:

After world tours, festival appearances, and two LPs, the 29 year old Japanese rockstar has captivated the world with her idiosyncratic poetry. Haru’s trailblazing music seamlessly blends genres—from the punk magnetism of Karen O and Fugazi, to the glittering shoegaze of Shinsei Kamattechan, or the experimentation of Björk and Susumu Hirasawa. Armed with only her vocals and a laptop, her shows mesmerize crowds from Europe to Asia to America, the great majority of whom don’t even speak her language.

Amidst an intense schedule that included releasing nine works with the latest being the EP 'INSAINT,' and embarking on tour across approximately 30 cities worldwide, began working on this project last year. 'Soul Kiss,' her first release of 2024 and her first collaborative EP, hints at a new and expansive direction for her.

HARU NEMURI SCHEDULE

December 21: Daikanyama UNIT, Tokyo, Japan - w/Knosis

Tickets: https://bnds.us/b60l7n

Tickets for International Oversea Fans:

https://ib.eplus.jp/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=5432&date=1734706800#scrollToPanel

I Don't Like Mondays. 10th Anniversary Interview

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I Don’t Like Mondays. (IDLMs.) is a four-member rock band based in Tokyo that was founded in 2012. Despite their 80's sound roots, their meticulous music production and groove transcend boundaries between Japanese and Western music./Their songs evoke a sensation akin to driving through the city. The band members are YU (vocals), CHOJI (guitar), KENJI (bass guitar), SHUKI (drums). We had the honor of interviewing them on the cusp of the their release of the EP FOCUS and the celebration of their 10th Anniversary! Be sure to check out their latest music video, “Shadow” below!

Ken: Congratulations on reaching your 10th anniversary! How does it feel to have been making music together for a decade?

YU It feels like it’s been a long journey, yet it also feels like the time has flown by. Over the last 10 years we’ve changed labels, had periods when we couldn’t perform live due to the pandemic, and as the vocalist, I even made some significant changes to how I sing. When we first started the band, we never imagined we’d be doing a theme song for “ONE PIECE” or holding solo tours overseas. We’ve tried a lot of things–it took us 10 years to finally discover what we should be doing.

Ken: Looking back over the past 10 years, what are some of the most memorable moments or milestones for the band?

YU: Writing the theme song for the TV anime “ONE PIECE.” It helped us gain recognition in Japan, of course, but it also immediately introduced us to audiences worldwide. Thanks to that song, we were able to perform in places like Spain, Argentina, and Brazil, places we couldn’t have easily gone before.

“During the pandemic, we focused on creating music meant for listening to alone, at home or through earphones”
— SHUKI

Ken: How has your music evolved since your first album? Are there any particular influences or experiences that have shaped your sound over the years?

SHUKI: In our debut era albums like “PLAY” and “TOKYO,” we put all our passion into producing every single track. We experimented with various genres in a single release—EDM-like tracks, hard rock elements, UK-inspired sounds—hoping our fans would enjoy this variety. While we still incorporate different genres in our music, after a decade we’ve honed our identity as a band, making it easier to convey our character and the sound we want as a band. During the pandemic, we focused on creating music meant for listening to alone, at home or through earphones. We’ve also occasionally been inspired by both traditional and trendy J-POP.

Ken: What challenges have you faced as a band over the past decade, and how have you overcome them?

SHUKI: We’ve faced new challenges every time we write a new song over the last 10 years. We always tell ourselves, “It’s okay! We can do this!” to get through it.

Ken: To what do you attribute the band’s longevity and continued success?

KENJI: Sometimes when we’re all gathered in the music room to compose, we think CHOJI is playing the piano. But then we looked closer and realized he was playing while asleep.

“ I want to make the next decade one where every single song, album, and tour makes people say, “The current I Don’t Like Mondays. is the coolest.”
— YU

Ken: As you celebrate this milestone, are there any new goals or aspirations you have for the next decade?

YU: I want to make the next decade one where every single song, album, and tour makes people say, “The current I Don’t Like Mondays. is the coolest.”

Ken: For your 10th anniversary, you’re releasing a new EP. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this project?

YU: In our previous album “RUNWAY,” we managed to reaffirm the kind of band we aim to be and the music we want to deliver to the world. The word “FOCUS” also has the meaning of focusing on the ‘band we aim to be’ something we discovered through our previous release. The album has seven tracks which span various genres, and I think it really shows our charm.

Ken: How does the sound and style of this EP compare to your earlier work? Are there any new elements or directions you’re exploring?

CHOJI: “FOCUS” could be seen as a sequel to “RUNWAY.” In producing “RUNWAY,” we regained awareness of the kind of music we want to create. We carefully selected only the songs we need now, keeping in mind that we’d be performing them live. It enhanced the clarity of the “I Don’t Like Mondays” sound, both the lyrics and our sound.

Ken: What was the songwriting and recording process like for this EP? Did you approach it differently than you have with past projects?

CHOJI: This album led to us making the most demos we’ve ever made. We held meetings every few months to discuss what kind of songs we needed for the current version of the band, while keeping in mind that we’d be performing them at concerts.

Ken: What do you hope listeners will take away from this EP, and how do you think it reflects your journey as a band over the past 10 years?

KENJI: Some artists celebrate milestones like these with best-of albums or self-covers of their past hits. But instead of looking back on the past, it’s our intention to “FOCUS” on the future starting with our 11th year, which is part of the meaning behind the word “FOCUS.” We hope our fans will enjoy it as the culmination of our 10 year career so far.

Ken: How have the relationships and dynamics between band members evolved over the past 10 years?

KENJI: It hasn’t changed much. Sometimes we have differing opinions during production, but as I mentioned earlier, we’ve always maintained a level of distance and respect each other as adults.

Ken: Are there any live performances that stand out as particularly memorable for you? What made them special?

CHOJI: When we performed in Yantai, China. The audience made various flags and held them up during the show. I’d never seen anything like that in Japan so it felt really fresh, and I was happy to see a flag with our logo on it.

Ken: Do you have any memorable stories or messages from fans that have touched you over the years?

KENJI: When we performed the song “Zenbu Anata no Sei Nan Da” while on tour in China. That’s usually a song fans listen to quietly in Japan, so we assumed it’d be the same there. But in China, the audience sang along loudly. I was surprised to see such a big difference in the way the same song could be enjoyed.

“We’ll work hard to perform live in big venues all around the world, so we can do all the on-stage things we’ve been wanting to do!”
— SHUKI

Ken: Are there any new plans or innovations for your upcoming tours or live performances?

SHUKI: We’ll work hard to perform live in big venues all around the world, so we can do all the on-stage things we’ve been wanting to do!

Ken: Lastly, is there anything you would like to say to your international fans?

YU: We may not have many chances to meet, but keep listening to our music and wait for us until we come to your city! Thank you for everything!

HARU NEMURI and New Yorks Frost Children release "Daijoubu Desu" from upcoming collaboration EP 'Soul Kiss'!

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Japan’s HARU NEMURI has teamed up with New York City’s Frost Children for the upcoming collaboration EP titled ‘Soul Kiss’ out October 4. Today, fans can hear the new song across all streaming platforms and watch the music video for "Daijoubu Desu". The hybrid-genre song also features cheeky vinyl scratches from A-Trak

“There are times when people reassure me by saying “It’s going to be ok”, when I am overwhelmed, drowning in anxiety and melancholy, when I am stuck in an unforeseeable reality, or when I am at a loss not knowing how to even handle my own soul,” says HARU NEMURI on the lyrics of the song out today.  “Though I deeply appreciate the kindness and the reassurance itself, there are still times when I feel like screaming, "What's going to be okay!!!" (Though in reality, I never actually do that. Instead, I usually suppress all those emotions and with an awkward smile I would just say thank you.) Climate change, inequality, exploitation, discrimination, patriarchy, conspiracy theories, and with all the other various evil constructs created by humanity continue to hold sway in this trash-like world, we are not always ok (Daijoubu).”

HARU NEMURI and Frost Children initially met on tour in 2021 and experienced an instant and surprising musical connection. Subsequently toured together and made plans to reunite in Berlin to record this project. The sessions, initially quite open-ended and experimental, led to internet collaboration/co-writing and then the completion of the tracking in a hyperspeed series of sessions in Tokyo, and ultimately Lulu putting finishing touches in their New York studio (while occasionally testing out works in progress in DJ sets).
The final product has become a five track EP called ‘Soul Kiss’ - a peak moment of both of their efforts. The songs encapsulate hardcore, EDM, pop, post-rock and indie. A really unique and surprising Soul Kiss transcending borders, genres and preconceived notions.

Be sure to check out "Daijoubu Desu” across all streaming platforms here along with he music video below!

 ‘Soul Kiss’ Track listing

  1. Daijoubu Desu

  2. Burn

  3. Supernatural

  4. Bad Thing

  5. Get Well Soon 

HARU NEMURI will return to the United States with six shows kicking off at the end of September into early October. Frost Children are currently on a nationwide tour with support from julie and her new knife. Tour dates for both artists can be found below.

HARU NEMURI Live Dates

September 28 - Seattle, WA @ High Dive

October 1 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall

October 6 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo

October 9 - Dallas, TX @ RBC

October 12 - Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere

October 15 - Chicago, IL @ Reggies

 

Frost Children Live Dates

October 23 - Philadelphia, PA @  Brooklyn Bowl Philly

October 24 - Washington, DC @  9:30 Club

October 26 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

October 27 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement East

October 29 - Dallas, TX @ Trees

October 30 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall - Downstairs

October 31 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk

November 2 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom

November 3 - Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom

November 6 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent

November 7 - Berkeley, CA @ The UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall

November 12 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre

November 13 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda Theatre

Artist VK Blanka releases ‘Knightclub’, his first new album in nearly three years!

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Japanese musician VK Blanka has released his first new album in nearly three years, ‘Knightclub’, back on Wednesday, September 4 across all streaming platforms!

This is VK Blanka’s first album since the release of ‘FATE’ nearly three years ago. In addition to previously released singles such as ‘Fortress’ (his theme song for the TV Asahi drama ‘The Woman of S.R.I. (Season 24)’and ‘Never Run’, a song inspired by the beats and arrangements VK Blanka experienced firsthand during his North American tour in February, the album also includes brand new song ‘Yomigaeri (with Noriyuki Makihara & Ayaka)’ in collaboration with fellow artists Noriyuki Makihara and Ayaka, and ‘Old Rivals [A Self-Cover of “Rivals!”]’, a new version of his song ‘Rivals!’ that blew fans’ minds when it was featured as part of the ‘Hypnosis Mic’ multimedia project.

Formats of the album packaged with video content include the music video and behind-the-scenes footage for ‘Never Run’, the lyric video for ‘Fortress’, and live footage of Vicke Blanka presents RAINBOW ROAD -TEN- ’, a special concert that was held as Festival Hall in Osaka on May 4, 2024.

About VK Blanka
VK Blanka began to gain attention with his 2018 single ‘Masshiro’, which was featured in a TV drama series, and went on to reach No.2 on the Japanese iTunes album chart. ‘Black Catcher’, his opening song for the ‘Black Clover’ anime series, became a phenomenal long-running hit, entering Spotify’s Top 10 chart of songs by Japanese artists played by overseas users for three consecutive years since 2020 and accruing over 1.5 million monthly listeners. With over 500 million plays across streaming platforms, VK Blankaʼs music has truly captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

VK Blanka has performed at events in Saudi Arabia, Italy and France, attracting over 10,000 fans to his overseas shows. Then, starting with a show in Vancouver on January 31, 2024, VK Blanka undertook his first solo tour of North America, with performances in a total of nine cities. In July, this was followed by the VK Blanka Latin America Tour 2024 in Chile and Mexico.

VK Blanka hosted his third self-produced event, RAINBOW ROAD -TEN- (The Legend), at Festival Hall in Osaka on May 4, 2024. He has also announced the VK Blanka HALL TOUR 2024, which will visit six cities across Japan, starting with a performance in Nagoya on September 27.

Be sure to check out his latest album ‘Knightclub’ on all streaming platforms here, with the lyric video for “Fortress” below!

Multidimensional Artist Project “SZNO” Making Their Major Debut with 1st Digital Single “xx”

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Bandai Namco Music Live Inc. , in collaboration with MusicRay’n (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Ryoichi Sugiura), has launched the multidimensional artist project “SZNO” (pronounced: Suzuno), which operates in both the real and virtual realms. We are pleased to announce the release of their debut single, “xx” (pronounced “Bye-Bye”) which was made available across all digital streaming platforms.

▼About SZNO

SZNO is a multidimensional artist project that operates in both the real and virtual realms. It was born from a collaboration between Bandai Namco Music Live, known for its Lantis label and expertise in producing music content like the Love Live! series, and MusicRay’n, a Sony Music Group company renowned for discovering and nurturing talent such as Sphere, TrySail, and CHiCO. Look forward to discovering more of SZNO’s world as it gradually unfolds with each music release.

Be sure to check out “xx” on all streaming platforms here!