Indie Corner Week 12: stella

stella is a four-member city-pop girl band established in 2014. Utilizing a theme of “songs that grab a hold of people’s feelings”, stella creates a rhythm that entices the listener to dance and continue listening to the beat. With certain tracks their sound could be viewed as somewhat reminiscent of that of the early 90s idol scene--even though the girls of stella are not idols. A couple of prime examples of this nostalgia are their songs “シンデレラティック” (“Cinderella Tick”) and “tonight”.

Currently, stella’s two singles “Cinderella Tick” and “E.O Trick” are available on Apple Music, the former having appeared on TV TOKYO’s program EntaX this January.

Check out their official site here and their official Twitter 

stella stars Nozaki Nao(Bass)

Mizusawa Megumi (Drums)

 Rena Kuwayama (Vocals/ Keyboard)

Yuka Tanizaki (Guitar) 

Check out their song “Cinderella Tick” below!

Indie Corner Week 11: Aoharumaki

Aoharumaki is a four-member pop rock band that formed in 2015. One could say that their strongest point is the catchy melody that keyboardist Andrew sets up with their own special version of “Kira Kira” sound.  Their song “りんご飴” (“Ringo Ame”) is a prime as example of this, as right from the get-go Andrew’s keyboarding can so easily entice one to keep listening.

Currently Aoharumaki has three singles total, with a hundred yen exclusive single for Tower Records. They will release a mini-album, クロヒョウ脱走事件 (Black Leopard Dassou Jiken), this coming July 25 which you can preorder here.

Check out their official site here, and their official Twitter here .

Aoharumaki stars Hanabusa (Bass)

Akiyamasaru (Vocals& Gutair)

Akira (Drums)

Andrew (Keyboard) 

Check out their song “Ringo Ame” below! 

Indie Corner Week 10: TENDRE

TENDRE is singer’s Taro Kawahara’s solo project started in 2017. This project is a major departure from Taro’s usual style of music that he creates with his band ampel, as he takes on an R&B style in this venture. He has a mesmerizing voice that eases the listener into drifting away to the music. His songs “hanashi” and “RIDE” show great examples of this.

He released his first EP, “Red Focus”, on December 6th of last year. However, he has a more extensive discography from his previous work with ampel.

You can check out his official site here , and official Twitter.

Check out the music video for his song “hanashi” below! 

Indie Corner Week 9: Necry Talkie

Necry Talkie are a five member pop rock band formed in 2017. One of the first things noticed about this band is their vocalist Mossa's unique voice. In a lot of their songs, the other members match that same energy and uniqueness that Mossa gives off; their song "オシャレ大作戦" ("Oshyare Taisakusen") shows a great example of this energy.

Currently Necry Talkie has three demo singles: two released back in 2017 and one this year. During the release of their third single they also performed their first one-man live.

You can check out their official site, and Twitter.

Necry Talkie stars Takei (Drums)

Ahisa (Guitar)

Mossa (Guitar& Vocals)

Fujita (Bass)

Check out their song "Oshare Taisakusen" below!

Indie Corner Week 8: the shes gone

the shes gone are a four-member rock band that formed in 2016. Their hope is to have their song come close to what one feels through one's daily life. They have an interesting style that really brings the bass line to the limelight along with vocalist Kumaru’s unorthodox--yet soothing--singing voice that brings it out even more. Their song "想いあい ("Omoi Ai" exhibits a prime example of this synergy.

Currently they have one EP, town, which was released on 2017. In 2017 they won the “RO JACK for COUNTDOWN JAPAN 17/18” competition, which brought them to “COUNTDOWN JAPAN 17/18 (MOON STAGE)”. They only recently released their first single, “想いあい / young”, back in March.

You can check out their official site here , and their official Twitter here.

the shes gone stars Shono (Drums)

Daishi (Bass)

Kumaru (Vocals, Gutair) 

Masaki (Gutair)

You can check out their song “Omoi Ai” below!