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Wagakki Band

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Wagakki Band
和楽器バンド
Wagakki Band during a photo shoot at Japan Expo 2014 in Paris
Background information
OriginJapan
Genres
Years active2013 (2013)–present
Labels
MembersYuko Suzuhana
Kiyoshi Ibukuro
Daisuke Kaminaga
Beni Ninagawa
Kurona
Machiya
Asa
Wasabi
Websitewagakkiband.com

Wagakki Band (Japanese: 和楽器バンド, Hepburn: Wagakki Bando) is a Japanese band that combines rock and metal music with wagakki instruments and Shigin poetries.[2][3][4]

Their early songs were adapted from Vocaloid, with their music videos for the songs "Tengaku" (天樂) and "Senbonzakura" (千本桜) attracting millions of views online before their first album was released.[5][6] In 2015, their first album of original material, Yasō Emaki, debuted at number one on the Oricon Albums Chart and won a Japan Record Award. Their fourth album, Otonoe (2018), also won a Japan Record Award. Wagakki Band have performed live in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

History

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2012–2013: Conception and early work

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Shigin singer, Kenshibu dancer and classical pianist Yuko Suzuhana, after having been elected "Miss Nico Nama" at the 2011 Niconico Douga Music Festival, officially formed the folk-acoustic band Hanafugetsu (flower-wind-moon) in February 2012 alongside shakuhachi player Daisuke Kaminaga and koto player Kiyoshi Ibukuro, to play at the same festival the following year.[7][8] In their concerts they would often be joined by other friend musicians, so Suzuhana conceived a band that would fuse the traditional and modern sides of Japanese culture, leading to the formation of Wagakki Band.[citation needed]

In August 2012 the members of Hanafugetsu met guitarist Shin "Machiya" Oumura, who was a notable session musician with a reputation for fast playing.[9] Around this time, Suzuhana also met drummer Akira "Wasabi" Sasaki at an event by NicoNico Douga.[7][5] Previous to Hanafugetsu, Ibukuro and Kaminaga were in a folk punk, visual kei band called Crow X Class with wadaiko player Kurona, who happened to be friends with Wasabi too. These first six members started to perform together around Tokyo and Ibaraki.[9] The band's first song was an adaptation of the Vocaloid song "Tsuki Kage Mai Ka" (月・影・舞・華, Moon-Silhouette-Dancing-Flower), featuring Kanade on shamisen and Shirakami Mashiro on bass. A video of the recording of the song was published on Suzuhana's personal Youtube page in November 2012, still released under the name Hanafugetsu, and became immediately viral, remaining to this day one of their most viewed videos.[10]

Bassist Asa, a popular Vocaloid producer and creator of the hit song "Yoshiwara Lament", then officially joined the band in 2013.[5] During a gig in a Shibuya bar, the band was approached by shamisen player Beni Ninagawa, with which Hanafugetsu already performed, and she became the final addition to the band.[7][9] The formation of the eight-member band was officially announced in March 2013.[11][12] They initially operated under the name Suzuhana Yuko with Wagakki Band, but by early 2014 the name was shortened to simply Wagakki Band. Suzuhana joked that she and Ibukuro wanted to call the band "Daisuke Kaminaga and his friends".[13][10] [14]

2013–2014: Early mainstream success

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A video for the first song recorded by all eight current members of Wagakki Band, "Six Trillion Years and Overnight Story" (六兆年と一夜物語), was released in April 2013.[15] In August of that year they played their first live concert at Nico Nico Music Master 2.[13][16] The music video for "Tengaku" (天樂) was released in October 2013; this video marked the first time guitarist Machiya revealed his face and identity, having him previously performed under his real name, Shin Oumura, only in his alternative-rock band m:a.ture.[17] They then performed at the 10th Tokyo International Music Market (TIMM) for three nights in October.[13] At THE VOC@LOID M@STER 27, a Vocaloid convention in November 2013, the band released Joshou (序章), a mini-album featuring Vocaloid covers.[13]

Wagakki Band held their first new year's concert, Wagakki Band Daishinnenkai 2014~Wagakki X Band Gassen~ (和楽器バンド大新年会~和楽器Xバンド合戦~), on January 31, 2014 at Shibuya's Club Asia.[13] On the same day, they released the music video for "Senbonzakura" (千本桜), which instantly became a hit on both Nico Nico Douga and YouTube, expanding their international exposure.[18] Wagakki Band covered Vocaloid songs for their first full-length album, Vocalo Zanmai (ボカロ三昧), which was released in April 2014.[19][20] The album reached no. 5 in the weekly Oricon rankings and stayed in the top 100 for 22 consecutive weeks.[13] After their early Vocaloid works, Wagakki Band has composed original music for their subsequent albums.[citation needed]`

The band held their first overseas performance at Japan Expo 2014 in Paris, France in July, in front of 4,000 attendees. Their first independent concert, Vocalo Zanmai Dai Ensōkai (ボカロ三昧大演奏会), was held later in July at Shibuya's Music Exchange.[13][21] The music video for Wagakki Band's first original song, "Hanabi" (華火, Fireworks/Flower fire/A flower's burning passion), written by Suzuhana, was released in July 2014.[13][22] In August they appeared at Japan's a-Nation Festival, followed by an appearance at a-Nation Singapore Premium Showcase Festival in October.[13] The band wrapped up 2014 with the DVD and Blu-ray release of the Vocalo Zanmai Dai Ensōkai concert.[13]

2015–present: International recognition

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The band's first hall concert, Wagakki Band Daishinnenkai 2015 (和楽器バンド大新年会2015), was held at Shibuya Public Hall in January 2015.[13] Their first independent overseas concert, Taipei Dayanchanghui (台北大演唱会), was held in Taiwan in May of that year.[13] Also in 2015, Wagakki Band headlined a sold-out concert at Club Nokia in Los Angeles in conjunction with Anime Expo, with the software persona Vocaloid IA as the opening act.[13] They appeared in their first television commercial for Kirin Mets.[13] Their first original album, Yasō Emaki (八奏絵卷, Emaki of an octet playing music), was released in September 2015[23] and reached number one on the weekly Oricon chart.[13]

On 6 January 2016, the band held its annual New Year's concert, Wagakki Band Daishinnenkai 2016 Nippon Budokan: Akatsuki no Utage (和楽器バンド大新年会2016日本武道館 -暁ノ宴) at the Nippon Budokan.[24] The concert was attended by approximately 10,000 people.[24]

The album Shikisai (四季彩, Colors of the four seasons) was released in 2017, featuring the previously released single "Kishikaisei" ((起死回生, Death and Rebirth), which was used by TV Tokyo for their broadcast of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and as the official song for the Japanese team.[25] The following year they released the concept album Otonoe (オトノエ), which peaked at No. 2 on Oricon's albums chart and received the Excellent Album Award at the 60th Japan Record Awards.[26]

In May 2019, Wagakki Band performed as part of Japan Night 2019 in New York with Hyde, Misia, and Puffy AmiYumi.[27] A month later, the band signed a global contract with Universal Music Japan sublabel Universal Sigma after five years with Avex Group. As part of the deal, the band's management was transferred to the newly formed Ignite Management (イグナイトマネージメント, Igunaito Manējimento). According to a press statement published by Suzuhana, the band wanted to challenge themselves in a new musical environment.[28] The EP React, featuring four new songs, was released in December 2019.[29]

On February 16, 2020, the band performed their two-day Premium Symphonic Night concert at Osaka-jō Hall, featuring a full orchestra and a special guest appearance by Evanescence lead vocalist Amy Lee.[30] Lee also collaborated with the band in recording the single "Sakura Rising", co-written by Lee, Suzuhana and Machiya.[31] The band's fifth studio album, Tokyo Singing, which includes the collaboration with Lee, was released in October 2020.[32][33]

On August 17, 2022, the band released their sixth studio album, and second cover album, Vocalo Zanmai 2, to commemorate their eighth anniversary. Four days later, at the start of the national tour, Suzuhana and Ibukuro announced that they had married on March 4 2020, and were now expecting their first child.[34][35] On September 22, the band announced they would hold the rest of their Vocalo Zanmai 2 tour without Suzuhana due to her pregnancy and health issues, with the other seven members playing accompanied by Suzuhana's recorded voice or with Machiya, Asa and Beni singing her parts, marking the debut of Beni as a singer.[36] Still hospitalized in isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions, Suzuhana gave birth to a baby girl on November 24, the day before the tour ended.[37]

The band's seventh studio album, I vs I, was released on July 26, 2023[38][39] followed by a national tour, at the end of which, on January 7, 2024, the band announced that at the end of 2024 after celebrating their 10th anniversary, the band would go on an indefinite hiatus so that each member could focus on their own activities.[40] A compilation album titled All Time Best Album Thanks: Yasō no Oto, as well as the live video Wagakki Band Daishinnenkai 2024 Nippon Budokan: Yae no Tsubasa, were released on October 9.[41]

Members

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  • Yuko Suzuhana (鈴華ゆう子) – vocals, piano
  • Kiyoshi Ibukuro (いぶくろ聖志) – koto
  • Daisuke Kaminaga (神永大輔) – shakuhachi
  • Beni Ninagawa (蜷川べに) – tsugaru shamisen
  • Kurona (黒流) – wadaiko, kakegoe vocals
  • Machiya (町屋) – guitar, vocals
  • Asa (亜沙) – bass
  • Wasabi (山葵) – drums

Discography

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Main article: Wagakki Band discography

Awards

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Year Ceremony Award Nominated Work
2015 Japan Gold Disc Award[42] Best 5 New Artists
Japan Record Awards[43] Planning Award Yasō Emaki
2018 Japan Record Awards Excellent Album Award Otonoe

References

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  1. ^ Yeung, Neil Z. "Wagakki Band – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  2. ^ "鈴華ゆう子with和楽器バンド". ニコニコ大百科. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  3. ^ "WagakkiBand". JpopAsia. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  4. ^ "BIOGRAPHY". 和楽器バンド Official Website. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "WagakkiBand in showcase". Japan Expo. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  6. ^ "Nihongo". YouTube. 31 January 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "Wagakki Band – Metropolis Magazine". Metropolis Magazine. 3 July 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  8. ^ Suzuhana, 鈴華ゆう子Yuko (7 February 2018). "本日華風月6周年記念日 全ては、この3人の出会いから始まりました これからも共に歩んでいきます". @yuchinsound (in Japanese). Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  9. ^ a b c "WagakkiBand". Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  10. ^ a b "【Wagakki Band】Tsuki, Kage, Mai, Ka【Played it】". Niconico Video. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  11. ^ Suzuhana, 鈴華ゆう子Yuko (4 March 2018). "今日はこの3人でお仕事三昧っ! 5周年だねーって言いながらの1枚。pic.twitter.com/JaivDI1wkm". @yuchinsound (in Japanese). Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  12. ^ Suzuhana, 鈴華ゆう子Yuko (4 March 2018). "今日もスタジオです!和楽器バンド5周年記念日です皆さまお祝いメッセージありがとう!あっという間にだなぁ (´ω'*)". @yuchinsound (in Japanese). Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "和楽器バンド Official Site". 和楽器バンド Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  14. ^ Suzuhana, Yuko. "Yuko Suzuhana's personal blog". Ameblo. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  15. ^ "【和楽器バンド】六兆年と一夜物語【演奏してみた】". Niconico Video. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  16. ^ Wagakki Band / 和楽器バンド Live (11 February 2017), Wagakki Band / 和楽器バンド – Live at Nico Nico Music Master 2 (17.08.2013), retrieved 3 February 2018
  17. ^ "【和楽器バンド】天樂【演奏してみた】". Niconico Video. 12 October 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  18. ^ "【和楽器バンド】千本桜【演奏してみた】". Niconico Video. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  19. ^ "Vocalo Zanmai – WagakkiBand". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  20. ^ "和楽器バンド Official Site". 和楽器バンド Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  21. ^ "和楽器バンド Official Site". 和楽器バンド Official Site (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  22. ^ "【和楽器バンド】華火-Short Version-【PV】". Niconico Video. 27 July 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  23. ^ "2nd ALBUM "Yasou emaki"". Wagakki Band Official Website. Ignite Management Corp. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  24. ^ a b "和楽器バンド、初の武道館ワンマンで1万人興奮". Natalie.mu (in Japanese). Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  25. ^ "【リリース情報】待望のNEW ALBUMが3月22日に発売決定！！". Wagakki Band Official Website. Ignite Management Corp. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  26. ^ "オトノエ". Wagakki Band Official Website (in Japanese). Ignite Management Corp. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  27. ^ Sibilsky, Cindy (3 July 2019). "Report: 4 acts that rocked Japan Night NYC 2019". JROCK NEWS. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  28. ^ "和楽器バンド、ユニバーサルミュージックとグローバル パートナーシップ契約を締結". Universal Music Japan. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  29. ^ "和楽器バンド、「REACT」全曲ダイジェスト公開＋13日『Mステ』出演決定". BARKS. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Evanescence's Amy Lee to Join Wagakki Band Orchestra Show at Japan's Osaka-Jo Hall". Billboard. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  31. ^ "NEW ALBUM『TOKYO SINGING』の収録曲"Sakura Rising with Amy Lee of EVANESCENCE"ティザー映像公開". Wagakki Band Official Website. Ignite Management Corp. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  32. ^ "Japan's Wagakki Band & Evanescence's Amy Lee Sit Down to Talk First Impressions and Collaborating". Billboard. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  33. ^ Tokyo Singing – Wagakki Band | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 11 October 2020
  34. ^ "この度、和楽器バンドのVocalの鈴華ゆう子と箏のいぶくろ聖志の結婚、および二人の間に新しい命が授かりましたことをご報告させていただきます。" [We would like to announce the marriage of Wagakki Band's vocalist Yuko Suzuhana and koto player Kiyoshi Ibukuro, as well as the birth of a new life between them.]. Wagakki Band Official Website. Ignite Management Corp. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  35. ^ "８人組ロックグループ「和楽器バンド」鈴華ゆう子＆いぶくろ聖志が結婚発表 第１子妊娠も報告". Nikkan Sports. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  36. ^ "「和楽器バンド ボカロ三昧2 大演奏会」鈴華ゆう子出演見送りのお知らせ" ["Wagakki Band Vocaloid Zanmai 2 Big Concert" Yuko Suzuhana Appearance Announcement]. Wagakki Band Official Website. Ignite Management Corp. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  37. ^ "お知らせ" [News]. Wagakki Band Official Website. Ignite Management Corp. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  38. ^ "New Album I vs I is set to be released on Wednesday, July 26th!". Wagakki Band Official Website. Ignite Management Corp. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  39. ^ "I vs I | 和楽器バンド". Oricon. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  40. ^ "「和楽器バンド」今後の活動に関するご報告". Wagakki Band Official Website. Ignite Management Corp. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  41. ^ "New Album All Time Best Album Thanks ~Yasou no Oto~ Scheduled for Release on 10/9 (Wed)! Details of the Tracklist Revealed!". Wagakki Band Official Website. Ignite Management Corp. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  42. ^ "第29回日本ゴールドディスク大賞｜THE GOLD DISC". www.golddisc.jp. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  43. ^ "レコ大 各賞の受賞作品発表、最優秀アルバム賞にサザン「葡萄」 | Musicman-net". www.musicman-net.com. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
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