“Not quite sky, but not quite space either.” That is the kind of distance you feel listening to Happypills. Yuki Kondo has been committed to expressing bedroom indie pop in Japanese, and now, five years on, he is releasing the EP 『happypills (dream)』. From the influence of Galileo Galilei and The Drums, to connections made […]
Interview
Nation of Language: Memory Is a Dance — Interview
A band from Brooklyn, New York has arrived with a strange and beautiful gift: music that makes you want to dance and cry at the same time. Nation of Language is a three-piece built around synthesizers, but carrying the raw warmth of punk and the clarity of pop. Since their 2020 debut, they have earned […]
Sunflower Bean | 10 Years Since “Human Ceremony”
On February 5, 2016, Brooklyn, New York-based trio Sunflower Bean released their debut album 『Human Ceremony』. Ten years since that debut album, Sunflower Bean has experienced many changes. Nick (Nick Kivlen) relocated to Los Angeles, Olive (formerly Jacob Faber) came out as transgender, and Julia (Julia Cumming) began writing songs on her own. Despite their […]
GIRLFRIENDZ Interview: Japanese Indie Pop’s Third-Gen Goth Revival
Emerging band GIRLFRIENDZ is launching their first live show in Okinawa just one month after formation. Their meeting was through something rare today: a member recruitment bulletin board. Ido Kyo, who holds goth as a life goal, Spanish producer Miguel with experience working on the music for “METAL GEAR SOLID V,” guitarist Hitomi with unusually […]
Pacifica Interview | From The Strokes Covers to Sold-Out Japan Shows
Pacifica, an indie rock duo from Buenos Aires, Argentina, consisting of Inés Adam and Martina Nintzel, who met on Instagram through their shared love of The Strokes. Despite their still-short career since forming in 2021, they have already achieved remarkable success, including performing at Lollapalooza Argentina and serving as the opening act for Måneskin. Furthermore, […]
the hatch『333』Interview – Chaos Crystallized into Pop
There are bands that are difficult to describe in one word when asked, “What kind of music do you play?” the hatch from Sapporo is exactly that kind of band. Just when you think it’s intense hardcore, beautiful piano resonates, and Latin rhythms move your body. Their new album『333』has become an album where their chaos […]
Just Mustard on ‘We Were Just Here’ & Irish Music Scene
Ireland has undoubtedly been the hotspot for indie rock since the 2020s. Led by Fontaines D.C., bands like Inhaler and NewDad are achieving global success, and remarkably, every album released is outstanding. What they share in common is a reassuring aggressive stance that continues to discover new possibilities in indie rock, and everything is dark, […]
Tokyo Band xiexie: Asian Tour to New EP “zzz” Interview
Since the release of their debut EP “XIEXIE” in 2021, we’ve been following the remarkable journey of Tokyo’s four-piece alternative band, xiexie. Building on a foundation of lo-fi indie pop while incorporating elements of psychedelic, chill, and soul music, they have achieved remarkable success through their distinctive musical additions and subtractions. Their activities extend far […]
DYGL’s Kohei Kamoto on ‘Dangle Candle’ & Space and himself
Working in parallel with band activities to create solo work is not merely an expansion of expressive outlets—it’s also a process of facing oneself and distinguishing what one can and cannot do. What DYGL’s Kohei Kamoto reveals in his debut solo album “Dangle Candle” is a record of just such a contemplative journey. Encouraged by […]
Francis of SCHØØL first Japan show – Shimokitazawa [SLYMO]
A four-piece shoegaze band based in Paris, SCHØØL. Frontman Francis Mallari will make his long-awaited first visit to Japan to perform at the event “SLYMO” held at Shimokitazawa BASEMENTBAR & THREE on Sunday, December 28, 2025. On the day, Francis will perform not with a full band set, but in an acoustic format, performing SCHØØL […]
