Some musicians are so talented they either completely lose the average listener in their musical intellect and complicated composition, or they shock you with their uniqueness and enthrall you into mesmerization. Either way you lean, you have to have some degree of respect for an artist willing to buck the norm and create a style of music that is not guaranteed to fit a specific genre or gain mainstream attention.
Kishi Bashi is a new and up-and-coming example of an artist that beats to his own drum … or violin … or guitar … or whatever instrument he picks up and masters. His music has been described as singer-songwriter, psychedelic pop and experimental electronic, and sometimes all in one. The son of two college professors, Kaoru Ishibashi (aka Kishi Bashi) grew up in Virginia and went on to study classical music, where he mastered the violin. Cutting his teeth early on playing with other artists, he performed with Regina Spektor and the Athens, Georgia-based band of Montreal.
Now, composing his own material, Kishi Bashi is in the driver’s seat to take the spotlight himself. Releasing his first EP in 2011, he garnered some immediate attention for his catchy song Bright Whites. Recommended by most of the independent rock media outlets in 2012, the song also garnered national attention when it was used in a Microsoft commercial. Since releasing his debut full-length album 151a in 2012, Kishi Bashi has been on a constant tour in support of the album, supporting larger acts like his old pals of Montreal, performing at larger festivals and headlining smaller clubs all across the country. His live show is known to keep you wondering, as he has performed with many different members and instrumentations, as well as performing alone, where he loops many different sounds to ultimately give the audience a full show.
Geared to continue his uphill road to earned recognition, catch Kishi Bashi in one of his more intimate performances on Thursday, October 3, as he will be taking the stage at Chattanooga’s own JJ’s Bohemia.
New Music Playlist: genre-crossing tunes we recommend you add to your music library
Royals ‘ LordeSaint Valentine ‘ Gregory Alan IsakovRunning Wild ‘ Moon TaxiStep ‘ Vampire WeekendBig City Life ‘ Dead ConfederateAnother Year ‘ The David Mayfield ParadeHer Favorite Song ‘ Mayer HawthorneGhosts sts ‘ On An OnWanna Feel It ‘ The OlmsGold ‘ Carolina StoryTrouble ‘ Pony BoyCall Me In the Afternoon ‘ Half Moon RunRunnin’ ‘ ModocOpen Season ‘ High HighsYour Life Your Call ‘ Junip