Alternative East

Buffalo Daughter: Japan

Formed in 1993, Buffalo Daughter, although not as widely known as bands such as Pizzicato Five, are referred to as the linchpin of the Japanese Shibuya-kei movement.

With a catalog of 6 albums and 5 EPs, Buffalo Daughter’s sound has evolved greatly but has always kept the Shibuya-style we all love. 

In July 2010 Buffalo Daughter released their first album in four years; ‘Weapons of Mass Destruction’. When I can find this album, I will upload it. Meanwhile, here’s their 2001 album ‘I’.

DOWNLOAD THEIR 2001 ALBUM ‘I’ HERE:

http://www.mediafire.com/?ikyrjbckyf4bbij

Music video for ‘Mirror Ball’ taken from their 2001 album ‘I’.

Pizzicato Five: Japan

‘Pizzicato Five’ are a legendary japanese group who ran from 1984 to 2001. During this time they were widely credited as being one of the first bands to popularise the Tokyo based ‘Shibuya-Kei’ movement of the 90s.

During their 16 year career ‘Pizzicato Five’ released, on average, 1 album per year along with various EPs and remix albums.

I’ve chosen an album they released in the middle of their career for you to listen to.

DOWNLOAD THEIR 1993 ALBUM ‘Bossa Nova 2001’ HERE:

http://www.mediafire.com/?e1gbsf3m76ne83o

Music video for ‘Sweet Soul Review’ taken from their 1993 album ‘Bossa Nova 2001’.

Luminous Orange: Japan

Formed back in 1992 and Inspired by bands such as ‘My Bloody Valentine’ and ‘Sonic Youth’, ‘Luminous Orange’ also incorporate some electronic influences into their music.

Although Rie Takeuchi is the sole original member remaining in the band, several influential artists have lent their hands to the band, such as ‘NUMBER GIRL’s drummer Ahito Inazaw, ‘toddle’s Kobayashi Ai and ‘Pale Saints’ Ian Masters. Luminous Orange has performed overseas at the South by Southwest music festival in Texas, and the band has enjoyed critical acclaim from shibuya-kei/shinjuku-alternative/shoegaze-electronica folks from around the world.

DOWNLOAD THEIR 2010 ALBUM ‘Songs of Innocence’ HERE:

http://www.mediafire.com/?voc0o9ov1497j71

Music video for ‘Untold’ taken from their 2010 album ‘Songs of Innocence’.

Bear-Garden: Thailand

Since the break-up of Somsiri Sangkaew’s first band ‘Subnai’ she started to make music under her solo name ‘Bear-Garden’ (named after Sangkaew’s name for a messy lived-in room). Releasing several albums and singles in her home country of Thailand she’s formed a tight following in the western countries. But unlike Shonen Knife’s western following, ‘Bear-garden’s’ fans know where she’s coming from.

People often draw comparisons between ‘Bear-Garden’ and artists such as ‘Sufjan Stevens’, ‘The Go! Team’ and ‘The Flaming Lips’ due to her sonic playfulness and disinclination toward easy stylistic pigeonholing.

DOWNLOAD HER 2003 ALBUM ‘MERCY KILLING’ HERE:

http://www.mediafire.com/?l6gxspx9zsxxzl4

Music video for the song ‘เพียงผู้เดียว (Only Me)’ taken from the 2003 album ‘MERCY KILLING’.

Funny Little Dream: Indonesia

‘Funny Little Dream’ was formed by Peppy and Ganesha back in the winter of 2007. Both hailing from jakarta, Indonesia, they spend most of their song-writing time in their bedroom and have gained most of their popularity through the internet.

Their cute indie twee-pop style attracted the small Indonesia record label ‘Lovely Records’ who subsequently released ‘Funny Little Dream’s’ self-titled debut full-length album.

Unfortunately I can’t find the album, but if you can, please contact me. But I have found their 2008 single ‘It Must Been You’ for you to make your minds up on them.

‘Funny Little Dream’ is for fans of ‘Club 8’, ‘Au Revoir Simone’, ‘White Shoes & The Couples Company’ and other such bands.

DOWNLOAD THEIR 2008 SINGLE ‘It Must Been You’ HERE:

http://www.mediafire.com/?375ue51paubfinf

Music video for ‘funny little dream’ taken from their 2009 self-titled album.

envy: Japan

envy have been around for around 14 years now and are still going stronger than ever. Not only are they, in my opinion, one of the greatest post-hardcore bands in Japan, but one of the greatest post-hardcore bands in the world.

envy didn’t start as a post-hardcore band, but as a basic screamo/hardcore band. Only around the mid 2000s did they turn to their new found sound, most noticeably on their 2006 album ‘insomnian doze’.

Now, 4 years on from their last full album release, comes their newest arrival ‘recitation’. Possibly blowing even ‘insomniac dove’ out of the water, this album is full of the heaviest distorted hardcore, the gruffest screaming, the calmest, most beautiful post-hardcore and the catchiest of riffs. They never fail to please even the pickiest of ears.

Keep your ears open for my personal favourite ‘Rain Clouds Running in a Holy Night’.

DOWNLOAD THEIR 2010 ALBUM ‘recitation’ HERE:

http://www.mediafire.com/?ymcfuzuo68ut5rn

The music in the trailer is the opening song, ‘guidance’ from the new album ‘recitation’.

SOUR: Japan

Sour is a 3-piece band formed in the spring of 2002 in Japan. Members are hoshijima (GUITAR/VOICE) of French birth and British growth, Sohey (BASS/UPRIGHT BASS) of Ginza birth and Ginza growth, and KENNNNN (DRUMS/TOYS) of German birth and Spanish growth. They describe their sound as “organic, urban, tight, mellow, sharpened, and totally comfortable”.

DOWNLOAD THEIR 2009 EP ‘WATER FLAVOR EP’ HERE:

http://www.mediafire.com/?z958btflh755ffj

Music video for ‘日々の音色’ taken from 2009 EP ‘WATER FLAVOR EP’.