A group from Tokyo’s underground, ‘Tō Yō’ recently released a “chill acid world vibes” with the album ‘Stray Birds From the Far East,’ out via King Volume Records and Kozmik Artifactz.

The Tokyo-based psychedelic quartet made a dreamy, pop-infused psych/acid rock concept album about nostalgia for a place yet to be discovered. Some of their biggest influences are known for complex, groundbreaking visions; Far East Family Band, J. A. Seazer, Flower Travellin’ Band, Kikagaku Moyo, YU Grupa, Ali Farka Touré, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and Goat all show up in the list of the band’s most important influences.

As a self-described jam band, hashing out Tō Yō’s songs in the studio was a necessity, but it also proved to be a strategic benefit, as working with engineer Yui Kimijima at Tsubame Studio (the mecca for today’s Japanese psychedelic rock) in Tokyo helped the band take their sound to the next level. “He is not sparing in his experimentation,” says Makinom. “In fact, the studio has a wonderful atmosphere that inspires the imagination, with instruments that we have never touched, and things that were originally used for other purposes but can function as instruments. For example, in ‘Tears of the Sun,’ the glittering steel popping sound in the second half is actually the sound of a tarai—a tin tub.” With Tō Yō, the band embarks on an ambitious journey of experimentation and musical risks, but this has led to a colorful and often unpredictable sonic tapestry that embodies their myriad influences while combining with the heroics of indie darlings Built to Spill, the shimmering charm of My Morning Jacket, the carefree spirit of surf rock, and the wild, swirling sounds of the psychedelic giants of the 1970s. The band consists of Masami Makino (vocals, guitar), Sebun (guitar), Vincent (bass) and Hibiki Amano (drums, percussion).

“Farming on acid”

How would you describe the music you create?

Masami Makino: We found it interesting to see comments on YouTube such as “farming on acid” and “rice field psych.” We don’t have a concept as a band, but those comments certainly make us think that we are playing like farming on acid.

Would you like to talk a bit about your background?

Interestingly, we all have different musical backgrounds, with many different genres as one element, from acid folk, metal and tribal music to techno. The key to our songwriting lies in blending them together.

When did you decide that you wanted to start writing and performing your own music? What brought that about for you?

There was a time when we were covering songs, but at that time we had the confidence unique to young people that we could do the same. Once we started, this was a never-ending path of exploration, so we followed a kind of inertia and started to make songs and perform more often.

What does the name “Tō Yō” refer to in the context of the band name?

It means eastern sheep. But as an interesting play on words, this is also pronounced the same as “oriental.” We don’t really represent the Orient, so it doesn’t have a deep meaning anyway. Just like there is a British band named Japan.

“We also jam a lot at our gigs”

How do you usually approach music making?

We jam in the studio and make music. As we said we have different musical backgrounds, sometimes it doesn’t work at all and we waste a lot of time, but just try things out and if we find a good phrase or melodies, just cut it out and make a song out of it. We also jam a lot at our gigs.

Can you share some further details how your latest album ‘Stray Birds From The Far East’ was recorded?

It was recorded by Yui Kimijima at Tsubame Studio in Asakusabashi. There are many items that are not normally used as instruments but make fascinating sounds, such as plates and tubs, which are very inspiring. It was therefore not uncommon for the arrangements to be made while recording, in an organic environment where good ideas are always turned into reality.

How pleased were you with the sound of the album?

We tried everything we could at this time, but we are a young band and always growing. Super happy with this album, but I think the next album will sound more original.

<a href="https://toyotoyo.bandcamp.com/album/stray-birds-from-the-far-east">Stray Birds From the Far East by Tō Yō</a>

What are some bands/musicians that have a big influence on you?

Japanese psychedelic musicians have been a great influence. (Far East Family Band, J. A. Seazer,Flower Travellin’ Band, Kikagaku Moyo). At the same time, there are many musicians who have had a strong influence on each member of the band, so you can imagine that from the sound references.

Do you often play live? Who are some of your personal favorite bands that you’ve had a chance to play with over the past few years?

These days we play about three gigs a month. We also played at a rock festival for the first time and felt that our music is more pleasant to listen to in the open air. Played with a Japanese band such as Dhidalah or Barbican Estate, they are super awesome and have the same passion as us.

What are some future plans?

It would be great to make a second album and play abroad.

“Improvisation requires a fairly high level of communication and technique”

How important is improvisation for you?

Improvisation requires a fairly high level of communication and technique. The feeling of fusion between body and instrument, and sharing this with the other members of the band, is very important and is the goal.

Are any of you involved in any other bands or do you have any active side-projects going on at this point?

Sebun is actively playing DJ and is gaining recognition in Tokyo, Vincent has participated as a support bassist for several bands and is making his own electronic music works that will be released not too distant future, and I, Masami have released a solo album ‘Youlu Mystique’ from the Irish label Fort Evil Fruit this year, which was also well received by music media. Vincent is a support bassist in several bands and although it is not yet released, he’s making electronic music under his own name.

Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?

‘Submersive Behaviour ‘ – Tropical Fuck Storm
‘Cumbia Luciana’ – Paolo Petrella
‘A Trip to Bolgatanga’ – African Head Charge
‘Don Cherry’ – Don Cherry