Indie Corner Week 32: sankara

sankara is a two-member hip-hop group formed back in 2013. While the Japanese hip-hop community is a small but vocal one within the music industry, sankara stands out with their minimalist background music and the way they let their lyrics do the talking. sankara takes an interesting twist on the genre by dabbling both in English and Japanese. While this twist isn’t new, per se, within the genre with groups such as m-flo and SIRUP leading the charge, sankara does it in such in a minimalist style that the listener might not even the notice when the switch happens. This is evident in their song “Off”, which shows off rapper Toss’s skill to spit out rhymes all while being supported by Ryo’s smooth vocals—which comes off as an interesting balance. 

While they only have one “street” album interestingly coined Wash The scar Off My life, they are definitely a group to look out for in the future.

Check out their official Twitter here and the music video for “Wash” below!

Indie Corner Week 31: nolala

nolala is a uniquely three-member, twin-vocal, all-girl rock band formed in 2016 with the promising statement that although they have twin vocals, all three members’ voices shall be heard with high tension. Their song “Goodbye liar” is a potent example of this claim; there is beautiful harmony that bassist Miyasumi and guitarist Chiharu bring and, while still new to the band, drummer Hina brings that emotional breakthrough hasn’t been seen since the debuting Scandal.

Currently nolala has released only mini-album harmony and one single, ”Goodbye liar”; both were released in 2018.

Check out their official site and Twitter. View the music video for “Goodbye liar” below!

Indie Corner Week 29: Lapintet

Lapintet is a four-member pop rock band formed in 2016. While for some bands having a lot going on in their songs could be seen as a weakness, Lapintet uses this as their strength to stand out from the rest. Believe it or not, vocalist Shihono’s powerful and melodic voice brings a calming, understanding tone to what’s happening throughout all of the chaos in their songs. This is very evident in their songs "0.03秒の盲信"(“0. 03-Byo no moshin”) and “Dramatic”

Currently Lapintet released two mini albums 111 (2017) and Movement (2018), with one single “おちゃらか” (“Ocharaka”) released in 2017.

Check out the Lapintet official site and Twitter, and be sure to check out their song “0. 03-Byo no moshin” below!

Indie Corner Week 26: Grated Parmesan Cheese

Grated Parmesan Cheese –yes, you’re hearing it right—is a four-member pop rock band born in 2016. With a simple premise of hyping listeners to feel full of energy, overflowing with laughter and brimmed with happiness, Grated Parmesan Cheese makes sure that all who listen to their songs have a smile on their face. Just by listening to vocalist Minatsu’s high energy paired with guitarist Takki’s amazing compositions, listeners will feel as energetic as Minatsu. This is well represented through “Prism”, which sounds like a familiar beat, yet it turns out something a step further than that.

Currently they have one single, “Rotation” (2016), and one album, Next☆Stage!!! (2017).

Check out their official site here, check out their official Twitter here and thier song “Prism” below!

Grated Parmesan Cheese stars Shain (Bass)

Minatsu (Vocals)

Sakyamon (Drums) 

Takki (Guitar) 

Emerald Announces A New Mini-Album Along With Dropping A New Music Video!

Indie Corner artist Emerald released the music video for their upcoming song “Moonlight”. “Moonlight” will be included in their upcoming mini-album titled, On Your Mind, set to release on December 12. On Your Mind will release with five tracks total, and will be the band’s latest release since their album, Pavlov City in October of last year.

Preorder On Your Mind here, and check out their song “Moonlight” below!