The Japanese rock and roll program returns for another semester
By Joe Cronemeyer
This semester, Audio Origami is going back to the roots of Japanese rock & roll. Starting with the earliest rock and folk influenced Japanese bands from the early sixties, and taking you all the way up to modern experimental movements in Japan, the show will primarily focus on early progressive and psychedelic rock from the late 1960’s to early 1970’s. This was the era that solidified the fusion between 20th century Western musical styles (Blues, Rock, Funk, Jazz etc.) and Japanese musical traditions. You may have heard of some of the more mainstream artist from this era such as: Speed Glue & Shinki, The Flower Travellin’ Band, and Happy End. I’ll surely be playing some of these big names, but I’m more interested in digging into the depths of the Japanese sub-culture to bring you the rarest, most underground recordings I can get my hands on. I’ll also be featuring modern alternative and indie bands who have their roots in these early innovators such as: Yura Yura Teikoku, Ogre You Asshole, and MONO.
Audio Origami airs every Wednesday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. as part of KJHK’s International block