REPORT ｜ Nenashi “Found in Tokyo” Release Party

Text by Yuka Ishizumi
Photo by Sachiko Yamada (origami PRODUCTIONS)

It has been about five years since Nenashi debuted with the single “Lost in Translation” without revealing his identity, as he wanted people to focus only on his music. In 2021, he revealed his identity as Japanese singer Hiro-a-key when he released his hit song “Scars,” which has been played over 3 million times. Since then, in keeping with the origin of his artist name, “rootless grass,” he has resonated with artists from all over the world, including Japan, France, Israel, the United States, and Thailand, and released his first album, “Found in Tokyo,” in April of this year, which was created through borderless collaborations.

On Friday, May 17th, the album release party was held at COTTON CLUB in Marunouchi, Tokyo, with the participation of various artists who participated in the album, as well as members of their home, origami PRODUCTIONS. Here we report on the second show of the event.

It is also quite rare and luxurious that label mates mabanua and Kan Sano are in charge of the DJ time before the show, each for 30 minutes. Both of them gradually warmed up the venue with groovy selections of non-genre songs by artists from various countries, and the choice itself seems to be in line with Nenashi’s artistry.

Nenashi (Vocals/Synths/etc.), Kibunya (Tp./Synths/etc.), and Takuto Yamachika (Drums) seamlessly took to the stage after Kan Sano’s DJ set and started the live performance with their debut song “Lost in Translations”. Nenashi’s silky voice, Kibunya’s effected trumpet, and Takuto Yamachika’s beat that brings out the nuances of the drums embodied a balance of coolness and passion. The live performance made it even clearer that this triangle supports Nenashi’s musical identity.

“We have a lot of guests today, so I’ll introduce the first one,” said labelmate Shingo Sekiguchi (Gt.). “Take Me Back” is a song about wanting to go back to the feelings of wanting to see the world as a child, and Sekiguchi Shingo’s lustrous solo added the passion that is unique to live arrangements, drawing loud applause. Nenashi is the main character, but he is also the host who welcomes a variety of guests, but more than just running the show, he was naturally smiling at the return of emotions caused by the sound and the music.

Next, he invited SSW Sincere, who has multinational roots in Asia and Europe, to perform her repertoire “All I See”, which was produced by Nenashi. Sincere’s vocals, which are a mixture of sweetness and cleanliness, and Nenashi’s compatibility are demonstrated in the live performance. In addition, label mate Shingo Suzuki (Ba.) also joined, and the neo-soul flavored “Gonna Be Good” featuring Israel’s J.LAMOTTA Suzume on the album was sublimated into a new expression. Handclaps naturally occurred during the bright opening chorus.

Next, Aile The Shota, who exudes a glamorous philosophy, took to the stage to sing “Like This,” which he co-wrote with Nenashi. The song has an episode where Aile The Shota wanted to collaborate with an artist from origami PRODUCTIONS, and the boss of the label BMSG, Mitsuhiro Hidaka (SKY-HI), suggested Nenashi. When I experienced the fusion of the airy Aile The Shota and Nenashi’s falsetto live, I felt like a new image of an alternative R&B singer was being updated right before my eyes.

Perhaps sensing a positive response, Aile The Shota said, “COTTON CLUB is really great. I want to do a solo concert here too,” which was met with applause. Of course, the artist’s power draws in people who are experiencing Aile The Shota’s live performance for the first time, but more than anything, the open magnetic field formed around Nenashi makes it comfortable for collaborators and audiences alike. He also performed another song with Aile The Shota, a live version of Nenashi’s original song “so so good.”

Sekiguchi Shingo came on stage again, and Daichi Yamamoto, who performed with him on the lead track “Say My Name” from the album “Found in Tokyo,” was called out to loud applause. First, Daichi Yamamoto performed his original song “Sol.” The unison of the two, sung against the backdrop of the city where each of them is based, Kyoto for Daichi Yamamoto and Tokyo for Nenashi, resonated very well. The bright and dry worldview was further expanded by the sound of Sekiguchi Shingo’s Epiphone Casino. Daichi Yamamoto had also just released his new album “Radiant,” and they congratulated each other on the release of their albums.

Then Nenashi sang “Say My Name”, a collaboration song with Daichi Yamamoto, which used Japanese lyrics for the first time. As we become adults, it becomes harder to ask for help, so the reassurance of expressing your intention to “call me anytime” is touching. The two voices and words, and Kibunya’s sunset-like trumpet riff came together, and the whole floor was impressed by the beauty of encounters between people.

After a fulfilling collaboration, the finale goes down to Nenashi’s personal inner self. Shingo Suzuki is invited again. The quietly passionate vocals and sophisticated arrangement of “Scars,” which sings that even small scars have a story, were of course in keeping with the times, but they also resonated with listeners around the world who tended to become separated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For listeners who have spent the same time, this seemed to have grown into something more than just a tasteful song.

The final song of the main part was the electronic alternative R&B song “Satellite Lovers,” in which he showed off his melancholic and sensual vocals. The powerful, three-dimensional drumming of Taku Yamachika, which seemed to expand the vast space, also drew applause and cheers.

Shortly after, Nenashi appeared for the encore, introduced Kibunya and Takuto Yamachika again, and invited Shingo Sekiguchi and Shingo Suzuki, and expressed his gratitude for the efforts of his labelmates, including mabanua and Kan Sano, who volunteered to be DJs. For him, this was a moment when he realized that meeting the artists and staff of origami PRODUCTIONS was at the center of what he “discovered in Tokyo.” The memorable live performance ended with “Sunny,” the last song on the album. The live guitar and bass sounds were beautiful, adding color to Nenashi’s vocals, which emit a clean sexiness over a simple, ambient orchestra. The release party ended with this song, which is fitting for announcing a new beginning.

He also announced his first appearance at Fuji Rock, which had already been announced, and the big applause from the floor showed the anticipation. In the second half of 2024, Nenashi will surely further strengthen his unique presence as an SSW, producer, and track maker.

【event information】

『Nenashi “Found in Tokyo” Release Party at COTTON CLUB』
Date: Friday, May 17, 2024
Venue: COTTON CLUB, Marunouchi, Tokyo
Cast:
Nenashi

(MEMBER)
Nenashi (Vocals, Synths, etc.)
Kibunya (Tp., Syn., etc.)
Takuto Yamachika (Ds.)

(GUEST)
Daichi Yamamoto
Shingo Sekiguchi
Aile The Shota
Sincere
Shingo Suzuki

(DJ)
mabanua
Kan Sano

【release information】

Nenashi “Found in Tokyo”
Release Date: 2024.04.24 (Wed.)
Label: origami PRODUCTIONS
Tracklist:
01. Lost in Translation
02. Say My Name feat. Daichi Yamamoto
03. Scars
04. Take Me Back
05. Unlikely Soul feat. FORD TRIO & Mike Larry Draw
06. Gonna Be Good feat. J.LAMOTTA Suzume
07. Be (Vis ta Vie) feat. 20syl from Hocus Pocus
08. Satellite Lovers
09. Pickin’
10. Work Song feat. Mike Larry Draw
11. Sunny

DISC2 “At the Crib” Cover songs by Nenashi (CD limited edition only)
01. How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore (Prince)
02. Frontin’ (Pharrell)
03. Kiss of Life (Sade)
04. Shape of You (Ed Sheeran)
05. Open Your Eyes (Bobby Caldwell)

■Streaming/Purchase Link

■“Found in Tokyo” Special Website

■Nenashi:X (Twitter) / Instagram