NYC / DETROIT / TOKYO
Born circa 1998 in New York City (and currently now based in Tokyo), HIMAWARI, is Takeshi Ichikawa and Lena. They originally met at a Ryuichi Sakamoto event in the city and quickly realized they shared a similar vision for music making.
While based in NYC, HIMA performed regularly at club events in the metro area, and large-scale loft parties in Brooklyn with as many as 3,000 attendees. HIMA also played such events as the CMJ Music Marathon, and were regulars in the Moby VJ Team MOVEMENT events, where they caught the eye of various media outlets.
HIMA has been furiously active in the fashion and graphic design world. Thanks to a piece in The NY Times, the duo were invited to play a party for Polo Ralph Lauren and at ANIME Next in NYC at the Contents Shijyo which help them realize a large-scale involvement in the industry.
HIMA's musical style, presentation and beautiful images have been lauded in various venues around NYC, such as Halcyon, Liquid, Tonic and the infamous Dumbo warehouse events. Soon after establishing their growing following in NYC, they partnered with a Detroit record label and began to conquer the Midwest, making their debut at the heavily techno-influenced event, LIFEFEST, and also at several clubs around the holy land of all that is techno, Detroit.
In Winter of 2001, HIMA released their first full length album, "Mineral" on Detroit's Rematter Music, alternative electronic format and sister label of renowned breakcore label LOW RES Records of Detroit. For the duo, becoming label-mates of such acts as Bombardier, Venetian Snares and I:gor, had a large impact on HIMA's music.
But HIMA's activity wasn't limited to the U.S. To much acclaim, they toured Belgium and Tokyo twice with Ceephax Acid Crew, label-mates and brother of one of their bigger influences, Squarepusher.
Himawari has also appeared on a compilation album from independent Frankfurt label, SHIBUYAHOT/Apricot Records and on "DET.UND.03" from DJ Kero's label, DET.UND (Detroit-underground) in good company alongside artists such as Richard, Devine, Modeselektor and Phon.o.
Then in 2004, HIMAWARI lit an even larger fire under with live performances in Tokyo. Soon after, HIMA began appearing at monthly events around metropolitan Tokyo, including "Electric Rose" and "Electric Pub", sponsored by "Sonar Sound Tokyo" planners, Third Ear. They also found their way to "COEXIST" at Nishi Azabu Bul-let's.
In 2005, working closely with long time engineer Kidoh Taki, HIMA's long-awaited second album "Pomposo" finally completed production in an unprecedented style. Early reviews and crowd response at preview showcases around Tokyo and Kyoto have been nothing short of gushing praise and packed houses.
The new HIMA's live performances feature world class cutting edge new digital images. The CD jacket design by Virgilio Santos of Dzark and the motion graphics from Takeshi Ichikawa perfectly sync with HIMA's music, ensuring that the new HIMA album will mesmerize audiences around the world.
