Pomposo CD now available at Storming The Base Distribution - CLICK HERE TO ORDER.
Pomposo Digital Downloads now available at JapanFiles - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.
Artist: Himawari
Title: Mineral
Label: Rematter
Catalog#: REM 001 CD
Format: CD
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: Electronic
Style: IDM, Drum n Bass, Experimental
1. The Word (4:35)
2. Chu Chu (5:05)
3. Home (5:03)
4. Computer Energy (5:08)
5. My Dear Things (5:19)
6. HR-101 (7:08)
7. Wonder Pan (1:24)
8. Flexia (4:40)
9. Vivid Petal (5:07)
Pomposo Digital Downloads now available at JapanFiles - CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD.
Artist: Himawari
Title: Mineral
Label: Rematter
Catalog#: REM 001 CD
Format: CD
Country: US
Released: 2001
Genre: Electronic
Style: IDM, Drum n Bass, Experimental
1. The Word (4:35)
2. Chu Chu (5:05)
3. Home (5:03)
4. Computer Energy (5:08)
5. My Dear Things (5:19)
6. HR-101 (7:08)
7. Wonder Pan (1:24)
8. Flexia (4:40)
9. Vivid Petal (5:07)
'The Very Model of Modern...' Spacemen, beat-eaters and international pop music conspiracy theorists - lend Himawari your ears. Promise: You will find in the Japanese techno-performance duo atmosphere, humor, hidden blips and not-so-hidden sights and sounds to vex the expectations and beguile utterly even the coldest hearts. You may have caught them at LifeFest this summer. If you did, yer lucky. If not, tune in to the frequencies
on which Takeshi (sound and video editing / mixmaestro) and Lena (singer, singer, singer) cast their sound.
A surface scratch of Himawari's soon-to-be released debut LP, Mineral (on Detroit's Rematter label) reveals Krafwerkian mechanics and late-model Bjork vocalizing, but Himawari makes these comparisons merely an entrance to their own autobahn/ichiban. Somehow, someway, singer Lena manages to sound simultaneously as though she's letting loose a sing-song walking down the street and whispering in your ear sitting next to you on the sofa. Himawari's right brain finds creative comfort in four-track indie-pop while the rational, mechanical part of this musical beastie resides not-so-squarely in new New Romantique electro-pop. Mouse on Mars should be so earnest. Adult. should be so textured. Any number of basement twee-pop darlings should be so bold and experimental. We should all be so lucky. Wait, we are. Himawari, as the fellas in Depeche Mode once pined, gets the balance right.
- Chris Handyside / METRO TIMES (detroit, mi) 12/12/2001
"Tonal warbles compliment minimal drum and bass backgrounds while the singer pushes her vocals and emotions like a female vocalist finalist on Star Search. Because the production showcases the singer, it's clear that English is not her first language. Her Japanese inflections might be distracting and even annoy some people, but I think they're great. They lend humanity to an otherwise cold batch of noises that could have come from a sci-fi movie or evil laboratory."
Martin Wong / GIANT ROBOT / issue 24 / los angeles, USA - 03/2002
"This Japanese electro darling duo are recent NYC transplants who have made a name for themselves with incredibly intelligent, Bjork-esque pop. They are not only one of the only out-of-town groups on this year's festival, they are one of the most creative."
METRO TIMES 'BLOWOUT' FESTIVAL / feb-mar 2002 / detroit, USA / ongoing coverage
"The Japanese have always been on the cutting edge technologically, and Himawari's Mineral definitely reflects this.
Himawari is the duo of Lena and Takeshi. These Tokyo natives' techno music is interesting to say the least. Mineral, their first full-length album, is produced by Detroit's Justin Ivey of Rematter Music.
"The Word" is highlighted by the penetrating and distinctive voice of Lena. While first listening to this song, it seemed as though one is hearing Bjork.
On "Chu Chu," the song isn't much more than a wonderfully-mild drum accompaniment by Takeshi with Lena on vocals. Lena's Japanese accent is clearly evident and her voice is beautiful, making one long to hear her sing in the native tongue. "Computer Energy" really showcases the drum talent of Takeshi, which can also be heard on "Flexia."
Overall, the music sounds innovative and unique. The melodies in Mineral almost seem like space music. Keep in mind, this review is coming from someone that can sympathize with those that abandoned Bob Dylan in the '60s because he went from acoustic to electric guitar. Maybe Himawari is just ahead of its time.
For a taste of Himawari's Mineral, you're strongly advised to go to www.rematter.com, where you can hear samples of its music, get concert updates and sign up on the e-mail list."
TOMORROWS MUSIC TODAY by JOHN GUERNSEY / The South End Newspaper - Wayne State University
HIMAWARI w/W-VIBE and ALTON MILLER • december 15 • the works
"Experimental music draped in futuristic imagery will ease you to a surreal vibe when feeling the art of HIMAWARI live. Conforming sounds of drum-n-bass over live vocals and mixed with real time video - HIMA is a member of the NYC art squad MOVE*MENT, and has their techno roots firmly in place to spout synthetically right through your ears and beyond. Their performance at the Works will be something truly unique, so please respond to you imagination and help celebrate HIMAWARI's release of their debut full-length release Mineral (Rematter Records). Also making noise: The W-Vibe and Alton Miller."
Words by KC / REAL DETROIT (detroit, mi) 12/12/2001
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A surface scratch of Himawari's soon-to-be released debut LP, Mineral (on Detroit's Rematter label) reveals Krafwerkian mechanics and late-model Bjork vocalizing, but Himawari makes these comparisons merely an entrance to their own autobahn/ichiban. Somehow, someway, singer Lena manages to sound simultaneously as though she's letting loose a sing-song walking down the street and whispering in your ear sitting next to you on the sofa. Himawari's right brain finds creative comfort in four-track indie-pop while the rational, mechanical part of this musical beastie resides not-so-squarely in new New Romantique electro-pop. Mouse on Mars should be so earnest. Adult. should be so textured. Any number of basement twee-pop darlings should be so bold and experimental. We should all be so lucky. Wait, we are. Himawari, as the fellas in Depeche Mode once pined, gets the balance right.
- Chris Handyside / METRO TIMES (detroit, mi) 12/12/2001
"Tonal warbles compliment minimal drum and bass backgrounds while the singer pushes her vocals and emotions like a female vocalist finalist on Star Search. Because the production showcases the singer, it's clear that English is not her first language. Her Japanese inflections might be distracting and even annoy some people, but I think they're great. They lend humanity to an otherwise cold batch of noises that could have come from a sci-fi movie or evil laboratory."
Martin Wong / GIANT ROBOT / issue 24 / los angeles, USA - 03/2002
"This Japanese electro darling duo are recent NYC transplants who have made a name for themselves with incredibly intelligent, Bjork-esque pop. They are not only one of the only out-of-town groups on this year's festival, they are one of the most creative."
METRO TIMES 'BLOWOUT' FESTIVAL / feb-mar 2002 / detroit, USA / ongoing coverage
"The Japanese have always been on the cutting edge technologically, and Himawari's Mineral definitely reflects this.
Himawari is the duo of Lena and Takeshi. These Tokyo natives' techno music is interesting to say the least. Mineral, their first full-length album, is produced by Detroit's Justin Ivey of Rematter Music.
"The Word" is highlighted by the penetrating and distinctive voice of Lena. While first listening to this song, it seemed as though one is hearing Bjork.
On "Chu Chu," the song isn't much more than a wonderfully-mild drum accompaniment by Takeshi with Lena on vocals. Lena's Japanese accent is clearly evident and her voice is beautiful, making one long to hear her sing in the native tongue. "Computer Energy" really showcases the drum talent of Takeshi, which can also be heard on "Flexia."
Overall, the music sounds innovative and unique. The melodies in Mineral almost seem like space music. Keep in mind, this review is coming from someone that can sympathize with those that abandoned Bob Dylan in the '60s because he went from acoustic to electric guitar. Maybe Himawari is just ahead of its time.
For a taste of Himawari's Mineral, you're strongly advised to go to www.rematter.com, where you can hear samples of its music, get concert updates and sign up on the e-mail list."
TOMORROWS MUSIC TODAY by JOHN GUERNSEY / The South End Newspaper - Wayne State University
HIMAWARI w/W-VIBE and ALTON MILLER • december 15 • the works
"Experimental music draped in futuristic imagery will ease you to a surreal vibe when feeling the art of HIMAWARI live. Conforming sounds of drum-n-bass over live vocals and mixed with real time video - HIMA is a member of the NYC art squad MOVE*MENT, and has their techno roots firmly in place to spout synthetically right through your ears and beyond. Their performance at the Works will be something truly unique, so please respond to you imagination and help celebrate HIMAWARI's release of their debut full-length release Mineral (Rematter Records). Also making noise: The W-Vibe and Alton Miller."
Words by KC / REAL DETROIT (detroit, mi) 12/12/2001
