Posted on: September 6, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

After thrilling audiences around the world with his intoxicating blend of pop, folk and new music inventions, acclaimed Japanese multi-instrumentalist Shugo Tokumaru brings Exit (Almost Gold) to shelves across the nation as his first proper release in the US.

Armed with muses in Japanese pop to The Beatles, Shugo’s Exit features Shugo playing over 50 instruments but was recorded using just a Mac and a few microphones. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Brian Eno and Sun Ra, Exit proves why Shugo has found admirers in Animal Collective, Jens Lekman and M.Ward (with whom he has shared stages since) as well as members of Grizzly Bear, Holy Fuck, and The National. With whimsical opening track “Parachute” to its melancholy finale “Wedding,” Exit is a sonic expedition from beginning to end.

Shugo will make his US debut on September 13th at The Wire’s Adventures in Modern Music festival in Chicago and soon after, perform in New York City in a collaboration with Jon Natchez and Perrin Cloutier of Beirut with Bang on a Can’s Lawson White of So Percussion.

Don’t miss Shugo live:

Sept 13 08 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle (The Wire’s Adventures in Modern Music)
Sept 23 08 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (with special guests)
Oct 03 08 Montreal, QC @ Pop Montreal

“Shugo Tokumaru, one of our favorite Japanese pop noise-makers, demonstrates (rapidly plucked acoustic guitars, xylophone-like chimes, and clattering rhythms) work on the fluttering bluegrass-meets-Tropicália of ‘Parachute’, the single from the newest album Exit…a whimsical, breezy tune that should have you tasting the rainbow.” – Pitchfork

“Tokumaru has become one of the most important creative forces in Japanese music at the moment.” – Nylon

“When listening to his single, ‘Parachute,’ you’ll have no choice but to feel giddy. The mystical, whimsical pop sound of the record makes you wish you were sliding down rainbows and eating tons of your favorite candy without a care in the world.” – URB

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