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OOIOO

 
Artist: OOIOO

Group Members:

Kayan, Yoshimi P We, Kyoto, Ai, Yoshiko, Aya, Maki

Similar Artists:

Influenced By:

Formal Connection With:

  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "Kila Kila Kila", "Best Of

Biography

Plenty of distinguishing characteristics separate OOIOO from the herd. First, you could mention the fluorescent body paint they wear on-stage. Or perhaps the demographics of their lineup: four Japanese women. Or their music, a furious amalgam of rhythmic guitars, patternless vocals, and energetic effects. The frontwoman of the group is the irrepressible Yoshimi P-We, the talented and multifaceted percussionist from the Boredoms. In this incarnation, she sings and plays guitar, but not in the way John Lennon, Kurt Cobain, or even Kim Gordon would. Her role in the group is as the main energizer, the street light around which the other moth-like noises revolve, flutter, bump, and find themselves redirected in a million different ways. It's next to impossible to describe "their sound," because -- by design -- it rarely follows consistent patterns. Suffice to say they're one of the most dynamic bands on the underground circuit -- not in the way a mid-level purchasing director would be described as dynamic, but in the way a ballistic missile would. They're bursting forth with excitement and vivacity in the way few humans, in few art forms, can. Plus, they're fun with a capital PH. Their self-titled debut album was released in the U.S. by Kill Rock Stars in 1998; their subsequent albums, Feather Float and Kila Kila Kila, were issued in the States by Birdman Records.Gold and Green was released domestically in the States by Thrill Jockey in 2005. Issued in 2006, Taiga, which means "big river" in Japanese and "forest" in Russian, was, aptly enough, inspired by nature. OOEYEOO, an album of remixes by Boredoms mastermind Eye, arrived in spring 2007. The same lineup that recorded Taiga -- Yoshimi, guitarist Kayan, bassist Aya, and drummer Ai -- regrouped for 2009's Armonico Hewa, whose title was a mix of Spanish and Swahili words meaning "air in a harmonious state." ~ Kieran McCarthy, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: OOIOO
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OOIOO

OOIOO performing at All Tomorrow's Parties, 2004
Background information
Origin Japan
Genres Experimental rock, post-rock
Years active 1995–present
Labels Trattoria Records, Thrill Jockey
Associated acts Boredoms
OLAibi
Website ooioo.jp
Members
Yoshimi P-We
Kayan
Aya
Ai
Former members
Kyoko
Maki
Yoshiko

OOIOO (pronounced /ˌoʊˌoʊˌaɪˌoʊˈoʊ/) are an all-female group founded by Boredoms drummer (and sometimes trumpeter and vocalist) Yoshimi P-We.[1]

According to allmusic's Kieran McCarthy "It's next to impossible to describe their sound, because — by design — it rarely follows consistent patterns".[1] Some of their music has been described as having "a majestic ebb and flow that suggests natural wonders"[2] or a "witchy, tribal side".[2] Either way, at any one time it may incorporate chanting and punchy drums,[2] dancey polyrhythms[3] atonal composition[3] or psychedelia.[4]

Contents

Music

The majority of OOIOO's music originates from improvisations[5]. When asked about OOIOO's songwriting process in an interview with Pitchfork.com Yoshimi (P-we) Yokota said,

When you transform improvisation into a song that people can listen to, it is difficult to recreate the initial improvisation each time because you have to play in a different time and space.

In order to utilize the initial impulse of improvisation, we restructure improvisation into songs. Once the song is structured, it is no longer improvisation."[5]

When asked to compare this with The Boredoms songwriting process she said,

Actually, the Boredoms songs are more structured even to the smaller details compared to OOIOO. It's almost as if our breathing is even decided on beforehand."[5]

Discography

Albums

EPs

Compilations

  • Shock City Shockers 2 (2000)
  • COCOCOOOIOO: The Best of Shock City 1997–2001
    • highlights from their first three albums, with a remixed track from the Shock City Shockers 2 compilation

Personnel

Current members

Former members

  • Kyoko — guitar
  • Maki — bass guitar
  • Yoshico — drums (Her real name is Yuka Yoshimura. She is former member of DMBQ)

Guest musicians

References

  1. ^ a b McCarthy, Kieran. "((( OOIOO > Biography )))". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:w9frxqljldte~T1. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 
  2. ^ a b c Phares, Heather (2005-09-13). "((( Gold and Green > Overview )))". allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hjftxqlsldse. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 
  3. ^ a b Dodero, Camille (2007-03-21). "New York — Sound of the City — Live: OOIOO's Yoshimi Doesn't Let Those Evil Robots Eat Me". Blogs.villagevoice.com. http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/2007/03/live_ooioos_yos.php. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 
  4. ^ "Interviews: OOIOO". Pitchfork. 2007-04-05. http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/6579-ooioo/. Retrieved 2009-10-01. 
  5. ^ a b c Interview:OOIOOPitchfork interview with Yoshimi, April 5, 2007

External links


 
 
Learn More
Gold and Green (2005 Album by OOIOO)
Taiga (2006 Album by OOIOO)
Cassettetape Superstar (2000 Album by UFO or Die)

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Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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