Atsuko Chiba
WIDR FM has been given the opportunity to get to know Atsuko Chiba, the Canadian group that will be playing before Longface for our this year's Battle Ground: Shake's
Can you tell me a little bit about the band and its background? How did you get into music? Have you always had the same sound – how has it changed?
We all got into music for different reasons, but the reason we started this band was to have a musical outlet that didn’t have any restrictions. We wanted a project we’re we could attempt anything and not feel like we had to stick to a certain pattern or formula. Because of that, our sound has definitely changed a lot since we first got together. At the beginning, we we’re completely instrumental, and leaned more towards a typical post rock sound. Over time, different styles, techniques and instruments made its way into the fold, including an increasing presence of vocals.
How did you meet? Where are you from?
We we’re all born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. We’ve all known each other since high school. Eric, Kevin and I (David) played in a band that often played shows with Karim and Anthony’s band at the time.
Who inspires you?
We take inspiration from music and films of any genre. We have a lot of respect for groups like The Mars Volta and filmmakers like Fellini who transport you to other worlds through their art.
How long have you been together?
The band has been together for almost 7 years now. We first got together at the end of 2011 and played our first show as a 4 piece one week after that. Anthony joined the project just a few short months after that.
What is each band members role in the group?
Anthony Piazza: drums, live projections
David Palumbo: Bass, Vocals
Eric Schafhauser: Guitar, Synths
Karim Lakhdar: Guitar, Synths, Vocals
Kevin McDonald: Guitar, Synths
Do you have any fun facts you’d like to share about Atsuko Chiba?
A fun fact about Atsuko Chiba would be that we control all lightning and projections ourselves. Eric and I (David) control 2 sets of lights via footswitches right beside our pedal boards. One controls bright white lights and the other controls colored lights. Anthony is in charge of everything projections. He is able to trigger the different clips and manipulate them with different effects by using his SPD and drum triggers.
Do you guys have any upcoming projects or anything special you would like to share?
Our main priority right now is writing new material. We have been demoing ideas for the last few months and we’re really happy with what we have so far. It’s still very early in the game to tell if we will release an EP or a full length, but so far the music is quite different than the stuff we’ve released in the past. We will be testing out one of the new tracks on our upcoming US tour that brings us to Kalamazoo on March 23rd!
How did the band get its name?
The band got started by booking a show before we had any material or even a name. We we’re scheduled to perform at an event put on by the Concordia University music department the following week (a few of us we’re in the Electro Acoustics program at the time). Kevin had just watched the movie Paprika whose main character is called Atsuko Chiba. We thought the name fit the very experimental set we put together for that performance. We never looked back since.
Where can we listen to/download your music?
Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and all other streaming services
Who is your favorite Scooby Doo character?
It’s all about Scrappy!
Longface will be headlining at Shakespeare's Lower Level with Atsuko Chiba and WIDR's Battle of the Band winner and fan favorite on March 23nd.
Commentaires