OOIOO
| OOIOO | |
|---|---|
 OOIOO performing at All Tomorrow's Parties, 2004 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Japan |
| Genres | Experimental rock, electronica, alternative rock, neo-psychedelia, noise pop |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Trattoria Records, Thrill Jockey |
| Associated acts |
Boredoms OLAibi |
| Website | ooioo.jp |
| Members |
Yoshimi P-We Kayan Aya Ai |
| Past members |
Kyoko (deceased) Maki Yoshiko |
OOIOO /ˌoʊˌoʊˌaɪˌoʊˈoʊ/ is a group founded by Boredoms drummer (and occasional 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]
History
OOIOO was allegedly founded as a "fake band for a magazine photo shoot" and would later open for Sonic Youth in 1997 with "stickers on their fretboards to indicate where their fingers should go".[5]
Music
The majority of OOIOO's music originates from improvisations.[6] When asked about OOIOO's songwriting process in an interview with Pitchfork.com Yoshimi (P-we) Yokota stated,
| “ | 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."[6] |
” |
When asked to compare this with 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."[6] | ” |
Discography
Albums
- OOIOO (1997)
- Feather Float (1999)
- Gold and Green (2000)
- Kila Kila Kila (2003)
- Taiga (2006)
- Armonico Hewa (2009)
- Gamel (2013)
EPs
- OOEYヨOO -EYヨ REMIX (Eye Remix EP) (2007)
Compilations
- Shock City Shockers 2 (2001)
- compilation of remixes including mixes by Yamantaka Eye, Kan Takagi, Nobukazu Takemura, and Kiyoshi Izumi; also includes "Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly", a cover of the Chick Corea/Flora Purim jazz fusion song
- COCOCOOOIOO: The Best of Shock City 1997–2001 (2004)
- highlights from their first three albums, with a remixed track from the Shock City Shockers 2 compilation
Personnel
Current members
- Yoshimi P-We
- Kayan — guitar
- Aya — bass guitar
- Ai — drums
Former members
- Kyoko — guitar (died July 19, 2015, from an undisclosed illness)[7]
- Maki — bass guitar
- Yoshico — drums (Her real name is Yuka Yoshimura. She is currently a member of CATSUOMATICDEATH, METALCHICKS, and a former member of DMBQ)
Guest musicians
References
- 1 2 McCarthy, Kieran. "((( OOIOO > Biography )))". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- 1 2 3 Phares, Heather (2005-09-13). "((( Gold and Green > Overview )))". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- 1 2 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. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- ↑ "Interviews: OOIOO". Pitchfork. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
- ↑ "Interviews: OOIOO". Pitchfork. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
- 1 2 3 Interview:OOIOOPitchfork Media interview with Yoshimi, April 5, 2007
- ↑ http://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/rip-kyoko-co-founder-ooioo