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Tomo Katsurada Releases First Solo EP after Dissolving Kikagaku Moyo
The Kikagaku Moyo guitarist/vocalist delivers a woozy psychedelic rock burner with an accompanying book titled Dream of the Egg.
Those who haven’t yet discovered the work of the consistently scorching Tokyo psych-rock band Kikagaku Moyo are in for a good day. Founded in 2012 by drummer/vocalist Go Kurosawa and guitarist/vocalist Tomo Katsurada, they released five studio albums that alternate between blistering jams and deeply meditative rock labyrinths, including Forest of Lost Children (2014), House in the Tall Grass (2016), and their essential final record, Kumoyo Island (2022).
After the five-piece disbanded, Katsurada retreated to Amsterdam, where he currently lives and works. He and textile artist Elïose Ptito recently opened the Future Days Shop, described on their site as “a new concept store + workshop space in Amsterdam dedicated to clothing, art, and music.” The space houses a curated selection of goods from their favorite artists, designers and other collaborators “of many traditions who are redefining the language of craft.”
Last week Katsurada released his first solo record via Future Days, an EP and accompanying book called Dream of the Egg, inspired by a century-old Japanese children’s book. Per the album notes accompanying the double 7-inch record (with additional Flexidisc), it was “crafted and recorded with only the materials available to him at the time, embracing an organic and handmade atmosphere.” He ditched click tracks and standard tunings and, per the notes, “a spontaneous sound emerged, capturing the essence of both uncertainty and immediacy.” British guitarist Jonny Nash contributed moaning instrumental lines on the first and last tracks.
The package is exquisite, and this is the part of this post where we were going to urge to head to the pre-order page and grab a copy; alas, it sold out over the weekend, although a note on Katsurada’s Instagram says that the label has “kept some copies for select physical stores including @terry.bleu & @futuredays.shop! We will keep you updated once they are ready.”
All five tracks are keepers, and bode well for the future output of a singular artist. It will come. Tucked in the notes to the record’s release is an allusion to forthcoming physical projects: “This album is the first in a series of five, each dedicated to a unique picture book, where Tomo aims to push the boundaries of physical media by merging music with visual storytelling.”
