New York show with Yximalloo

[imomus]

Since my own music performances in the US have become a bit of a rarity, it's with some excitement that I'd like to announce that my one and only American show this year will be a joint bill with someone who performs even more rarely: Yximalloo.

We're in concert at Joe's Pub (the Joseph Papp Public Theater on Lafayette Street) on Wednesday October 10th 2007 at 11pm. Tickets are priced at $12, and since capacity at Joe's is only 180 or so, I'd strongly advise you to book in advance.

"Like a Japanese Jandek without the angst, like The Boredoms minus the bombast," is how Other Music -- one of Yximalloo's few champions, along with radio station WFMU -- describe Naofumi Ishimaru, born on the island of Kyushu 52 years ago. He prefers "kitsch shaman". The Jandek parallel is underscored by the fact that, after years of legendary obscurity, Yximalloo too has decided to start making live concert appearances again. "I finally start to play gig more than 2 decades silence," Yximalloo reports from Ireland, where he's currently living. "What did I do in my 52 years. Music? Yes, I was a musician. So I started to play a gig since last August."

Audiences who witness these rare shows will see a one-man tribe hammering out "melodies gathered from some imaginary South Sea island where the traditional instrument is seemingly an old '80s synth". Some will be reminded of Harry Partch, others of Half Japanese -- Yximalloo has collaborated with Jad Fair, who also designed the scrawly, day-glo sleeves for his "Worst Of" CD series. Ultimately, Yximalloo is perhaps the Robinson Crusoe of arty postpunk lo-fi, stranded on a beautiful desert island, still fighting some of avant pop's most exciting battles. Let's hope the message in a bottle telling him those battles are long over (and originality lost) never reaches him.

Here's an account of my meeting with Yximalloo, in Tokyo back in July 2001.

Thanks to Mikey IQ Jones and Bill Bragin for setting this show up!

And meanwhile, don't forget that you can see me live in Paris this Friday night, at a late show at the Fleche D'Or featuring sets from Kumisolo and Laila France.

Comments

[kumakouji.livejournal.com]

You look really good with cropped hair Nick, it suits you.

[imomus.livejournal.com]

Really? I was just thinking how awful I looked in 2001!

[lord-whimsy.livejournal.com]

I've always thought that look you were perpetrating in the early 00's was rather chic.

Somehow I imagine Kenny having a hand in this gig...might have to go.

[imomus.livejournal.com]

I don't think Kenny had a hand in it, but it would be lovely to see him and you there!