Kishi Bashi

The ‘best seen live’ tag seldom felt more appropriate than for Kaoru Ishibashi, the Seattle-born songwriter who records under the moniker Kishi Bashi. While the uplifting strains of songs like ‘Bright Whites’ have proved irresistible to advertising executives, they take on a whole new dimension in the live arena, as the classically trained violinist uses a loop station (and some judicious pitch shifting) to create instant symphonies. After impressing at last weekend's Taico Club, Ishibashi heads to Tokyo for a gig in support of the Japan-only Philosiphize! Chemicalize! album. Ryo Nagano and Coma* round out the bill.