Water Fai
Water Fai
are a Japanese psychedelic-pop band, formed in Osaka in 2002. These four women dynamically contrast intricate melodies and soft harmonies with violent guitar-noise and electronic effects. They bring a much-needed feminine approach to the post-rock genre that is so often dominated by male artists (and their biggest influences) such as Mogwai and Tortoise. They bring their own translation of the sentimentality captured best by The Album Leaf and Yo La Tengo.
They perform mainly at Bears in Osaka, founded by Seiichi Yamamoto (ex: Boredoms, omoide hatoba, Rovo, Para). They are a big part of the underground scene in Osaka. The band is closely aligned with fellow Osaka-based artists Afrirampo, Jenny on the Planet, Jew's Ear, Middle 9, and Suquimaoto. They performed their debut performance in 2002 as the background music for a live painting event.
Water Fai self-released their debut album, which was mixed and mastered by Japanese sound engineer Tokita (ex-u-lala), in September 2006. Brooklyn-based label, White Shoe Records, will re-release this debut album in April 15th, 2008. Stephen Lipuma of the The Exeter Popes (former White Shoe artist and recent MTV2/VLES Contest Finalist) discovered Water Fai while on vacation in Japan and brought their demo to White Shoe Records.
Current members include: Yuko Kureyama (guitar, vocals), Yumi Norimoto (guitar, vocals), Makiko Toba (bass, vocals), Mayumi Ennaka (key, electronics).
