For this edition of Tokyo Record Style I met some South Korean record collectors from the quite famous K-Indie / K-Pop band, “Lucy”, who were strolling down the chochin-illuminated Miyashita Park izakaya promenade while I was walking up it. They were coming from Tower Records where they had each scored an album during an off-night of their current Japan Tour. I stopped and quickly pitched them the Tokyo Record Style concept and asked if they might be willing to be photographed, and they were very happy and friendly to oblige.
Not realizing I was speaking to a renown group of young, professional, musicians, whose band Lucy formed in 2019 through the Korean reality music competition show called “SuperBand,” I couldn’t quite appreciate the magnitude of the encounter, and in hindsight, they seemed a little amused by that, and perhaps that I was an American approaching them, Koreans, in Japan.
They introduced themselves as Choi Sang-yeop (Lucy’s lead vocalist and guitar), Shin Gwang-il (drums and vocals), Shin Ye-chan (Violin), and Sam (manager, I assume), (Cho Won-sang – Bassist and producer may have had the night off …or was still shopping at Tower). Aside from their all-around good nurture and positive energy, what was immediately noteworthy to me were the records they scored: Two newish Bruno Mars records, a newish Foo Fighters record, and one out of place Stephane Grappelli record as old as me. Stephane Grappelli, wait, what?!?! It all made more sense when I got back home and dug into this band Lucy and their sound.
Knowing very little about K-Indie, and K-Pop, I can only guess that one, of probably many, points that make Lucy’s sound distinct is the blend of instruments and the incorporation of the violin, which is of course not at all common in contemporary rock bands. Though Lucy’s music is described as a mix of indie, modern rock, and pop, the violin that sparkles over those throttled Marshall amp tones, lush overdriven bass, and runaway drums, gives it a unique signature and elegance(?) that I’m guessing adds to the uplifting, aspirational, emotional and atmospheric, elements that their growing fan-base loves them for.
I checked out a few songs from Lucy’s discography “Flowering,” “Snooze,” “Hero,” and “Jogging” and I have to say, I was really impressed and grateful to have my music horizons expanded yet again! Thanks so much Choi, Shin (x2), (Cho) and Sam! Wish you all continued success!
More Tokyo Record Style on the way!
Silk Sonic – An Evening With Silk Sonic
Label: Atlantic – 075678612589, Aftermath Entertainment – 075678612589
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, Gold w/ White & Red Splatter
Country: US
Released: Feb 2024
Genre: Funk / Soul, Pop
Style: Contemporary R&B, Soul, Funk
https://www.discogs.com/master/2375386-Silk-Sonic-An-Evening-With-Silk-Sonic
Bruno Mars – Doo-Wops & Hooligans
Label: Atlantic – 075678647062, Elektra – 075678647062
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Yellow
Country: USA & Europe
Released: 2020
Genre: Pop
https://www.discogs.com/release/16214382-Bruno-Mars-Doo-Wops-Hooligans
Stephane Grappelli – Meets The Rhythm Section
Label: Black Lion Records – BLP 30183, Trio Records – PA-7146
Series: Trio Jazz Mania
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: Japan
Released: 1976
Genre: Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/release/17353174-Stephane-Grappelli-Meets-The-Rhythm-Section
Foo Fighters – The Essential
Label: Roswell Records – 19658732941, RCA – 19658732941, Legacy – 19658732941
Series: The Essential
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Compilation
Country: US
Released: Oct 28, 2022
Genre: Rock
https://www.discogs.com/release/24967747-Foo-Fighters-The-Essential
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