Kishi Bashi Premieres ‘In Fantasia’ Video With NPR Music

Joyful Noise Recordings and multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Kishi Bashi are pleased to announce the release of his brand new music video for “In Fantasia.” Filmed on location in Prague, Czech Republic and directed by Bram De Jonghe and Andrew Turski, “In Fantasia” is a breathtaking visual about love and loss soundtracked by a song that was inspired by a dark dream Kishi Bashi had once experienced. Check out the premiere of the “In Fantasia” over at NPR Music here.

Kishi Bashi is currently out on the road touring behind Lighght. The tour features headlining dates where he will perform with a backing string quartet, as well as dates supporting Guster. Markets along the run will include Seattle, WA on Tuesday, January 27, Los Angeles, CA on Saturday, January 31, Austin, TX on Thursday, February 5, Nashville, TN on Thursday, February 12, Philadelphia, PA on Wednesday, February 18, Washington, DC on Thursday, February 19, Brooklyn, NY on Friday, February 20, Chicago, IL on Friday, April 10, Detroit on Saturday, April 11and more. Busman’s Holiday will be supporting Kishi Bashi on the east coast while Elizabeth & The Catapult will be supporting him on the west coast dates. Along the way, Kishi Bashi will be making his network television debut on The Late Show With David Letterman on Monday,February 16 where he will perform his soaring, whimsical single “Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!” Tickets and information on the upcoming tour can be found via Kishi Bashi’s official homepage, http://www.kishibashi.com.

Additionally, Kishi Bashi has also announced his own flavor of coffee in partnership with Athens, GA-based Jittery Joe’s Coffee Roasting Company that is now available for purchase online. “Royal Daark Blend,” inspired by the one word poem “Lighght,” is a bold and passionate blend that compliments the experimental pop violinist’s complex musicality. Ethopia Harrar and French roasted Nicaraguan beans play off one another in this unique brew. The dark roasted beans contribute a certain gravitas and weight allowing the complex fruitiness of the Harrar to sing delicately in contrast. “Royal Daark” also inspired a song created exclusively for the release of this partnership that honors local Athens musicians, and a download code to the song is included with each can. More information on “Royal Daark” can be found via Jittery Joe’s website here:http://www.jitteryjoes.com/kishibashi.

Released on Tuesday, May 13, 2014, Lighght, Kishi Bashi’s sophomore full-length album, picks up where his debut LP, 151a, left off with more gorgeously whimsical looping and violin/vocal gymnastics. Though violin remains his primary instrument and songwriting muse, Kishi Bashi has expanded his palette to include more diverse and nuanced instrumentation on Lighght. Bright and soaring avant-pop songs are prevalent, as are Eastern-tinged arrangements, gentle ballads, Philip Glass-inspired improvisations, and more than a few moments that flirt with ’70s prog (in the tradition of ELO or Yes). If this sounds jarringly kaleidoscopic, that’s because it is. But it works. 

The critically acclaimed 151a was crafted over a four-year period while Kishi Bashi, the pseudonym for artist K. Ishibashi, was touring and recording with Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and of Montreal (where he was a full-time member and co-producer). In late 2012, after the success of 151a, Kishi Bashi decided to focus solely on his own music and began composing the new material, which led to the songs that are featured on Lighght. 

Taking its title from the one-word poem by minimalist poet Aram Saroyan, Lighght (pronounced “Light”) continues and expands the sound of 151a which earned him the title of “Best New Artist” for 2012 by NPR. Since the profoundly successful release of his debut, Kishi Bashi has toured relentlessly, captivating audiences across the globe with his loop-based live show, and fostering a groundswell of devotees. 

Kishi Bashi will be making the following North American appearances in 2015. Tour dates below.

JANUARY
21 – House of Blues – San Diego, CA ^
22 – House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV ^
23 – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT ^
27 – Neptune Theater – Seattle, WA *
28 – Aladdin Theater – Portland, OR *
30 – Palace of Fine Arts – San Francisco, CA *
31 – Luckman Fine Arts Complex – Los Angeles, CA *

FEBRUARY
04 – House of Blues – Houston, TX ^
05 – Stubb’s – Austin, TX ^
06 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX ^
07 – House of Blues – New Orleans, LA ^
09 – Iron City – Birmingham, AL ^
11 – The Pageant – St. Louis, MO ^
12 – Cannery Ballroom – Nashville, TN ^
13 – The Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA ^
14 – House of Blues – Lake Buena Vista, FL ^
17 – Royale – Boston, MA *
18 – Union Transfer – Philadelphia, PA *
19 – Sixth and I Historic Synagogue – Washington, DC *
20 – Brooklyn Masonic Temple – Brooklyn, NY *
21 – Mohawk Valley Community College – Utica, NY *
28 – Club Quattro – Osaka, Japan 

MARCH
02 – Billboard Live Tokyo! – Tokyo, Japan
29 – Venue – Vancouver, BC ^

APRIL
08 – Orpheum Theater – Madison, WI ^
09 – State Theater – Minneapolis, MN ^
10 – Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL ^
11 – St. Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI ^
14 – House of Blues – Cleveland, OH ^
15 – Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH ^
16 – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH ^
17 – Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA ^
18 – Water Street Music Hall – Rochester, NY ^
20 – The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC ^
22 – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC ^
23 – Jefferson Theatre – Charlottesville, VA ^
24 – Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA ^

MAY
16 – Lava Music Fest – Suffolk, VA 

* = headlining dates with backing string quartet
^ = supporting Guster