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Tenniscoats - Japanese DIY in Exelcis

Exposure

Tenniscoats

Who are Tenniscoats?

They're a charming Japanese duo made up of real life couple Saya and
Ueno Takashi, who over the last decade have released eight albums
albums of their prolific songsmithery as well as playing with fellow
travellers Maher Shalal Hash Baz and others in the fecund Japanese
alt-pop scene.

And what do they sound like?

Think stripped-down indie-folk whimsy, gently lilting female vocals and
a set of organically generated miniatures that may be fragile in
construction, but which never fail to captivate. Music to swoon to,
basically. But quietly.

And what's the Scottish connection?

Well, the Takashis have been regular visitors here ever since they
bumped into Glasgow's uber-DIY veterans and long-time supporters of
Japanese pop The Pastels, later playing with them at the much missed
Triptych festival and collaborating on the 'Two Sunsets' album in 2009.
Prior to this, they took part in a Scottish Arts Council Tune Up tour
with Bill Wells throughout Easter 2007, playing such out of the way
haunts as Tobermory on Mull, the wide open spaces of which were
tailor-made for Tenniscoats low-key elegance..

And now they're back?

They can't keep away, especially with two of Scotland's favourite
micro-indie promoters, Cry Parrot and Tracer Trails, at the helm of
things on the back of this year's 'Tokinoutas' album. They've even
found a suitably community-minded venue to host things in. It's a match
made in heaven. Or Tokyo. Though most likely Glasgow.

Cry Parrot and Tracer Trails present Tenniscoats at Garnethill
Multi-Cultural Centre, Glasgow, June 18th

The List, May 2011

ends

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