HIMAWARI / NYC

Keep your fears of a pesky J-Pop-induced toothache at bay. HIMAWARI isn't just another sugary Japanese act with odes about kitties and pink-ruffled tributes to Gary Numan. No, no, no. This NYC-based duo offers up much more on their debut CD, mineral, to give you a sugar-free space trip to the electro-pop of the future. The product of duo Lena and Takeshi Ichikawa, HIMAWARI has been invited by Apple to PR their iMovie software, performed with Ceephax Acid Crew in Belgium, and hunted down by Ralph Lauren to help beguile the hard-to-please, Comme-des-Garcons set at a downtown perfume launch. But it is Detroit record label, Rematter (sister of low res records), that got HIMA to lay down a sound that astral projects far past that "electronica-with-female-vocals" trend of late. mineral sends you out into deep space with nothing but a Ti-book battery and a rubberband. On tracks like "HR-101," Lena's Bjork-esque vocals fool with your sense of gravity for a bit then shoot you back to planet Earth for a widescreen stroll through the East Village in the happy-sad "chuchu." And if that isn't enough of a journey, let Takeshi launch you into and through the entire color spectrum with the Kraftwerk-influenced sequences of "the word" and the urban-life commentary of "home". And...if you are lucky enough to catch HIMA perform these tracks live, better get your spacesuit cleaned 'cause their stage show is full of atmospheric digital video, and a barrage of 'created-just-for-you' messages... These two may look like Hansel, Gretel with a bag of levitating gumdrops, but you can just forget about hiding out in the cavity-ridden four walls of anything made of Gingerbread. Let HIMAWARI launch you into a parallel universe: without all the artificial sweetening.

- Jennifer Andrews

'The Very Model of Modern…'

Spacemen, beat-eaters and international pop music conspiracy theorists − lend Himawari your ears. Promise: You will find in the Japanese techno-performance duo atmosphere, humor, hidden blips and not-so-hidden sights and sounds to vex the expectations and beguile utterly even the coldest hearts. You may have caught them at LifeFest this summer. If you did, yer lucky. If not, tune in to the frequencies on which Takeshi (sound and video editing / mix maestro) and Lena (singer, singer, singer) cast their sound. A surface scratch of Himawari’s soon-to-be released debut LP, Mineral (on Detroit's Rematter label) reveals Krafwerkian mechanics and late-model Bjork vocalizing, but Himawari makes these comparisons merely an entrance to their own autobahn / ichiban. Somehow, someway, singer Lena manages to sound simultaneously as though she's letting loose a sing-song walking down the street and whispering in your ear sitting next to you on the sofa. Himawari's right brain finds creative comfort in four-track indie-pop while the rational, mechanical part of this musical beastie resides not-so-squarely in new New Romantique electro-pop. Mouse on Mars should be so earnest. Adult. should be so textured. Any number of basement twee-pop darlings should be so bold and experimental. We should all be so lucky. Wait, we are. Himawari, as the fellas in Depeche Mode once pined, gets the balance right. Himawari celebrates the release of “Mineral” with a performance this Saturday at the Works (1846 Michigan Ave., Detroit) with Detroit's own analog spacemen, the W-Vibe.

- Chris Handyside
METRO TIMES
Dec.2001

HIMAWARI w/W-VIBE and ALTON MILLER december 15 the works

Experimental music draped in futuristic imagery will ease you to a surreal vibe when feeling the art of HIMAWARI live. Conforming sounds of drum-n-bass over live vocals and mixed with real time video - HIMA is a member of the NYC art squad MOVE*MENT, and has their techno roots firmly in place to spout synthetically right through your ears and beyond. Their performance at the Works will be something truly unique, so please respond to you imagination and help celebrate HIMAWARI's release of their debut full-length release Mineral (Rematter Records). Also making noise: The W-Vibe and Alton Miller.

- kc
REAL DETROIT
Dec.2001

"Tonal warbles compliment minimal drum and bass back-grounds while the singer pushes her vocals and emotions like a female vocalist finalist on Star Search. Because the production showcases the singer, it's clear that English is not her first language. Her Japanese inflections might be distracting and even annoy some people, but I think they're great. They lend humanity to an otherwise cold batch of noises that could have come from a sci-fi movie or evil laboratory."

- Martin Wong
GIANT ROBOT issue 24
Mar.2002

TOMORROWS MUSIC TODAY

The Japanese have always been on the cutting edge technologically, and Himawari's Mineral definitely reflects this. Himawari is the duo of Lena and Takeshi. These Tokyo natives' techno music is interesting to say the least. Mineral, their first full-length album, is produced by Detroit's Justin Ivey of Rematter Music.
"The Word" is highlighted by the penetrating and distinctive voice of Lena. While first listening to this song, it seemed as though one is hearing Bjork. On "Chu Chu," the song isn't much more than a wonderfully-mild drum accompaniment by Takeshi with Lena on vocals. Lena's Japanese accent is clearly evident and her voice is beautiful, making one long to hear her sing in the native tongue. "Computer Energy" really showcases the drum talent of Takeshi, which can also be heard on "Flexia." Overall, the music sounds innovative and unique. The melodies in Mineral almost seem like space music. Keep in mind, this review is coming from someone that can sympathize with those that abandoned Bob Dylan in the '60s because he went from acoustic to electric guitar. Maybe Himawari is just ahead of its time. For a taste of Himawari's Mineral, you're strongly advised to go to www.rematter.com, where you can hear samples of its music, get concert updates and sign up on the e-mail list.

- John Guernsey

"This Japanese electro darling duo are recent NYC transplants who have made a name for themselves with incredibly intelligent, Bjork-esque pop. They are not only one of the only out-of-town groups on this year's festival, they are one of the most creative."

- METRO TIMES
'BLOWOUT' FESTIVAL