Its the greatest feeling to discover an unexpected treat at a music show. When you get reminded that music can be surprising and exciting when you maybe least expect it.
Back in January 2025 I had been to countless gigs in Japan for the past month and maybe getting a little gig weary. This show was not on my “tour list” but I had become friendly with several members of one of the bands, Nuit, playing this show so, as it was a free day so to speak, I decided to pop along to a venue called Hot Shot in a part of Tokyo I had never visited before, Okubo, which was a surprise in itself, the street between the 2 rail stations is a very multi cultural area that reminded me of parts of East London I used to live in- a very different feel to this part of Tokyo.
The venue, as ever, in a basement was a small, dark room with 5 or so bands due to play- mainly to an audience of members of the other bands, which was a bit of a shame but small crowds here don't seem to put an artist off playing their heart out to whoever is listening. Its something I have witnessed all over the world and one I find hard to understand the motivation for- but that is due to me not being a performer or musician- and its something I am in awe of. These performers just love to perform, its as simple as that.
Anyway, at one point 2 young teenage looking girls took to the stage, one on drums and one on guitar vocals. They looked a bit nervous at first but once they started playing that was soon shaken off. I was impressed and so pleased I had come today. I made a note of their name and even photographed their set list as the song titles were just so cute! They call themselves Rikka Band or maybe simply Rikka.
A few months later they popped up on my instagram feed with some demo's they have made themselves and posted on Youtube. At first I couldn't get the links to work but once sorted I recognised those song titles from their set list I had photo'd earlier in the year.
These are very early demo's and will need to some work but the intent is there and one song, the wonderfully titled Grumpy Holiday really has interested me. I contacted the band and asked if they wanted to be a Bandcamp artist on my label's page and they agreed! Those demo's are now available to all as a free download.
I really hope we can soon hear these songs as the finished pieces they deserve to be.
In the meantime, lets learn a bit about who Rikka Band are.
Rikka band are Haruna (guitar/ vocal) and Fuko (drums) and young, 19 & 20 respectively yet have very grown up tastes in music and influences: Japanese band Eastern Youth, Pavement, Iggy and, of all the PJ Harvey albums to choose from, they only went and dropped the name of the Steve Albini engineered one Rid of Me!
The duo, for now although they have been joined by a bass player occasionally, met at high school and have been playing music together for around 5 years and live nearby to Tokyo in Kanagawa prefecture. Watching movies, reading and hanging out with friends keep them busy when not at school or making music.
Please see their Bandcamp page at https://rikkaband.bandcamp.com/