On Tuesday night Gary Bloom and I paid a visit to the Weller’s Club to check out Aya Oto World’s free show with DJ Takanori Hirano. It’s been just over a year since I last saw Aya Oto World play at club Collage, and since then they have slimmed down from a five piece big band to a trio, but to tell you the truth – as a group they have actually gotten better. The interaction between Yamamoto “Fresh” Kohta on guitar, Okuda Satoko on keyboards and Kawamoto Teruhiko on drums is much tighter than before, and the music is kicking! How to define their music is a little tricky though; is it rock, electro, ambient? Even “Fresh”, the guitarist, admits it is a little hard to pin down as the genre of the music tends to change as each soaring ten minute epic tune progresses. But basically they are a jam band, they are fun, and they make you want to dance. Gary and I had a great time during the band’s sets and enjoyed chatting with the band members between sets too while DJ Hirano (of Bootsy’s Records) played some ambient dance tracks. They are certainly a friendly bunch of characters! Here are three tunes from their second set of the evening. Details of their regular show at the Weller’s Club and of upcoming events they will play at Urbanguild are listed below.
Shuffle:
The next tune, “Star”, is brand new:
Sunrise:

Aya Oto World play a FREE show with DJ Takanori Hirano at the Weller’s Club on the first Tuesday of every month. The next show is on May 1st from 8pm. To find The Weller’s Club head west on Takoyakushi Dori from Kawaramachi. The Weller’s Club is on the north side of the street on the 5th floor between Fuyacho Dori and Tominokoji Dori. Look for the swirly purple Weller’s sign. Here’s a map.
In addition Aya Oto World have two events coming up at Urbanguild on Kiyamachi.
5/17 – 彩音祭 (Aya Oto Matsuri – or Fresh Sound Festa)
Line-up: Aya Oto World, つれづれ, Kurimoto Hideaki, DJ Hirano and VJ akira-o.
Opens: 18:00 / Starts: 19:00
Advance tickets: 1500 yen (includes 1 drink)
On the door: 1800 yen (includes 1 drink)
Location: UrBANGUILD. From Sanjo Dori go down Kiyamachi Dori. This is the narrow street running alongside Takase stream. Urbanguild is on the east side (left hand side as you walk down from Sanjo). Walk approximately 150 metres. Its on the 3rd floor of the New Kyoto Building – access by elevator or stairs. Here is a map.
Line-up: Aya Oto World, Lainy J Groove, LOW-PASS, Indus & Rocks
Further details to be announced on the Aya Oto World Website. Check out their myspace page also to listen to more tracks.
For advance tickets or other information, email: aya0t0w0rld@yahoo.co.jp
Keyboard player, Okuda Satoko, is an old friend of Deep Kyoto. Check out her previous musical adventures at these links:
Aya Oto World @ Collage
Three Singers @ Slow Hand
Pictures & Video from オトエホン-21
Okuda Satoko x Ashida Mellow @ Urbanguild
Viva Sherry @ Kaburenjo
NEGA・POSI
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