Fujiya & Miyagi: Neither Japanese Nor a Duo
By Jay Gorham
Fujiya & Miyagi are neither Japanese nor a duo.
Fujiya, Ampersand, and Miyagi are pseudonyms taken from the film The Karate Kid, a brand of record player, and, well, the ampersand. Their music is heavily influenced by Kraut rock, with heavy beats and the dispassionate, whispering voice of singer David Best.
The British band takes the stage at Neumo’s Friday night on tour in support of their latest album, Ventrilloquizzing.
There is a beautiful tension in Fujiya & Miyagi’s music, between the big dance beats, the heavy analog synths, and Best’s quiet monotone hissing. There seems to be more guitar in the mix on Ventrilloquizzing, but it’s not a big departure from their breakthrough 2007 release Transparent Things. The songs’ infectious beats, pop sensibility, and subtly humorous lyrics pay homage to F&M’s forefathers Kraftwerk.
Guaranteed you will be treated to some of the coolest modern pop around at Neumo’s on Friday. You will hear their entrancing beats in your collarbone.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ozoio7Y6M4Q]Fujiya & Miyagi play Neumos Friday, January 27 with Glitterbang and one of our favorite new Seattle bands of 2011, Yuni in Taxco.