"..astonishing, nostalgic, pretty, inviting, and forward thinking.."
Oh, Yoko
Sentimental Spirit Pop
Oh, Yoko Bio:
Seashore is the debut release by Oh, Yoko, the duo of Rie Mitsutake and Will Long. Rie Mitsutake, as Miko, has released full-length albums on labels such as Plop (Japan) and Someone Good (Australia). She has toured in Japan and Australia, and also collaborates with many other artists. Will Long, as Celer, has released music on labels from North America, Europe, and Asia. He also operates his own label, Two Acorns, and record store, Floor Sugar. Together they create nostalgic pop, using retro electronic and acoustic instruments, to create something pure for a more simple life.
Hello, how are you?
Hello! We are fine.
What are you currently listening to?
Prince, Boduf Songs, Earthstar, Christian Von Eschersheim, From Within (Pete Namlook and Richie Hawtin), Les Baxtier, Glenn Gould, Maria Callas, Roedelius, YMOÉ..
When did this project come about and whom were your biggest influences for said project?
It started in 2010. We were communicating by email at first to trade music, and then we decided to start making something together. Will was interested in archival interviews with the Beatles and Beatles fans and thought it would be a nice combination with my music. I'd wanted to do something different from my solo works (Miko), something more abstract and simple. I thought our collaboration would be something special because our music is very different and I couldn't imagine how it could be.
Care to tell us a little bit about your latest single 'Seashore'?
Will made a tape loop from a synthesizer and gave it to me. I was just improvising listening to the track and recorded acoustic guitar, piano and vocals. I made it very quickly. I recorded it in my room, so you can hear my cat's meow too! Our original inspiration was to make a track that sounded like it was in a beach house by the ocean, playing guitar behind the screened porch, but we called it 'Seashore' because the band Beach House already had that name, and Miko has a song called 'Sea house'. After I finished making my tracks, Will mixed, arranged it and added effects. We liked the maxi single CD format and thought it would be fun to release a single. We asked Terre Thaemlitz for a remix because he is our friend and we love his music, especially his dance remixes. It was actually his suggestion to include the instrumental version of 'Seashore'. It worked well and we hope we can do more singles with remixes by other artists in the future. It was also a good way to start our 'Normal Cookie' label. It was a good experience to release our music by ourselves. It was Will's idea to use the photo of my childhood for the artwork. We like the nostalgic design, and it fits our music very well.
Is there a full length debut on the way and when might that be?
We've been working on our album and hopefully we can release it in 2013.
Any plans to tour for said release?
No yet. Hopefully we can find a good label that supports our tour.
Got any other projects we should know about?
I am working on a synthesizer music project. I was influenced by Roedelius's old albums a lot, and started making simple synthesizer music. Will is currently working on a new solo sequencer project, an album and tour for his new project with Christoph Heemann (Hollywood Dream Trip), and some new albums as Celer.
What movie would work best on mute while listening to you music?
We made our own movie to go with the music!
You can only keep/listen to ONE album for the rest of your life ..which album would it be?
We will be silly and just pick each other's music.
Are you living your dream?
Yes
Thanx Rie & Will!
Oh, Yoko are currently working on their debut LP, look for that sometime soon (please?)...
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