Kishi Bashi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kishi Bashi
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Kishi Bashi in 2012
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| Birth name | Kaoru Ishibashi |
| Born | 4 November 1975 |
| Origin | Seattle, Washington / Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. |
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Kaoru Dill-Ishibashi (born November 4, 1975), known as Kishi Bashi, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He plays many instruments and is also an Emmy-nominated filmmaker. He lives in Athens, Georgia.
Kishi Bashi was a founding member of the band Jupiter One. For a few years, he was also part of the band of Montreal. He started his solo music career in 2011. His first album, 151a, came out in 2012 and was very popular.
Contents
About Kishi Bashi
Early Life and Education
Kishi Bashi was born in Seattle, Washington. He grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. His parents were both professors at Old Dominion University. His mother is from Naha, Japan, and his father is from Iga, Japan.
After high school, he went to Cornell University College of Engineering. There, he helped start a band called Tamarisk. Later, he studied film music at Berklee College of Music before becoming a violinist.
Family Life
In 2002, he married violinist Keiko Ishibashi. They were married for 19 years. In 2021, Kishi Bashi started dating Kimberly Dill, a professor. They got engaged in January 2023. In July 2024, Kishi Bashi and Kimberly Dill got married.
Music Career Highlights
Kishi Bashi is also the singer and a founding member of the electronic rock band Jupiter One. In 2011, he began recording and performing as a solo artist. He also toured internationally as a violinist with artists like Regina Spektor. He opened for musicians such as Sondre Lerche and Alexi Murdoch. He also supported of Montreal on their 2012 tour.
His first solo album, 151a, was released by Joyful Noise Recordings. NPR host Bob Boilen called Kishi Bashi his favorite new artist of 2012. He said Kishi Bashi created a "radiant, uplifting soundscape."
Music in Commercials and TV
Kishi Bashi's songs have been used in many commercials and TV shows. In 2012, Microsoft used his song "Bright Whites" for a Windows 8 commercial. Sony also used "It All Began With A Burst" for their Xperia Tablet S commercial. The car company Smart used "Chester's Burst Over The Hamptons" for their cars.
His music has appeared in films like Banana Split. It's also been in TV shows such as The Babysitter's Club, God Friended Me, and Atypical. He wrote the music for the Apple TV+ series Stillwater. He also wrote the theme song for the TV series Shrill. In July 2021, his song "I Am the Antichrist to You" was in an episode of Rick and Morty.
Tours and Other Projects
Kishi Bashi has played at big music festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits. He has also toured across the United States and Canada. In 2014, he released his own coffee blend called Royal Daark Blend. Each coffee purchase came with a special song download.
Kishi Bashi's Albums
Studio Albums
Kishi Bashi has released several studio albums:
- 151a (Released: April 10, 2012)
- Lighght (Released: May 13, 2014) - This album reached number 53 on the US charts.
- Sonderlust (Released: September 16, 2016) - This album reached number 153 on the US charts.
- Omoiyari (Released: May 31, 2019)
- Kantos (Released: August 23, 2024)
Live Albums
He has also released live albums:
- Live on Valentine's (Released: February 14, 2014)
- String Quartet Live! (Released: November 13, 2015)
Other Music Releases
- Compilation Album: "7" Box Set" (2013) - This included cover songs by other artists.
- Extended Plays (EPs): EPs are shorter albums with fewer songs.
- Room for Dream EP (2011, 2017)
- Philosophize! Chemicalize! EP (2013)
- Emigrant EP (2021)
- Soundtracks:
- Stillwater: Vol. I (Apple TV+ Original Series Soundtrack) (2020)
- The Fourth Phase (2016)
How Kishi Bashi Makes Music
Creative Process
Kishi Bashi's first EP, Room For Dream, came out in May 2011. It had four songs, including a duet with Kevin Barnes. You could buy it from music download sites.
His live shows are special because he performs alone. He uses a technique called looping with his violin and voice. This means he records short musical phrases and plays them back repeatedly. Then, he adds more layers on top. He also uses beat boxing to create rhythms. People often compare his style to artists like Andrew Bird.
His first full album, 151a, was released in 2012. He got some money to make it through Kickstarter, a website where people can donate to projects. The title '151a' sounds like the Japanese phrase "Ichi-go ichi-e." This phrase means "once in a lifetime" or "a unique moment."
His second album, Lighght, came out in 2014. The title is a one-word poem. His third album, Sonderlust, was released in 2016. It was produced by Chris Taylor from the band Grizzly Bear.
The Omoiyari Project
In December 2017, Kishi Bashi started a crowdfunding campaign for a documentary film. It was called Omoiyari: A Songfilm by Kishi Bashi. The film was later shown on Paramount+ in 2023. This film tells the story of Japanese Americans who were held in camps during World War II. Kishi Bashi also released an album of songs for the film in 2019. This album became his fourth studio album.
Recording Techniques
Kishi Bashi and his producers are very creative when recording music. They use special setups to get different sounds. For example, they might use baffles, which are panels that block sound. This helps them create a quiet space for vocals. Or, they might use a smaller room to make the violin sound more focused.
Kishi Bashi often uses looped violin music and vocal sounds in his songs. He builds melodies and songs from small parts. Then, he puts them together in new and interesting ways using music software. Even with just a few pieces of equipment, he creates a unique sound.
They use specific microphones and sound equipment. For vocals, they use an RCA 77 microphone. For the acoustic violin, they use a Royer 122V microphone. This careful choice of equipment helps create his distinct musical style.
