A Japanese-American singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter, Kishi Bashi is the project stemming from the mind of Kaoru Ishibashi (aka. K). Joined tonight by fellow songwriter, and beard extravagant, Tall Tall Trees (Mike Savino). The duo put on an intimate show at The Hope and Ruin which in short, is the single best piece of live music I have ever witnessed.

Tall Tall Trees opens tonight and is instantly a memorable persona, armed with a banjo and a multitude of miscellaneous pedals, Mike’s hilarious personality shines through and the audience are not only engaged but mesmerised by his intensely intricate banjo skills. Mike has managed to change the instrument that is associated with every hilly-billy stereotype into a new fusion of sound that I for one have never witnessed. By combining the banjo’s drum head, the use of a violin bow and incredible picking skills, through the various looping pedals, Mike is able to craft an entire orchestra from the instrument. Not to mention the addition of LED lighting within the drum making for a stunning yet simple visual aspect to the show. Mike continues to demonstrate the pure abilities he holds by using his immensely diverse vocal range to reach some of the best and highest notes I have ever heard. Ending number ‘SeagulxEagle’, a song portraying a forbidden love about two birds. offers the crowd the opportunity to engage in a loving chorus with the artist that leaves a definite optimistic feeling throughout the room. I could have genuinely come away from tonight happy after seeing Mike’s set, he is one of the single best performers I have ever come across, however, this is not the last time we would be hearing from the bearded god tonight…

Kishi Bashi opens with some equally mesmerising violin work and similar usage of looping pedals in the track ‘Bright Whites’, K is able to grip the entire room’s undivided attention. His fingers become a blur of movement as each string is hit with an immense, yet definitive precision that goes unmatched. This being said, K’s vocals are even stronger than his finger work and, like Mike, is able to reach and sustain notes that are simply angelic in tone.

A number of tracks from K’s new album Sonderlust are played and each demonstrate yet another aspect to the artist that is drastically different from the last, some stress vocal and lyrical diversity whilst others hold intense amounts of creative instrumental experimentation. Before long, the set is well underway and Mike joins K on stage. If I thought that each of these artists were incredible on their own, when together they are a force which has redefined my views on the potential of live music.

The duo simply bounce off of one another in ways that I have never seen artists achieve, they share the spotlight equally and are able to eloquently produce some incredible harmonies all whilst continuing the incredible dexterity required from their instruments. ‘Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!’ builds and builds to the point whereby where the final chorus kicks in, the room turns into a kaleidoscope of sound that is truly overwhelming. The duo’s uplifting and humorous personalities are simply infectious and in amongst each track, tell a series of anecdotes and shenanigans which are impossible not to laugh along with! Great showmanship.

The majority of the set is continued in this manner and only seems to grow from strength to strength, K’s beautiful solo rendition of ‘I Am The Antichrist To You’, a track holding an immense amount of cultural significance, is powerful enough to induce a real pull at the heart strings and a few wet eyes can be seen through the room. The set ends with an equally extraordinary unplugged performance from the duo in the centre of the room, lit only by the crowd’s glistening phone torches. Watching both K and Mike’s faces as they lock eye contact in the crowd makes you realise the intense bond these musicians have, it almost feels brotherly, as though one simply could not work without the other. The unplugged ending not only acts as a fantastic finale to the show, but is met by the single loudest level of applause I have ever heard in this venue.

Kishi Bashi and Tall Tall Trees are the reason I love music. It is creative personalities such as these which keep music such a thriving and loving art form. There isn’t a single aspect to tonight’s performance that can be faulted and I am sure that the entire room would agree with me. If you ever find yourself in a city with a Kishi Bashi gig on the same night, cancel your plans, because this artist is simply one you cannot afford to miss. You won’t regret it.
Ben Walker

Website: kishibashi.com
Facebook: facebook.com/mrkishibashi
Twitter: twitter.com/Kishi_bashi