Band of the Week: Quruli

[May 12-18]
くるり (Quruli)
Sounds Like: J-Pop/Indie-Pop
Drinking Buddies: The Pillows, Fujifabric
Synopsis: Laid back indie rock from Japan. Where can you go wrong?
Makes You Want To...: Learn Japanese; Walk in the park; Dance.
[Myspace]




One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is くるり (Quruli).

No more classes! Well, for me, anyway. On a whole, school is winding down for college students, and we finally have a nice, long summer break to relax. How better to do that than with some great music?

Quruli is a quaint little duo hailing from Kyoto. These two fun-loving Japanese guys have been pumping out the lovely J-Pop tunes since 1996. Typically playing an upbeat sound, Quruli weaves wondrous music through the airwaves to your eager ears.

We are talking about veterans here. Quruli hasn't been coasting through the music scene in Japan (or internationally) for twelve years. Quruli has an unbelievable 18 EPs and seven full-length albums under their belt, with creativity flowing from every section of their ensemble. They have been ranked 74th best band in Japan by HMV records, have been the first band from Japan to record in Austria by invitation (to record their latest live album, Philharmonic or die), and have successfully organized the first ever outdoor concert in the Kyoto metroplex, the Kyoto Music Festival In Umekoji Koen.

Obviously Quruli has a Myspace, where they are selling more of their albums than I know what to do with. They also have a bunch of neat videos scattered throughout YouTube, which you should definitely check out. As for me, I'll be listening ハイウェイ while I take a nap. Nighty night, readers.