Just like regular music, only free.

Towards the end of last month, TADA Music packed up its old kit bag and trundled off along that well-worn path towards Shibuya's O-Nest, where 7e.p. Records had put together a tasty little lineup in honor of Alabama's Kyle Field, AKA Little Wings. Unfortunately, the winged wonder was out of action - some kind of throat infection, or so the story goes - so the local acts were left to take up the slack.

In truth, our American friend was barely missed. Amongst the stars of the evening were our sprawling friends, 4 Bonjour's Parties - a band that, from the name down, are pretty hard to fathom. Not that they really want it that way, and in this - one of their first encounters with a foreign journalist - they tried as hard as their wayward humour would allow to balance things out for the unprepared world at large.

More an informal chat than a formal interview, we caught up with Ayumu Haitani (guitar, vocals, clarinet, programming), Tomomi Shikano (vocals, flute, accordion, piano, cello, glockenspiel) and Koji Ueno (vibraphone, guitar, bongo, sampler, vocals), and set about pinning down a genre they can call their own. Unless otherwise indicated, you can assume that Ayumu's doing the talking.

So, who's the leader?

That'd be me!

Why?

Why? Hahaha. It's been that way for a long time. Since junior high school.

Let's put it this way: who brings the songs?

Ah, well that'd be me and Koji.

And presumably you put it all together with the band afterwards?

Right. First we make a demo. Actually, we work together sometimes, but the first ideas usually come separately, wouldn't you say?

Koji: Yeah, I guess.

Ayumu: So we put the songs together separately, then we introduce them to the band.

So which songs did you initially write together?

Errrm. I don't think there are any...

The ones you played this evening were all yours, Ayumu?

Could be.

What about Satellite?

Yes, that's one of mine.

Koji: Actually, we played one of mine, too.

Ayumu: Right, sorry. The third song - the quiet one - that's one of his.

A lot of your songs are pretty quiet, though, aren't they? I mean, it's not exactly rock music.

Here and there... yeah, I'd say that's pretty much the case.

So, what genre are you? We reckon it's 'chamber pop'.

We're not sure. What's chamber pop? I've never heard of it.

I guess it's a style that makes use of a lot of instruments. Chamber music was a form of classical music, performed in a chamber, or bedroom - hence the name.

It sounds like a good title.

They're a little different to you, but Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene are often thought of in that way.

Well, we weren't into using a lot of different instruments to begin with. Initially we were just a normal 'alternative' band.

Koji: Kind of a rock band.

Ayumu: Yeah, like Sonic Youth, or someone like that. Post-rock.

Koji: We liked Tortoise.

Ayumu: Slowly we began to change. We brought in a flute, and things moved on.

Koji: Basically, when we heard Tortoise use a new instrument, we'd be like, "Quick! Learn how to do it, too!" Hahaha.

So, when you want to use a new instrument, something you've never used before, you have to start from scratch with it?

Ayumu: Yeah, that's absolutely the case.

But you're pretty good on the clarinet, Ayumu...

Tomomi: Good?

I think he's good...

Ayumu: I'm not bad...

Alright, let's just say you're crap. But, seriously, before you used it in 4 Bonjour's Parties, you couldn't play at all?

Yeah, that's right. I'd never even tried. The first time was with this band.

So it's like, "I want to use this instrument on this song, so I'll have to study it"?

Yeah. But it's not ideal.

Is that the case for all of you?

No. Tomomi has always been able to play the flute. She's really good.

And Yukiko?

Yeah, she's always been a trombonist. But her trumpet playing is only a recent thing. Same with the flute.

She's also in Lost in Found, isn't she?

Tomomi: Yeah, we stole her!

Tell us a bit more about Lost in Found Records.

Ayumu: I'm about to.

You're signed to "& Records" aren't you?

Yes, and Mush, our American label. On the surface, we started Lost in Found Records to release our CD at a time when we couldn't seem to get it out...

Koji: Oh. Is that how you're telling it?

Ayumu: Yes. Mush and & Records hadn't come in for us yet, so we set up our own thing to release our stuff and some stuff by other bands that we liked. But, as soon as we formed the label, Mush and & Records came in and started negotiations. So 4 Bon became their act. But we'd made Lost in Found Records so...

Koji: Could you be any more long-winded?

Ayumu: Ha. So we signed The Motifs, from Australia. We met them on MySpace, and we loved what they were doing. They hadn't been signed, so we put them on our label. They were our first signing.

Why that name? Why Lost in Found?

At the time we were setting up the label, our friends Lost in Found (the band) had decided to take a break, or split up - or whatever - so there was a spare domain going! And that's the story of Lost in Found, 4 Bon, Mush and & Records. Great. Are you keeping up?

I'm fine. You must have been surprised to have been picked up by Mush - an American company.

Yeah, that was amazing. We went on tour in Australia about 3 or 4 years ago and fell in love with Clue to Kalo. They took our demo, seemed to like it, and forwarded it to Mush. Lucky!

Have you toured the States yet?

Not yet, but we really want to. It'd be great if we could get over there by the end of this year. Jon, are you sure you're getting all of this? I ought to try in English...

Do you want to try in English?

I should...

You sing in English...

I do, don't I. Why is that, I wonder? I'm not sure, but maybe it's because Japanese people like foreign music so much. I'm Japanese, so I feel like singing in English, too. And because I'm Japanese, it gives it a little twist. And when foreigners see us, they don't hear English. They're not sure what language I'm singing in, which means it's just an interesting sound. Maybe they come thinking it's, what, chamber pop? But, listen to the sound. Isn't it interesting? Maybe that's why I use English. But just maybe... I really don't know. How about you, Jon? Do you know?

I'm not sure, but I think your sound has an autumnal, psychedelic, end-of-the-60's feel. A bit like a Nick Drake instrumental. Flutes, clarinets; the vocals are just another instrument in all of that.

Really? That's a nice description. Thanks.

You're mixing electronica in with it, bringing an entirely new sound, which is a good thing. People are always looking out for a new sound.

Me too.

Do the rest of the band understand the lyrics?

Koji: I sing them, but I generally have no idea. Hahaha.

Ayumu: When I'm writing lyrics, I try and put together a story. But if I make mistakes with my English, then so be it. I'm Japanese afterall. But it's the overall sound that I'm interested in. I like the sound of the words to match with the sound of the music. It's that match that interests me.

Tomomi: The first time I get the lyric sheet, I think, "what's all this, then?" Hahaha. I really don't understand.

Ayumu: Even if I were to explain it to her in Japanese, she wouldn't get it. By which I mean, there's no meaning. Actually, the last song we played today still doesn't have a full set of lyrics. They both sing it, but they haven't figured that out yet! Hahaha.

Are there any other instruments you're looking to use from here on in? Any different styles you want to explore?

Good question. We're searching.

All those instruments on stage - are they all your own?

Yeah. The vibraphone is Koji's. It looks HUGE in his room! Actually, I want to make a kind of story song. Like an animation.

With the vibraphone, you're almost like a progressive rock band.

Haha. Right. Actually, I'm not sure what progressive rock is. I'm still not even sure about chamber pop!

Koji: It's that kind of Canterbury sound. You know, like Soft Machine. Soft rock.

Soft Rock? What, like Bryan Adams? Bon Jovi?

Koji: What? Is that what soft rock is?

Yeah, that kind of thing.

Tomomi: (Looks like she's about to vomit) Arrrrggghh!!

Sometimes we call it 'Hair Rock'.

Ayumu: I had no idea, though I reckon I've got the hair for hair rock.

Koji: In Japan, soft rock is how you might label the Beach Boys.

Well, you've put us in mind of Mr. Big!

Tomomi: We've certainly got to be more careful with these genre labels.

Actually, you might say Brian Wilson was one of the originators of chamber pop. Pet Sounds has got to be one of the first chamber pop albums.

Ayumu: I think we've found our genre! Our friends are always asking what genre we are. I'm never sure. Are we pop? Are we rock? I reckon chamber pop's the way to go. They won't have a clue anyway.

Who would you say is part of your 'scene'? Who do you most often perform with?

Lost in Found, Henry Tennis, Nhhmbase...

You're on the bill with Tenniscoats today...

Yes. Sometimes we get to play with Tenniscoats, though they're up here, and we're way down here.

Koji: Isn't that the case with everyone? Everyone's above us.

Ayumu: True. But it's great to get to play with them.

Koji: We've also played with Shugo Tokumaru...

Ayumu: Yeah, we have. And he's way up there, too.

Look out for Crimson Sky After the Sunset, to be released on TADA Sampler Volume Five in early July, 2008. In the meantime, check our current sampler for Ayumu's side-project, tailor made for a small room. More information on 4 Bonjour's Parties can be found here.

Thanks to James Hadfield for additional questions, and for being a musical brain-box.