【history】

Little Phrase is a five-man band from Yamaguchi, Japan. 

2008
They started working on their debut album to be released by novel sounds, an independent label in Hiroshima.

2009
First album "landscape" was released on September of 2009. Their cd has been sold in record stores throughout Japan, also featured in some magazines and the web. As their album "landscape" is highly regarded from a domestic and foreign artists and the listener.

2010
"Landscape" release tour had done in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka. And they started working on their new EP.

2011
They are getting ready to release "time EP " in  April. 

【web】
http://www.littlephrase.com/

Benevolent Machines is a musical project by Dev Saha with influences from guitar-driven psychedelia with layers of grunge, shoegaze, noise rock, and post-rock.

A Canadian in Nara, Japan who makes ambient, drone, electroacoustic & field recording-based work. 
Tapes on Metaphysical Circuits & Midnight Circles. Split w/Amulets on Tandem Tapes out soon. 
Comp tracks on Metaphysical Circuits (DK), Patient Sounds, Darker Days Ahead (USA), Niceshopsu (JP). 
Art director/curator for Muzan Editions, a cassette label focussing on ambient, drone, sound art
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This account is for my contributions to the Disquiet Junto, plus the occasional cross-post of whatever new noise I'm cooking up over at my artist account: https://soundcloud.com/standardgrey 
:::RIYL:::Small noises, uncertain forms, improvised healing rituals and clumsy attempts at levitation.
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■Releases
□"Matters of the Affection"
https://apple.co/3Jpg5f0

□"Underneath The City of The Bloom"
https://apple.co/3qVZiKs

□"Gate" as Jomyak, beat music project.
https://bit.ly/3qNWVJn

■Stage Works
Work as the sound artist & the concept director in contemporary dance performances.

□“Defection for beginners: The Country of Dreams”
Got grand prix in "Yokohama Dance Collection 2019".
And was performed in "Hong Kong Dance Exchange 2020".
https://bit.ly/3NHIj7G

■Organizing
□"Bion Sonic"
"Bion" (微音) means soft & low volume sound.
It was the most silent & miniature music festival.

■About
Masayuki Nii is an innovative sound artist who transcends the boundaries of traditional music, embodying a deep empathy towards others and human warmth. His unique creative approach designs space and time through sound, generating multidimensional experiences that deeply impact listeners.

Nii values evolution and growth over perfection. His philosophy derives from the "Co-Active Coaching Model," asserting that "people are Naturally Creative, Resourceful, and Whole". This belief shapes his perspective on music and art, viewing them as more than just entertainment. For Nii, these forms are means of exploration and communication that should be engaged actively rather than passively.

Throughout his career, Nii has extensively collected live sound recordings and field recordings. He carefully layers these sounds to create captivating works. This artistic process is a pursuit of the orthodox and at the same time a kind of rebellion, seeking the true essence behind names, labels, categories, and attributes. He hopes his work provides comfort and motivation to others.

Not only in his individual works but Nii also brings his distinctive sound design into contemporary dance performances, demonstrating his leadership and creative direction skills. He is also creatively active as a record label release director and event organizer.

He cherishes the idea of Serenity Prayer, the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. This philosophy is a testament to his positivity, personal growth, and commitment to change through sound.

Nii also works as a web developer, possessing the ability to bridge the gap between art and technology. His creative activities aim to connect the world of sensuous art with the world of intellectual material, providing new perspectives and insights by moving between these two worlds. This act brings consistency and multifacetedness to his work, offering a richer experience to listeners.

Tetsuji Matsuo
drummer / composer
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In early childhood, I was awakened to music when I heard the lion dance music at a neighborhood Japanese traditional festival, and began playing toy drums.
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I was a member of the Brass Band Club from 4th to 6th grade in elementary school, where I played percussion, snare, and bass drums.  I started playing the drum set in a rock band when I was a high school student and continued to play mostly rock music in bands around the Tokyo and Osaka area during my college years in Japan.
 
In 2005, I moved to the Spokane Washington in the U.S. and enrolled in the music department at Whitworth College, where I studied jazz drums, percussion, and a wide range of music, including classical music.  In addition to drumming, I began to compose and play the piano.  My instructors were Brent Edstrom, Paul Raymond, Rick Westrick, Dan Cox, and Todd Strait.  From 2006 to 2008, I performed as a drummer with the campus bands at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho. I graduated as cum laude.
 
My musical influences include jazz, classical, rock, electronica, and club music.  The drummers Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, John Bonham, and Brian Blade have influenced me tremendously. 
 
After returning to Japan in 2008, I began composing and improvising music with piano and drums.  Two of my compositions have been aired on Ryuichi Sakamoto's radio program, "RADIO SAKAMOTO". In 2012, I released my 1st solo EP "flow".
 
In 2014, I formed the band Black Mountain Conception with a guitarist Ryo Okada. In 2016, I released my 1st solo album "journey".
 
In 2021, I participated in the creation of music for dancer/choreographer Yu Shimomura's dance piece “Defection for beginners: The country of VOICE” and contributed to the new album "Nova Naturo" by internationally active musician and sound artist Haco.  Recently, I remastered and re-released my EP "flow" which was originally released in 2012.
 
In addition to that mentioned above, I have consistently performed in many live concerts at jazz clubs and other venues.
 
I currently live in my hometown, Ako-city, Hyogo Prefecture, where I continue my musical activities.
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△「journey」 https://tetsujimatsuo.bandcamp.com/album/journey​
 
○「flow」 https://tetsujimatsuo.bandcamp.com/album/flow
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★ Black Mountain Conception : https://www.blackmountainconception.com
 
☆ Haco「Nova Naturo」: https://haco-sound.bandcamp.com/album/nova-naturo
 
＊ Yu Shimomura「“Defection for beginners: The country of VOICE” 」: https://vimeo.com/563304865
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松尾 哲治
　
兵庫県生まれ
ドラマー、作曲家
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幼児期、近所のお祭りの獅子舞のお囃子を聴いて音楽に目覚め、おもちゃの太鼓を叩き始める。
 
小学４年生から６年生までブラスバンドクラブに在籍し、小太鼓や大太鼓などのパーカッションを担当した。高校時代からドラムを始め、バンド活動を開始する。主にロックバンドに在籍し、関東、関西で活動する。
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2005年、ジャズを学ぶため渡米。西海岸のリベラルアーツカレッジ Whitworth College に入学し、音楽を専攻する。ジャズドラムを中心にパーカッション全般、クラシックも含め広く音楽を学ぶ。Brent Edstrom, Paul Raymond, Rick Westrick, Dan Cox, Todd Strait に師事した。渡米後は作曲活動も始め、ドラムの演奏とともに、自作品の制作も行う。2006年から2008年まで Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival にドラマーとして、学内バンドとともに出演。"Cum Laude" 優秀生として卒業した。
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そして、ジャズ、クラシック、ロック、エレクトロニカ、クラブミュージックなどいろいろな音楽から影響を受ける。ドラムでは特に、Elvin Jones、Tony Williams、Jack DeJohnette、John Bonham、Brian Blade から大きな影響を受ける。それに加え、留学中からピアノも弾くようになる。
 
2008年帰国後、ピアノとドラムを中心とする即興音楽を制作するようになる。自作の2曲が、坂本龍一氏のラジオ番組、”RADIO SAKAMOTO” のオーディションコーナーでオンエアされる。2012年、ソロでの 1st EP 「flow」をリリースする。
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2014年、ギタリストの Ryo Okada と Black Mountain Conception を結成、活動を開始する。そして2016年、ソロでの 1st album 「journey」をリリースした。
 
2021年、ダンサー・振付家 下村唯のダンス作品「亡命入門 声の国」の音楽制作に参加する。世界的に活動している音楽家・サウンドアーティスト Haco のニューアルバム「Nova Naturo」(ノヴァ・ナチュロ)に参加した。そして、2012年に発表していたEP「flow」をリマスタリングし再リリースした。
 
その他、ジャズクラブなどでのライブに多数出演。
 
現在は故郷の兵庫県赤穂市に在住し音楽活動を続けている。

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