Andrew Koji Shiraki (born February 12, 1987, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States), also known by their stage name Koji, [1] is an American songwriter and activist.

Andrew Koji Shiraki
Koji live on tour with one man band Into It. Over It. 2011.
Koji live on tour with one man band Into It. Over It. 2011.
Background information
Also known asKoji
Born (1987-02-12) February 12, 1987 (age 37)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
GenresFolk, pop punk, indie rock, hardcore punk
OccupationsSinger, songwriter, designer, photographer, activist
LabelsThe Native Sound, Run For Cover Records, No Sleep
Websitekojisaysaloha.com

They signed with Run For Cover Records in August 2010[2] where they released a live EP titled, Spring Song Vol. 1 and their critically acclaimed full band EP, Some Small Way.[3] In October 2010, Koji released their first of two split releases on No Sleep Records, IIOI/KOJI. In 2011, Koji was named one of Alternative Press's "100 Bands do You Need to Know".[4] " Never Come Undone, was released on No Sleep Records.

Since 2010, Koji has toured and performed with a wide range of artists that have included Into It. Over It.,[5] La Dispute,[6] Never Shout Never,[7] Code Orange Kids[8] and also played the entirety of Warped Tour 2012.[9]

Koji was reported to have finished tracking their debut full-length with producer, Will Yip, at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.[10] The album personnel included long time collaborator, Brad Vander Lugt of La Dispute, on drums, as well as Matt Warner of Balance and Composure[11] and Ned Russin of Title Fight on bass.[10]

On December 11, 2012, it was announced that Koji would be performing as part of the Acoustic Basement tour with Geoff Rickly of Thursday, Vinnie Caruana of I Am the Avalanche/The Movielife, A Loss For Words and Brian Marquis in February 2013.[12]

On March 26, 2021, the compilation record Sunday, Someday will be released on Get Better Records,[13] and it features Koji, Potty Mouth, Nervus, Solstice Rey, and Full on Mone't.

Activism

edit

Koji founded the organization COLORMAKE,[1] as a collaborative effort between artists and activists from all over the country. In an effort to bring everyone together all artists, the organization began organizing music & gallery shows, skate & bike jams, workshops, festivals, political demonstrations and other events.[14]

They have partnered with both creative and policy advocacy groups such as The Voice Project and RESOLVE[15][4] on the issue of the LRA in Central Africa. Koji has also performed and spoken at universities in support of NPO's such as Falling Whistles.[16]

Discography

edit
  • Keeping Count 7" (February 9, 2016; The Native Sound)
  • Fury EP (June 16, 2015; No Sleep)
  • Matters EP (November 12, 2013; The Native Sound)
  • Crooked in My Mind (April 30, 2013; Run For Cover)[17]
  • "Distance/Divide" 7" (February 2013; Run For Cover)[18]
  • Never Come Undone (Split 12" w/ La Dispute; May 3, 2011; No Sleep)
  • IIOI/KOJI (Split 12" w/ Into It. Over It.; Nov. 23, 2010; No Sleep)
  • Some Small Way EP (Nov. 9, 2010; Run For Cover)
  • Spring Song Vol. 1 (Sept. 28, 2010; Run For Cover)

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Bryan, Beverly (December 10, 2012). "Koji Folks It Up". Mtv Iggy. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  2. ^ "RUN FOR COVER 2013 » Run For Cover Welcomes Koji". Runforcoverrecords.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
  3. ^ "Koji - Some Small Way EP - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. December 9, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Resolve - About Koji". www.theresolve.org. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  5. ^ "Into It. Over It. and Koji announce UK tour - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. June 27, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  6. ^ "La Dispute post fall tour dates - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  7. ^ "Tours: Never Shout Never / Koji / Kurt Travis / Renee / The Translators". Punknews.org. February 21, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  8. ^ "Koji announces full band and solo shows for October and November - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. October 23, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  9. ^ "Warped plans "acoustic" stage with Kris Roe, Vinnie Caruana, Transit, Koji". Punknews.org. March 7, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Zarrillo, Zack (December 7, 2012). "Koji LP Being Mixed; Members Of LD, B&C, TF As Tracking Band". PropertyOfZack. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  11. ^ Zarrillo, Zack (September 28, 2012). "Koji Recording New Album With B&C, La Dispute Members As Band". PropertyOfZack. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  12. ^ Zarrillo, Zack (December 11, 2012). "POZ Tour: The Acoustic Basement Tour". PropertyOfZack. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  13. ^ "Sunday, Someday, by Sunday, Someday". Sunday, Someday. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  14. ^ "Colormake About". Colormake.tumblr.com. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  15. ^ "Resolve - About Koji". archive.ph. April 16, 2013. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  16. ^ "The Aquinas 2010-04-29 :: University of Scranton Aquinas". Digitalservices.scranton.edu. April 29, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  17. ^ "Koji's Upcoming Album in Mixing Stages - News Article". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  18. ^ "Koji releases limited edition 7" for Acoustic Basement tour - Alternative Press". Altpress.com. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
edit