Luminous Orange is an alternative rock band formed 1992 in Yokohama, Japan.[1] The band has evolved from an all female group to a solo project headed by composer, singer & guitarist Rie Takeuchi.

Luminous Orange
OriginYokohama, Japan
GenresAlternative rock, shoegazing, dream pop, bossa nova, lounge
Years active1992–present
LabelsCream Cone Records, Trattoria, Friendly Science
MembersRie Takeuchi
Past membersKazuko Sakamoto
Mieko Okazaki
Kaname Banba
Tarow Nisawa
Websitewww5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~luminous/

History

edit

Originally conceived as a 4-piece girl band,[2] Luminous Orange went through several member changes by 2002, resulting in it becoming the solo project of its composer, singer & guitarist, Rie Takeuchi. The group has often been categorized as Alternative, Dream pop,[3] and Shoegaze. From the fact that they had released some of their material from Cornelius' label "Trattoria", they are often considered as one of the Shibuya-kei artists.

The group has inspired fellow and follower musicians such as Number Girl, Hidaka from Beat Crusaders and Condor44. Cornelius and Ian Masters (Pale Saints) were drawn to the band's sound and released Luminous Orange's material under their Trattoria and Friendly Science labels, respectively. This move resulted in good chart action and the accumulated sales of 22,000 copies.

The band is also active in playing abroad. Although they couldn't meet the request to play at Collette Millennium Party 2001 in Paris and CMJ Music Marathon 2001 (due to 9/11), they played at CMJ 2004[4] and SXSW 2006[5] & 2007[6] with good response. In Taiwan, they participated in the Formoz Festival 2007, at which Yo La Tengo and Buffalo Daughter, also played.

Rie has also sung on a couple of tracks of Ian Masters' Friendly Science Orchestra single, Miniature Album.[7] The single was selected as 'Single of The Week' by NME. Ian also sang with Luminous Orange as a guest vocalist on two occasions.[8]

Members

edit
  • Rie Takeuchi (composer, singer, guitarist, etc.)

Current supporting musicians

edit

Past members

edit
  • Kazuko Sakamoto (B)
  • Mieko Okazaki (Dr)
  • Kaname Banba (Dr)
  • Tarow Nisawa (B)

Discography

edit

Albums

edit
  • Vivid Short Trip (1996)
  • Waiting for the Summer (1997)
  • Sugarcoated (1998)
  • Drop You Vivid Colours (2002)
  • Vivid Short Trip 7 Stops Farther (Reissue) (2004)
  • Sakura Swirl (2007)
  • Songs of Innocence (2010)
  • Soar, Kiss The Moon (2014)
  • Puppy Dog Mail EP (1998)
  • luminousorangesuperplastic (1999)
  • luminousorangesugarplastic (2000)

Compilation(s)

edit
  • Best of Luminous Orange (2009)

References

edit
  1. ^ Martin, Ian. "Luminous Orange Biography". All Music. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  2. ^ Tanizawa, Chihiro (20 July 2016). "邦楽オルタナティブ好きなのにルミナスオレンジを知らないのはもったいない". Basement-Times (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  3. ^ Beets, Greg (23 February 2007). "Japaniversary". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 1 September 2024. You wouldn't want to eat a Luminous Orange, but this Yokohama quintet whips up a perfectly ethereal concoction of 4AD dream pop by way of shibuya-kei.
  4. ^ "CMJ 2004 Music Marathon Performance Schedule". CMJ.com. 16 October 2004. Archived from the original on 16 October 2004. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  5. ^ "SXSW 2006 Bands Announced". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  6. ^ "[HY] SXSW 日本からの出演者発表!" [[HY] SXSW Announcement of Performers from Japan]. 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). 11 February 2007. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Miniature Album, by Friendly Science Orchestra". Bandcamp. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  8. ^ "日本のシューゲイザー・シーン特集~cruyff in the bedroom INTERVIEW - CDJournal CDJ PUSH" [Japan's Shoegaze Scene Report~cruyff in the bedroom INTERVIEW - CDJournal CDJ PUSH]. www.cdjournal.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 June 2024. 新作『sakuraswirl』(2007年)には、元ペイル・セインツのイアン・マスターズがヴォーカル参加。 [Their new album, "sakuraswirl" (2007), features the vocals of ex-Pale Saints member Ian Masters.]
edit