Anchorsong is the solo project of Masaaki Yoshida, a Japan-born producer based in London whose work is generally classed as downtempo and electronic. He begins his career in Tokyo in 2004 and later relocates to Europe in late 2007.

Live performance

Anchorsong is known for performing electronic music live rather than relying on pre-recorded material. His setup uses a sampler, the MPC2500, and a keyboard in front of the audience, and he presents the act as a solo live performance. He also often works with a string quartet for some appearances.

Releases

His first EP, The Storytelling EP, appears on TAILGATE recordings in 2007. A second EP, The Bodylanguage EP, follows in 2009, and a third, The Lost & Found EP, is issued by Lastrum Music Entertainment in 2010 as a double release with a live DVD. The first three records are available only in Japan.

Live circuit and recognition

After moving to Europe, he supports artists including Bonobo, DJ Krush, Daedelus, Jaga Jazzist, Hexstatic, Guru the Jazzmattaz and DJ Kentaro. He also performs at venues such as Queen Elizabeth Hall in London and the Roundhouse. In 2009 he is invited to appear at SXSW as a UK-based artist, and Huw Stephens of BBC Radio 1 describes his showcase as mind-blowing. He is then introduced on BBC Radio 1 through In New Music We Trust with Huw Stephens, performs a Maida Vale Session for the BBC in early 2010, and is later named by NYLON as one of the artists to watch that summer.