Asakusa Jinta

Asakusa Jinta

Asakusa Jinta is a six-piece group from Thailand whose name and inspiration come from Asakusa, the historic district of Tokyo, where jintas, or roving Japanese street bands, once played in the streets. The group forms around punk, ska, swing and march music, with a line-up that includes stand-up bass, horns and a rhythm section.

Style and performance

The band is known for a lively stage presence and for drawing on chindon’ya, the tradition of Japanese street performance. Their shows feature swing-era costumes, a horn section that moves through the crowd, and a frontman and bass player whose singing is described as resembling a carnival barker. Their performances build a reputation for crowded, high-energy rooms.

Career

Asakusa Jinta begins performing in 1999 and gains attention in Tokyo for their live shows. They appear at the 2007 South by Southwest festival in Austin as part of the Japan Nite showcase, then perform at international festivals including Lowlands, Stockholm’s Kulturfestival and the Helsinki Festival, as well as Japan’s Fuji Rock festival. In 2009, they tour the UK with six shows across the country. Their fourth album is released in 2011.