Ichi

Ichi is a Japanese doujin artist and vocaloid producer, known for the track 4nim0sity [99.999999999%]. Another artist uses the name ICHI and works as a solo performer from Nagoya, Japan, but the name is also associated with the Vocaloid producer.

As a performer, ICHI is described as a one-person act that uses handmade instruments and found objects, including steel drum, ping-pong balls, toys, tape loops, xylophone, double bass and trumpet. The music is presented through a short solo set built around unusual instrument inventions and playful use of everyday materials.

The performer tours in Japan, the UK and Europe and appears at festivals including Green Man, No Direction Home and Glastonbury. At Glastonbury, the set receives a standing ovation. ICHI is also invited to perform with Deerhoof in New York at their Wordless Music Series event.

In Japan, ICHI shares stages with ASA-CHANG & Junray and Shugo Tokumaru. There is also an animation based on the character for NHK, and television appearances on NHK.

The second album, Memo, is recorded onto analogue 8-track tape and released in Japan on the indie label Coup. It draws on the energy of street music in west Africa, the reflectiveness of goat-herders, and the humour of Monty Python.

Outside music, ICHI works as a practising and exhibiting artist and film-maker, and is often shown with a cine camera. He also gathers materials from Bristol skips for musical and sculptural inventions, and makes a human-sized interactive earth xylophone for Forage Festival in Bristol, organised by Qu Junktions. He exhibits in London alongside other musician-artists including Francois Marry, Alessi’s Ark, Kate Stables, Rozi Plain and Rachael Dadd in the show D.I.Y Is All You Need.

Ichi is championed by David Byrne, Tom Robinson and Lauren Laverne.