Shugo Tokumaru (トクマルシューゴ)

Whenever I hear something by Shugo Tokumaru (トクマルシューゴ), I can't help but envision a Michel Gondry film set in Hawaii, with John Lennon writing a soundtrack full of playful clockwork songs ala Amelie. That's a complicated vision, but that's Shugo Tokumaru for you. His songs are small, unassuming folk pop tunes, but also complex and experimental arrangements of seemingly millions of different instruments. From saws to xylophones to toy pianos to more traditional instruments (you know, like ukuleles, banjos and...are those coconuts?) he manages to pack in a ridiculous variety of textures and styles. His soft, whispery voice pulls it all together into something that is simply impossible to dislike. The songs, while full of small overlapping pieces, manage to be very solid and very catchy.

He also plays in the band Gellers.

Parachute



Official Site
MySpace

Major Releases
Exit (10-2007)
L.S.T. (09-2005)
Night Piece (09-2004)

Button


Green Rain


Future Umbrella (Live)


Karte


Metrion