Bilingual artist brings distinctive sound

In 2002, Asobi Seksu released its self-titled debut album, and it sold out soon after hitting… In 2002, Asobi Seksu released its self-titled debut album, and it sold out soon after hitting store shelves. Yet Asobi Seksu is still unknown.

Now, they are having another go at it. After re-releasing their debut album on Friendly Fire Records this summer, they embarked on a tour of the East Coast that will bring them through the Garfield Artworks tonight for the Harvest Festival.

From their name, it might be assumed that Asobi Seksu is Japanese pop; the name means “play sex” in Japanese. But, in fact, the band hails from New York City and only includes one Japanese member, keyboardist and vocalist Yuki Chikudate. Actually, Yuki, who also adorns the album cover, might more appropriately count as two members.

Singing in both Japanese and English, her sound changes so dramatically that she could be two different singers. On songs such as “Taiyo,” her voice is light and playful, at times almost ethereal. In others songs, like “Walk on the Moon,” which also is the band’s first video release, Yuki’s voice shows a rich depth that coincides with the passionate guitar rifts provided by James Hanna, who also sings in the group. The rest of the band consists of bassist Glenn Waldman and drummer Keith Hopkins.

Asobi Seksu moves effortlessly between a spacey ambient sound and hard rock, at times verging on punk, often doing so within a single song. Lyrically, the band weaves emotions together like poetry put to music in songs like “It’s Too Late” and “Before We Fall.”

Others, like the annoying, repetitive and abrasive “Asobi Masho,” can be grating on a listener’s nerves and show that even a truly talented band can create a bad song now and again. Through it all, though, Asobi Seksu is a gifted, talented band with room to grow further and the potential to add an interesting sound to the music world, that is, if they can ever get noticed.

Asobi Seksu will play an all-ages show at Garfield Artworks tonight at 8 p.m. Admission is $5. For more information, call (412) 802-7096.