Picture a British and Japanese fusion anime band. Is there a clear visual in your head? Lots of color, kitschy Sanrio looking stuffed animals, and music that somehow sounds like Nintendo circa 1995. This is Kero Kero Bonito, a trio comprised of singer Sarah Midori Perry, producers Jamie Bulled, and Gus Lobban (AKA Kane West also AKA Augustus).
Kero Kero Bonito is a band that evokes this comfortable type of nostalgia, placing you in the living room floor of your neighbor’s house, fighting over controllers and who gets to be Yoshi, begging for the race to be had at Koopa Troopa’s Beach for Mario Kart, and then dancing in dress up clothes with way too many sparkles.
The only catch is that they’re not from 1995. Although they write most of their music on a Casio SA-45, there’s this modern, indie-synth pop hint to their sonic landslides into Hello Kitty’s playground. Along with the upbeat, bubblegum rhythms, Sarah Perry sings and raps in both English and Japanese. Kero Kero Bonito has the ability to create this strange, fusion of nostalgia and futuristic sounds. They’re both a trip back to our video gaming days, and also a kaleidoscope detailed telescope into the future of sound.
Either way, they’re definitely our top choice for bands that bridge culture gaps.
