Genie High (ジェニーハイ) is a Japanese progressive indie band, notably fronted by Enon Kawatani (川谷 健太) of Gesu no Kiwami Otome (ゲスの極み乙女) and Ikkyu Nakajima (中嶋 イッキュウ) of Tricot (トリコ). The band includes members with various backgrounds in the Japanese entertainment scene,[1] including controversial composer Takashi Niigaki (新垣 隆), comedian TV host Kazutoyo Koyabu (小籔 千豊) and TV personality / comedic actor Kunihiro Kawashima (川島 邦裕) also known as Kukki (くっきー!).
Genie High ジェニーハイ | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | indie pop, progressive pop |
| Years active | 2018—present |
| Labels | WARNER MUSIC JAPAN INC. |
| Members | Enon Kawatani (vocals, guitar) Ikkyu Nakajima (vocals, guitar) Takashi Niigaki (keyboard) Kazutoyo Koyabu (drums) Kunihiro Kawashima (bass) |
| Website | genie-high |
Biography edit
The band was formed after Nakajima, Niigaki, and Kukki appeared regularly on the talk-show Bazooka!!!,[2] hosted by Koyabu.[1] The show was run as an experiment aimed at garnering attention from the press.[3] Spelt out in katakana, the name means "transcending genius".[4]
Since their debut, MV was released on March 15, 2018[5] they have gone on to release one EP and two albums,[6] which have each enjoyed some chart success. The self-titled EP Genie High (ジェニーハイ) debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Japan "Hot Albums" chart.[7] This was followed by the full-length release Genie High Story (ジェニーハイストーリー) in November 2019, which debuted at number 18.[8] Then in September 2021, the band's second full-length album Genie Star (ジェニースター) debuted at number 8.[9]
Despite the band reportedly finding it difficult to find time to perform due to their other commitments,[10] they recorded the live performance Arena Genie (アリーナジェニー) released on DVD in January 2022.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b "Genie High scores 2018's first J-pop surprise thanks to comedians, TV talent and a little past controversy". SBS PopAsia. March 21, 2018.
- ^ "BAZOOKA!!!". BSスカパー！（BS241）.
- ^ "Genie High on Apple Music". music.apple.com.
- ^ "GENIE HIGH | SONGS OF TOKYO Festival 2021 | NHK". SONGS OF TOKYO.
- ^ "ジェニーハイ「片目で異常に恋してる」" – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Genie High Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums | Charts | 2018/10/24".
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums | Charts | 2019/12/04".
- ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums | Charts | 2021/09/08".
- ^ "＜インタビュー＞目標はスタジアム・バンド！ 音楽集団としてのジェニーハイ、上質なポップ・アルバムとしての『ジェニーハイストーリー』について".
- ^ "ジェニーハイ、ちゃんみなやアイナ・ジ・エンド参加のライブ映像作品『アリーナジェニー』1月リリース". 1 December 2021.