In 2020, in collaboration with Markus Acher’s (The Notwist) Alien Transistor label, Morr Music released ‘Minna Miteru‘, a compilation of hard-to-find Japanese Indie, which was compiled by Saya of the iconic duo Tenniscoats. They have just announced a follow-up, Minna Miteru 2 (out on Morr Music Sept 2nd 2022 – Pre-Order).
The 26-song album is again compiled by Saya of Tenniscoats, with the support of Markus Acher, although the accompanying notes hint at a wider reaching compilation.
” …drawing from music old and new, spanning styles from gorgeous indie pop via blue-hued electro-pop to wheezing pipe-organ ambient...
“It’s also another part of the Minna Miteru universe, alongside retrospective albums by The Andersens (There Is A Sound, 2020) and yumbo (The Fruit Of Errata, 2021). Taken together, these albums suggest a scene in rude health, sharing a unique vibration.”
A preview of Ginger by Yuko Kono accompanies the album’s announcement-
-alongside a video for Wedding Song, performed by KAMA AINA (Takuji Aoyagi), Ren Takada, MOOSE HILL (Goro Ito):
If this is your first dip into Japanese Indie underground music, then you are in for a pleasant surprise.
The twenty-six songs on Minna Miteru 2 repeatedly catch[es] you unawares, upending your expectations and signalling both the breadth and depth of the Japanese indie underground.
The album features cover art by Berlin-based art director and illustrator Julia Guther and drawings by Ueno ‘Majikick’ Takashi of Tenniscoats.
Minna Miteru 2 LPs arrived and they are a beauty. Thank you @majikickn , danke @morrmusic ! pic.twitter.com/kjQb2K4fFS
— rayonmarkus (@rayonmarkus) August 21, 2022
In 2018, Rachael Dadd presented Folk Radio with a special playlist to mark the 10th anniversary of her musical journey in Japan and to honour “all those generous people who have helped me and inspired me along the way.” Tenniscoats were among those featured, so make sure you have a read and listen.