Today Guruguru Brain have announced details of a joint tour between two of their artists, Maya Ongaku and Mong Tong 夢東.
Hailing from the seaside communities surrounding Enoshima, a small island located 50 km southwest of Tokyo, Maya Ongaku is a ragtag collective of local musicians whose brand of earthy psychedelia transcends widely beyond the roots of their inner souls. Their debut album ‘Approach To Anima’ was released on Guruguru Brain in May, building a foundational groove while tapping into their innermost psyche. Sonoda’s malleable guitar and vocals, Takano’s sinuous bass lines, Ikeda’s floating woodwinds, and a sprinkling of delicate percussion—all coalesce into an aural experience that’s assertive yet abstract, calm but unsettling. It’s a concise distillation of their many interests and influences, from Neo-Dada and Fluxus, to where contemporary art intersects with the development of modern recording technology in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Listen to Maya Ongaku’s ‘Approach to Anima’:
The following month, Taiwanese pysch band Mong Tong 夢東, formed by brothers Hom Yu and Jiun Chi, released their latest album “Tao Fire 道火“. Mong Tong has been described as part of a new wave of Taiwanese music that draws on the country’s rich cultural heritage while pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic territory. They have also been noted for their visually striking album artwork, music videos and special outfits. Overall, Mong Tong is a unique and exciting addition to the global psychedelic music scene, offering a fresh perspective and a fascinating blend of musical and cultural influences. “Tao Fire 道火“ incorporates local elements such as gamelan music, phin guitar, tabla drums, and Taiwan sisomi while sampling more sounds from the street of Southeast Asia, including weddings, funerals, and traditional celebrations. The album takes us to a land that is both familiar and fresh. Feel the hot, the crowd, humidity, and ecstasy.Welcome to Mong Tong’s subtropical world.
Listen to Mong Tong’s ‘Tao Fire 道火’:
This November, both bands will tour Europe for the first time, playing the following venues:
Nov 05 DE Berlin – Urban Spree
Nov 08 FR Limoges – CCM Jean Gagant
Nov 09 FR Bordeaux – Blonde Venus
Nov 12 NL Utrecht – Le Guess Who?
Nov 13 UK London – Shacklewell Arms
Nov 14 UK Bristol – Crofters Rights
Nov 15 UK Manchester – White Hotel
Nov 17 DE Munich – Alien Puzzle
Nov 19 DE Leipzig – TransCentury Update
Nov 21 DK Aarhus – VoxHall @ Part
Nov 22 DE Hamburg – MS Stubnitz
Nov 23 BE Liege – Kulture A
Nov 24 NL Amsterdam – De Nieuwe Anita
