Fujiya and Miyagi Release New Single ’Sixteen Shades Of Black And Blue’
aaamusic | On 06, Mar 2011
‘intelligent, insidious pop nous…more addictive than ever’ MOJO
‘Why (shakes fist at the sky) are Fujiya & Miyagi not bigger than K2?’ Time Out
‘a wilfully perverse standalone in British music’ Q
‘taut, suave pop’ The Guardian
‘a ruddy fine album; if Fujiya & Miyagi have yet to pop up on your radar, now is the time to switch it on’ iDJ 10/10
‘the kind of low-slung glam funk that makes us feel a bit dirty-in-a-good way’ NME
‘full of voguish continental sophistication and sinister implication’ The Independent
Following the rapturous response to latest album ‘Ventriloquizzing’, Fujiya and Miyagi are set to release ‘Sixteen Shades Of Black And Blue’ as their next single on the 14th March through Full Time Hobby. Fujiya and Miyagi are currently on tour with support from fellow Brighton electronicists Mirrors, full details of the live shows are below, including their biggest London show to date at Heaven on the 8th March.
In addition to the single, Fujiya and Miyagi are giving away a scuffed-up electronic rework of album track ‘Cat Got Your Tongue’ by newcomers Ghost Eyes. Click to download their remix here as premiered over on The Quietus
Instantly identifiable as Fujiya and Miyagi thanks to frontman David Best’s distinct deadpan delivery,
‘Sixteen Shades Of Black And Blue’ has an ultra-sleazy, throbbing, dirty electro-glam beat and deeply menacing lyrics. “I like the fact that you don’t know what the victim has done to provoke threats of violence,” says David. “It is never explained and remains open to interpretation. It would be great if it became a football terrace chant.”
Befitting a song like this, the band has produced an ultra-creepy video, directed by Bert and Bertie, in which a demented ventriloquist beats up his dummies. If you’re the sort of person who can’t watch horror films, we seriously recommend you don’t look at it on YouTube:
Whilst you’re there, you can also see this very strange interview clip as conducted via the band’s ventriloquist dummies by a cornucopia of unusual interviewers:
‘Sixteen Shades Of Black And Blue’ also includes previously unreleased B-side ‘Full Stops & Commas’.
The Brighton-based Kraut/funk/electronica band’s fourth album, ‘Ventriloquizzing’ has found Fujiya and Miyagi returning with a renewed sense of purpose. “We wanted to make a record that was different from anything we had done before,” says David. Bassist Matt Hainsby agrees: “We wanted to try things that would take us in a new direction musically and create a different atmosphere.”
The atmosphere is notably darker than before – forceful, aggressive and confrontational, but all the while maintaining the taut, minimalistic funk and dark humour that’s become their calling card. “It’s quite an accusatory record, but you never know why, or what the target of the accusation has done,” says David. “I think there’s an underlying anger, or perhaps just annoyance, at institutions and people in general, and probably ourselves too.”
Inspired by the title, the four-piece (David plus bassist Matt Hainsby, synth player Steve Lewis and drummer Lee Adams) had a set of Fujiya & Miyagi dummies made up, initially with the idea of sending them to photo and video shoots in place of the the real people. “Once or twice I’ve been caught with the little doppelgänger on my knee chatting away,” says Matt. “I’m not sure it’s the most healthy pastime.”
Either the band or the dummies will be packing their bags for a short UK tour in March, do catch their excellent live show here before they head off for shows in Germany, USA, France and Italy.
Fujiya and Miyagi UK live dates
3rd March Salford – Islington Mill
www.seetickets.com / 0115 912 9000
4th March Leeds – Brudenell Social Club
www.seetickets.com / www.jumborecords.co.uk / 0113 2455570
5th March Bristol – The Fleece
www.bristolticketshop.co.uk / 0117 929 9008
8th March) London – Heaven with support from Mirrors and Ghost Eyes
www.wegottickets.com/event/101359 / 08444771000 / 08702643333
