Here are the latest press items on Kagero.
KAGERO (part of Deli BEAF: Best of Emerging Artist Fest), Unveiled Arts, by Brian Fee - 05/25/2011
Kaz Fujimoto, frontman for Brooklyn gypsy rockers Kagero, is a lanky dude decked in duds seemingly culled from a transatlantic shopping spree. His British-accented English furthers the case, reflecting the guitarist's travels from small-town Yamaguchi to the Big Apple fifteen-plus years ago, with Europe in between. "Contemporary gypsy" isn't new here, considering downtown powerhouses Gogol Bordello, but there's something magical in the grooves of Kagero's 2009 album, Japanese Gypsy Rock. Fujimoto's "cultural confusion," abetted by metalhead bassist Robbie Simpson and half-Japanese Midwestern fiddler J.W., sounds totally natural after a minute — I found myself effortlessly swaying my arms to intoxicators like "My Little Bonita." That sort of global sonic concoction is a welcome fix.
Bands Descend on JC’s Pearl Studios for Eclectic DIY Show, Jersey City Independent, by Jim Testa - 04/26/2011
As insane as it was to hear ska sung in Spanish, the next band, Kagero, proved to be an even more fascinating mishmash of influences. The Brooklyn quartet calls its music “Japanese gypsy rock,” with hyperkinetic, Japanese-born frontman Kaz Fujimoto playing off of the exquisite gypsy violin of the musician who simply calls himself “J.W.” Jamaican rhythms clash with Balkan melodies, Asian tonalities, and flamenco flourishes; Gogol Bordello and World/Inferno Friendship Society come to mind as possible comparisons, but really, Kagero has a sound that ranks as truly unique, alternately romantic, danceable, and inspiring.
Mohawks and Accordions: Top 10 Gypsy Punk Bands, MTV Iggy, by Isabela Raygoza - 02/04/2011
Kagero fuses Japanese gypsy rock? Yes, you read right (Kagero actually means “mirage” or “heat haze” in Japanese). Clearing through the haze, Japan-born frontman Kaz Fujimoto states in an interview, “Cultural confusion is our specialty.” Living a nomadic life, Kaz migrated to London, Paris, Dublin and finally arrived to New York City to create Kagero. The quartet debuted none other than Japanese Gypsy Rock in 2009 which offers jaw-dropping instrumentation and an upbeat melting pot of violin-driven, “urban-gypsyphonic” melodies, and harmonica-blowing tonalities from Eastern Europe, South America to Asia. You’ll know what we mean when you listen to “My Little Bonita.”
Gig Alert: Kagero, by Marlon Bishop, WNYC Culture Producer – 10/26/2010
If you had any doubt that we live in a deeply globalized world, pop Kagero into the CD player. The group, led by the Japanese, Brooklyn-based artist Kaz Fujimoto, bills itself as “Japanese Gypsy Rock,” and it’s a fairly apt description. This track, “2 + 1 is Almost 5,” has that distinctly bawdy Balkan party sound pioneered by Golgol Bordello, and is sung in accented English. The band throws in some Spanish catch phrases for good measure. This may seem like a hodgepodge of ingredients, but Kagero isn’t aiming to be coherant. As Fujimoto says, "cultural confusion is our specialty."
Album Review, “Kagero creates romantic”, Star Beat Music – 08/21/2010
Kagero sounds good. That's no exaggeration. They play a style of music that one may not expect. Their debut album, Japanese Gypsy Rock, also an apt description for them highlights the band's diverse influences. They create a concoction of pretty music. Music you can slow dance to. Music you can kiss to. Music you can fall in love with. Romantic music. This romantic tone is apparent in the first song "My Little Bonita." The words radiate closely to your heart. The acoustic and violin is sweet. The vocals are lovely and crisp. The song is definitely bonita (beautiful). If you like flamenco and Gogol Bordello, then this band is for you! Every song is a gem.
Album Review, SoundRoots World Music and Culture (KOAS) – 04/19/2010
As you might surmise from their album name, Kagero are a group that does not toe the line of a particular musical tradition. Kagero bandleader Kaz Fujimoto celebrates this odd mashup of traditions. "Cultural confusion," he says, "is our specialty." Of course, untangling the influences is futile, when one should be enjoying the delicious angst of "Grappa" or dancing to "2 + 1 Is Almost 5."
Kagero: Japanese Gypsy Rock [Album Review], FensePost, by Ron Trembath - 12/16/2009
Kagero (Japanese for “Heat Haze”) is so entirely ethnically entertaining, Jack and Meg White should very well be jealous of their originality. Their Eastern Europe masquerade is more than impressive. It is inspiring. Kaz and company have given us a strange and eccentric gift that many of us didn’t even know we’d been missing. Therefore, Japanese Gypsy Rock may very well be one of the finest releases of the the year.
Article by by Meijin Bruttomesso, The Deli – NY Scene Blog - 11/18/2009
Bed-Stuy-based Kagero’s newest record “Japanese Gypsy Rock,” due out November 19, 2009, is appropriately titled for the band’s striking fusion of sounds from around the world. Taking lead on violin, J.W. masters Eastern-inspired fiddle glissandos and double-stops, while bassist/vocalist Rob Simpson adds a salsa swing and klezmer kick. Kaz Fujimoto, defines “Japanese Gypsy Rock:” hailing from Japan, entertaining in a lounge-meets-Bohemian vocal style, and accessorizing each track with flamenco guitar and select Spanish phrases on standout tracks “My Little Bonita,” “1 + 2 Is Almost 5,” “Red and Black,” and “Grappa. Guest musicians, Georgie Markov (drums), Yoed (cello), Wynn Yamami (chindon, aka Japanese drum), and Emilio (trumpet) ably enhance “JGR” in these notable selections. Rooted in uplifting elements from eclectic origins, "Japanese Gypsy Rock" unites Kagero’s musical influences and talents into a cross-culture dance party.
CMJ Show Review, by Darcy James Argue, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society – 10/26/2009
. . . the acoustic guitarist jumped up on a table and began strumming, and the other members of the group -- on violin, bass, and strap-on marching-band style drums -- circulated through the audience with an all-acoustic prelude. Unfortunately, once Kagero took the stage and began playing, technical gremlins began multiplying. Finally the leader made the obvious call -- "We'll play acoustic." He brought the vocal mic into the middle of the room, and the band came down from the stage to play a truly cathartic set of clap-and-stomp-along Gypsy party music in the middle of the crowd. The energy of the moment touched off a crazy dance party amongst the Brazilians, who also began dismantling the on-stage drum kit, bringing the toms into the audience so they could join in the madness. And that's when Kagero started busting out some traditional Brazilian songs...
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