Photo by Kim Hiorthøy

Nisennenmondai prefer playing music over talking, and if you listen to the way Sayaka Himeno (drums), Yuri Zaikawa (bass) and Masako Takada (guitar) communicate on their latest record Destination Tokyo, it’s understandable. Over ten years ago, they met in college and started a band without having played much music. A decade later, they consistently put on shows that are loud and enervating, with music that sounds like the noise of robots psionically mindfucking each other. Sonic Youth, ESG and NEU! make up the musical DNA of this trio but the way they execute their music is all their own. True to their minimalist aesthetic, the ladies of Nisennenmondai respond to our questions with brevity and concision.

Interview translated from the Japanese by Esther Kim

EM: Battles and No Age became great fans of your music while touring in Japan. Describe what it was like performing with them.

Happy.

EM: How did the three of you decide to start a band? And at what point did you develop the chemistry you have now?

We met through a club in college and started our band.

EM: Describe your songwriting and recording process.

We do a session and expand the good parts.

EM: What music did you grow up listening to? How do you define the “perfect” sound for your songs?

Lots of different things but not really that much. We are still looking for the perfect sound.

EM: Can you recommend any local Japanese bands (friends or not)?

Oshiri Penpens

EM: Which projects are you currently working on and how far away are you from any plans to tour?

In October, we will be doing an event, “DJ Nisennenmondai Night,” at a gallery. We don’t have plans for a tour.

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http://www.nisennenmondai.com/

http://www.myspace.com/nisennenmondai