{"id":4911,"date":"2026-04-25T13:50:37","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T13:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/25\/an-interview-with-two-japanese-rock-bands-live-from-sxsw\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T13:50:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T13:50:48","slug":"an-interview-with-two-japanese-rock-bands-live-from-sxsw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tmbglobal.news\/index.php\/2026\/04\/25\/an-interview-with-two-japanese-rock-bands-live-from-sxsw\/","title":{"rendered":"An Interview with two Japanese Rock bands live from SXSW"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Live music is always a treat, and one of the many things that South by Southwest 2026 offers is the chance to see both big-name and indie musicians perform. Every year, SXSW hosts Tokyo Calling: a mini, Japanese music festival featuring up-and-coming artists. On a warm afternoon at the Downright Austin, I got the chance to learn more about the independent Japanese music scene by talking to two of the bands performing \u2014 BANSHIMOKU, a punk rock duo, and GOKUMON, a heavy metal act. <\/p>\n

I had initially planned to interview only BANSHIMOKU. But once I was on-site, I was directed and encouraged to speak to GOKUMON first, due to their immediate availability, and then interview BANSHIMOKU once they arrived. In lieu of an interview room or even a green room, I conducted my interview a couple of yards away from the concert stage. It was a very laid-back experience; both the members of GOKUMON and BANSHIMOKU were pleasant to speak with, and excited to talk about their music. With the help of an interpreter (and my fledgling Japanese), I was able to learn a lot about their music.<\/p>\n

GOKUMON<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photo courtesy of Big Picture Media.<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In an interview with The Michigan Daily, GOKUMON guitarist Atsushi Osawa, drummer and vocalist Asuka Kawamoto, and bassist junko spoke about starting the band.<\/p>\n