Japanese Art Rock Duo
【About KAO=S】
KAO=S (pronounced as kəɔs) is Japanese art rock duo formed by KAORI "LADY SAMURAI" KAWABUCHI (Vocal / Sword dance), and composer SHUJI YAMAGIRI(Guitar/Vocal).
They formed to create a new style of Japanese music and show from the chaos following 2011 big earthquake in Japan.
The pronunciation of KAO=S (kəɔs) comes from the Japanese pronunciation of chaos, and the spelling of it means the creation of Kaori and Shuji.
Their music is based on guitar rock tones, arranged with Japanese instruments, and has a wide range of musical styles, including progressive instrumental rock songs and twin-vocal songs by Kaori and Shuji.
Kaori is also a sword dancer, actress and motion capture performer and she not only sings in her shows but also performs powerful and beautiful sword dances.Their show features Japanese elements scattered throughout, twin vocals, and expressions with whole body by Kaori. They have performed shows in many countries with elements of artistry, ethnicity, rock and spectacle.
They perform with variety of styles to express their unique world view. Their shows are sometimes performed by only Kaori and Shuji with backing tracks, sometimes with the addition of Japanese instrumentalists and sword dance performers.
In recent years, they have performed shows in Spain and Germany with an additional formation of sword dance performers, Japanese instrumentalists and dancers, which have been well received.
Kaori and Shuji are creating Japanese style entertainment team.
The special performance team "LADY SAMURAI'S CHAOS" consisting of the rock duo KAO=S, sword dancers, and Japanese instrumentalists will perform shows in various locations.
【History of KAO=S】
in 2010
Shuji composed "Sakura no Oni" inspired by Kaori's Japanese sword dance. Their first gig was held in Tokyo on December.
in 2011
They added Shamisen Player and formed a trio band KAO=S.
in 2012
They were invited to SXSW music festivals and gained the audience's excitement. The following, six cities US tour (Austin, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas) was also very successful.
in 2013
As well as appearing on the stage of SXSW for the second time, they performed in Nippon Connection (Germany), Japan Underground (UK) and Japan Expo Paris (France). The 1st album“Monogatari" was released. They had special gig at WWW in Tokyo.
In 2014
CNN international (US) program, Art of Movement, offered them a spot and shot in Tokyo, and they were introduced worldwide.
In 2015
They played in Dalian, China for international cultural interaction purposes. After that, they flew to Sao Paulo, Brazil and performed at Japan and Brazil's 120th anniversary in the Interlagos F1 circuit to energize 10,000 people. Their 2nd Album “Dawn of the Planet Chaos” was released.
In 2016
They had a successful performance in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, in front of an audience of 15,000 people at Organizing Committee of Celebration of the 80th Anniversary of Japanese Immigration to Paraguay.
In 2017
They performed in Salon Del Manga cultura y japonesa(Alicante, Spain).
During the recording 3rd album AMRITA, they became duo formed by only Kaori and Shuji to express music and stages wider.
In 2018
Their 3rd album“AMRITA”was released. This year's career included a performance at SPLORE FESTIVAL (Auckland,New Zealand) and Main Matsuri (Frankfurt am Main,Germany). “Yu” which is the theme song of Main Matsuri was released.
They had a solo concert in Shibuya Pleasure Pleasure Hall in Tokyo.
In 2019
This year's career included a performance at Main Matsuri (Frankfurt am Main,Germany), China Dream (inner Mongolia) and Anime Comic Con (Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia). They had a special solo concert with many musicians in Shibuya Pleasure Pleasure Hall in Tokyo again.
In 2020
They had their first solo hall concert in Frankfurt am Main,Germany. It was sold-out and very successful.
Their activities were limited due to covid-19, but they put on 2 solo concerts in Tokyo.
In 2021
They were invited to Main Matsuri (Frankfurt am Main,Germany) and performed as a headliner in each days.
They put on 2 solo concerts in Tokyo.
In 2022
KAO=S performed with Kaori's sword dance team in Salon Del Manga cultura y japonesa (Alicante, Spain) in April. Following that, when they were invited to Main Matsuri (Frankfurt am Main,Germany).
The collaboration of music, sword dancers and Japanese instruments is currently being prepared to be called "LADY SAMURAI'S CHAOS".
In 2023
In Janualy, LADY SAMURAI'S CHAOS includes sword dance team and Japanese traditional instrumentalists performed in (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) . In August, they performed at Main Matsuri (Frankfurt am Main,Germany).
In Oct, KAO=S produced Japanese style entertainment show called "Tokyo wa Chaos" in Tokyo.