Genie High Explained

Genie High
Native Name:ジェニーハイ
Origin:Tokyo, Japan
Genre:indie pop, progressive pop
Years Active:2018—present
Label:WARNER MUSIC JAPAN INC.
Associated Acts:Gesu no Kiwami Otome, Tricot
Current Members:Enon Kawatani (vocals, guitar)
Ikkyu Nakajima (vocals, guitar)
Takashi Niigaki (keyboard)
Kazutoyo Koyabu (drums)
Kunihiro Kawashima (bass)

Genie High (ジェニーハイ) is a Japanese progressive indie band, notably fronted by Enon Kawatani (川谷 健太) of Gesu no Kiwami Otome (ゲスの極み乙女) and Ikkyu Nakajima (中嶋 イッキュウ) of Tricot (トリコ). The band includes members with various backgrounds in the Japanese entertainment scene,[1] including controversial composer Takashi Niigaki (新垣 隆), comedian TV host Kazutoyo Koyabu (小籔 千豊) and TV personality / comedic actor Kunihiro Kawashima (川島 邦裕) also known as (くっきー!).

Biography

The band was formed after Nakajima, Niigaki, and Kukki appeared regularly on the talk-show Bazooka!!!,[2] hosted by Koyabu.[1] The show was run as an experiment aimed at garnering attention from the press.[3] Spelt out in katakana, the name means "transcending genius".[4]

Since their debut, MV was released on March 15, 2018[5] they have gone on to release one EP and two albums,[6] which have each enjoyed some chart success. The self-titled EP Genie High (ジェニーハイ) debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Japan "Hot Albums" chart.[7] This was followed by the full-length release Genie High Story (ジェニーハイストーリー) in November 2019, which debuted at number 18.[8] Then in September 2021, the band's second full-length album Genie Star (ジェニースター) debuted at number 8.[9]

Despite the band reportedly finding it difficult to find time to perform due to their other commitments,[10] they recorded the live performance Arena Genie (アリーナジェニー) released on DVD in January 2022.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Genie High scores 2018's first J-pop surprise thanks to comedians, TV talent and a little past controversy. March 21, 2018. SBS PopAsia.
  2. Web site: BAZOOKA!!!. BSスカパー!(BS241).
  3. Web site: Genie High on Apple Music. music.apple.com.
  4. Web site: GENIE HIGH | SONGS OF TOKYO Festival 2021 | NHK. SONGS OF TOKYO.
  5. Web site: ジェニーハイ「片目で異常に恋してる」. 15 March 2018 . www.youtube.com.
  6. Web site: Genie High Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More. AllMusic.
  7. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums Charts 2018/10/24.
  8. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums Charts 2019/12/04.
  9. Web site: Billboard Japan Hot Albums Charts 2021/09/08.
  10. Web site: <インタビュー>目標はスタジアム・バンド! 音楽集団としてのジェニーハイ、上質なポップ・アルバムとしての『ジェニーハイストーリー』について.
  11. Web site: 1 December 2021. ジェニーハイ、ちゃんみなやアイナ・ジ・エンド参加のライブ映像作品『アリーナジェニー』1月リリース.