KAKUBARHYTHM

KAKUBARHYTHM (カクバリズム) is a Japanese independent record label and artist management company founded in 2002 by Wataru Kakubari, the vocalist of the bands SNOTTY and BOYS NOW. The label grew out of an event series of the same name that Kakubari launched in 2001, centered on the band YOUR SONG IS GOOD. Its first release was YOUR SONG IS GOOD's debut 7-inch single, "BIG STOMCH, BIG MOUTH / LOVE GENERATION," issued in March 2002. Over the following two decades, KAKUBARHYTHM built a distinctive roster spanning indie rock, pop, jazz, folk, and experimental music. Notable affiliated artists have included YOUR SONG IS GOOD, SAKEROCK, Kicell, Kazumi Nikaido, Illreme, MU-STARS, cero, (((Saraundo))), Katamoi, VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, Skirt, Saito "JxJx" Jun, Kenta Hamano, Omoide Yaro A-Team, Zainichi Funk, mei ehara, Yuransen, chelmico, Hei Tanaka, Homecomings, Till Yawuh, Ålborg, and Jin Ono. The label also expanded into management, handling not only musicians but also actors and television personalities such as Kenta Hamano and Saito "JxJx" Jun. In 2008, KAKUBARHYTHM launched an international division, KAKUBARHYTHM INTERNATIONAL BARRYS, to license and release overseas artists in Japan, beginning with Talc's second album "Licensed Premises Lifestyle." The label has also been active in live events, staging anniversary concerts and tours, including the 5th Anniversary Special at Shibuya-AX in 2007, the 10th Anniversary Special tour across Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka in 2012, the 15th Anniversary Special in 2017, and the 20th Anniversary Special series in 2022. The label remains privately owned and operated by its founder.

KAKUBARHYTHM began in 2001 as an event series launched by Wataru Kakubari, who at the time was co-running STIFFEEN RECORDS with Shinya Abiko (formerly of GOING STEADY and later of Ginkgo BOYZ). Kakubari, vocalist of SNOTTY and BOYS NOW, started the event to showcase YOUR SONG IS GOOD. The name "KAKUBARHYTHM" was coined by Takuma Togawa (ex-bluebeard, ex-COMEBACK MY DAUGHTERS). In March 2002, the release of YOUR SONG IS GOOD's debut 7-inch single, "BIG STOMCH, BIG MOUTH / LOVE GENERATION," marked the transition from event to record label. The label steadily expanded its roster, adding acts such as SAKEROCK, Illreme, Kazumi Nikaido, Kicell, and later cero. When YOUR SONG IS GOOD made its major debut, the release was a joint effort between KAKUBARHYTHM and Universal Music's label UNIVERSAL J (later moving within the company to NAYUTAWAVE RECORDS). On December 1, 2007, the label celebrated its 5th anniversary with "KAKUBARHYTHM 5th Anniversary SPECIAL" at SHIBUYA-AX, featuring YOUR SONG IS GOOD, SAKEROCK, Illreme, Kicell, and MU-STARS, with guests Cypress Ueno and Roberto Yoshino. In July 2008, KAKUBARHYTHM launched an international division, KAKUBARHYTHM INTERNATIONAL BARRYS, to license and release overseas artists in Japan; its first release was Talc's second album, "Licensed Premises Lifestyle." The label also began managing individual careers beyond music, including actor and television work for Kenta Hamano and Saito "JxJx" Jun of YOUR SONG IS GOOD. In October 2012, the label marked its 10th anniversary with "Kakubarhythm 10years Anniversary Special," a Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka tour featuring YOUR SONG IS GOOD, SAKEROCK, Kicell, Kazumi Nikaido with Nijimi Band, (((Saraundo))), cero, and MU-STAR GROUP, with guests neco Nemuru in Osaka, HALFBY in Nagoya, and Katamoi, Cypress Ueno and Roberto Yoshino, and TUCKER in Tokyo. The label continued to host numerous events, including collaborations with Niw! Records and Tower Records. In 2017, the 15th anniversary was celebrated with a series of shows from September 16 to November 5, featuring a wide array of affiliated artists. In 2022, the 20th anniversary was marked with a series of special concerts, including a show at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall on April 9 and multiple events at various venues through November 23, culminating in a final at TACHIKAWA STAGE GARDEN in Tokyo. The label also published related books: "Clothing, Food, Housing, Sound: How to Keep Working in the Music Business" by Wataru Kakubari (2018, Little More) and "Rock Gaho Special Feature: Kakubarhythm" (2017, P-Vine). As of the 2020s, KAKUBARHYTHM remains an active independent label and management company, with a roster including YOUR SONG IS GOOD, Kicell, cero, VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, Skirt, Zainichi Funk, mei ehara, Homecomings, and others.

• 2022

  The 20th Anniversary Special series runs from April 9 to November 23, with a final at TACHIKAWA STAGE GARDEN.

• 2018

  Wataru Kakubari publishes the book "Clothing, Food, Housing, Sound: How to Keep Working in the Music Business" (Little More).

• 2017

  From September 16 to November 5, the 15th Anniversary Special series is held.

• 2012

  In October, the 10th Anniversary Special tour is held in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka.

• 2008

  In July, the international division KAKUBARHYTHM INTERNATIONAL BARRYS is established; first release is Talc's "Licensed Premises Lifestyle."

• 2007

  On December 1, the 5th Anniversary Special is held at SHIBUYA-AX.

• 2002

  In March, the release of YOUR SONG IS GOOD's debut 7-inch single marks the founding of the label.

• 2001

  Wataru Kakubari launches the event series "KAKUBARHYTHM" centered on YOUR SONG IS GOOD.

Independent Japanese label and management company known for a curated roster of alternative, pop, and experimental artists.

• 2002

  BIG STOMCH, BIG MOUTH / LOVE GENERATION

• 2008

  Licensed Premises Lifestyle

1. 1カクバリズム | KAKUBARHYTHMkakubarhythm.com
2. 2カクバリズム - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
3. 3KAKUBARHYTHM - Wikidatawikidata.org