Wednesday, March 14   8:00 p.m.
Beauty Bar   (617 E 7th St)

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  Kiiiiiii - 4 little joeys (dj codomo) remix
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Kiiiiiii are a unique two-girl performance unit using just vocals, drums/percussion, various toys, and lots of enthusiasm!

Ever since Lakin� (Reiko Tada) and u.t. (Utako Tayama) first met in junior high school in 1989, they have been inseparable friends. After 13 years of camaraderie, they launched their band Kiiiiiii in 2000 to bring more fun into the world and to play original, unusual, and cheerful music.

Lakin� specialized in installation arts at Tama Art University in Tokyo and now works as an illustrator for clients such as Tower Records and CUTiE Magazine. u.t. majored in drama at Bungakuza in Tokyo - the most famous drama school in Japan. She was a founding member of the underground theatre group Crack Iron Albatrossket (Tetsuwari). Even when attending different schools, the two girls met almost everyday to chat over tea.

Even without an official CD release, Kiiiiiii quickly became an extremely popular live band in Tokyo. They have received countless requests for live appearances at verious venues: rock clubs, art galleries, museums, art schools, book stores, and cramped bars (Coyote Ugly style).

In 2003, they broke big after playing the massive Tokyo music festival �In the City� in Tokyo, where Geoff Travis - the owner of the label Rough Trade and one of the main producers of the festival - personally invited Kiiiiiiii to his special event.

In 2004, they continued to play many live shows and create many works of art. Professors and iconic artists Keiichi Tana-ami and Keiji Ito put Kiiiiiii up as �special guest professors� of Kyoto Art University. They also performed at the Mito Contemporary Art Center in Mito City

In 2005, Lakin� appeared in Volvo's global commercial film "Life on Board Project" under the credit 'Reiko designed the music'. Kiiiiiii�s version of the traditional song �Alouette� appeared in the commercials as well.

During 2005, Kiiiiiii recorded several songs, which were released on domestic and overseas compilations like Waikiki Record�s �Waikiki March� and Music Related (NYC)�s �Sonido Uzumaki.� They also finally released their first original record - a special limited-edition 7� vinyl EP called �Kiiiiiii vol.1.� The work was a collaboration between Kiiiiii and DJ codomo - a famous re-mixer of Cornelius, Buffalo Daughter and others. DJ codomo was able to significantly expand the Kiiiiiii music world through his electronic music production, making it more pop and cutting-edge.

In October 2005, Kiiiiiii were invited to FAT FESTIVAL - the biggest rock festival in Thailand. They performed a legendary, crazy set in front of an audience of 3000 people. They became famous overnight in Bangkok, and the special CD created for the event sold out instantly.

Kiiiiiii's first DVD �Gold and Silver� was released in April 2006. The half-hour, action-packed DVD contains original songs, skits, live performances, promotional videos, movie parodies, special effects, set pieces, stuffed animals and hand puppets. The DVD also comes with a huge load of extras - outtakes, videos, secret scenes, and a musical exhibition of Kiiiiii's original illustrations. They wrote the script and shot the movie by themselves with the help of their good friends. Japanese critics and fashion magazines lauded it as one of the best DVDs of the year.

2007 already looks like a huge year for Kiiiiiii. In March, they are embarking on their first U.S. tour with a stop at SXSW in Austin. In June, they plan on releasing their debut CD �Al & Bum.�