behind the music with

Kyoto Kyoto

Wie die Choreo des perfekten Überfalls. Kyoto Kyoto demand attention through their singular sound

by Giovanna - April 18, 2023

Hallo and welcome to Hashbrandnew's BEHIND THE MUSIC: Exclusive Interviews With Your Next Favourite New Bands!

Today you get acquainted with South London experimental rockers KYOTO KYOTO. With influences spanning Krautrock, Anatolian psychedelia and noise the experimental collective around Levent Ceylan (Butch Kassidy) and Scott MacDonald (Rosie Alena + IMOGEN) came together in the autumn of 2019 and quickly earned a reputation across London's underground circuit.

Is there any meaning behind your band name “Kyoto Kyoto”? How did you choose it?

It is a "nod" to Keith Jarretts concert in Kyoto in 1976 as part of the Sun Bear Concerts recordings.
You published your debut EP as a trio but now it seems that you are a quartet. Can you tell us a little about each member and their role in the band?

We've got a flute and a cello in the band now. It's just that we're big fans of music which we couldn't necessarily make as a standard "rock trio".
Credits: Hanna Gabler, Jess Keatley
You are from London, Munich and Glasgow. Where did you meet and how did you decide to work together?

We all met in London in some way through Goldsmiths University.
Lev, you sing in German which is not very common. Is there any specific reason apart from your German origin?

It's (for me Lev) the most personal part of the music so it just feels natural to deliver in my native tongue.
We love your cover art! Who created them?

The artwork for the EP was done by Malgorzata Socha
Which has been your best live performance so far, and why?

Our headline shows are always very very fun and intense but playing in Rotterdam at Left of the Dial and also playing at the Garage was great as well.
You will be playing in Munich soon. Can we expect to see you live in Hamburg as well?

Hopefully once we get an agent on board.