Tricot (band)

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Tricot

| image =

| caption =

| origin = Kyoto, Japan

| genre = {{hlist|Math rock|indie rock{{cite web |url=https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4152161-the-beginners-guide-to--japanese-post-hardcore |title=The Beginner's Guide To: Japanese Post-Hardcore |website=Drowned in Sound |date=November 28, 2018 |access-date=May 6, 2021 |last=Rosean |first=Samuel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505190401/https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4152161-the-beginners-guide-to--japanese-post-hardcore |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}|post-rock}}

| years_active = 2010–present

| label = {{hlist|Cutting Edge|8902|Bakuretsu|Big Scary Monsters|Topshelf}}

| associated_acts = Genie High, Delta Sleep

| website = {{url|tricot-official.jp}}

| current_members = * Ikkyu Nakajima

Motifour Kida
Hiromi Hirohiro
Yusuke Yoshida

| past_members = * Kazutaka Komaki

Miyoko Yamaguchi

}}

{{Nihongo|Tricot|トリコ|toriko|extra={{IPAc-en||ˈ|t|ɹ|i|k|oʊ||}}|lead=yes}} is a Japanese rock band from Kyoto. The band was formed in 2010 by vocalist and guitarist Ikumi "Ikkyu" Nakajima, guitarist Motoko "Motifour" Kida, and bassist Hiromi "Hirohiro" Sagane. Known for their intricate rhythms{{cite web |url=http://www.mtviggy.com/articles/kyotos-tricot-resuscitates-post-rock-with-a-whisper/ |title=Kyoto's Tricot Resuscitates Post-Rock With a Whisper and a Howl |publisher=MTV |date=May 17, 2012 |access-date=March 31, 2015 |last=Bryan |first=Beverly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519211457/http://www.mtviggy.com/articles/kyotos-tricot-resuscitates-post-rock-with-a-whisper/ |archive-date=May 19, 2012 |url-status=dead}} and visual identity, they have released seven studio albums. Their musical style has been described by Rolling Stone as "adrenalized math rock sped up and given pop's candy coating".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/10-new-artists-you-need-to-know-april-2015-10398/tricot-21221/ |title=10 New Artists You Need to Know: April 2015 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 16, 2015 |access-date=August 3, 2019}}

History

Tricot was formed in Kyoto in 2010 by vocalist and guitarist Ikumi "Ikkyu" Nakajima, guitarist Motoko "Motifour" Kida, and bassist Hiromi "Hirohiro" Sagane.{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tricot-mn0002921789/biography |title=Tricot |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=August 3, 2019 |last=Buchanan |first=John D.}} Sagane is a native of the city, while Nakajima and Kida are from neighboring Shiga Prefecture.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/meet-japanese-rock-three-piece-tricot-and-watch-their-stylish-new-video-for-e-18213 |title=Meet Japanese Rock Three-Piece Tricot – And Watch Their Stylish New Video For 'E' |website=NME |date=February 2, 2015 |access-date=August 3, 2019 |last=Snapes |first=Laura}} Prior to forming Tricot, the three musicians played in various local bands in the Kyoto area, where they became acquainted with one another.{{cite web |url=https://www.thefader.com/2015/10/24/tricot-gen-f-interview |title=Meet Tricot, The Japanese Trio Making Math Rock Cool Again |website=The Fader |date=October 24, 2015 |access-date=August 3, 2019 |last=St. Michel |first=Patrick}} Kazutaka Komaki joined the band as drummer in May 2011.{{cite web |url=http://tricot.tv/ |title=Profile |publisher=tricot.tv |access-date=March 31, 2015 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325181338/http://tricot.tv/ |archive-date=March 25, 2015 |url-status=dead}} Shortly after, Tricot established its own label, Bakuretsu Records.

On October 2, 2013, the band released their first full-length studio album T H E, which peaked at number 18 on the Oricon Albums Chart.{{cite web |title=tricotのアルバム売上ランキング |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/561917/rank/album/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823182409/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/561917/rank/album/ |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |publisher=Oricon |language=ja}}{{cite web |title=T H E {{!}} tricot |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/561917/products/1038651/1/ |access-date=May 25, 2021 |publisher=Oricon |language=ja}} In March 2014, Komaki left the band due to musical differences.{{cite web |url=http://tricot.tv/archives/1959 |title=大切なお知らせ / Announcement (*English below) |publisher=tricot.tv |date=March 2, 2014 |access-date=March 31, 2015 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414123939/http://tricot.tv/archives/1959 |archive-date=April 14, 2018 |url-status=dead}} In his absence, the remaining trio opted to tour and record with a rotating cast of musicians.{{cite web |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2017/06/27/music/tricot-fine-tunes-formula-got-trio-noticed-overseas-3/ |title=Tricot fine-tunes a formula that got the trio noticed overseas on '3' |website=The Japan Times |date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=August 2, 2019 |last=St. Michel |first=Patrick}} Later that year, Tricot embarked on a tour of five Asian countries, followed by a tour of Europe in which they performed at several music festivals, including the Eden Sessions festival in the United Kingdom, where they supported Pixies.{{cite web |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/photos/live-photo-gallery/tricot-behind-the-scenes-in-london |title=Tricot Backstage with Best Fit |website=The Line of Best Fit |date=July 9, 2014 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |last=Amroussi-Gilissen |first=Sara}}

Tricot's second studio album A N D was released on March 18, 2015 and peaked at number 34 on the Oricon chart.{{cite web |title=A N D {{!}} tricot |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/561917/products/1112652/1/ |access-date=May 25, 2021 |publisher=Oricon |language=ja}} They subsequently staged a tour of North America, Japan and Europe, titled the Yattokosa Tour, from October 2015 to March 2016.{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/158486 |title=tricot、国内17都市＆北米14都市回る「YATTOKOSA」ツアー |publisher=Natalie |date=August 28, 2015 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |language=ja}}{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/169168 |title=tricot、YATTOKOSAツアー欧州編を3月に |publisher=Natalie |date=December 13, 2015 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |language=ja}} Prior to the tour, they had started auditioning for drummers in July 2015.{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/153661 |title=tricotがドラマーを募集 |publisher=Natalie |date=July 12, 2015 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |language=ja}} April 2016 saw the release of their Kabuku E.P., which was recorded with the four finalists of the audition including Yusuke Yoshida.{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/pp/tricot/page/3 |title=tricot「KABUKU EP」インタビュー (3/3) |publisher=Natalie |date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=February 9, 2024 |language=ja}} The band's third studio album, 3, was issued on May 17, 2017, reaching number 20 on the Oricon chart.{{cite web |title=3(ミニマルパッケージ盤) {{!}} tricot |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/561917/products/1230345/1/ |access-date=December 20, 2020 |publisher=Oricon |language=ja}} It was supported by the Tricot vs 47 tour, which saw the band performing in each of Japan's 47 prefectures, and a European tour.{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/246376 |title=ムキムキのバキバキになったtricot、Zepp DCでツアーファイナル開催 |publisher=Natalie |date=August 28, 2017 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |language=ja}} At the end of the final concert of the Tricot vs 47 tour, it was announced that Yoshida, who had been touring with Tricot since 2016, had become a full-time member and thus the second official drummer in the band's history.{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/257030 |title=tricotにドラマー吉田雄介が正式加入 |publisher=Natalie |date=November 16, 2017 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |language=ja}} Tricot undertook their second tour of North America in 2018.{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/272436 |title=tricot、1カ月でアメリカ26都市回るツアー |publisher=Natalie |date=March 7, 2018 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |language=ja}}

In 2018, Nakajima formed the band Genie High along with comedians Kazutoyo Koyabu and Kukki and musicians Enon Kawatani and Takashi Niigaki.{{cite web |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/popasia/blog/2018/03/21/genie-high-scores-2018s-first-j-pop-surprise-thanks-comedians-tv-talent-and-little |title=Genie High scores 2018's first J-pop surprise thanks to comedians, TV talent and a little past controversy |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service |date=March 21, 2018 |access-date=June 28, 2021 |last=St. Michel |first=Patrick}}

Tricot released their fourth studio album Black on January 29, 2020,{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/358279 |title=tricotメジャー1stアルバムは「真っ黒」、全国ツアーは「真っ白」 |publisher=Natalie |date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=September 26, 2020 |language=ja}}{{cite web |title=真っ黒 {{!}} tricot |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/561917/products/1346432/1/ |access-date=May 25, 2021 |publisher=Oricon |language=ja}} and it reached number 27 on the Oricon chart. Black was the band's first album to be released by 8902, their newly established label under Cutting Edge.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of their formation,{{cite web |url=https://natalie.mu/music/news/396890 |title=tricot10周年の集大成アルバム「10」リリース、まつむらあさみとのポップアップショップもオープン |publisher=Natalie |date=September 17, 2020 |access-date=December 20, 2020 |language=ja}} Tricot released a new studio album on October 21, 2020 entitled 10,{{cite web |title=10 {{!}} tricot |url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/561917/products/1369876/1/ |access-date=May 25, 2021 |publisher=Oricon |language=ja}} which peaked at number 48 on the Oricon chart.

Jodeki, Tricot's sixth studio album, was released on December 15, 2021,{{cite web |url=https://tricot-official.jp/news/detail.php?id=1094553 |title=12月15日にニューアルバム『上出来』の発売が決定！12月から全国とイギリス・ヨーロッパを回るツアーも開催。 |publisher=tricot-official.jp |date=September 26, 2021 |access-date=November 2, 2021 |language=ja}} peaking at number 50 on the Oricon chart. It is the band's first double album, consisting of 24 tracks: 12 songs on the first disc, and their instrumental versions on the second disc. Supporting the album, the band toured Japan and Europe in the Walking x Walking Tour.{{cite web |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/tricot-announce-new-album-jodeki-preorder-walking-x-walking-japan-europe-uk-tour-2021-2022 |title=tricot announce new album 'Jodeki', WALKING x WALKING Japan, Europe, UK tour |website=Bandwagon |date=October 14, 2021 |access-date=September 5, 2022 |last=Bodegon-Hikino |first=Kara}}

On December 14, 2022, Tricot released their seventh studio album Fudeki; like Jodeki, it is a 24-track double album with instrumentals of each song on the second disc.{{cite web |url=https://tricot-official.jp/news/detail.php?id=1102419 |title=ニューアルバム『不出来』が12月14日に発売決定！！ |publisher=tricot-official.jp |date=September 1, 2022 |access-date=December 20, 2022 |language=ja}} Fudeki was preceded by lead single "End Roll", released in February 2022 as the opening theme for the Japanese TV series Liar.{{cite web |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/japanese-rock-band-tricot-release-new-single-end-roll-jodeki-2022-liar-tv-show |title=Tricot release captivating new single 'エンドロールに間に合うように (End roll)' for Japanese TV series, 'liar' — watch |website=Bandwagon |date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=September 5, 2022 |last=Wahab |first=Ynez}}

Bassist Hiromi Sagane began maternity leave and a hiatus from touring in May 2024,{{Cite tweet |user=romi522 |number=1785504490801811690 |title=ご報告}} and the band continued to perform live with support bassists. The band released the single "Otozure" on October 5, 2024, as the opening theme for the anime You Are Ms. Servant.{{cite news |last1=Hodgkins |first1=Crystalyn |title=Tricot, Dustcell Perform Themes for You are Ms. servant Anime |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-09-14/tricot-dustcell-perform-themes-for-you-are-ms-servant-anime/.215518 |access-date=6 October 2024 |work=Anime News Network |date=14 September 2024}} Sagane returned to live performance in April 2025.

Artistry

Despite the band's music containing various elements of math rock, with publications like Rolling Stone describing their "nonstop time-signature shifts" and their "tricky pop" style, and NME explicitly writing of their "frenetic math rock rhythms," Tricot claim to not be familiar with the genre at all.{{Cite web |last=Lau |first=Elly |date=4 June 2021 |title=tricot on their new song 'INAI', resistance towards genre, and growing as a band |url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/tricot-inai-music-video-interview-new-song-curse-of-spring-bakuro-10-makkuro-avex-entertainment-june-2021 |access-date=25 July 2023 |website=Bandwagon |language=en}} The band assert their sound isn't created on purpose. Writing for Bandwagon, Elly Lau wrote of Tricot's resistance to conform to genres, citing their song "Potage" which "crafts a distinct sonic palette that can't be boxed in a single category."

The band takes inspiration from a number of styles, from pop to heavy metal. In 2015, Nakajima cited the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Fall Out Boy and American Football as major influences. In 2021, this list also included Ringo Sheena, Morning Musume and System of a Down. Kida's influences include Number Girl and Acidman.

Talking about their creative process in 2015, the band wrote: "The triggers of our songs are from guitar phrases, which Motifour plays; then we make a cool track before Ikkyu puts vocals on it."

Nakajima is the band's lead songwriter. Her writing style, according to Lau, thematically touches on the metaphysical and "often incorporates surreal imagery and a stream-of-consciousness style."