Welcome to the January 2006 edition of Three Stars. Tomorrow, we'll get up close and personal with Mike Holden, and Thursday we'll show you the many sides of Chris Richards. Today, we talk to Hello Tokyo, discussing their new EP and an upcoming network television debut.

Hello Tokyo

No, Gwen Stefani did not already have her baby, and no it did not go through a miraculous rapid aging process, move to DC and form a rock band. But for those who happened to wander in off the cold streets to DC9 a few weeks ago, this thought may have crossed your minds. Hello Tokyo, drawing influences and styles from a wide assortment of artists, was “born through change and completed through chance” back in 2003 and recently crawled their way into a warm welcome from the lively mass of friends and fans who packed the tiny upstairs bar at 9th and U St. Kat’s talented vocals will “No Doubt” pull you in and never let go. This was not a mere head nodding, occasional foot tapping affair, but a “you will dance” pop rock enthused party brought to you by a group who just wants to show you their music and have a good time in the process.

While the band shook the room with catchy upbeat tracks such as “Radio” from their 1st EP by the same name and “Kick It” off the more recent internet EP entitled OMG i <3 teh internets, it was a slower tempo “Kiss Me Goodbye” with simple drum and base accompaniment that stayed with us long after the show. DCist was fortunate enough to speak with the guys/girl from Hello Tokyo about an equine exploit, the DC music scene, and how if you heart the internet, it will heart you back.

Visit them at: www.hellotokyomusic.com

See them next: Saturday, February 18th at the Velvet Lounge w/ Supercade,…or tune in to Animal Planet on February 1st at 8pm! (See explanation below)

Questions for Hello Tokyo:

Hello, Hello Tokyo, or should I say, Ohayoo? What’s the story behind the name?

Kat: The name chose us.

Sean: It’s taken from the movie “Heathers.”

Tim: We just wanted to say hi.

John: King Arthur appeared in a vision and said, “name your band Hello Tokyo.” Who can argue with King Arthur?

Sam: We have a lot of fans in Tokyo.

You describe the band as a blend of “distinctive styles, angles, personalities and views.” Could you comment on what elements each of you contributes to the group?

Kat: I’m really into jazz, blues & pop music. We all contribute to the writing process, which is a beautiful thing. That’s why our band works. It’s why Hello Tokyo is going to last forever. As for my personality, can’t really comment on that. I have so many it’s hard to say one defines me ;-).

Sean: And, as she has demonstrated, Kat does not believe in jinxes. Personally, I love making music of any sort. Just give me an instrument, and I’ll find a way to make it sing… or scream. I used to build my own stringed instruments and percussion when I was a kid. Now, I leave the manufacturing to the experts. I just play guitar leads and whatever else occurs to me.

Tim: We’re all pretty open-minded and enjoy playing music so much, that when a song idea comes through, there’s almost no conflict. Sometimes, we’ll just go “nah,” but most of the time, stuff works out, and what we play reflects our individual talent.

John: I mostly contribute cigarettes and coffee to the group...I wish I could say I help us look good, but that’s not really the case...

Sam: We are like a delicious salad of musical styles and tastes spanning the landscape of today’s musical genres. If I had to name my forte I would have to say bagpipes but the band needed a drummer. I like to think that I bring my “croutons” to the band.

Without defining a specific genre, you compare your sound to several bands, (Metric, Elastica, U2 and No Doubt to name a few), but is there one artist in particular you’d list as your greatest influence?

Kat: Fiona Apple

Sean: Influences? I keep mine hidden.

Tim: The Apple Dumpling gang.

John: Big Country, Ned’s Atomic Dustbin

Sam: Flava’ Flav

Seeing as you’ve just released your first internet EP, what are your thoughts on the increased use of websites like My Space and Pure Volume by up-and-coming bands to promote their music?

Kat: I think it’s a great, especially for up and coming bands. It’s so difficult to “spread the word” in a region outside your own. My Space and Pure Volume have given us the opportunity to have our music heard internationally!

Sean: Those kinds of things make the ability to expose yourself to a lot of people in a short period of time that much easier. In the old days, you’d have to spend the afternoon walking around the park in a trench coat, waiting for just the right moment.

Tim: My Space has really become the big “lifestyle site.” There aren’t many people I meet who DON’T have a profile. In every city we play, at every show, at least one person from My Space has come. I think it’s awesome how useful it is. Bands, however, tend to try to get as many friends as possible without actually trying to be personal. I know it’s difficult to do, but we reply to every single email and comment we get, that way, when you have some news to share, people actually listen, rather than just skip your bulletins and emails.

John: I’m not too hip on all this My Space stuff...I just can’t get past the fact that they use cold fusion...I mean really WTF??? Cold fusion is so 2001 it’s not even funny...but I do love the internet and I love the fact that it’s so nice and easy and fun to meet and share music with people all over the world.

Sam: In the past bands had to pay their dues through shows and promotion, now My Space and Pure Volume do that for you. It’s the end of the garage band and the beginning of the couch band.

Speaking of My Space, I see from your blog that 2006 looks to be an exciting year for you. Could you talk a little about the new CD, future radio appearances, music for the TV show, and anything else you have in store? Can we expect a full length album?

Kat: We’re really looking forward to 2006. We just finished the final touches on “Radio” which we re-recorded for an Animal Planet series called “Horse Power.” “Radio” will be the theme song to the show. Some of our other songs will be played throughout the show. We’re so honored they chose our band and that song for their show out of thousands. It’s an amazing feeling. We may have an opportunity to play outside of the country this year, nothing's definite, but it’s being worked.

Sean: The “Horse Power” World Premiere will be airing on Wednesday, February 1, 8 - 9 PM on Animal Planet. It’s wholesome family entertainment. We had to sanitize our lyrics for the opening credits. All “mother fuckers” are now “melon farmers”. Also, we’ve been writing furiously for a new EP or LP to be released in the coming months. On a related note, I refuse to let the term “LP” drop from the lexicon.

Tim: A US Tour and accompanying T-shirts (imagine one million exclamation points here)

John: Personally I’d like our band to only release EP’s and never a full length, just so we can be cooler than everyone else...I’m excited about this year just simply growing as a band and being together and having fun and writing and playing music that moves us...

Sam: I’m really excited to share a tour car. Van? Bus (please) with the band and looking forward to countless nights of spooning with the band.

What was it like to switch things up and perform an acoustic set last Saturday at Gonzaga High School? Are you planning any more of these unplugged shows in ’06?

Kat: It was a last minute decision to play acoustically. I personally love playing acoustic shows. The crowd seemed to be into it, which is extremely important to us. We’re down playing any kind of show and would most definitely play “unplugged” again if the opportunity should present itself.

Sean: Playing an acoustic show can be a nice departure from the standard rock thing, but I think most self-respecting rock guitarists prefer playing juiced. Some non-self-respecting ones would too, I’d imagine.

Tim: It wasn’t actually unplugged…um, but I actually prefer to play with a fully cranked band of deafs like myself.

John: I enjoy the acoustic thing and I enjoy the full band thing too...it’s fun to hear songs take on a different color and feel...

Sam: Seeing as how my absence was the reason for the acoustic show I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to that question.

We like to always get our Three Stars’ opinions on the DC music scene. Could you share with us some positive aspects?

Kat: Local bands in DC are absolutely amazing! There’s so much talent here. It makes me sad sometimes because there aren’t enough outlets to compensate the amount of talent.

Sean: I’ve had the opportunity to see a lot of promising bands play in the area. Unfortunately, in quasi-typical DC style, they seem to last for 1.5 years and then call it a day.

Tim: All the best venues are more or less within walking distance of one another, which can be both good and bad…I think.

John: I think it’s pretty rad...lots of great music around town.

Sam: Beautiful clubs and a great night life.

Negative aspects?

Kat: There aren’t very many venues that offer all ages shows. We have a lot of fans that are under 21. These people totally want to rock out with us, but can’t because they’re underage.

Tim: I hear so many people from Maryland say they are scared of DC!!! Isn’t that hilarious?

John: Would have to agree that the lack of all ages clubs is a downer...

Sam: There’s not enough label support in DC and the smoking ban sucks.

Touring around the District you get to play alongside many other local bands. Any favorites?

Kat: Deleted Scenes and Crash Boom Bang are hot!

Sean: Hot Young Tang was a great band.

Tim: 10-4 on that Hot Young Tang comment. Um…Medic and 86 Mentality.

John: There really are too many for me to list, but if I had to choose I’d say: The Hard Tomorrows, Deleted Scenes, Monopoli, and Crash Boom Bang

Sam: If I could play with anybody from the DC area I would want to play with Jesse Hoffbauer.