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 , 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.