Esprit D'Air
Esprit D'Air is a Japanese rock and metal band based in London. In 2013, the band increased in popularity as their single 'Shizuku' became the first playable song in the 'J-Rock' category in the video game Rock Band 3. Reformed in 2016, their award-winning debut album Constellations was released in 2017.
History
Formation and ''Deai'' (2010-2011)
The band met at a concert in London and made their debut in May 2010. At the time, the band had five members – Yosh, Kai, Ellis, Yuki and Daishi. Esprit D'Air first released an EP entitled 'Deai' in October 2010, which loosely translates to 'encounter'. Kai described the name as a 'sort of like the first hello from the band'. They recorded the 3-track EP at Sarm East Studios in Brick Lane, London.Since forming in 2010, the band performed at numerous shows in the UK and Spain and have been interviewed by Japanese video sharing website, Nico Nico Douga.
In early 2011, rhythm guitarist Yuki left the band due to personal reasons, leaving the band as a four-piece, whilst Yosh organised and performed at charity events in aid of Japan’s 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. The band also announced news about their second release.
''The Hunter'' and ''Shizuku'' (2012)
In February 2012, Esprit D'Air released The Hunter and performed two headline shows at Nambucca and La Farga as part of their single launch. Tom Smith, the director of European-based independent record label JPU Records, described the single as a release that 'excites them much more than any recent visual kei or J-rock from Japan'.In June 2012, Esprit D'Air released Shizuku and offered the track free for a limited time.
''Rock Band 3'', hiatus and Yosh's departure (2012-2013)
In early 2013, the band rose in popularity as Shizuku became the first playable Japanese-language track on the Xbox 360 video game, Rock Band 3 and the only track to be featured in the 'J-rock' category.In late 2013, the band announced that they were on indefinite hiatus due to a number of personal commitments.
Due to personal reasons, Yosh was no longer a part of the band in early 2013 and returned to Tokyo, six months after the band announced their indefinite hiatus.
Coma, Hakuren and disbandment (2013)
Coma and Hakuren joined as the new lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist respectively, in April 2013 making the band a five-piece once again. However, the band performed their last show with this line-up at Brighton Japan Festival in September 2013. A month later, Coma flew back to Tokyo, Japan without a definite plan to return. With the singer in another country, the band could not see a future together and decided to disband, despite having record label interest for their upcoming album.It was revealed in an interview with Louder that the disbandment was partially due to primary songwriter and composer Kai's depression and personal struggles, which led him to split up the band.
Reunion and comeback single, ''Rebirth'' (2016)
In March 2016, Esprit D'Air reunited for a one-off show as a three-piece with Kai on vocals to perform at a charity event in London, where all proceeds went to Aoba-gakuen, an orphanage in Fukushima, Japan. Through ticket, merchandise, food sales, and donations, the event raised over £1,100 for the orphanage. At this point, it was uncertain whether Esprit D'Air were going to reform. Subsequently, due to interest and demand by fans, in June 2016, Esprit D'Air officially announced their return with original guitarist Kai taking over the role of lead vocalist, Ellis on bass and Daishi on drums. The band also announced three shows, including a performance at the main stage of Hyper Japan Festival.In December 2016, Esprit D'Air released Rebirth, their first single in four years and celebrated the launch of their single at Zigfrid von Underbelly in London and at Le Trianon in Paris. According to Kai, the song tells the story of a man who finds his voice and sings under the stars, this leads to him becoming the savior of his town as his voice inspires and refreshes everyone who hears it. The first and second lines allude to the beautiful view of audiences from the stage. The middle bridge implies his bright future, and how he's moving forward towards it.
''Constellations'' (2017-2018)
In March 2017, Esprit D'Air performed a full capacity headline show at the O2 Academy2 Islington.In April 2017, the band released their second comeback single, Guiding Light and premiered their music video exclusively with Teamrock.com, and was later listed as their top 50 best rock songs of 2017 so far.
Esprit D'Air released their album Constellations digitally on 30 June, followed by a physical album on 7 July featuring three bonus tracks under Starstorm Records. Kai described the overarching theme of the album is finding hope and positivity in the darkest and most challenging times.
Constellations reached number three in the Amazon.com hard rock & metal sales charts and number eight in the rock charts. The album release was shortly followed by a release of another single, Ignition in August, and the single received airplay on Kerrang! Radio.
It was announced that Esprit D'Air will perform at O2 Academy Islington as a support act for The Birthday Massacre on 24 October 2017, as well as a 7-day headline UK tour in London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Carlisle and Glasgow in February 2018 to celebrate the release of Constellations.
In January 2018, Esprit D'Air released their new single, 'Starstorm' from their album Constellations. The single version is remastered by Stuart Hawkes, who is known for his works with Miyavi, Sugizo, and Mika Nakashima. It also contains a remix by Shudan and an instrumental version.
In March 2018, Esprit D'Air won the award for 'Best Metal or Hardcore Album' at The Independent Music Awards in Manhattan, New York for their album Constellations. The judging panel featured Amy Lee of Evanescence, Slayer and Sepultura. The band shortly announced that they will extend their Constellations Tour to Europe in September 2018.
In May 2018, the band released their single, 'Calling You'. The track featured on Louder's Tracks Of The Week alongside Nine Inch Nails, Ghost and Bullet for My Valentine, and also received its first airplay on BBC Radio.
In August 2018, Esprit D'Air released a cover of Dead End's 'Serafine'.
At the end of 2018, Esprit D'Air was nominated for 'Best Musical Act' at Neo Awards, sponsored by Sega. The band finished fourth place among Crossfaith, The GazettE and Band-Maid.
''Oceans'' (2019-present)
At the start of 2019, Esprit D'Air started a crowdfunding campaign, to raise funds to release their new single 'Amethyst'. The band reached their goal within three days. Midway through the campaign, Ellis left the band due to personal reasons.In February 2019, Esprit D'Air released their new single, 'Amethyst'.
In June 2019, it was announced that the laptop that contained all the contents of their upcoming album was stolen from them, which meant that they would have start the recording process all over again. It was then that they had also announced that the upcoming album was going to be entitled, Oceans. The release of the new album is now delayed as Esprit D'Air are re-recording it. The stolen work also included backups of their single, Amethyst, which was released earlier in the year.
Personnel
During their brief 2010-2013 line-up, Esprit D'Air was a group where all members contributed to the songwriting and production. Since their reformation in 2016, Esprit D'Air is now considered to be a one-man band, with Kai being the sole official member, playing and recording all instruments on the releases and having complete creative control. In a live setting, Kai appoints a backing group of musicians to perform the songs, including long-time previous official member Ellis on bass, and Pendragon's Jan-Vincent Velazco on drums. Esprit D'Air takes a DIY approach by purposely not seeking a label, management or booking agent, but instead manage everything themselves to be as self-sufficient as possible.Band members
Official members
- Kai – guitar, lead vocals, bass, drums, composer
Touring members
- Ryoma "Ryo" Takahashi – live guitar
- Jan-Vincent Velazco – live drums
- Yusuke Okamoto – live guitar
- Takeshi Tokunaga – live bass
- Yuri Shibuichi – live bass
- Taku Miyamoto – live drums
- Chris Allan-Whyte – live drums
- Jimmy Pallagrosi – live drums
Past members
- Ellis – bass, live bass
- Daishi – drums, live drums
- Coma – lead vocals
- Tatsuya "Hakuren" Nashimoto – rhythm guitar
- Yoshisuke Suga – lead vocals
- Yuki – rhythm guitar
Timeline
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Discography
Albums
Singles
| Year | Single details |
| 2012 | Shizuku
|
| 2016 | Rebirth |
| 2017 | Guiding Light |
| 2017 | Ignition |
| 2018 | Starstorm |
| 2018 | Calling You |
| 2018 | Serafine |
| 2019 | Amethyst |
Extended plays
| Year | Album details |
| 2010 | Deai
|
| 2012 | The Hunter |