Genre-bending Japanese group ATARASHII GAKKO! sit down with CLASH to discuss their upcoming 11th anniversary headline show in London, their upcoming studio album, From Tokyo with Love, and how their hometown has shaped them as artists.
As ATARASHII GAKKO! have taken their high-energy performances and infectious routines around the world, they have drawn inspiration from the different cultures, sounds, and experiences they’ve encountered along the way.
Returning to Tokyo after their travels, the J-pop quartet—made up of SUZUKA, KANON, MIZYU, and RIN—found a renewed appreciation for their hometown. They recognised how Tokyo has absorbed influences from across the globe and transformed them into something entirely its own, much like they have done with their music throughout their career.
That perspective became the foundation of From Tokyo with Love. Reflecting on the city’s influence, ATARASHII GAKKO! explore how Tokyo has shaped them as individuals while bringing their distinct voices together to create something uniquely their own as a collective.
To celebrate the album’s release, the group will bring their raw energy and genre-defying sound to London’s Roundhouse for a special headline show, where they will also mark their 11th anniversary alongside their global fans.
—
—
CLASH: What energy and atmosphere do you want to create with your live shows? from what you expected?
ATARASHII GAKKO!: It’s an energy that only the four of us can bring, and through our music and performance, we want to become one with everyone around the world. The vibe that can only be born in that exact moment is something we really cherish.
How will you celebrate your 11th anniversary with the London crowd? How do you reflect upon this major milestone?
The fact that we get to spend our 11th anniversary at the Roundhouse in London, as a headline show?! Eleven years ago on 19 July, when we played our very first show in a tiny tent in Tokyo, we could never have imagined this. It’s going to be a show that only the four of us right now can create, one that could only happen on this exact day. We want to throw ourselves into it fully and soak up every second.
How did it feel to perform in London for the first time in 2024? Was it different ?
Even within our European tour, London had this really special atmosphere. It felt like every single person in the audience was enjoying the music and the performance in their own unique way!
Which British bands have inspired you over the years, and why?
SUZUKA : The Chemical Brothers!!!! I’d love to collaborate with them someday!
With such a genre-bending album, what was the core message you wanted to convey with From Tokyo with Love?
After our 2024 album AG! Calling, it was time for what’s NEXT. Travelling in our own way, we had this incredible experience of realising there are fans out there for us in every corner of the world. Carrying that with us, we’re setting off on an even bigger adventure, heading further into the infinite. We made this album with all our heart, from our origin point and hometown, Tokyo. Four bodies as one, but four completely different colours. We want you to feel our energy deeper, stronger, and wider than ever.
As you all have strong individual ideas and creative voices, how do you work together to create something as cohesive as this album?
We each have really different tastes and personalities, but when it comes to ATARASHII GAKKO!, all four of us share the same vision. It’s almost like the team operates as one big brain. Within that shared space, we each bring our own ideas to the table, and we evolve by carefully protecting the things we’ve always held dear.
How has the city of Tokyo shaped you as artists?
The first time we went to LA — the first overseas city we ever visited as a group — we had this real moment of realisation. A whole new world, new values — we were hit by so much. But at the same time, getting to know countries and cities outside Japan made us realise just how amazing and fascinating Japan, and Tokyo especially, really is. We feel genuinely proud to be creating and performing based in Tokyo.
You all have different passions and hobbies, such as crochet, baking, and drawing. What activities help you relax whilst touring?
We love going out with our tour crew, eating the best local food in each city, sightseeing, and taking walks. That’s how we recharge.
How do you continue to push against traditional boundaries as a group and as individuals?
Colour outside the lines with individuality and freedom!
—
—
Words: Adam Davidson
Photography: Lindsey Blane
—
Genre-bending Japanese group ATARASHII GAKKO! sit down with CLASH to discuss their upcoming 11th anniversary headline show in London, their upcoming studio album, From Tokyo with Love, and how their hometown has shaped them as artists.
As ATARASHII GAKKO! have taken their high-energy performances and infectious routines around the world, they have drawn inspiration from the different cultures, sounds, and experiences they’ve encountered along the way.
Returning to Tokyo after their travels, the J-pop quartet—made up of SUZUKA, KANON, MIZYU, and RIN—found a renewed appreciation for their hometown. They recognised how Tokyo has absorbed influences from across the globe and transformed them into something entirely its own, much like they have done with their music throughout their career.
That perspective became the foundation of From Tokyo with Love. Reflecting on the city’s influence, ATARASHII GAKKO! explore how Tokyo has shaped them as individuals while bringing their distinct voices together to create something uniquely their own as a collective.
To celebrate the album’s release, the group will bring their raw energy and genre-defying sound to London’s Roundhouse for a special headline show, where they will also mark their 11th anniversary alongside their global fans.
—
—
CLASH: What energy and atmosphere do you want to create with your live shows? from what you expected?
ATARASHII GAKKO!: It’s an energy that only the four of us can bring, and through our music and performance, we want to become one with everyone around the world. The vibe that can only be born in that exact moment is something we really cherish.
How will you celebrate your 11th anniversary with the London crowd? How do you reflect upon this major milestone?
The fact that we get to spend our 11th anniversary at the Roundhouse in London, as a headline show?! Eleven years ago on 19 July, when we played our very first show in a tiny tent in Tokyo, we could never have imagined this. It’s going to be a show that only the four of us right now can create, one that could only happen on this exact day. We want to throw ourselves into it fully and soak up every second.
How did it feel to perform in London for the first time in 2024? Was it different ?
Even within our European tour, London had this really special atmosphere. It felt like every single person in the audience was enjoying the music and the performance in their own unique way!
Which British bands have inspired you over the years, and why?
SUZUKA : The Chemical Brothers!!!! I’d love to collaborate with them someday!
With such a genre-bending album, what was the core message you wanted to convey with From Tokyo with Love?
After our 2024 album AG! Calling, it was time for what’s NEXT. Travelling in our own way, we had this incredible experience of realising there are fans out there for us in every corner of the world. Carrying that with us, we’re setting off on an even bigger adventure, heading further into the infinite. We made this album with all our heart, from our origin point and hometown, Tokyo. Four bodies as one, but four completely different colours. We want you to feel our energy deeper, stronger, and wider than ever.
As you all have strong individual ideas and creative voices, how do you work together to create something as cohesive as this album?
We each have really different tastes and personalities, but when it comes to ATARASHII GAKKO!, all four of us share the same vision. It’s almost like the team operates as one big brain. Within that shared space, we each bring our own ideas to the table, and we evolve by carefully protecting the things we’ve always held dear.
How has the city of Tokyo shaped you as artists?
The first time we went to LA — the first overseas city we ever visited as a group — we had this real moment of realisation. A whole new world, new values — we were hit by so much. But at the same time, getting to know countries and cities outside Japan made us realise just how amazing and fascinating Japan, and Tokyo especially, really is. We feel genuinely proud to be creating and performing based in Tokyo.
You all have different passions and hobbies, such as crochet, baking, and drawing. What activities help you relax whilst touring?
We love going out with our tour crew, eating the best local food in each city, sightseeing, and taking walks. That’s how we recharge.
How do you continue to push against traditional boundaries as a group and as individuals?
Colour outside the lines with individuality and freedom!
—
—
Words: Adam Davidson
Photography: Lindsey Blane
—
Genre-bending Japanese group ATARASHII GAKKO! sit down with CLASH to discuss their upcoming 11th anniversary headline show in London, their upcoming studio album, From Tokyo with Love, and how their hometown has shaped them as artists.
As ATARASHII GAKKO! have taken their high-energy performances and infectious routines around the world, they have drawn inspiration from the different cultures, sounds, and experiences they’ve encountered along the way.
Returning to Tokyo after their travels, the J-pop quartet—made up of SUZUKA, KANON, MIZYU, and RIN—found a renewed appreciation for their hometown. They recognised how Tokyo has absorbed influences from across the globe and transformed them into something entirely its own, much like they have done with their music throughout their career.
That perspective became the foundation of From Tokyo with Love. Reflecting on the city’s influence, ATARASHII GAKKO! explore how Tokyo has shaped them as individuals while bringing their distinct voices together to create something uniquely their own as a collective.
To celebrate the album’s release, the group will bring their raw energy and genre-defying sound to London’s Roundhouse for a special headline show, where they will also mark their 11th anniversary alongside their global fans.
—
—
CLASH: What energy and atmosphere do you want to create with your live shows? from what you expected?
ATARASHII GAKKO!: It’s an energy that only the four of us can bring, and through our music and performance, we want to become one with everyone around the world. The vibe that can only be born in that exact moment is something we really cherish.
How will you celebrate your 11th anniversary with the London crowd? How do you reflect upon this major milestone?
The fact that we get to spend our 11th anniversary at the Roundhouse in London, as a headline show?! Eleven years ago on 19 July, when we played our very first show in a tiny tent in Tokyo, we could never have imagined this. It’s going to be a show that only the four of us right now can create, one that could only happen on this exact day. We want to throw ourselves into it fully and soak up every second.
How did it feel to perform in London for the first time in 2024? Was it different ?
Even within our European tour, London had this really special atmosphere. It felt like every single person in the audience was enjoying the music and the performance in their own unique way!
Which British bands have inspired you over the years, and why?
SUZUKA : The Chemical Brothers!!!! I’d love to collaborate with them someday!
With such a genre-bending album, what was the core message you wanted to convey with From Tokyo with Love?
After our 2024 album AG! Calling, it was time for what’s NEXT. Travelling in our own way, we had this incredible experience of realising there are fans out there for us in every corner of the world. Carrying that with us, we’re setting off on an even bigger adventure, heading further into the infinite. We made this album with all our heart, from our origin point and hometown, Tokyo. Four bodies as one, but four completely different colours. We want you to feel our energy deeper, stronger, and wider than ever.
As you all have strong individual ideas and creative voices, how do you work together to create something as cohesive as this album?
We each have really different tastes and personalities, but when it comes to ATARASHII GAKKO!, all four of us share the same vision. It’s almost like the team operates as one big brain. Within that shared space, we each bring our own ideas to the table, and we evolve by carefully protecting the things we’ve always held dear.
How has the city of Tokyo shaped you as artists?
The first time we went to LA — the first overseas city we ever visited as a group — we had this real moment of realisation. A whole new world, new values — we were hit by so much. But at the same time, getting to know countries and cities outside Japan made us realise just how amazing and fascinating Japan, and Tokyo especially, really is. We feel genuinely proud to be creating and performing based in Tokyo.
You all have different passions and hobbies, such as crochet, baking, and drawing. What activities help you relax whilst touring?
We love going out with our tour crew, eating the best local food in each city, sightseeing, and taking walks. That’s how we recharge.
How do you continue to push against traditional boundaries as a group and as individuals?
Colour outside the lines with individuality and freedom!
—
—
Words: Adam Davidson
Photography: Lindsey Blane
—
Genre-bending Japanese group ATARASHII GAKKO! sit down with CLASH to discuss their upcoming 11th anniversary headline show in London, their upcoming studio album, From Tokyo with Love, and how their hometown has shaped them as artists.
As ATARASHII GAKKO! have taken their high-energy performances and infectious routines around the world, they have drawn inspiration from the different cultures, sounds, and experiences they’ve encountered along the way.
Returning to Tokyo after their travels, the J-pop quartet—made up of SUZUKA, KANON, MIZYU, and RIN—found a renewed appreciation for their hometown. They recognised how Tokyo has absorbed influences from across the globe and transformed them into something entirely its own, much like they have done with their music throughout their career.
That perspective became the foundation of From Tokyo with Love. Reflecting on the city’s influence, ATARASHII GAKKO! explore how Tokyo has shaped them as individuals while bringing their distinct voices together to create something uniquely their own as a collective.
To celebrate the album’s release, the group will bring their raw energy and genre-defying sound to London’s Roundhouse for a special headline show, where they will also mark their 11th anniversary alongside their global fans.
—
—
CLASH: What energy and atmosphere do you want to create with your live shows? from what you expected?
ATARASHII GAKKO!: It’s an energy that only the four of us can bring, and through our music and performance, we want to become one with everyone around the world. The vibe that can only be born in that exact moment is something we really cherish.
How will you celebrate your 11th anniversary with the London crowd? How do you reflect upon this major milestone?
The fact that we get to spend our 11th anniversary at the Roundhouse in London, as a headline show?! Eleven years ago on 19 July, when we played our very first show in a tiny tent in Tokyo, we could never have imagined this. It’s going to be a show that only the four of us right now can create, one that could only happen on this exact day. We want to throw ourselves into it fully and soak up every second.
How did it feel to perform in London for the first time in 2024? Was it different ?
Even within our European tour, London had this really special atmosphere. It felt like every single person in the audience was enjoying the music and the performance in their own unique way!
Which British bands have inspired you over the years, and why?
SUZUKA : The Chemical Brothers!!!! I’d love to collaborate with them someday!
With such a genre-bending album, what was the core message you wanted to convey with From Tokyo with Love?
After our 2024 album AG! Calling, it was time for what’s NEXT. Travelling in our own way, we had this incredible experience of realising there are fans out there for us in every corner of the world. Carrying that with us, we’re setting off on an even bigger adventure, heading further into the infinite. We made this album with all our heart, from our origin point and hometown, Tokyo. Four bodies as one, but four completely different colours. We want you to feel our energy deeper, stronger, and wider than ever.
As you all have strong individual ideas and creative voices, how do you work together to create something as cohesive as this album?
We each have really different tastes and personalities, but when it comes to ATARASHII GAKKO!, all four of us share the same vision. It’s almost like the team operates as one big brain. Within that shared space, we each bring our own ideas to the table, and we evolve by carefully protecting the things we’ve always held dear.
How has the city of Tokyo shaped you as artists?
The first time we went to LA — the first overseas city we ever visited as a group — we had this real moment of realisation. A whole new world, new values — we were hit by so much. But at the same time, getting to know countries and cities outside Japan made us realise just how amazing and fascinating Japan, and Tokyo especially, really is. We feel genuinely proud to be creating and performing based in Tokyo.
You all have different passions and hobbies, such as crochet, baking, and drawing. What activities help you relax whilst touring?
We love going out with our tour crew, eating the best local food in each city, sightseeing, and taking walks. That’s how we recharge.
How do you continue to push against traditional boundaries as a group and as individuals?
Colour outside the lines with individuality and freedom!
—
—
Words: Adam Davidson
Photography: Lindsey Blane
—
