CHAI — the beloved Japanese quartet composed of identical twins MANA (vocals/keys) and KANA (guitar), drummer YUNA, and bassist/lyricist YUUKI — are “professional purveyor[s] of whimsy” (The New York Times). Today, the four-piece unveils their first new single/video of 2023, “We The Female!” Following CHAI’s acclaimed 2021 album, WINK, which “exudes a newfound sense of serenity, even as they remain committed to exuberant self-love” (Pitchfork), “We The Female!” continues expanding CHAI’s canon of anthemic dance jams. The accompanying video, directed by Cezan Iseda, is a charming collage of 80s television homages.
Of “We The Female!,” YUUKI adds: “We are human and were born as female, but we have both female and male aspects in each of our souls, each with our own sense of balance. We can’t just label ourselves into clear-cut, simple categories anymore! I’m not anyone else but just ‘me,’ and you are no one else but just ‘you.’ This song celebrates that with a roar! Yooooooooo!!”
WINK followed CHAI’s beloved 2017 debut PINK, and their superb 2019 sophomore effort, PUNK. Surrounding WINK’s release, CHAI was profiled in V Magazine, The New York Times, NPR and more; it was named one of the year’s best releases by Under The Radar and Paste, who hailed: “CHAI make every moment feel like a treat.”
“WE THE FEMALE!” is a small taste of what CHAI has in store for the year.
In 2021, CHAI made their Sub Pop debut with WINK, securing their position as “a professional purveyor of whimsy” (The New York Times).
Today, CHAI is releasing the official video for “MY DREAM,” directed by Yasuaki Komatsu. The single was released internationally earlier this month, and written specifically as the theme song for the Japanese film The Fish Tale, which will see its theatrical release in Japan on September 1st, 2022.
YUUKI says, “When you’re doing something you love, in whatever way you want to, those are the times in life when you feel irresistibly great. The things you love so much that you even dream about, are the very things that shouldn’t be left just as dreams! Nothing can beat your “LOVE” for something! That’s what we felt when we saw the film, and we put all of that into this song.”
CHAI’s international tour schedule in continued support of WINK resumes Thursday, September 15th in Anaheim, CA at The Parish at House of Blues and continues through Friday, November 18th with an appearance at Mexico City’s Corona Capital. Along the way, CHAI will will also support Hippo Campus’s fall tour (Sept. 30-30th), and has scheduled festival appearances in South America for appearances at Primavera Sound’s Sao Paolo, Brazil (Nov. 6th), Santiago, Chile (Nov. 12th) and Buenos Aries, Argentina (Nov. 13th). For up to date information on tickets and new shows, please visit https://chai-band.com/en/category/live.
Thu. Sep. 15 - Anaheim, CA - The Parish at House of Blues Sat. Sep. 17 - San Diego, CA - Voodoo Room at House of Blues Sun. Sep. 18 - Los Angeles, CA - Primavera Sound LA Tur. Sep 20 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echo Thu. Sep. 22 - Chicago, IL - Garfield Park Observatory Sun. Sep. 25 - Dover, DE - Firefly Music Festival Mon. Sep. 26 - New York, NY - (Le) Poisson Rouge Fri. Sep 30 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa* Mon. Oct. 03 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater * Tue. Oct. 04 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live * Thu. Oct. 06 - Milwaukee, WI - The Riverside Theater * Sat. Oct. 08 - Omaha, NE - The Admiral * Mon. Oct. 10 - Louisville, KY - Old Forester’s Paristown Hall * Tue. Oct. 11 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater* Thu. Oct. 13 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre * Fri. Oct. 14 - Montreal, QC - Le National * Sat. Oct. 15 - Portland, ME - State Theater * Mon. Oct. 17 - Providence, RI - The Strand * Tue. Oct. 18 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall * Thu. Oct 20 - Harrisburg, PA - XXL Live* Fri. Oct. 21 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz * Sat. Oct. 22 - Charlotte, NC - The Filmore* Tue. Oct. 25 - Miami, FL - North Beach Bandshell * Wed. Oct. 26 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues * Fri. Oct. 28 - St.Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live * Sat. Oct. 29 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen * Sun. Oct. 30 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City * Sun. Nov. 06 - Sao Paolo, BR - Primavera Sound Sao Paulo Brazil Sat. Nov. 12 - Santiago, CL - Primavera Sound Santiago Chile Sun. Nov. 13 - Buenos Aires, AR - Primavera Sound Buenos Aires Argentina Fri. Nov. 18 - Mexico City, MX - Corona Capital * with Hippo Campus
In 2021, CHAI made their Sub Pop debut with WINK, securing their position as “a professional purveyor of whimsy” (The New York Times). Tonight, Friday, July 8th (at 8 pm PT/ 11 pm ET) they are sharing the animated, 16-bit official video for “HERO JOURNEY,” their new single and collaboration with Domino Recording Company act Superorganism.
CHAI says of the Superorganism collaboration, “We held a mutual liking and love for one another’s music and eventually were invited to open for them on their UK and Europe Tour. From recording while on the tour bus to even joining in as guests at their shows in Japan! So many memories we share! Having played around with music together in the past makes this collaboration that much more special.
“This song is all about Hero’s coming in all forms! and how amazing that is! Superorganism has reached all nationalities and ages, recognizing those differences and embracing them. The perfect fit for this song. As a post-WINK release and at a time where a new CHAI is brewing, this song is nothing but perfect. It screams Summer! So stay tuned! More CHAI to come!”
YUUKI adds, “Is the job of a “justice-seeking” HERO only to defeat “evil”? Perhaps the opposite of “justice” isn’t “evil”, but rather “another form of justice”?! Me and mine, you and yours…what each of us calls “justice”, should be able to dance amongst one other! That HERO you all see, is who CHAI wants to be. Gather all your friends you love cus’ we’re going to fly again today! It’s that type of song!”
Superorganism’s Orono offers this, “Category is drag queen superhero realness… and you bet we served it on a big, fat platter for this one. Sugary explosion of nothing but pure and refined girl bossery! Anyway so stoked that we finally got to collab with our friends… more to come 🐸”
CHAI has added new headlining dates to their international tour schedule in continued support of WINK, which now spans Thursday, September 15th through Sunday, November 18th, 2022. The new dates will include Southern California shows in Anaheim (Sep. 15th) and San Diego (Sep. 17th), as well stops in Chicago (Sep. 22nd), and in New York (Sep. 26th). The group will also support Hippo Campus’s fall tour (Oct. 3rd-30th). Additionally, the band has added an appearance at Corona Capital in Mexico City (Nov. 18th), and will head to South America for appearances at Primavera Sound’s Sao Paolo, Brazil (Nov. 6th), Santiago, Chile (Nov. 12th) and Buenos Aries, Argentina (Nov. 13th). Please find a full list of tour dates below.
Thu. Sep. 15 - Anaheim, CA - The Parish at House of Blues Sat. Sep. 17 - San Diego, CA - Voodoo Room at House of Blues Sun. Sep. 18 - Los Angeles, CA - Primavera Sound LA Thu. Sep. 22 - Chicago, IL - Garfield Park Observatory Sun. Sep. 25 - Dover, DE - Firefly Music Festival Mon. Sep. 26 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge Mon. Oct. 03 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater * Tue. Oct. 04 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live * Thu. Oct. 06 - Milwaukee, WI - The Riverside Theater * Sat. Oct. 08 - Omaha, NE - The Admiral * Mon. Oct. 10 - Louisville, KY - Old Forester’s Paristown Hall * Tue. Oct. 11 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater* Thu. Oct. 13 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre * Fri. Oct. 14 - Montreal, QC - Le National * Sat. Oct. 15 - Portland, ME - State Theater * Mon. Oct. 17 - Providence, RI - The Strand * Tue. Oct. 18 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall * Fri. Oct. 21 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz * Sat. Oct. 22 - Charlotte, NC - The Filmore* Tue. Oct. 25 - Miami, FL - North Beach Bandshell * Wed. Oct. 26 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues * Fri. Oct. 28 - St. Pertersburg, FL - Jannus Live * Sat. Oct. 29 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen * Sun. Oct. 30 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City * Sun. Nov. 06 - Sao Paolo, BR - Primavera Sound Sao Paulo Brazil Thu. Nov. 10 - Santiago, CL - Mentronomonn (Primavera Sound Chile Side Show) Sat. Nov. 12 - Santiago, CL - Primavera Sound Santiago Chile Sun. Nov. 13 - Buenos Aires, AR - Primavera Sound Buenos Aires Argentina Fri. Nov. 18 - Mexico City, MX - Corona Capital * with Hippo Campus
In 2021, CHAI made their Sub Pop debut with WINK, securing their position as “a professional purveyor of whimsy” (The New York Times). Today, they are sharing the official video for “SURPRISE,” the band’s new single.
CHAI says of “SURPRISE,” “We all have that precious “something” that we can’t express in words. But sometimes those things happen to make it out as words, and we want to feel and love that “surprise”. Those become the surprises of our lives, and I become a brand new me♡. That’s what we had in mind when we wrote “SURPRISE”. Check it out♡”
As for the song’s official video, CHAI offers this, “When our trailer was stolen during our North American tour, we were able to continue our shows because of the overwhelming support and love from all of you. We never forget how much we appreciate you, and we want to continue to give back to our fans through music, forever and ever. This music video was shot under the blue skies of Los Angeles, with gratitude. Check it out♡.”
This weekend, CHAI will also be one of the artists featured in YouTube Japan’s streaming event “YouTube Music Weekend Vol. 5”, where they will premiere footage from their sold out Brooklyn show that took place on February 15th as part of their WINK TOGETHER NORTH AMERICA TOUR. The livestream will take place on May 7th 1:40 pm JST / May 6th 9:40 pm PDT, on CHAI’s official YouTube channel. Check out the livestream here (Available on archive until May 15th - 1:40 pm JST/May 14th - 9:40 pm PT).
CHAI’s international tour schedule in continued support of WINK spans Friday, June10th through Sunday, November 13th, 2022. In June, the band will visit Australia for a short tour, which includes stops at Vivid Sydney at Carriageworks (Jun. 10th) and Rising 2022 at Forum Melbourne (Jun. 11th). CHAI will then return to the US and Canada in September for appearances at Primavera Sound LA (Sep 18th) and Dover, DE’s Firefly Music Festival (Sep. 25th), and a direct support slot opening for Hippo Campus (Oct. 3rd-30th). Finally, in November CHAI will head to South America for appearances at Primavera Sound’s Sao Paolo, Brazil (Nov. 6th), Santiago, Chile (Nov. 12th) and Buenos Aries, Argentina (Nov. 13th). Please find a full list of tour dates below.
Fri. Jun. 10 - Sydney, AU - Vivid Sydney at Carriageworks Sat. Jun. 11 - Melbourne, AU - Rising 2022 at Forum Melbourne Sun. Sep. 18 - Los Angeles, CA - Primavera Sound LA Sun. Sep. 25 - Dover, DE - Firefly Music Festival Mon. Oct. 03 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater * Tue. Oct. 04 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe * Thu. Oct. 06 - Milwaukee, WI - The Riverside Theater * Sat. Oct. 08 - Omaha, NE - The Admiral * Mon. Oct. 10 - Louisville, KY - Paristown Hall * Tue. Oct. 11 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater* Thu. Oct. 13 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre * Fri. Oct. 14 - Montreal, QC - Le National * Sat. Oct. 15 - Portland, ME - State Theater * Mon. Oct. 17 - Providence, RI - The Strand * Tue. Oct. 18 - New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall * Fri. Oct. 21 - Raleigh, NC - The Ritz * Sat. Oct. 22 - Charlotte, NC - The Filmore* Tue. Oct. 25 - Miami, FL - North Beach Bandshell * Wed. Oct. 26 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues * Fri. Oct. 28 - St.Pertersburg, FL - Jannus Live * Sat. Oct. 29 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen * Sun. Oct. 30 - Birmingham, AL - Iron City * Sun. Nov. 06 - Sao Paolo, BR - Primavera Sound Sao Paulo Brazil Sat. Nov. 12 - Santiago, CL - Primavera Sound Santiago Chile Sun. Nov. 13 - Buenos Aires, AR - Primavera Sound Buenos Aires Argentina * with Hippo Campus
For the first time in years, it’s that time of year again…We are, of course, referring to the 2022 SxSW Music Festival in Austin, TX. And this year, Sub Pop artists Aeon Station, Naima Bock, Cartel Madras, CHAI, Hannah Jadagu, Kiwi Jr., Pissed Jeans, and Weyes Blood will all appear at the once-again-annual music festival and BBQ buffet. Please find a complete schedule for each artist below.
Aeon Station
THURSDAY, MARCH 17th
5:25 PM / Hipster Robot Showcase @ Side Bar
602 E 7th St., Austin, TX 78701
1:00 AM / SXSW Showcase @ Elysium
705 Red River St., Austin, TX 78701
FRIDAY, MARCH 18th
1:30 PM / Brooklyn Vegan Showcase @ TBD
6:15 PM / Midgetmen’s Jumpstart 14
602 E 7th St., Austin, TX 78701
10:00 PM / Pellicular Works @ Soundspace Captain Quackenbush’s Coffeehouse
5326 Menchaca Rd., Austin, TX 78745
Naima Bock
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16th
1:00 PM / IFPA (Global Street Farm) @ Idle Hands
Address: 85 Rainey St
THURSDAY, MARCH 17th
8:00 PM / St. David’s Bethell Hall @ St. David’s Episcolpal Church
301 E 8th St., Austin, TX 78701
FRIDAY, MARCH 18th
11:00 PM / British Underground Happening @ Seller’s Underground
Panel Topic: Three LGBTQ+ acts with experience exploring their musicianship at a young age speak about the evolution of their craft and how that impacted the ways in which they came to celebrate their sexual identities.
Late last year, CHAI announced the WINK TOGETHER EP, a reimagination of songs from their beloved 2021 Sub Pop debut, WINK. To celebrate the release of the remix collection and CHAI’s forthcoming tour, you can now watch a new video for “PING PONG! feat. YMCK (Busy P Remix).”
For WINK TOGETHER, CHAI tapped their favorite artists from around the world for what they call their “most powerful album yet.” Collaborators include France’s BUSY P, Korea’s Beenzino, Japan’s ZAZEN BOYS and STUTS, as well as Australia’s Confidence Man.
CHAI will also release an official video for “Nobody Knows We Are Fun (STUTS Remix)” on February 9th, 2022.
Later today, CHAI will appear live on Van’s Channel 66 from 10 am to noon PST. The band will perform live, sit for an interview, and will do a short DJ set.
Today’s video release and live stream performance are another small taste of what CHAI have in store with WINK TOGETHER, as well as what they will bring to their 2022 North American tour of the same name. The WINK TOGETHER tour will see CHAI bookending their run of dates supporting Mitski, including stops in Chicago, Brooklyn, and Los Angeles.
WINK TOGETHER Tracklist
END (Confidence Man Remix)
ACTION (with ZAZEN BOYS)
Miracle (Scoobert Doobert Remix)
PING PONG! Feat. YMCK(Busy P Remix)
Nobody Knows We Are Fun (STUTS Remix)
Donuts Mind If I Do (with Beenzino)
CHAI TOUR DATES
Fri. Feb. 4 - Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
Sat. Feb. 5 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
Sun. Feb. 6 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Fri. Feb. 11 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
Sat. Feb. 12 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
Sun. Feb. 13 - Washington, DC @ Union Stage
Tue. Feb. 15 - Brooklyn NY @ Elsewhere
Thu. Feb. 17 - Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel * - SOLD OUT
Fri. Feb. 18 - Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz * - SOLD OUT
Sat. Feb. 19 - Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern * - SOLD OUT
Mon. Feb. 21 - Birmingham, AL @ Iron City * - SOLD OUT
Tue. Feb. 22 - New Orleans, LA @ Civic Theatre * - SOLD OUT
Thu. Feb. 24 - Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall (Outside Lawn) * - SOLD OUT
Fri. Feb. 25 - Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory * - SOLD OUT
Sat. Feb. 26 - Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater * - SOLD OUT
Mon. Feb. 28 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren * - SOLD OUT
Wed. March 2 - Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Expo Hall * - SOLD OUT
Thu. March 3 - Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Expo Hall * - SOLD OUT
Fri. March 4 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater * - SOLD OUT
Sat. March 5 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater * - SOLD OUT
Mon. March 7 - Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall * - SOLD OUT
Wed. March 9 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre * - SOLD OUT
Thu. March 10 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre * - SOLD OUT
Sat. March 12 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
Sun. March 13 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
Tue. March 15 - San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
Thu. March 17 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
