Video game music might be Anamanaguchi’s biggest influence; however, they are anything but a novelty act. They have constructed a unique and detail oriented sound that is quirky yet accessible, channeling pop tactics used by the Beach Boys, Janet Jackson, and Weezer into elaborate chiptune orchestrations.
The group is comprised of four former fashion design students Ary Warnaar, Luke Silas, Peter Berkman, and James DeVito. However three of its members actually got their bachelor’s degree in Music Technology at NYU. Before the four friends formed Anamanaguchi they all interned for fashion houses, which included Armani, Prada, and Gucci. Rumor has it that the band’s alias derived from melding the names of these three companies together; however, differing theories have stated otherwise.
The initial stages of the band’s formation took place in Chappaqua, NY, US. Members Peter Berkman and James DeVito went to the town’s high school and eventually started to collaborate on musical projects.
At Pulsewave NYC the two later came in contact with 8bitpeoples, the label through which they would release their debut EP “Power Supply”. During Berkman’s time at NYU he met fellow music technology major Ary Warner, who joined the band along with Luke Silas by the release of Anamanaguchi’s 2nd EP, “Dawn Metropolis”.
The group released this EP for free on their website and received almost instant recognition for their unconventional and innovative recording tactics. One technique they used involved programing sounds on their computer, throwing tracks built from traditional rock instruments over the previously existing mix and filtering it through a NES console.
Their eccentric style caught the attention of video game developer Ubisoft who requested that the group compose the soundtrack for the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: Game. The group accepted the challenge and issued the soundtrack on 24 August 2010. The album was a hit and entered at No. 3 on the Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. This was followed by a string of free mp3 releases through their website, which were accompanied by gif cover art created by animator Paul Robertson.
After this release the band was ready to record their studio debut “Endless Fantasy”. The members sought financial support through Kickstarter and though their goal was to raise $50,000, the campaign managed to bring in a sum total of $277,399. The album certainly lived up to its hype, peaking at No. 2 on the Dance/Electronic Albums Chart and No.1 on the Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums. The band promoted the release with an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and subsequently embarked on a US tour.
In the Summer of 2014, Anamanaguchi issued their single “Pop It” a bubble gum pop composition, which garnered comparisons to J-pop singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and demarcated a departure from the group’s chiptune style. The group announced that their next studio album would be released in 2015 and have stated that it will continue in the stylistic direction of “Pop It”.
Of Monsters and Men
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