Toko Shiiki-Santos: Vox, Samples
Erik Santos: Bass. Vox, Arranger
Dale King: Guitar. Vox
Ben Lorenz: Drums. Vox
Influences
the dark tunnels, and the light at the ends of them.
Sounds Like
Upbeat Global Soul
Lyrics in Japanese and English
About October Babies:
"October Babies are yet another fine example of Ypsilanti's knack for spitting out some of the coolest weird music on the planet. Part alt-rock, part dub band, part electronic, always entertaining, the October Babies seem on their way to good things, having just returned from a well-recieved Japanese tour and with plenty of regional dates to keep them busy. The trio's completely original compositions explore the cosmic side of the world music palette, maintaining an optimistic dreaminess that seems to always view the glass as half full ... even while you slam what's inside and start dancing."
~Ryan A. Bunch, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Adams Street Publishing Company,
Toledo City Paper,
Ann Arbor Current
"October Babies' music is filled with dreams and comfort......in other
words, their music takes us back to the place where we used to
belong......and makes us feel like we are 'babies' and are being held in
the arms of Mother. Relax and enjoy their harmony that crosses over
boundaries and culture!"
~Aki Tanaka
SVP, International Marketing
Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.
"October Babies' sounds come from a wide range of styles: soft reggae, pop, provocative rock tune, Japanese tasteful melodies combined with rock to foster new styles of dance-tune, and so on. The outstanding lead vocalist, Toko is really energetic! Powerful and positive! Occasionally, I even noticed members of their audience shrinking down in awe. I gazed at her in rapture, 'Hey girl, COOOOOL!' She is the kind of attractive vocalist who is adored by girls."
~Tomoko Miyajima
Review of Indies Jump Festa 2008 in Tokyo, Japan
(Shinko Music Entertainment CO., LTD)
Toko and Erik Santos met in Tokyo in 2002. At that time, Santos was in Japan as resident composer for the butoh troupe Dairakudakan, led by Akaji Maro. The two immediately bonded, though they spent the next three years maintaining a long distance relationship. Their first song together, "I Wonder Why", was actually a "callaboration" (collaboration over the phone). When Toko moved to the United States in 2005 to study photography in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the couple immediately began to work on their first record.
Often, the main melodies and lyrics are created and sung by Toko, and all other music is arranged, performed and produced by Erik. But the duo has also collaborated with several talented friends of theirs. For example, "Golden Eye" was co-written with Erik's high school buddy Brent Lewis, who also sings the main vocal. The blazing freestyle rap on the end of "Floating Soldier" was written and performed by a former staple of the Ypsilanti music scene, Satchel Jones. "Cocoon" began as a collaboration with drummer Ben Lorenz. The couple has also collaborated with two Japanese writers that they met over the internet, Shintaro and Kenshiro. The lyrics for "Ashita ~ Tomorrow Ride" and "Somethin' Eternal" were written by Shintaro to fit some of Toko's melodies. The lyrics for "Me" were inspired by and written for Toko by Kenshiro.
October Babies first album is called Ao-zora Radio (Blue-sky Radio), after Toko's monthly podcast of the same name. Since its release in Oct 2007, Erik and Toko have added two new members to the October Babies band:drummer Ben Lorenz, and guitar/vocalist Dale King. As a quartet, October Babies are now developing new material for their second album. Check out our new single "Wa Wa Wa"!
With the one-and-only Satchel Jones, the group will be touring Japan (Tokyo & Osaka) this summer.
See our tour schedule for details!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABIES!!! Hope everything went well last night with dan! I've got some great news and may require your services next august. gimme a shout, i lost your number with my old phone.
Yeah this band is awesome! Really looking forward to seeing you. SHAMELESS PLUG: We're playing at TC's Speakeasy Thursday 9/11 with a great band called Papadosio [myspace. com/papadosio] Everybody go.
Don't Miss Rootstand's Summer Tour, Mid Summer Nights Jam, inspired by Shakespeare's Oberon and the beer by the same name...the tour starts at The Circus in Ann Arbor on Wednesday July 9th, goes to the infamous Loft in Flint on thursday July 10th, Up to the famous Loading Dock in TC ,with Mossy Mountain for the first night of Cherry Festival July 11th, and climaxes in the Bell's Beer Garden with Mossy Mountain again, in the spirit of King Oberon himself on July 12th...Can't afford high priced festivals this summer? Come rock it with us intead!.
