Some might think that female drummers have a disadvantage when it comes to strength.
But Yuko Araki's unique and powerful performance makes us abandon that preoccupation.
When in high school, Yuko became interested in drums. After graduation, she moved to Tokyo to further her study in percussion and started playing seriously while attending a college of music. Her talent soon blossomed. Shortly after, her performance with an amateur band attracted other musicians and led to the start of her professional career.
In November 2002, she left the band Smorgas which she help start in 1997.
Yuko's technique and tight drumming attracts the attention of many musicians.
She has toured with Cornelius, Mike Watt, Salyu, Suga Shikao, Kyoko, Polaris, and recorded for Quruli, COIL, Chara, Chocolat & Akito, Suneohair, Grapevine, Liv, plus many more.
While playing and recording with many talented artists, Yuko felt she needed to step out on her own. Thus, "mi-gu"(pronounced "me-goo") was born in order to create her own sound.
Supported by members of ash-ray and other musicians, she has now released three albums, "Migu" released in Apr. 2003 (available in U.K. through Ochre Records), "From space" released in Sep. 2006 and "Pulling from above" released through COMMONS (Ryuichi Sakamoto's label) in May 2009.
Currently, she is a regular member of ash-ray led by Hirotaka Shimizu (shimmy) with Yukio Nagoshi (nago), Brother's Sister's Daughter, with Nels Cline, Mike Watt & shimmy, and IF BY YES with Petra Haden, Yuka Honda and shimmy.
Your best chance to see Yuko perform live outside of Japan is with THE CORNELIUS GROUP along with shimmy on bass, but with your support for mi-gu, who knows...mi-gu may perform somewhere near YOU.
THIS PAGE IS RUN BY d WITH PERMISSION FROM YUKO ARAKI & OFFICE AUGUSTA.
yuko's blogs are translated by a & d
mi-gu soap by
Yuko Araki has donated clothes for children from underprivileged homes.
Part of the sales from "mi-gu soap" will be used to buy CD players for children who are separated from their parents.
