One of the members of M.A.G.O., Tomio, used to be in the Kokessies. It's hard to believe listening to M.A.G.O.'s music though.
The female duo that is Tokyo-based M.A.G.O., is riding the wave of the new artsy, avant-garde/psychedelic trend, not unlike kindred souls OOIIOO. However, M.A.G.O.'s sound is even less constrained by traditional song structure and instrumentation. They use preset beats, with heavy use of effects, and sometimes almost hardcore guitars to affect a kind of washed out, almost psychedelic dissonance. The group is apparently well-connected to Japan's art scene, at least judging from the famous photographer who shot their debut album cover, the Paris concert they played, or the avant-garde art saloon they played at in Osaka. Their live shows are notoriously funny for the duo's crazed dances, so check them out and see what all the hype is about.
SCENE: Tokyo
GENRE: Avant-garde
WORKS:
An Odd Pair of Shoes Compare Notes, 2004
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