In October of last year, the Malaysian-based Toybox Projects presented the first edition of Toybox Showcase, where they introduced four Japanese indie bands to a worldwide audience through a live broadcast. This special event included performances and short introductions to the band and resulted in a special digital release. Soon after this event, we had the chance to ask these bands a couple of questions. These interviews all have their own article, so be sure to read them all. The first in the line of interviews is rock band TEN-SIN.
Rock quartet TEN-SIN got formed by two brothers in Kochi, Yuichi and Kohei, in 2009. Later on, Ogi and Hikari joined the band to make it complete. They were active under the band name Tenderly Thingummy, released a single and two mini-albums before changing the name in 2014 to TEN-SIN. The band is still going strong, armed with the brothers on guitar that cross each other from the left and right with American rock as the axis, a tightly carved rhythm section, and a lyrical singing melody. From far away in Tokyo, the band reminisces about their hometown and roars the sound that Kochi has nurtured.
AVO Magazine: Can you give us a brief history of TEN-SIN and tell us how you look back on the progress of the band over the years?
TEN-SIN: Kohei and Yuichi are brothers, and they formed their previous four-member band Tenderly Thingummy with Kohei’s younger classmates from high school, Hikaru and Ogi. After Ogi left the band, Fujisawa, who is from Kochi Prefecture like the others, joined and the band changed its name to TEN-SHIN. At first, we had about half dark songs, half-light songs but gradually the four of us came to create “heavy pop songs.”
AVO Magazine: What has been the high point of your musical path with TEN-SIN? What aspects of your past activities are you grateful for?
TEN-SIN: In 2016, when we made it to the final round of the Tokyo audition live event, we were really happy to be supported by so many fans. The video has also been uploaded to YouTube. (Red: see video below)
AVO Magazine: Considering Yuichi and Kohei are brothers, since you started TEN-SIN, has the bond between the two of you become stronger, and in what way?
Yuichi: If we weren’t in TEN-SIN, I don’t think I would communicate this much with my brother (laughs). TEN-SIN is a band of brotherly bonds.
AVO Magazine: For many people, 2021 and 2020 are seen as wasted years because the pandemic prevented them from doing the things they could have done normally, such as going to events, meeting friends, and enjoying concerts. How do you guys look at last year as musicians?
TEN-SIN: I don’t think these were wasted years. While there were things we couldn’t do that we normally would have done, we were able to do new things instead last year. As musicians, we searched for new ways of delivering music.
AVO Magazine: What will be your next steps in the near future? Are you working on a new release or preparing for something else?
TEN-SIN: We’re in the middle of writing new songs. We’ll try our best!
AVO Magazine: Do you have a message for the readers of AVO Magazine and can you share with us what currently are the best ways to support TEN-SIN?
TEN-SIN: Hello to all the readers of AVO Magazine! We are TEN-SIN! Everyone enjoying life to the full supports us more than anything else! If we can meet one day let’s toast each other with a drink!
A big thank you to TEN-SIN for taking the time to answer the interview questions. If you want to find out more about this band, please check out their official homepage, Twitter, and Facebook. Many thanks to the lovely people from Toybox Projects who facilitated and translated this interview. The digital release of Toybox Showcase Vol. 1 can be found on several major streaming services.
