NANTOKANARU

NANTOKANARU

Is a Czech alternative rock band formed in 2007 by Japanologist Igor Prusa. Mixing business attire, Japanese children's songs, and Gogo dancers, the band's spectacular stage shows quickly catapulted them from obscurity to the forefront of the Czech alternative rock scene. Their first album, He Who Dances with Swans was selected by the prominent MusicServer.cz as the best debut album of 2008, and that same year they went on to win the national Jack Daniels Music contest. Subsequently, the band flew to Nashville, Tennessee to record new material with producer David Barbe (Deerhunter, R.E.M.). In 2012, the band released their sophomore effort, She Who Plays With Shadows before going on hiatus as Igor relocated to Tokyo, Japan to pursue his doctorate degree.

A decade later, Nantokanaru has reformed, with guitarists Igor Prusa and Derek Saxenmeyer co-writing music and lyrics. Bassist Vit Kravacek and drummer Michal Grepl drive the rhythm section, while Filip Vlcek channels the story through his multifaceted vocals. The new lineup continues to develop the band's unorthodox style, which blends raw emotion, musical experimentation, and Japanese symbolism.