How Three Brothers Are Changing Tokyo’s Alternative Music Scene
Forget about the sickly sweet songs of the 2000s superstar Jonas Brothers, and meet the new heartthrob trio brand: Gliiico. Bringing the West Coast of Canada to the blazing city of Tokyo, the De Torres brothers are the new sensation in the scene of alternative music.
Kio, Kai, and Nico De Torres are of Spanish, Filipino, and Japanese descent. Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, they would surround themselves with things that reminded them of Japan, like snacks and VHS tapes of Japanese shows. One thing that stood out to them during these times was the foods manufactured by Glico, and this company inspired their band name. Though, instead of just one “i”, there are three, which seems to subtly represent the number of members.
The brothers are not only gifted in the field of music, but they also model, and Nico is an especially talented photographer. They have said that their inseparable bond contributes to their creative process since they share a similar vision of the band. As the saying goes, great minds think alike.
The trio has recently collaborated with Tokyo’s hip-hop stars Loota and Young Coco, as well as up-and-coming pop star Grace Aimi. Unlike other comparing indie bands, Gliiico is able to mix various cultural influences and bridge Western and anglophone music with Japan’s current music scene.
On top of that, fusing alternative music with hip hop isn’t as obvious as it may sound, since the two genres rarely overlap, but Gliiico does it skillfully, unlike any other, creating a unique sound.
Exploring themes of nostalgia, sentimentality, and playfulness, their tunes reminisce of good times just as much as bad times, like an ode to familiarity and the comfort in letting go. Gliiico is just taking its first steps as a band, but the De Torres brothers are, without doubt, one of the most promising bands of modern music.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
