Kishi Bashi - 151a

Available on 10th-anniversary clear wax with original album, demos, and rarities They say that you spend your entire life writing your first album, piecing every formative moment, scribbled turn of phrase, and thematic epiphany into a fantastical collage. Multi-instrumentalist K. Ishibashi (aka Kishi Bashi) disproves that old adage. The title of Kishi Bashi’s 2011 debut album, 151a, is a riff on the Japanese phrase “ichi-go ichi-e,” roughly translating to “one time, one place.” That’s exactly what this debut is: A singular time, an inimitable place, a launchpad for bigger and better things to come. "It's a play on words that translates as a performance aesthetic of having a unique performance in time, with imperfections, and enjoying it while you can," Ishibashi told NPR at the time of the album’s release. "The saying reminds me to embrace my mistakes and move forward." Produced and performed exclusively by Kishi Bashi, 151a is a showcase of singular talent and ambition— and it didn’t