YANEKA is Chiyako and Yui Maeda, a brother and sister duo from Japan.
Both are ex-members of the band ’World Defense Lovers’ which madeNo.2 with their album
’7 lyrics 7 musics’ in the Tower records Indie chart in Japan.YANEKA was formed in Feb 2005 and are now based in London and Japan where they regularly perform live.Their unique and beautiful sound takes inspiration from folk music from around the world, especially traditional Japanese and more recently ambient music styles.
The guitar is also used as a percussion instrument and tracks are layered live with a loop machine, creating an ambient platform for Chiyako’s haunting vocals.
Their weekly radio show ’Open Mic’ for Cocolo FM, one of Kansai’s largest radio stations
which reaches 3 million listeners, aims to introduce their listeners to new eclectic sounds from the UK, Europe and Scandinavia.Yaneka’s debut album ’Roots’ will be released in Japan this winter.After entering ’Inspire UK 2007’ a competition initiated from a collaboration between EMI Music Japan and British Council, Yaneka was the successful winner! This prize will contribute to Yaneka’s future, as artists who work both in Japan and Europe. They received the award on October 13th, at Tokyo International Forum, presented to them by the British Ambassador, the president of EMI Music Japan, and the president of British Council. This award warrants Yaneka the opportunity to record at Abbey Roads Studios in London, as well as airfare from Japan to the UK, provided by Virgin Atlantic.Chiyako : Trained since a young age in "Naga-uta" (a style of traditional japanese music) Sang as soprano as part of a classical chorus group.Yui : Attended the music school LIPA in the UK and studied rock music.
Has also formed a string quartet and composed classical music.
