Korean rock band "Kiha & The Faces" to debut in NYC

Published on 2014/03/07

This Korean psychedelic/folk rock band is very well known in South Korea, and about to perform at SXSW2014 this March. After attending SXSW, the band decided to perform in NYC as well.

Currently they are booked for two shows in NYC, and one of 'em is almost sold out.

First show - Kiha & The Faces in New York
http://www.7000miles.net/
Venue: Rockwood Music Hall (196 Allen St. New York, NY, 10002)
March 18, Tuesday
Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM
$10 - almost sold out
http://www.ticketfly.com/event/489765-kiha-faces-new-york/
* Specifications: Anyone who attends the show will be able to attend the next show featuring "Zane Carney" at 9pm. Zane Carney is a very handsome, talented guitarist/artist/producer, and famous for his session career with John Mayer, who will be touring in South Korea this May.

Second show - Bulgogi Beast
https://www.facebook.com/events/714176901937268/
Venue: Knitting Factory (361 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211)
March 19, Wednesday
Doors 7:30 PM / Show 8:00 PM
$15 online, $18 at the door
http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4058704&pl=kfny
* Specifications: Performing with two Brooklyn local bands, high-energy Southern Rock & Roll band "Jumbo Brown", and rising new indie rock band "Sheep Psyche".

About
The new stars on the Korean indie scene - a band so famous that their song lyrics have already made their way into school textbooks. Their 2008 hit Ssaguryeo Keopi ("Cheap Coffee") sent a shockwave of novelty through a stagnant Korean music world, an experimental yet somehow familiar track that caught the ears of the Korean public in a big way. This was an exciting new sound that mixed the flavors of Korea's 1970s psychedelic scene with a British new wave feel, then put a layer of melodious folk rock vocals on top. The combination of Chang Kiha's "talking" style of singing and lyrics containing messages deeply rooted in real life messages delivered through artful wordplay has earned the band a wide fan base among young twentysomethings. They are especially known for their massive on-stage charisma during live performances.
RIYL: Talking Heads, Roxy Music
Influences: Shin Jung-hyeon, Sanullim, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Lou Reed, The Doors, Sparks,
Television, Wings, The Beatles, Manfred Mann, Magazine, Joy Division, DEVO, The Cars
Members
Chang Kiha (Vocals), Lee Minki (Guitar), Jeong Jungyeop (Bass), Lee Jongmin (Keyboards), Hasegawa Yohei (Guitar), Jeon Iljun (Drums)

Biography
Kiha & the Faces first gained huge popularity with their debut single Cheap Coffee. While fans enthusiastically welcomed their distinctive sense of humor and unique style, others attributed their success simply to good luck. Nevertheless, Kiha & the Faces responded to such skeptical views with more music, becoming one of the most prominent Korean rock bands of the 21st century.
Kiha & the Faces are a rock band comprising Chang Kiha (vocals), who started his music career as the drummer in an indie band; Jeong Jungyeop (bass); Lee Minki (guitar); Lee Jongmin (keyboards); Hasegawa Yohei (guitar); and Jeon Iljun (drums). The band was formed in May 2008; their debut single, Cheap Coffee, released the same year, became known by way of the blogosphere. The band then won wide public attention by appearing at a festival and on a TV music show. Their unusual dancing and quirky music, combined with the unique charm of the Mimi Sisters, in charge of choreography and chorus at the time, created an Internet sensation, propelling the group to star status among indie bands. The single Cheap Coffee, copies of which were produced one at a time by hand, sold better than anyone dared expect and won three awards, including "Song of the Year", at the 6th Korean Music Awards.
In February 2009, the band released its first album, Living the Carefree Life. Characterized by its strong nostalgia for and reinterpretation of 1970s Korean rock, as represented by Songgolmae, Song Changsik and Sanullim, Living the Carefree Life sold a record-breaking number of copies for a rock album, becoming a best-seller. Two and a half years later, the band released its second album, Kiha & the Faces (2011). This new offering, in which stronger sound and creative ideas replaced humor and kitsch, was listed among the best rock albums at the end of the year and won the band four more awards, including "Album of the Year", at the 9th Korean Music Awards.
Later, the band released new track I Almost Had It..., as part of the experimental "Blank Check Project: Be Honest As You Pay for It and Take It", which allowed consumers to buy the song at whatever price they wanted. For the band, this was an opportunity to highlight issues with the current digital music download market. They are now working on their third album.
Kiha & the Faces say that good music is "music that is familiar, yet unfamiliar" and that they "aim for music that is fun for both those who make it and those who listen to it". Their fun and unfamiliar journey is set to continue for a long time into the future, just as it has up to now. If you want to join in, you're welcome at any time!
Discography
Single Album
Album
Cheap Coffee - May 10, 2008
1. Living the Carefree Life - February 27, 2009
Digital Single
Participation Albums
2. Kiha & the Faces - June 9, 2011
I Almost Had It - March 29, 2013
Remake of Ham Jung-A's I had Heard Rumors of in soundtrack to the movie Nameless Gangster - January 13, 2012
Remake of Sanullim's Please wait a Moment in REBORN Sanullim - March 27, 2012
MBC Infinite Challenge "JaYuRo Music Festival" Seventy fingers – SuperJapchoman - November 2, 2013

DVD
"Tour LIVE 090227" - May 12, 2009
LP
Cheap Coffee / Living the Carefree Life - March 25, 2011
Japan releases
Living the Carefree Life - 何事もなく暮らす - November 17, 2010 Kiha & the Faces - チャンギハと顔たち - October 20, 2011
Links
Official page : www.kihafaces.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/kihafaces
Twitter : www.twitter.com/kihafaces
SoundCloud : www.soundcloud.com/kihafaces
YouTube : www.youtube.com/user/kihafaces
MySpace : myspace.com/kihafaces
Reverbnation: reverbnation.com/kihafaces

M/V

A Sort of Relationship

I Almost Had It

Although I Heard Nothing to Feel Bad About... (Live)

Performances
2008
May. Debut. 'sustainable DDAN_DDA_RA_ZIL #4' @ Free Bird Oct. Ssamzie Sound Festival No.10 @ 88 Grass Madang, Olypic Park Oct. Grand Mint Festival (GMF) 2008 @ Olympic Park
2009
Feb. 1st Album Release Concert @ Sang-sang Madang
Apr. Tour Concert @ Daegu / Busan / Gwangju
May. World DJ Festival @ Nanji park, Han River
Jul. JISAN VALLEY ROCK FESTIVAL 2009 @ Jisan Forest Resort
Oct. Zentra X Ssamzie Sound Festival No.11 @ Nuri Peace Park, LimJinGak Oct. Grand Mint Festival 2009 (GMF) @ Olympic Park
Nov. Korea Music Festival @ Gymnastics gymnasium, Olympic Park
2010
Jul. JISAN VALLEY ROCK FESTIVAL @ Jisan Forest Resort
Nov. 1st Japan Liscence Album Release Concert @ WWW, Tokyo, Japan
2011
Jun. 2nd Album Released Concert @ Samsung Hall in Ehwa Univ.
Jul. @ California Center For The Arts, San Diego, USA
Jul. JISAN VALLEY ROCK FESTIVAL @Jisan Forest Resort
Oct. Ssamzie Organic Sound Festival No.13 @ Grass soccer field in NamYangju Sports and Cultural Center Oct. Japan Concert @ , Tokyo, Japan
Oct. BoroFesta @Kyoto, Japan
2012
Aug. Super Sonic Festival @ Olympic Park / Summer Sonic Festival @Japan Oct. Grand Mint Festival 2012 (GMF) @ Olympic Park
2013
May. Joint concert with Television @ Blue Square
Jun. K-music Festival @Scala Theatre, London
Aug. Hyundai Card Super Concert 19 'CITY BREAK' @ Main Stadium, Jamsil Oct. Grand Mint Festival 2013 @Gymnastics gymnasium, Olympic Park

Awards
2009
KoreanMusicAwards (SongoftheYear/BestRockSong/ArtistoftheYear-Netizens'Choice) KoreanBroadcastingAwards (RookieoftheYear)
GoldenDiskAward (RockAward)
2010
CyworldDigitalMusicAward (ListenerManiaAward) Korean Producer Award (Artist Cast Award)
2012
Korean Music Awards (Album of the Year / Artist of the Year / Best Rock Single / Best Rock Song Awards) The Arts Of Pop Culture Award (The Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Award)
Contact
Contact : Annie Ko (+82-10-7118-3076 / annie@drdramc.com) DuRuDuRu ArtistManagementCompany
Tel: +82-70-8862-7686
Website: http://www.drdramc.com
Office: 2F, 362-12, Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea