Multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter Kishi Bashi has released the first official music video for “Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!,” the first single taken from his soon-to-be-released sophomore album titled Lighght. (Joyful Noise Recordings, May 13). Premiering today. The video for the song was directed by Geoff Hoskinson and features a whimsical array of animation complimentary to Kishi Bashi’s artistic sensibility.

Additionally, Kishi Bashi has announced his Spring North American headlining tour. Touring in support of the release of Lighght, which is now available for pre-order through Joyful Noise Recordings, the tour will kick off with a performance this weekend at Slingshot Festival in Athens, GA and will extend through the second week of June. The tour will visit additional markets such as Asheville, NC on April 1, Austin, TX on May 9, Los Angeles, CA on May 16, Chicago, IL on May 31, New York, NY on June 4, Brooklyn, NY on June 5, Washington DC on June 8, and will culminate in a performance at Terminal West in Atlanta, GA on Wednesday, June 11.

Taking its title from the one-word poem by minimalist poet Aram Saroyan, Lighght (pronounced “Light”) continues and expands the sound of Kishi Bashi’s debut, 151a, Since the profoundly successful release of 151a two years ago, Kishi Bashi has toured relentlessly with his loop-based live show, and fostering a groundswell of devotees.

151a was crafted over a four-year period while Kishi Bashi, the pseudonym for artist K. Ishibashi, was touring and recording with Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and of Montreal (where he was a full-time member and co-producer). In late 2012, after the success of 151a, Kishi Bashi decided to focus solely on his own music and began composing the new material, which led to the songs that are featured on Lighght.

Though violin remains his primary instrument and songwriting muse, Kishi Bashi has expanded his palette to include more diverse and nuanced instrumentation on Lighght. Bright and soaring avant-pop songs are prevalent, as are Eastern-tinged arrangements, gentle ballads, Philip Glass-inspired improvisations, and more than a few moments that flirt with ’70s prog (in the tradition of ELO or Yes).

MARCH
22 – Slingshot Festival – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA

APRIL
01 – The Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC
02 – Zanzabar – Louisville, KY
03 – Radio Radio – Indianapolis, IN
04 – Mission Creek Festival – The Mill – Iowa City, IA
05 – Middle of the Map Festival – Kansas City, MO

MAY
07 – Spanish Moon – Baton Rouge, LA
08 – Gasa Gasa – New Orleans, LA
09 – Mohawk – Austin, TX
10 – Fitzgerald’s Upstairs – Houston, TX
11 – Club Dada – Dallas, TX
13 – The Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ
14 – 191 Toole – Tucson, AZ
15 – The Irenic – San Diego, CA
16 – The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
17 – The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA
19 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR
20 – The Showbox at the Market – Seattle, WA
21 – Fortune Sound Club – Vancouver, BC
23 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT
24 – Gothic Theatre – Englewood, CO
25 – Bricktown Music Hall – Oklahoma City, OK
26 – The Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
27 – Ready Room – St. Louis, MO
29 – Memorial Union Terrace – Madison, WI
30 – Fine Line Music Cafe – Minneapolis, MN
31 – Metro – Chicago, IL

JUNE
01 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
02 – Virgin Mobile Mod Club – Toronto, ON
03 – The Sinclair – Cambridge, MA
04 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY
05 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY
06 – Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
08 – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
09 – The NorVa – Norfolk, VA
10 – Motorco Music Hall – Durham, NC
11 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA

JULY
12 – Bunbury Music Festival – Cincinnati, OH

Lighght track-listing:
01. Debut – Impromptu
02. Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!
03. The Ballad of Mr. Steak
04. Carry On Phenomenon
05. Bittersweet Genesis For Him AND Her
06. Impromptu No. 1
07. Q&A
08. One Upon A Lucid Dream (In Afrikaans)
09. Hahaha Pt. 1
10. Hahaha Pt. 2
11. In Fantasia

http://www.kishibashi.com