Joyful Noise Recordings and multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Kishi Bashi  have announcd the full stream of his brand new full-length album, Lighght. Streaming now two weeks prior to its official release on Tuesday, May 13, Lighght picks up where his debut album, 151a, left off with more whimsical looping and violin/vocal gymnastics. 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). Check out the full stream o fLighght over at NPR HERE.

Additionally, Kishi Bashi has announced his spring and summer 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 visit markets such as 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. Tickets and information on the upcoming tour can be found via Kishi Bashi’s official homepage,http://www.kishibashi.com.

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 of151a, 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.Taking its title from the one-word poem by minimalist poet Aram Saroyan, Lighght (pronounced “Light”) continues and expands the sound of 151a.

Live dates

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, ILJUNE
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
12 – Bunbury Music Festival – Cincinnati, OH

Photo: Kaden Shallat