Ichiko Aoba has shared new single, “Space Orphans.” The track was originally shared as a sparse acoustic demo last March in response to the conflict in Ukraine. Now featuring new arrangements performed by Phonolite Strings that hang delicately around Aoba’s vocals, the official studio version of “Space Orphans” is a tender composition teeming with new life. Her seventh album, 2020’s stunning Windswept Adan, was released via her own label hermine. The concept album is the soundtrack to an imaginary film about a girl who journeys from her home to the fantastical Adan Island. Of “Space Orphans,” Aoba states: “To all of you who are stuck in a war you never asked for. To all of you who are all alone in a place that seems safe. To all of the orphans who carry a lingering loneliness inside them. I hope this song reaches the child inside of you.”

2023 sees play Australia for the first time ever in June. This fall, Aoba will support Japanese Breakfast at Walt Disney Concert Hall and Radio City Music Hall, as well as Weyes Blood at Pitchfork Festival Paris.

Nature is a constant inspiration for Aoba with almost all of her music and visuals exploring her connection to the environment. In an effort to continue raising awareness around climate change, “Space Orphans” is one of the first songs to be released as part of Brian Eno’s pioneering EarthPercent initiative “The Earth As Your Co-writer” which features the Earth itself as a credited songwriter. Proceeds from the song will be donated in perpetuity to EarthPercent, an organization which aims to unite the music industry in fighting climate change. Other artists releasing music through this groundbreaking initiative include Anna Calvi, Rostam Batmanglij, AURORA, Jacob Collier, Mount Kimbie, and Brian Eno himself.

Aoba is a multi-instrumentalist whose sound incorporates folk, jazz, and classical music. Since releasing her debut album at age 19 in 2010, Aoba has slowly garnered a devoted following around the world. She has collaborated with the likes of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Haruomi Hosono, Cornelius, Mac DeMarco, Black Country, New Road, Owen Pallet, and composed soundtracks for various films and video games (her music was featured prominently in The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening).

Ichiko Aoba Tour Dates

Tue. June 6 – Sydney, AU @ City Recital Hall
Wed. June 7 – Thu. June 8 – Melbourne, AU @ Rising Festival
Sat. Aug. 19 – Edinburgh, UK @ Edinburgh International Festival
Thu. Sept. 28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Walt Disney Concert Hall ^
Sun. Oct. 1 – Mexico City, MX @ Foro Indie Rocks!
Tue. Oct. 3 – Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre
Thu. Oct. 5 – New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall ^
Wed. Nov 8 – Paris, FR @ Pitchfork Festival Paris +

^ = w/ Japanese Breakfast
+ = w/ Weyes Blood

Purchase tickets for Ichiko Aoba HERE