Geloomy is a four-piece band whose sound filters through disco, soul, and funk before crystallizing into classic rock and pop. Rather than following a clearly mapped-out plan, they’ve kept moving forward by trusting the feel of the moment and the currents of the people around them. From a first-time jam session between strangers to their debut show, and eventually a one-man concert at Shibuya WWW, what began as a chain of coincidences gradually turned into conviction.
In this interview, the members trace their story in their own words—from how the band formed to their roots, their view of the scene today, and what lies ahead.
First, could you introduce Geloomy?
Shouchou: We’re a band with roots in disco, soul, and funk, but we also draw from classic rock—there are a lot of different elements in what we do.
What sparked the band’s formation?
Shouchou: At the very beginning, it was really just like, “Let’s hang out and mess around in the studio.” We got together for the first time and figured we’d do some covers or something. Then, as things flowed naturally, we started playing originals—and before we knew it, this band had become what it is.
Do you remember the first cover song you played?
Shouchou: “My Girl” by Kan Sano.
Could each of you tell us what got you into music?
Shouchou: There was always soul and funk playing at home, and around my third year of middle school I got really into Tom Misch. There wasn’t one clear moment—it was more like I’d kept vaguely thinking, “I want to do music,” for a long time.
Jinzou: I ended up in the same class as Shouchou in high school, and when I saw him playing guitar I thought it looked fun. I started on guitar, and later I was listening to King Gnu and OKAMOTO’S and thought, “Bass is so cool.” It wasn’t like I decided to become a bassist—I just play bass because I like it.
Hai: In middle and high school I played percussion in a wind ensemble. I used to watch Buddy Rich videos constantly, and around the time I entered university I started listening to more Black music. I admired Questlove and Nate Smith, and that’s what led me here.
Kanzou: I played piano a little in elementary school, then stepped away from it. But in university I listened to Kan Sano, and from there I dug into Robert Glasper and Reuben James—and I started thinking I might try again.
When was your first live show?
Shouchou: Around spring of 2023. At that point we had zero songs on streaming, and we’d only just started moving our Instagram a little.
How did it feel when you finally reached your one-man show at Shibuya WWW?
Shouchou: We’ve always played in places where we’re really close to the audience, and it feels like we’ve grown together with the people who keep coming back. It’s like we’re creating the “content” called Geloomy together.
Hai: In my previous band, I’ve played shows with zero audience before, so seeing WWW packed out honestly made me think, “This really has a dream to it.”
Jinzou: I was glad we could present our world with a certain level of quality—not just the performance, but also the VJ and the merch. It felt like a real milestone.
Kanzou: It was the right moment—things we’d been doing up to that point were coming together, and we had a proper place to show it. A lot of people were dancing too, so in terms of results it was huge for us.
Where do you want to take Geloomy from here?
Shouchou: First, we want to put out more songs. After that, while keeping the four of us as the core, we want to start borrowing a bit of strength from outside as well. A lot will change—drastically—but we’ll keep what’s good about Geloomy as it is, and take our time as we make our move.
What stages do you want to play, and what goals are you aiming for?
Shouchou: WWWX, LIQUIDROOM, and then beyond that—Zepp. We want to take the time it takes.
Hai: I want to go overseas. Taiwan was great, and I want to go to Asia, the U.S., Europe—everywhere.
Jinzou: I want to do shows in small cafés too, or in places with really cool scenery.
Kanzou: For our recordings, I want us to shape a sound with an overseas audience in mind as well—stylish, but with a slightly off-kilter edge.
How do you see Tokyo as a city?
Shouchou: Tokyo feels polarized. There are people who come here because they genuinely have something they want to do, and there are people who come here without much reason. We want to be the former. I think music will keep getting more “fashionable,” but it can’t become only that. It’s a city where finding the right balance is hard.
What kind of scene do you want to see from here on out?
Shouchou: I hope there are more places where people don’t judge others by genre, and can just enjoy music purely.
Kanzou: I want a scene where you can absorb things well, regardless of genre.
Jinzou: It would be interesting if there were more environments where you can listen to music naturally—somewhere that isn’t a live house.
Hai: More places where you can be like, “Oh, something’s happening,” and casually come into contact with live sound.
Finally, could you leave a message for the readers?
Shouchou: We do the songs, the videos, the design, the mix—everything ourselves, and we want to keep doing what we love. I’d be happy if you remember us and put us on when you have some time.
Born from coincidence, Geloomy is still moving forward by trusting the flow. And yet, that movement has begun to take on a clearer outline. With time on their side, their position keeps updating—this is still only the middle of the story.
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