iradiophilly | Culture - Philadelphia Museum Of Art Presents: Art After 5 featuring Tokyo's Praha Depart

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Philadelphia Museum Of Art Presents: Art After 5 featuring Tokyo's Praha Depart

by: SteveKane - Broomall, PA
started: 03/10/13 10:41 pm | updated: 03/10/13 11:23 pm

This past Friday's Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum Of Art joined forces with Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia presenting "Japan Night" featuring live music from native Tokyo three-piece Praha Depart. Short for Prague Department Store, Praha Depart surely delivers a sonically impressive experience with jazz-fusion drums delivered by Jumpei Yamamoto, buzzsaw guitar work by Tsukasa Kameya, and the incredibly shrilling voice of Mai Yano. Driven by Toyko's underground rock scene, Praha Depart has been described as "irrepressibly danceable gypsy punk."

Philadelphia Museum Of Art's "Art After 5" is a series of entertainment served on Fridays in the Great Stair Hall. Included with the admission price, live performances from international artists are featured every month. Blending live entertainment with superb art galleries provide for a unique experience. Also offered are snacks and light dinner options with cocktails, wine, and beer options.

Momentarily after 5pm the sound of Kameya's delay-induced guitar and Yamamoto's tribal drumming filled the center hall in the Art Museum, signifying the start of their set. In front of a tabled crowd with waiting service providing drinks and dinner menus, the twilight dining provided a grandiose atmosphere for welcoming the band as well as introducing the audience to a stellar performance. Exhibits were open during the set inviting individuals to browse artwork while Praha Depart's music radiated throughout the expansive facility. Sitting on the center stairs in the main hall of the Art Museum was a great spot for the audience to experience the band and engage in listening to the avant-garde rock characteristic of Praha Depart.

Mai Yano's captivating vocal work and Tsukasa Kameya's psychedelic-shoegaze guitar filled the Art Museum with expressive electric rock 'n roll and fantastic melody. After each song the crowd greeted the band with immense applause and cheer. "We are Praha Depart, nice to meet you!" exclaimed Mai after a powerful song. The audience was very alive, taking pictures and following each beat.

At approximately 6:30pm the band finished their set with "Dot", a 10-minute battle-cry featured on their latest release of the same name, escalating with majestic prowess and ending with the shrieking and howling reminiscent of a young Yoko Ono. After their first set I was able to speak with the band, and they seemed ecstatic to play such an unconventional venue for their music. "They made sure we turned down the volume for our performance" says guitarist Tsukasa Kameya. True Praha Depart's set was altered to be more tame than usual, their songs transitioned well and were received with praise from the audience. I complemented drummer Jumpei Yamamoto on his seemingly jazz-fusion influence. "I have been playing drums for thirteen or fifteen years", says Yamamoto. They continued to talk about influence from American bands, citing Sonic Youth, The Pixies, and The Ramones.

The band's stop in Philadelphia was preceded by a performance the night before held at Pianos, a lounge bar located in the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York City. "It was our third time in New York City" says lead singer and bass player Mai Yano. After the intermission Praha Depart played a second set, identical to the first yet played in reverse order. Concluding their performance the band announced their merchandise table, including CDs, T-Shirts, and Buttons. Praha Depart return to New York City for their third and final show of their American tour tonight at Don Pedro's in Brooklyn. Energetic, innovative, and riveting Praha Depart continue to conduct superior performances and mesmerize audiences. They say love is blind, regardless of your ethnicity background Praha Depart's enthralling stage show allows any fan of music to be left nothing short of amazed.