Rin'

Rin'



The unique Japanese female trio Rin Mana, Tomoca and Chiewas formed in 2003

after its three members graduated from Tokyos esteemed National University of

Fine Arts and Music. The essence of their ethereal, atmospheric sonic tapestry

is to fluidly combine the exotic and subtle sounds of traditional Japanese instruments

with a contrasting framework of contemporary western popular music. We are interested,

say the lovely ladies of Rin, in making Japanese music accessible to the American

ear. The thousand year spirit in our instruments has a soul that needs to be heard.



With their U.S. debut album Inland Sea on Domo Records, Rin unleashes that spirit

with beauty, drama and naturally graceful pop sensibilities. In a similar vein

to the cinematic, ambient techno of Zero 7--whose acclaimed albums Simple Things

(01) and When It Falls (04) also delicately layer ephemeral soundscapes with

mesmerizing vocalsRins music evokes a dream-state that is both soothing and

radiant. When famed music producer/artist Narada Michael Walden heard Rins distinctive

artistry live at their first-ever U.S. show at the Knitting Factory in New York

City in 2004, he commented that their, fusion of Japanese instruments and new

sounds is fresh and marvelous.



That accolade sets the stage for Inland Sea, which officially introduces Rin to

America. The disc was produced by music veteran Jimmy Harry, whose seasoned pop

sensibilities have driven albums by stars including Samantha Cole, Lisa Loeb,

Lindsay Lohan, Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears. Harry also wrote or co-wrote

all of the albums eleven tracks, with stand-outs including Anti-Hero, featuring

Lisa Loeb crooning an infectious vocal that seamlessly blends into Rins instrumental

magic.



Other highlights include three enchantingly dreamlike tracks spotlighting vocals

by former Sixpence None The Richer lead singer Leigh Nash--New Day Rising, Never

Knew What Love Meant and Sea Of Tranquility. Citing other favorite cuts, Mana

and Tomoca both single out the plaintive and elegant Solemn, with Tomoca also

selecting AA170. Chie chimes in with a mention for the title track, a glistening

and reflective tone poem.



Besides the Loeb and Nash-embellished compositions, Rins own striking intermittent

vocals offer textural, often abstract brushstrokes in the groups rich aural landscapes.

Their musical virtuosity shines on age-old yet timeless Japanese instruments including

the Koto, a resonant stringed board zither, and its bass cousin, the Jushichigen.

The girls of Rin also excel on the Biwa, a form of short-necked lute; the Sangen,

a variation on the shamisen; and the Shakuhachi, a breathy, bamboo flute often

associated with Buddhist chants.



Rins steady career rise first began in early 2004 with the success of their debut

Japanese single, Sakitama. At home, theyve since released two full length studio

albums of original material, a concert album, an album interpreting Christmas

music and a live DVD. The trio has toured extensively in Japan and Asia, with

highlights including a January 2004 concert in Shanghai for the Japan China Cultural

Exchange Exhibit, a performance in October of that year at the John Lennon Music

Festival at the famous Nihon Budokan, a featured set at the globally minded 2005

World Exposition in Aichi, Japan and a 4-date tour in Mexico in October 05. Stateside,

Rin was the only act from Japan to play at 2004s 92nd National Cherry Blossom

Festival in Washington, DC, an annual celebration of Tokyos original gift of

3,000 cherry trees to the U.S. capital in 1912.



With influences ranging from the Beatles and the Carpenters to Destinys Child

and Japanese national treasure Kunie Fujii--a legend in the traditional musical

art of jiuta--Rin has a cross-cultural vision and dynamic creative expression

that is like no other. So far, says Rin, weve collaborated with J-pop, trance,

jazz and reggae. We continue to realize the many facets that our instruments reveal

to us depending on the style of music we are exploring. Western music has always

been a central and integral part of our lives, and we want to experience all the

untapped potentials that our instruments may hold.



Rin also plans to tour in support of Inland Sea, and eagerly await their first

full-scale U.S. concert itinerary: We like seeing the music expand in real time,

the sensitivity of our instruments blending with our present feelings and spreading

to the many people in the audience. Theres nothing more supreme than living in

the moment and taking in the smiles of the listeners.



Pronounced similarly to ring in English, Rin means clear cut and cool and

crisp in Japanese. Wa is the Japanese word for ring, and also has other associations

related to peace and harmony. The melding of these words and meanings, along with

Mana, Tomoca and Chies joint aspiration to create a full circlea ringthrough

music, led to their groups very fitting name. Experience the moment with Rin,

and discover their resonant music through the exquisite sonic depths of their

new album, Inland Sea.



INLAND SEA



The Sensational Japaneses female trio Rin' -Mana, Tomoca

and Chie- are recent graduates of Tokyo's

prestigious National University of Fine Arts and Music. Their ethereal blend of

contemporary western pop and traditional Japanese music has won them major fame

at homewith several acclaimed albums and the hit single "Sakitama".



With their 2006 U.S. debut album Inland Sea, the ladies of Rin' are poised for

international stardom. Produced and written by industry veteran Jimmy Harry (Lisa

Loeb, Lindsay Lohan, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, etc.), Inland Sea spotlights

Rin's graceful virtuosity on Koto, Jushichi-gen, Biwa, Sangen, and Shakuhachi

and other timeless eastern instruments.



The atmospheric disc also seamlessly incorporates vocals by Lisa

Loeb on the infectious "Anti Hero" and from former Sixpence

None The Richer singer Leigh Nash on three

dreamy tracks, "New Day Rishing", "Never Knew What Love Meant" and "Sea Of Tranquility".



The group's name Rin' is inspired by the English word "ring" and the Japanese

word "wa", combined to express the threesome's aspiration to creat a "circle of

music", a sound that famed producer/artist Narada Michael Walden has called, ".fresh

and marvelous". We think you'll agree!



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