Tentenko: The New Queen of the Underground?

5/22/2016

When BiS disbanded in 2014, almost everybody rushed off to start their own idol groups or rock bands. Tentenko was the major exception. Forming her own record label "Tenten Records", this freelance DJ and solo musician has already had an incredibly prolific career in only two years. With a long string of albums, mini-albums, and singles, Tentenko is going strong and shows no signs of slowing down. Judging by her 80s-throwback, Jun Towaga-inspired alt pop, could this former idol take Togawa's crown as the Queen of the Underground?

While Tentenko captured our hearts with her 2015 single "Good bye, Good girl.", that was hardly her first solo effort. It's difficult for an English speaker to discern just what Tentenko's first release was, but there's a ton of stuff out there. From her duology of Halmens cover albums, to her abstract instrumental album "Hibiya Kouen", to the minimalistic and bassy soft pop album "Tentenko no Seimei dai Yakushin", this ex-idol has been busy.

Tentenko doesn't produce ALL of her own music, having a team of collaborators on most of the Tenten Records releases, but she's certainly proven to have musical talent outside of her signature voice. Even if sometimes that talent is used for a harsh deconstruction of musical concepts, such as this live appearance with the legendary Hijokaidan:

Tentenko performs with Hijokaidan at HMV Record Shop

The BiS crowd are no strangers to Hijokaidan; in the year before BiS disbanded, they release TWO collaboration/remix albums with the noise troupe, which included a fantastic noise-ridden cover of Jun Togawa's classic "Suki Suki Daisuki". Tentenko's fellow BiS-alum First Summer Uika has also played drums as a part of the noise band.

Music video for the BiS Kaidan cover of "Suki Suki Daisuki"

If noise isn't your thing (and for most people it rarely is), you may be interested in Tentenko's work as a time-traveling idol from the 80s. What else could she possibly be, based on her work on "Good bye, Good girl" and other similar releases? Hell, she even released a VHS tape to go along with that single. a VHS TAPE! How many people these days can even spell VHS?*

*probably all of the people, if we're being honest here

Music video for "Good bye, Good girl."

The VHS tape in question, which includes the above music video and a couple other videos. Can be purchased here: http://tentenko.theshop.jp/items/1954240

Tentenko is an incredibly prolific and talented artist, and this article could go on forever talking about each of her individual releases and why they should matter to you, a Curious Fan of Underground Music. Instead, I think it's best to let you browse her catalogue yourself, and find what may be your new favorite record in among Tentenko's glorious discography. I have a feeling she might just become this generation's Jun Togawa, and I for one will be avidly watching her career for each new release.

-Justin

Tentenko

the Ken Kgami / Motoyuki Daifu photoshoot where most of this article's photos were found can be seen here

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