Brace Yourself for Japanese Cheer Punk Band Ni-Hao!'s "Sounds Like Yelling"

Listening to Ni-Hao!’s 2016 release No Respect is akin to participating in a triathlon. Scratch that. It's akin to finding yourself on a booby-trap-ridden Ninja Warrior course (or Double Dare for those who grew up on Nickelodeon). The all-female quartet from Kyoto jump from one style to another with reckless abandon – hip-hop, techno-pop, speedcore – sometimes within the span of a second. It’s insane, hyperactive, jarring, and yes, tons of fun, leaving you reeling and questioning what the hell you just heard. It’s pure attitude and punk in its most distilled form.

Formed by twin bassists Yukari and Ariko in 2000, the band swiftly made their presence known in the musical community, wielding their own brand of music that they refer to as "cheer punk." Recalling the avant-garde pop stylings of OOIOO (also from the Kansai region) and Deerhoof!, with vibrant aplomb and colorful bombast, they even adopt color-coded stage names (Blue Yukari, Red Ariko, Purple Kaori, and Yellow Miwako) and the attire to go with them.

There are no rules in the Ni-Hao! universe; the ladies shout out playful yet absurd lyrics while giddily take a sledgehammer to song structure. And that’s pretty much how the below interview unfolded as well – blunt, frantic, slightly deranged, jumbled, and utterly delightful. There really is no other way to publish these answers except in their original format – so here they are in all their deranged glory.

Catch the band this Thursday, Feb 28 at Temple Bar as they kick off their China tour alongside honorary Beijing showstopper Octopoulpe and Xiao Wang.

READ: The One-Man Eight-Tentacled Band Octopoulpe

One of the joys of listening to your music comes from the unpredictability, and your willingness to not give listeners what they expect. How important is the idea of ‘mixing things up’ or ‘driving full speed into new territory’ when creating music or forming a live set?
Blue Yukari
Do just what 很想干!!!! I never stop exiting. And believe 我的才华!!!!
I want to do something nobody can.

What’s the motto or general theory behind the term 'cheer punk?'
Red Ariko
Cheer everyone up, then, cheer ourselves up as well!
And our sounds are like "Yelling."

Does the band’s 'devil may care,' anarchistic spirit spill over into your daily lives? How so? 
Blue Yukari
There is no difference between Ni-Hao!!!! and our daily lives.
If you feel ‘devil may care’ from my performance, that’s just myself. 
我爱我的恶魔！

When traveling on the road – what does your instrumental arsenal or treasure chest contain? What will you bring with you for your China tour? 
Yellow Miwako
Even if I do not understand the words, if you have music, you and I can become friends. 谢谢
There are such people! And Yu Surprise, Exciting Feeling.

Purple Kaori
It will be a great tour I guess.
I’ll organize it as it is.

Yukari Blue and Ariko Red – you’ve been with the band for nearly 20 years – how have you and Ni-Hao! adapted and evolved with the music industry in Japan (and the rest of the world) over the past two decades? 
Blue Yukari
There are lots of music scene.
I’m trying to keep staying cutting edge scene, always as “female punk.”
Many things around me have changed.
I married and have a son now.
But this is never changed.
“We do 很酷的音乐 with 很酷的生活！”
I want to show one style always.

Red Ariko
I've been just doing what I want to do at each moment!
Keep 享受音乐 all the time!

You’ll be traveling nonstop for four days – what’s the secret to maintaining the same amount of energy and enthusiasm each night on stage? 
Blue Yukari
Keep feel "I don't care if I would be gone tomorrow."!!!! with yam yam 好吃 Chinese foods : p

Yellow Miwako
I think that this journey is what everyone touches is exciting! What I need are Eating delicious food, sleeping, feeling the whole air feeling of each place! Pleasant enjoyment 谢谢你的考虑。

Of course, there won’t be much sight-seeing I’m guessing, but what’s one or two things you looking forward to seeing, hearing, or eating while here?
Purple Kaori
Views, culture etc. everything is completely different from Japan! 
So, I want to enjoy all and a lot!

Red Ariko
Definitely real gooood Chinese food!
And I would love to hug a 熊猫!!!!
One more! 请教我中文 please.

Catch Ni-Hao! alongside Octopoulpe and Xiao Wang this Thursday, 10pm at Temple Bar. Entrance is free.

Never miss a gig: click here for a huge list of live shows in the city, updated daily.

Photos courtesy of Ni-Hao!