Discover Billyrrom
In the midst of the pandemic, six hometown friends came together to form their own band. Most of them had little to no experience playing their instruments, much less performing in a band.
That group, known as Billyrrom, has now become one of Japan’s exciting breakout acts.
This article provides an introduction to the Japanese band Billyrrom.
Table of Contents
Who is Billyrrom?
Billyrrom is a six-member Japanese band from Machida, Tokyo. Formed in 2020, the band members are all connected as childhood friends, classmates, or mutual friends.
Since their formation, Billyrrom has gained attention as one of Japan’s rising next-generation bands. They have performed at major events such as Fuji Rock Festival and have been recognized by platforms like Spotify and Fender as artists to watch.
The band’s popularity has also grown beyond Japan, with spots on overseas music charts and overseas concerts.
Who are the members of Billyrrom?
Billyrrom is made up of six members: Rin (guitar), Mol (vocals), Shunsuke (drums), Taiseiwatabiki (bass), Yuta Hara (DJ/VJ/MPC), and Leno (keyboard/synthesizer).
Learn more about each member below.
Rin
Guitar
Rin is Billyrrom’s guitarist. He is responsible for bringing most of the band members together.
With no guitar experience, he learned to enjoy playing the guitar as he started the band. Outside of Billyrrom, Rin produces music under his solo project, aint lindy.
Mol
Vocals
Mol is the lead vocalist of Billyrrom. While he never thought he would be a vocalist in a band, “I have always loved singing,” he shares in an interview. He grew up with music, but the first artist he connected with on his own was Michael Jackson.
Shunsuke
Drums
Shunsuke is the band’s drummer. He had no drumming experience, but Rin’s great persistence (like sending him electronic drum kit links every day) convinced him to take it up. “I’m grateful for it now,” he shares in an interview.
Shunsuke also has a background in karate and has earned national-level recognition in the sport.
Taiseiwatabiki
Bass
Taiseiwatabiki, also known as Taisei, is Billyrrom’s bassist. He came to Billyrrom with experience playing bass in his high school’s light music club, originally joining the band as a support member.
In an interview, he shared that he drew musical inspiration from artists like Jamiroquai and Suchmos.
Yuta Hara
DJ, MPC
Hara is the band’s DJ and MPC. He originally joined Billyrrom as their photographer, but with encouragement from Rin, he eventually became a member of the band. A fan of fashion, Hara shared in an interview that it was one of the things that sparked his interest in music.
Leno
Keyboards, Synth
Leno is the band’s keyboardist and synthesizer. Leno was trained in classical piano for ten years. While he tried out track-making and DJing, “I realised I wanted to be in a band, and Billyrrom came along at just the right time.” he shared in an interview.
How was Billyrrom formed?
Billyrrom was formed in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the university classes moving online and normal life on pause, Rin and Mol, who were part of the same college music club, found themselves with free time on their hands.
On their walk home from what seemed to be their last in-person day on campus, Rin turned to Mol at a traffic light and asked, “Wanna do a band?” Mol recalled in a video interview. Without thinking too much about it, he agreed.
As Rin had always wanted to be in a band with friends, he invited his middle school friends Taiseiwatabiki and Shunsuke to join.
Shunsuke had zero drumming experience and refused, but Rin kept pushing. He eventually gave in. Taisei started as a support member, but Rin also convinced him to join full-time
By around September of 2020, the four of them had officially formed Billyrrom.
Yuta Hara was brought it through a mutual friend as their photographer and also began helping with visuals and VJ work.
After one show, while driving home, Rin turned to him and said, “You’re already part of Billyrrom,” a comment which struck a chord with him. Yuta picked up DJing and became the group’s fifth member.
Leno came not too long after. A childhood friend of Yuta’s with piano experience, he was invited to join the band as its sixth member.
What is the meaning behind the name “Billyrrom”?
The name Billyrrom is inspired by two sources: “the jazz pianist Bill Evans and the nomadic spirit of the Roma people,” according to the band’s official website. The name reflects the band’s “commitment to spreading their music across various places.”
Rin was the one who came up with the group’s name. In a video interview, the band shared how they struggled to come up with a name before their first live performance.
The members agreed to each bring a serious name idea to their next rehearsal, but Rin was the only one who did. It was this suggestion that became their official name.
What genre is Billyrrom’s music?
Billyrrom describes their sound as “Tokyo Transition Soul,” a term originally suggested by a writer they were close with. They first questioned it, but as Mol says in an interview, “we’ve come to feel that it truly encapsulates who we are.”
Blending elements of soul, funk, rock, and other genres, Billyrrom’s music is constantly evolving. “We’re always experimenting with different styles,” Mol explained in an interview, adding, “the term ‘transition’ captures that spirit of exploration.”
Did the band have musical experience?
When Billyrrom first began, most members (other than Taisei and Leno) did not know how to play their instruments. Even Rin, who helped form the band, was just beginning to learn guitar.
When universities shut down during the pandemic, the extra time gave them the time and space to learn. “If we weren’t beginners, I’m sure there would have been many moments when we felt like things weren’t going well,” Rin openly shares in an interview.
“But in our case, we had to practice a ton and had a lot to do.” The band used this time effectively to learn.
Billyrrom also booked live shows without knowing how live houses worked. “We were throwing ourselves into everything,” Mol shared in an interview, an approach that made things less restricted and difficult.
How does Billyrrom make their music?
Billyrrom doesn’t have a fixed approach to songwriting.
“For some tracks, we finish the demo before heading into the studio, while others come to life entirely during studio sessions,” Mol shares in an interview.
He adds, “We always try to find the approach that best brings out the song’s strengths.”
“We always try to find the approach that best brings out the song’s strengths.”
MOL
When creative blocks or disagreements take place, the band follows one piece of advice from TAIKING, guitarist of Suchmos: “Try everything.” Mol explains, “He told us to give every idea a shot, and we’ve stuck to that ever since.”
When they still can’t agree? “We settle it with rock-paper-scissors,” Leno revealed.
When did Billyrrom first perform at Fuji Rock?
Billyrrom made their Fuji Rock Festival debut in 2023, just three years after they had first come together.
When the band was starting out, Rin made a bold declaration: “We’re playing Fuji Rock in three years, so don’t get jobs.” Mol recalled in an interview,
“I figured he was just messing around,” Mol recalled in an interview. But Rin was serious. “I had confidence, too,” he shared.
Three years later, just as he’d said, the band took the stage at one of Japan’s biggest music festivals.
Follow Billyrrom
Follow the band through the links below!
Official website
Social media
