Discover muque
muque (ムク) is quickly gaining recognition in Japan’s music scene. This article takes a closer look at one of the country’s exciting breakout bands.
Table of Contents
Who is muque?
muque (ムク) is a Japanese band from Fukuoka, Japan. Formed in May of 2022, the band consists of Asakura (vocals, guitar), Kenichi (guitar), Lenon (bass), and takachi (drums, track maker).
muque writes and produces all of their songs, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of genres worldwide.
What is the origin of the band name?
muque’s name combines the French word musique, which means “music,” with the Japanese term 無垢 (muku), which means “purity.”
The band chose this name to show their commitment to making music on their own terms.
According to their website, “The band’s name expresses the desire to continue producing only the kind of music they want to make, without being influenced by their surroundings.”
Who are the members of muque?
muque consists of vocalist and guitarist Asakura, guitarist Kenichi, bassist Lenon, and drummer and trackmaker takachi. Learn a bit more about each member below.
Asakura
Vocals, Guitar
Asakura is the muque’s vocalist, guitarist, and lyricist.
Asakura began singing when she was in elementary school, seeing it as a way to express emotions she struggled to put into words. “Singing = showing my true feelings,” she says in an interview.
Kenichi
Guitar
Kenichi is the muque’s guitarist, along with Asakura.
Through his father’s influence, Kenichi grew up listening to hard rock, such as Deep Purple and AC/DC. He began playing guitar during his second year of high school.
Lenon
Bass
Lenon is muque’s bassist.
Inspired by Age Factory and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, he always aspired to be in a band. He was drawn to the bass for its role in supporting the music from behind the scenes.
Fun fact: In a TV appearance, he revealed that he was named after John Lennon!
takachi
Drums, Trackmaker
takachi is muque’s drummer and trackmaker.
He started taking drum lessons when he was in elementary school, later finding joy in track production and sound design. He describes the process as “piecing rhythms together like a puzzle.“
How was muque formed?
muque came together through the members’ existing connections as they were transitioning from their previous bands.
Lenon, who played a key role in bringing the group together, first approached Asakura and takachi, both of whom he knew from their university music circle.
After performing in a cover band with Asakura, he shared in an interview, “If I start a band with this person, we could really sell.”
Lenon was equally impressed by takachi’s arrangement skills, which he witnessed firsthand while supporting a band that takachi and Kenichi were in.
When Lenon invited them, Asakura and takachi asked who else was joining. Both agreed after hearing the other’s name. “I think I probably felt the same way about takachi that Lenon felt about me,” Asakura commented.
takachi then invited Kenichi to join them. “We needed Kenichi,” takachi shared in an interview, explaining that “with Kenichi, [we can create] a rock feel and emotion that no other trackmaker has.”
Kenichi initially joined as a support member, but when they completed their debut song, he recalls, “Something struck me.” It was a feeling that this could lead to something interesting.
What is muque’s debut song?
muque debuted with their song “escape.” Released on June 3, 2022, the track came out just one month after the band’s formation. Check out the music video above.
How does muque create their songs?
muque writes and produces all of their own music. Most songs in their discography are credited to trackmaker takachi and lyricist Asakura.
takachi lays the foundation, developing the concept and structure of each track before Asakura adds the topline and lyrics. The band then fleshes out the music together, layering the guitar and bass.
“It was the moment muque’s sound was born.”
takachi
In the beginning, takachi struggled to find muque’s one-of-a-kind sound. It wasn’t until he repurposed a hip-hop-inspired track from another project and Asakura added her topline that everything clicked.
“It was the moment muque’s sound was born,” he recalls.
Asakura aims to write lyrics that “make the listener feel like the main character of the song.” She does this by balancing her personal experiences with an objective perspective.
takachi aims to create music that captures the present era and “continues to change with the times,” he shares. “That’s why, even I don’t know what kind of music muque will be making next year.”
What is muque’s first anime song?
muque made their anime debut with “The 1,” the ending theme for One Piece Egghead Arc Part 2.
In an official video comment, the band expressed their honor and excitement about their first anime tie-in, with Lenon commenting, “[One Piece] is my youth.”
Through “The 1,” muque hopes to convey that “each of us has a past, and it is because of this, that we have our current strength,” Asakura explains.
Where can I follow them?
As their popularity grows, muque has also set its sights on the international music scene.
In an interview, Asakura stated, “It would be amazing to collaborate with international artists.” takachi added that one of his goals is for “muque is to play a live show abroad.”
Be sure to support muque through the links below!
Official website:
Social media: