Kishi Bashi with Geographer

Kishi Bashi is the pseudonym of Emmy-nominated singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Kaoru Ishibashi. Born in Seattle, Washington, and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Ishibashi is a virtuoso violinist and a Berklee College of Music alumnus. He is renowned for his groundbreaking collaborations with symphonies across the U.S., such as the National Symphony Orchestra (Kennedy Center), Chicago Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, and Oregon Symphony. His orchestral work has expanded his reach, blending classical and pop influences in performances that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. As a violinist, Kishi Bashi has recorded and toured internationally with artists like Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and indie band of Montreal, and has made appearances on major late-night TV shows including SNL, David Letterman, Conan, and Jimmy Fallon. His original music has been featured in commercials for major brands like Microsoft, Samsung, American Express, Target, and Apple. His debut album 151a (2012) received high praise from NPR’s Bob Boilen, who called it “a radiant, uplifting soundscape.” This launched Kishi Bashi onto major festival stages such as SXSW and Austin City Limits and began his journey as a critically acclaimed solo artist. In addition to his solo career, Kishi Bashi was the founding member of the electronic rock outfit Jupiter One. In 2011, he began recording and performing solo, opening for artists like the Sondre Lerche and Alexi Murdoch, before embarking on his own U.S. tours. He gained further recognition in 2014 for his coffee line Royal Daark Blend, which included exclusive song downloads with each purchase. His 2016 album Sonderlust was released live on NPR's All Songs Considered, adding to his ever-growing legacy. His 2019 album Omoiyari (a Japanese word meaning compassion for others) and its accompanying documentary explored themes of minority identity and the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans. The film, after four years of work and…