Experimental performance artists/preservation band Asakusa Jinta take their name and inspiration from the Tokyo historic district where jintas (roving Japanese street bands) once filled the streets. The band's mixture of punk, ska, swing, and march music (performed by the seven-piece outfit including accordion, standup bass, horns, and rhythm section) began driving audiences wild in 1999. Asakusa Jinta's dynamic display earned a reputation throughout their hometown of Tokyo for vibrant (bordering on frantic) live performances, featuring outlandish swing-era-gone-mad costumes and typically standing-room-only halls. With a horn section prone to marching through the packed audiences and a frontman/bass player whose vocals conjure images of a carnival barker, Asakusa Jinta bring the spirit of chindon'ya (traditional Japanese street performance) to life. Their debut record, Asakusa Rock, was released on the Indie label in 2005. The record was well received by critics, though it did not fit easily into traditional marketing categories. Their follow-up effort, Rakugo Geijutsu Kyokai Album, was met with a similar reception as the band's national fan base continued to swell. Asakusa Jinta broke new ground at the 2007 South by Southwest festival in Austin, performing as part of the festival's Japan Nite showcase. The festival appearance increased recognition of Asakusa Jinta, introducing an entirely new market to the band's unique performance experience. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez