Casino Versus Japan
Encyclopedia
Casino Versus Japan is the recording name
for Erik Kowalski (born May 5, 1973 in Wisconsin
), a United States
-based electronic musician
who produces intelligent dance music
(IDM).
, sampling Jan Hammer
's music, sampling and playing them over the backdrop of other musical genres. More samples were collected from a range of sources and mixed with other homemade recordings. Kowalski taught himself piano
in high school, along with guitar
and drums
, and began putting together simple songs.
. He worked at Atomic Records
and also wrote for the alternative fanzine
Milk Magazine
to stay informed on developments within many styles of innovative music. In early 1998, he approached Mike Bailey of the local electronic label Star Star Stereo
with some demo tapes, and shortly thereafter, released his self titled debut Casino Versus Japan. This subsequently led to live performances (including several dates opening for Low
) with Charles Wyatt (Charles Atlas) accompanying Kowalski on guitar. In January 2000, Go Hawaii was released on CD by Wobblyhead (later on double-vinyl LP by City Centre Offices
, 2001). By the summer of 2002, the track "It's Very Sunny" was used in a Hummer
television
commercial. His third album Whole Numbers Play The Basics, followed in September, 2002 on Carpark Records
. The song "Manic Thru Tone" was used in MTV
's "Choose Or Lose" campaign in the fall of 2002.
+ Kaiso
1998-2001, a collection of unreleased tracks, appeared in 2004. The album was compiled and released by Attacknine Records from a large archive of material initially presented as a gift to Nick Huntington of Freescha
, and not intended for public release. Huntington enthusiastically encouraged a release, however, which also resulted in the 2010 collection Night on Tape, another batch of selected tracks from same archive. Casino Versus Japan and Freescha released a Split EP together in 2004.
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
for Erik Kowalski (born May 5, 1973 in Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
), a United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based electronic musician
Electronic musician
An electronic musician is a musician who composes or plays music from synthetic sounds generated with synthesizers, samplers, drum machines or music sequencers....
who produces intelligent dance music
Intelligent dance music
Intelligent dance music is a term that describes an electronic music genre that emerged in the early 1990s. The genre is influenced by a wide range of musical styles particularly electronic dance music such as Detroit Techno...
(IDM).
Influences
Erik Kowalski started with recorded episodes of Miami ViceMiami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
, sampling Jan Hammer
Jan Hammer
Jan Hammer is a composer, pianist and keyboardist. He first gained his most visible audience while playing keyboards with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, as well as his film scores for television and film including "Miami Vice Theme" and "Crockett's Theme", from the popular 1980s...
's music, sampling and playing them over the backdrop of other musical genres. More samples were collected from a range of sources and mixed with other homemade recordings. Kowalski taught himself piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
in high school, along with guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, and began putting together simple songs.
Early work and releases
Recording guitar-based, ambient/experimental music as Radiogate in 1996 and 1997, Kowalski matured in the underground electronic music community in Milwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. He worked at Atomic Records
Atomic Records
Atomic Records was an independent-music store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From its inception in 1985 it became one of the oldest and best-known record-stores in the Milwaukee area, until going out of business on March 15, 2009.-External links:...
and also wrote for the alternative fanzine
Fanzine
A fanzine is a nonprofessional and nonofficial publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest...
Milk Magazine
Milk magazine
Milk is a lifestyle magazine in Hong Kong.- External links :*...
to stay informed on developments within many styles of innovative music. In early 1998, he approached Mike Bailey of the local electronic label Star Star Stereo
Star star stereo
Star Star Stereo was an independent record label based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.The label existed from 1997–2000 and was operated by Mike Bailey. Star Star released an eclectic mix of post-rock, electronic, indie rock and Americana...
with some demo tapes, and shortly thereafter, released his self titled debut Casino Versus Japan. This subsequently led to live performances (including several dates opening for Low
Low (band)
Low is an American indie rock group from Duluth, Minnesota, formed in 1993. As of 2010, the group is composed of Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker , both founding members, and Steve Garrington ....
) with Charles Wyatt (Charles Atlas) accompanying Kowalski on guitar. In January 2000, Go Hawaii was released on CD by Wobblyhead (later on double-vinyl LP by City Centre Offices
City Centre Offices
City Centre Offices is a record label based in Manchester, England, with an affiliate in Berlin, Germany. The label, founded in 1998 by Shlom Sviri and de:bug magazine writer Thaddi Herrmann, has released music from several notable acts, including Arovane, Boy Robot, Marsen Jules, Christian Kleine,...
, 2001). By the summer of 2002, the track "It's Very Sunny" was used in a Hummer
Hummer
Hummer was a brand of trucks and SUVs, first marketed in 1992 when AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee. In 1998, General Motors purchased the brand name and marketed three vehicles: the original Hummer H1, based on the Humvee; and the H2 and H3 models that were...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
commercial. His third album Whole Numbers Play The Basics, followed in September, 2002 on Carpark Records
Carpark Records
Carpark Records is an American independent record label based in Washington, D.C. .-Signed artists:* 242.pilots* Beach House* Cloud Nothings* Lesser Gonzalez Alvarez* Belong* Casino Versus Japan* Class Actress...
. The song "Manic Thru Tone" was used in MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's "Choose Or Lose" campaign in the fall of 2002.
Collections and collaborations
HitoriHitori
Hitori is a type of logic puzzle published by Nikoli.-Rules:Hitori is played with a grid of squares or cells, and each cell contains a number...
+ Kaiso
Kaiso
Kaiso is a type of music popular in Trinidad and other Islands of the Caribbean such as Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados and St. Kitts & Nevis which originated in West Africa, and later evolved into Calypso. Kaiso songs are generally narrative in form and often have a cleverly concealed political...
1998-2001, a collection of unreleased tracks, appeared in 2004. The album was compiled and released by Attacknine Records from a large archive of material initially presented as a gift to Nick Huntington of Freescha
Freescha
Freescha is the musical collaboration of Nick Huntington and Michael McGroarty, based in the San Fernando Valley, California. Huntington and McGroarty, friends and partners since they met in high school...
, and not intended for public release. Huntington enthusiastically encouraged a release, however, which also resulted in the 2010 collection Night on Tape, another batch of selected tracks from same archive. Casino Versus Japan and Freescha released a Split EP together in 2004.
Albums and Collections
- Casino Versus Japan, CD (1998, Star Star Stereo)
- Go Hawaii, CD (2000, Wobblyhead) 2x12" LP (2001, City Centre Offices)
- Whole Numbers Play the Basics, CD and LP (2002, Carpark Records)
- Hitori + Kaiso 1998 - 2001, Double CD (2004, Attacknine)
- Casino Versus Japan [Reissue] (2010, Moodgadget)
- Night on Tape (2010, Attacknine)
Singles and EPs
- "Via", 10" (Wobblyhead)
- "Silver And Gold" b/w "64 Colors" Split 7" w/ Am Boy
- "Casino Versus Japan + Freescha" [Split] CDEP/12" (Wobblyhead)