Japanese soul-jazz and electronic duo.
Coldfeet is based in Tokyo, Japan. A duo, the band features composer/vocalist
Lori Fine, the daughter of an American clinical psychologist father and Japanese harp-playing mother, and
Watusi (aka
Atsushi Tsunoda), a co-founder of the legendary drum'n'bass outfit "Mushroom Head", who has produced and played bass on more than 100 CDs.
Coldfeet fuses playful eroticism, sensual vocals, and captivating melodies with a lush cinematic ambience, positive, provocative lyrics, and an offbeat humour anchored by the dichotomous themes of personal strength and vulnerability. The result is a unique, inventive sound that retains the appeal of pop while embracing the bite of new wave, jazz, and rock. Lori and Watusi have been influenced by an array of artists, from
Devo,
Massive Attack and
Sade to
Gershwin and
Ella Fitzgerald, as well as the films of
David Lynch and
Sam Raimi. This diversity of media and genres is fundamental to the duo's sound.
Coldfeet's popular debut single, "Pussyfoot" (1997) was quickly embraced by listeners and the music press. After a successful first tour of major markets across Japan, they set to work on the "Pussyfoot" video – set at night in the dark, storied forests near Mt. Fuji and shot by film director
Shunji Iwai's "Swallowtail" crew, the piece showcased Coldfeet's mastery of visual impact and their innate flair for distinctive, surrealistic imagery. The video enjoyed heavy rotation on Japanese music programs and was highlighted on "Party Zone", a popular show that reaches 60m households in 41 countries under the auspices of MTV Europe.
Lori and Watusi have been featured in more than 60 music and fashion magazines, doing dozens of guest appearances on radio and MTV Japan. Their striking, chameleonic visuals and cinematic sound have also garnered favour with the fashion industry, with them scoring music and performed for the shows of top designers such as
Christian Dior (
John Galliano), Ohya! ([a=Astro Boy]) and
Kohshin Satoh (Arrston Volaju Haute Couture).
Their albums and singles are available on Arrston Volaju, with various singles charting in the top ten in Japan, and their other work, including remixes by [a=Francois K.], [a=Truby Trio], and [a=Smith&Mighty], have been licensed/released in both North America and Europe. They continue to be highly sought after as writers, producers, musicians, and performers in the Tokyo and national music scenes.
Since 2004, Coldfeet released four 12" vinyl dance singles with their unique interpretations of new wave, disco, and funky house including "Bodypop" (2004), "Superthing" (2004), "Mop Me Up" (2005), and "Boom, Clang, Bang" (2005). Quickly becoming a club live show favourite throughout Japan, they've toured with
Free Tempo,
Sugiurumn,
Akakage, and other top DJs. Their much awaited album "Bodypop" (2005), including a dance single "Uptight" featuring [a=Sinichi Osawa (of [a=Mondo Grosso]), was released in Autumn 2005.
Their 5th album, "Feeling Good" (2007) for the first time in one and a half years, with 12" "I Don't Like Dancing EP" (2007), which includes a
Daishi Dance remix, was a smash hit, selling out immediately, becoming a 'must play' song at clubs.
In 2008, they changed their record label to Arrston Volaju. Lori released a compilation album "Footworks" (2008), with track "One" featuring
DJ Kawasaki being used as the theme song for the Moët & Chandon Nectar Imperial campaign.
Commemorating the 10th anniversary of their debut, they released their 6th album "Ten" (2008), which hit #1 on the iTunes Dance Album Chart and went on to spend several weeks there.
"Ten Remixes" (2009) was released and also ranked #1 on the iTunes Dance Album Chart. While these two albums remained in the top 10 of the iTunes Dance Album Chart, the extended versions album "On And On" (2009) was released, and all three albums were then simultaneously in the top 10 of the iTunes Dance Album Chart.
In the following November, having received
Michael Jackson's official permission prior to his passing, they released the covers album "MJ The Tour" (2009), attracting much interest as well as a plush lineup of guests on the album.
