Atsuko Chiba

Montréal’s Atsuko Chiba offer “pounding, angular rock” (BrooklynVegan), venturesomely crossing genre-defining borders with a cohesive and hypnotic blend of post-rock, progressive rock, and krautrock, weaving together a rich sonic tapestry that subverts through offbeat songwriting. Since forming, the five-piece have released three full-length albums (Jinn, Trace, and Water, It Feels Like It’s Growing), two EPs (Figure and Ground and The Memory Empire),  as well as a slew of singles, all of which they self-produced at Room 11, their home studio.

Over the years, Atsuko Chiba have toured Canada, the United States, and Europe, adding a few dates in the United Kingdom, while also filming countless live renditions of their pieces, including a breathtaking session commissioned by Audiotree Worldwide in 2021. In concert, the five musicians combine their unique brand of experimental rock with video and light installations triggered in real time by the band, creating an immersive multisensorial environment. While taking to the road with their telepathic audiovisual tempest, the outfit have shared the stage with notable acts, such as ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Big Business, Duchess Says, King Buffalo, 65daysofstatic, and Caspian, while also performing prestigious events, the likes of Portals Festival, Waking Window, M for Montreal, FME, and Lawnya Vawnya.  “On stage, Montréal quintet Atsuko Chiba manipulate our senses [...]” (Les Inrocks)

Formed in 2012, the collective is composed of founding members: Karim Lakhdar (vocals, guitar, synthesizer), Kevin McDonald (guitar, synthesizer), David Palumbo (bass, vocals), Anthony Piazza (drums, live projections), and Eric Schafhauser (guitar, synthesizer). Following two early recordings that showcase improvised sessions, Atsuko Chiba released a first full-length entitled Jinn (S/R, 2013), “combining grand post-rock elements with electronic influences.” (Heavy Blog Is Heavy) They followed with two EPs in 2016, Figure and Ground and The Memory Empire, both of which were nominated at GAMIQ (Québec’s yearly independent music gala), the latter prompting Exclaim!’s Matt Bobkin to write: “Their sound isn't easy to describe or digest, but with plenty of melodies stockpiled in their dense, shifting songs, they keep it as accessible as possible without playing it safe.” (7/10) 

On April 12th, 2019, Atsuko Chiba released their sophomore long-player Trace via Mothland, revealing a new depth to their already diversified sonic palette, proposing an elegant balance between straightforwardness and psychedelia. Following the release of single “I just…” (featuring Viviane Roy from Les Hay Babies) and rap-infused maxi-single Quick Infant Guilt (Mothland, 2022),  the band announced a third full-length, which was instantly championed by The Big Takeover: “If you’re looking for your new favorite experimental psych rockers, look no further than Atsuko Chiba. The Montreal-based band defies genre with an enticing blend of subversive post-rock and prog rock, weaving together a rich tapestry of sounds and textures.” On January 20th, 2023, the band unveiled Water, It Feels Like It’s Growing (Mothland), winning Post-Rock/Post-Punk Album of the Year at GAMIQ 2023. “It's the energy of punk stewards Wire fused with a touch of the stylish adventurousness of modern progressive rockers The Mars Volta. 9/10” (Exclaim!)

As they finish recording their fourth long-player, Atsuko Chiba offer a pair of singles via Mothland: “Pope’s Cocaine” (June 27th, 2025) and “Climax Therapy” (August 15th, 2025).

MGMT: MARILYNE@MOTHLAND.COM
BOOKING: ROSE@MOTHLAND.COM
PRESS: PHIL@MOTHLAND.COM

Albums

Shows

Video

Press

Shared The Stage With
…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Big Business, King Buffalo
Caspian , 65daysofstatic, Tricot, Indian Handcrafts, Duchess Say, If These Trees Could Talk
The Alarmist, Arms and Sleepers, Little Tybee

AWARDS
BEST POST-ROCK/POST-PUNK ALBUM - GAMIQ 2024