Detroit 7

Countless bands in Tokyo emulate American rock. What allows a handful of these bands to break out and go international is a specific trait — a familiar Western style that straddles the line between innovation and characature. Detroit 7 broke out at last year’s South by Southwest festival, a big move for a band that spent its first eight years smashing it up on the Tokyo scene. The three-piece band’s live show has drawn attention, with the grungy, busted English drawl of lead-girl Nabano and the adorable energy of drummer Miyoko. It’s the kind of music Seattle produced in the early 90s before radio co-opted it. Detroit 7’s self titled album is out today, and it’s crunchy.