In celebration of the release of the deluxe, 2xLP remastered reissue of his groundbreaking album ‘Fantasma,’ Cornelius will embark on his first US tour dates in over eight years, performing Fantasma at Eaux Claires Festival as well as performances in Oakland, Los Angeles, Tucson, Denver and Chicago. All tour dates listed below.Watch video for ‘Fantasma’ track Free Fall via YouTube below.
Cornelius live performance has been lauded world-wide for its visually unique imagery, and its meticulous synchronization. Each edit corresponds to a movement within the song. A drop of water equates to a cymbal hit, while a string bend will segue to the next scene of each videos narrative. In its original 1990s incarnation, the show found Oyamada manually inserting VHS tapes to start each song, using visual cues for the songs beginning. As time (and technology) progressed, these more basic elements became automated, allowing the band to focus entirely on its dynamic performance. Equally at home at festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury or performing arts spaces like Los Angeles Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, Cornelius performance will take the audience on an adventure, sending them through a tunnel like Willy Wonkas foam spewing trolley.
For the uninitiated, Cornelius is the creative Japanese multi-instrumentalist Keigo Oyamada. Performing music since his teens, Oyamada created his creative alter-ego (the name is an homage to the Planet of the Apes), in the early 1990’s from the ashes of his previous project, Flipper’s Guitar.
With the 1997 release of ‘Fantasma,’ Cornelius gained international recognition for his cut and paste style reminiscent of American counterparts Beck and The Beastie Boys. Being called a “modern day Brian Wilson” for his orchestral-style arrangements and production techniques.
‘Fantasma’ was his creative and commercial breakthrough, a kaleidoscopic, genre-hopping joy ride through contemporary musical history that became Cornelius first American release when it was reissued by Matador a year later. Cornelius subsequently became one of the most sought after producer/remixers in the world, working with artists ranging from Blur, Beck Bloc Party, and MGMT, to James Brown.
Since his last tour date in the US, Cornelius has recorded music for Edgar Wrights Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, scored the anime mega-film Ghost in the Shell Arise, performed as the backbone of Yoko Onos reformed Plastic Ono Band, played the Hollywood Bowl with Yellow Magic Orchestra, and co-wrote and produced the Japanese artist. SalyuXSalyu.
Long out of print, Lefse Records reissued ‘Fantasma’ on June 10, 2016 in a remastered, deluxe 2xLP gatefold vinyl, complete with bonus tracks.
Cornelius performs ‘Fantasma’ tour dates
8/4 Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
8/6 Los Angeles, CA – Orpheum Theater
8/8 Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theater
8/10 Denver, CO – Gothic Theater
8/12 Eau Claire, WI – Eaux Claires Festival
8/13 Chicago, IL – Park West
