Fried Banana Shop Releases New EP 'Imitation' via LA Label Avant Garden Records

The Tokyo-based alternative jazz trio Fried Banana Shop has released their new EP, 'Imitation,' through Los Angeles independent label Avant Garden Records. The five-track project is available on global streaming platforms.

The trio—w.a.u collective founder Ryuju on drums, bass, and keys, guitarist Tomo, and saxophonist Yoji—recorded the EP in Tomo's Tokyo apartment.

Avant Garden Records founder Brittany Crawford discovered the band's track 'Maintenance' on a streaming playlist. "I immediately stopped what I was doing to listen," Crawford said.

The band said the EP's title, 'Imitation,' represents "respect for the music that is our roots and a positive expression of the dilemma that we can never create the same thing."

The band's previous EP, 'Goldenrod,' was re-released by Avant Garden in October. Their music has been featured on Spotify's 'Modern Jazz Japan' and 'Fresh Finds Japan' playlists.

Fried Banana Shop has live performances scheduled in Tokyo and Okinawa through January 2027.

Source: PR Times via The Orchard Japan