Is Minyo dead? Or still alive? As long as you immerse yourself in commercial J-pop or the underground alternative music scenes of Tokyo and other big cities, Minyo rarely reveals itself. But venture into the traditional festivities of Obon or the seasonal festivals in all the country. You'll still hear Minyo rooted in the land.

Suzumeno Tears is born from one such resilient tradition: Goshu Ondo, a festival music originating from Kansai region.

Agatha, born and raised in Kansai, absorbed the harmonies of the Beatles and Brazilian music. Eventually, her childhood familiarity with Kamigata (Kansai) comedy led her to the world of Goshu Ondo, where she began singing. Meanwhile, Miyuki Sato, after studying folk music and dance in Bulgaria—grappling with the challenges of language barriers—sought a more direct form of expression, leading her to Goshu Ondo as well.

When these two women quietly joined forces, blending Goshu Ondo with Balkan polyphonic singing, they sparked an understated but profound revolution in Minyo. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.