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Japanese metal solo project
ESPRIT D’AIR
has released single/video
‘The Trooper’
Esprit D’Air UK/European Tour Dates 2023
Oct 8: Kraków, Poland, Klub Zaścianek (SOLD OUT)
Oct 10: Budapest, Hungary, Dürer Kert (SOLD OUT)
Oct 12: Barcelona, Spain, La Nau (SOLD OUT)
2024
Feb 12: Bournemouth, UK, The Old Fire Station
Feb 13: Exeter, UK, Exeter Phoenix
Feb 14: Bristol, UK, Thekla
Feb 16: Swansea, UK, Hangar 18
Feb 18: Wolverhampton, UK, KK’s Steel Mill
Feb 19: Sheffield, UK, Corporation
Feb 20: Manchester, UK, Academy 3
Feb 21: Liverpool, UK, O2 Academy 2
Feb 23: Dublin, Ireland, The Grand Social (SOLD OUT)
Feb 24: Belfast, UK, Oh Yeah Music Centre (SOLD OUT)
Feb 26: Leeds, UK, The Warehouse
Feb 27: Glasgow, UK, The Garage
Feb 28: Newcastle, UK, Northumbria Uni S.U.
Feb 29: Nottingham, UK, Rescue Rooms
Mar 02: London, UK, The Garage
Mar 29: Heerlen, the Netherlands, Poppodium Nieuwe Nor
Mar 30: Hamburg, Germany, Headcrash (SOLD OUT)
Mar 31: Köln, Germany, MTC (SOLD OUT)
Apr 01: Antwerpen, Belgium, Kavka Oudaan
Esprit D’Air has released a cover of Iron Maiden’s classic track ‘The Trooper’, featuring Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (KK’s Priest, ex-Judas Priest) on guest vocals, and Ben Christo (The Sisters of Mercy) on guitar to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its release.
Kai’s vocal video cover of ‘The Trooper’ on TikTok gained attention from Iron Maiden’s Official account stating, ‘Great Cover 🤯’, which inspired him to make it an official licensed release with Esprit D’Air.
The release is accompanied by a music video filmed and edited by Charlie Smith of MindArtVisual, who produced all the music videos for KK’s Priest.
Vocalist and guitarist Kai says:
“Like many metalheads, I was introduced to heavy metal with Iron Maiden. They are one of the biggest reasons why I am making music. Like for many metalheads, ‘The Trooper’ was one of the first heavy metal songs I got into. I am honoured to team up with both Ripper and Ben on this to commemorate its 40th anniversary with our own version! We also wanted to respect the original version but also make it our own, so Ben and I wrote our own guitar solos in it.”
As featured on Loudwire, BBC Radio 1, and Kerrang! Radio, Esprit D’Air released their latest album ‘Oceans’ in 2022, which entered six Official Charts, including #8 in the Rock & Metal Albums, and #5 in Album Downloads.
In 2023, the band sold out their 7-day UK tour entirely and entered the Official UK Singles Charts with their single, ‘Shizuku’ (feat. Misstiq).
Esprit D’Air will be embarking on a 22-date tour across eight European countries in 2023/2024 with seven dates already sold out.
Joining Kai on tour are Jan-Vincent Velazco (Pendragon, Gus G) on drums, Takeshi Tokunaga on bass, and Yusuke Okamoto and guitar, who all feature in the music video and recording.
Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens will be on tour with KK’s Priest in October 2023 with Paul Di’Anno and Burning Witches as special guests on their ‘Priests, Killers & Witches’ UK tour in Birmingham, Glasgow, Nottingham, Manchester, and London.
Ben Christo is currently on a 40-date European tour with The Sisters of Mercy.
Ben will also be joining Esprit D’Air as a special guest in Budapest on October 10th to perform ‘Dead Zone’, a song he co-wrote with Esprit D’Air.
Japanese metal solo project
ESPRIT D’AIR
has released single/video
‘雫’ (‘Shizuku’)
2023 UK Tour Dates:
17 Feb: CARDIFF, The Globe
19 Feb: YORK, The Fulford Arms (SOLD OUT)
20 Feb: NEWCASTLE, The Cluny
21 Feb: EDINBURGH, La Belle Angele
22 Feb: MANCHESTER, Academy 3
23 Feb: BIRMINGHAM, O2 Academy 3
25 Feb: LONDON, The Black Heart (SOLD OUT)
Esprit D’Air Releases 雫 (‘Shizuku’) In Collaboration With Misstiq.
Japanese metal solo project Esprit D’Air, led by award-winning producer and composer Kai, is releasing their new single, 雫 (‘Shizuku’) on February 10th, 2023, featuring Australian producer Misstiq on synthesizers.
About the track, Misstiq says:
“I’ve worked with many talented artists around the world, but Esprit D’Air… damn son. One of my absolute favourite collaborations.”
The new single is accompanied by an animated music video.
The story-telling video features Kai as a modern nomad shinobi that roams a dystopian world overrun by mech drones, as well as a special appearance by Misstiq.
The new single 雫 (‘Shizuku’) is a re-recording of the first and only ‘J-Rock’ song on Harmonix’s Rock Band 3 for Xbox360 by Esprit D’Air.
The original track returned to Rock Band earlier this year as a playable song on January 5th for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, on Harmonix’s latest game Rock Band 4.
Currently, Kai is the only official member of Esprit D’Air since 2016, and appoints session musicians for live shows and tours.
Esprit D’Air will be embarking on a 7-day UK tour in February 2023 supported by the Help Musicians charity, featuring Jan-Vincent Velazco (Pendragon, Gus G) on drums, Takeshi Tokunaga on bass, and Yusuke Okamoto and guitar.
Joining the tour on main support for all dates excluding London are Diamond Black, fronted by Ben Christo from The Sisters of Mercy.
Kai says:
“Shizuku was the very first song I ever produced in 2010. I produced the instruments entirely, so I am really proud of giving the track new life in 2023 with Misstiq’s incredible additions on the synths.”
As featured on Loudwire, BBC Radio 1, Kerrang! Radio, and Billboard, Esprit D’Air released their 2nd album Oceans in 2022, which entered six Official UK Charts, including #8 in the Top 40 Rock & Metal Albums, and #5 in Top 20 Independent Albums Breakers.
The new album featured members of both The Sisters of Mercy, and Crystal Lake, as well as remixes by HEAVYGRINDER and Shirobon.
Kai follows a strong DIY ethos and produces everything himself to be as self-sufficient as possible.
Consequently, Kai records and produces his own releases in his own home recording studio.
The original ‘Shizuku’ is available to play on Rock Band 4 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.