#galaxy train

2/17/26.

Texas Two are an Bogor, Indonesia band who have described themselves as "inspired by acts like Free Loan Investments, 14 Iced Bears, Henry's Dress, The Tall Dwarfs". At times I've been overwhelmed by the nascent Indonesian pop scene. That, coupled with the fact that many of the bands don't physically release a lot of their music means that much of this scene hasn't really been covered here.

Thanks to Japanese label galaxy train, "Chronovisor" is getting a cassette release. This is an eight-track whirlwind release for which the Bandcamp page states of Texas Two: "If you dig into C86 movement you might be like their outputs. they played some minimalist DIY pop music with some fuzzy guitar like Shop Assistants, Henry's Dress, Bubblegum Splash, The Vaselines, Aggi, Sex Sux and etc."

7/26/26.

The amount of Japanese indie pop that I'm unaware of is a bit humbling. Take Red Go-Cart. This cassette of early demos means there's a bunch of developed, well recorded work out there. Indeed there is, but I kind of like the lo-fi nature of this release. Clover Records (both the band and the label are Tokyo, Japan based) released the all the early/original work in the late 1990s/early 2000s before handing the keys over to Galaxy Train. The label also released 800 Cherries.

Go back and look at the label's release history and current stable of bands - there's so much that I've literally never heard. Overwhelming and amazing.

And while we're at it, and talking about pure, 100% indie pop, I might as well share Dandy Boy's new release, The Chutes. Great...a little more of a The Pastels/Barcelona "Simon Basic" feel to it.

2/19/25.

Thanks to Bandcamp user Mawkish Twaddler for buying this. I can't overemphasize how much I follow what other Bandcamp users buy.

Menow are a Nagoya, Japan two person band who describe themselves as slowcore/acid folk. I'm particularly drawn to the synth work and melodies. This is a cassette release on Japanese label Galaxy Train. I was surprised to see that this is the first post mentioning this label. Galaxy Train have also released work from Tony Jay, The Memories and Christmas Snow Story (ex-Camera Obscura). I've been thoroughly enjoying the Apartment Star 7" from 2000. Galaxy Train appears to have been around since the late 1990s.

I've been spending this morning listening to many different sounds from the label. So great to uncover a gem like Galaxy Train on Bandcamp. Feels like I've struck a bountiful indie pop vein.

KKV Neighborhood #196 Interview - 2023.11.29 名古屋発レーベル＝galaxy train、レーベル発足25周年記念インタビュー！

インタビュー、構成 by 小野肇久