JAPAN

Fried Banana Shop

Fried Banana Shop is a three-piece band formed by music lovers who met in their neighborhood during the frustrating days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group consists of Ryuju, founder of the creative collective w.a.u; guitarist Tomo; and saxophonist Yoji, and they are currently active on the live house and club scene in Tokyo.

Drawing on roots in jazz, indie pop, and rock, they’ve crafted a soft, warm soundscape that offers their own unique reinterpretations of dream pop and alternative jazz. They actively produce collaborative tracks with vocalists and rappers from various genres, presenting a genre-less, cross-genre musicality that transcends traditional band boundaries. They also perform DJ sets, showcasing a multifaceted approach despite being an instrumental band.

In 2026, they released the single “Raccoon,” which garnered attention after being featured on the cover of Spotify’s official “Modern Jazz Japan” playlist, while their EP “Goldenrod” was featured on the cover of the official “Fresh Finds Japan” playlist. That same year, they were selected for the “TuneCore Japan INDEPENDENT ARTIST 100 – 2026” list.