Toko Yasuda

Quick Facts: Who was Toko Yasuda?

Subject:

Toko Yasuda

Known for:

Japanese musician known for her work with Enon, St. Vincent, and Cate Le Bon.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Toko Yasuda is a Japanese singer, songwriter, keyboardist, guitarist, and bassist, best known as a member of New York indie rock band Enon and as a member of St. Vincent and Cate Le Bon's backing bands. Yasuda grew up in the cities of Fujisawa and Kamakura. Her father was once a dōshu of Aikido. She moved to New York City in 1992, and lived there until 2006. Yasuda has played in the bands The Lapse and The Van Pelt before their disbandment, and had a brief stint in Blonde Redhead.

Career & Major Achievements

After that Toko appeared in the band Enon from 1999 to 2007. Yasuda plays bass guitar, electronic keyboards, electric guitar and sings. Welsh singer/songwriter Cate le Bon noted "She has the voice of a beautiful, icy ghost; it might be the spookiest thing I've ever heard." Yasuda currently resides in Los Angeles and formerly she briefly lived in Philadelphia, after being priced out of both Manhattan and Brooklyn. The New York Times profiled Enon's move to Philadelphia as indication of a greater phenomenon of transplanted New Yorkers to the "sixth borough". In 2012, Yasuda released the album Parthenon under the pseudonym Plvs Vltra.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Parthenon is Yasuda's first solo album, featuring collaborations with Danny Ray Thompson of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Scott Allen of Thunderbirds Are Now, and John Schmersal, also of Enon, who produced the album. Mike Reid from the music webzine Tiny Mix Tapes described the album as "a straight-up pop album with alluring (because “sexy” sounds misogynist and creepy) female vocals". She has released her latest Ambient album Institute under the pseudonym Kotokoto in 2018. Yasuda is featured on Cate le Bon's Album Mug Museum (vocals), and on the song "Masseduction" on St.Vincent's 2017 fifth studio album Masseduction which won the award for Best Recording Package and Best Rock Song for its title track, and was also nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album. She also appeared on the track "Gimme A Chance" on Azealia Banks' 2014 debut album Broke With Expensive Taste which was sampled from a song "Knock That Door" on the album Lost Marbles & Exploded Evidence from the band Enon in 2005.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1992: 1992 Milestone — She moved to New York City in 1992, and lived there until 2006.
2. 1999: 1999 Milestone — After that Toko appeared in the band Enon from 1999 to 2007.
3. 2012: 2012 Milestone — In 2012, Yasuda released the album Parthenon under the pseudonym Plvs Vltra.
4. 2014: 2014 Milestone — She also appeared on the track "Gimme A Chance" on Azealia Banks' 2014 debut album Broke With Expensive Taste which was sampled from a song "Knock That Door" on the album Lost Marbles & Exploded Evidence from the band Enon in 2005.
5. 2017: 2017 Milestone — Vincent's 2017 fifth studio album Masseduction which won the award for Best Recording Package and Best Rock Song for its title track, and was also nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album.
6. 2018: 2018 Milestone — She has released her latest Ambient album Institute under the pseudonym Kotokoto in 2018.

Notable Quotes by Toko Yasuda

“She has the voice of a beautiful, icy ghost; it might be the spookiest thing I've ever heard.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Toko Yasuda

True or False: “Toko Yasuda was only associated with Enon for a single year during her career.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): She appeared in the band Enon from 1999 to 2007, spanning several years.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 21 Savage — Historical peer (Born in 1992) (1992): Atlanta-based rapper known for his distinctive style and career evolution.
• 6lack — Historical peer (Born in 1992) (1992): American R&B singer, songwriter, and rapper known professionally as 6lack.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Jordanian jihadist militant known for orchestrating violence in Iraq (1966–2006)
• Akhtar Hameed Khan — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): Pioneering Pakistani social scientist and development practitioner.
• Akio Morita — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): Visionary Japanese entrepreneur and co-founder of Sony.
• Al Oerter — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• Albert Ellis — Historical peer (Died in 2007) (2007): Pioneering figure in psychotherapy, founder of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Adam Yauch — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• Adrienne Rich — Historical peer (Died in 2012) (2012): Influential American poet, essayist, and leading voice in feminist literary discourse.

Frequently Asked Questions about Toko Yasuda