hobnob_biography

biography

hobnob is an audiovisual trio formed by electronic musician Takehiko Fukuda, drummer Ten Ten, and photographer/filmmaker Ren Yano. The group began performing live in March 2024 and made a notable appearance at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ’24 in July of the same year.
With a core concept of positively exploring the coexistence of humans and machines, hobnob blends improvisation with cutting-edge approaches to performance, sound design, and visual storytelling.
Leveraging their diverse expertise, the members of hobnob contribute to a wide range of projects beyond music, including stage productions and film works, establishing themselves as a versatile force in both the audiovisual and creative arts scenes.

members

works

Fuji Rock Festival 2024

FUJIROCK EXPRESS 2024 Review

"I could see absolutely nothing 'rookie' about Rookie A Go-Go entrants hobnob. Mysterious and dressed in all white, hobnob confidently blended heavy and extremely technical live drumming with atmospheric synths and robotic vocal samples bringing a hard-edged electronic mood to the performance. All this was elevated by the group’s visual artist who created lighting scenes on-the-fly, projecting them directly onto the band and animating their actions."
— Park Baker, FUJIROCK EXPRESS '24

Read the full article.

boot

Opening hobnob’s live performances, boot explores the theme of “activation.” By weaving together orchestral tuning and the startup chimes of digital devices, it crafts an immersive sonic landscape that signals the beginning of the trio’s boundary-pushing audiovisual journey.

Jungled

Showcasing hobnob’s signature live drumming—rare among electronic acts—Jungled draws on breakbeat sampling traditions while pushing them further. With intricate rhythms and raw, kinetic energy, the track captures the band’s drive to expand the limits of electronic performance.

PLEASESTANDBEHIND
THEYELLOWTEXTUREDLINES(for safety)

Built around the repeated voice of a familiar Japanese train announcement—“Please stand behind the yellow textured lines, for safety”—this track transforms everyday sound into musical narrative. Here, the Yellow Line becomes an evocative metaphor: a boundary to be respected, yet also an invitation to discover creativity within routine.

Terminal

This is a studio-based video experiment. We used mirrors to create reflective, three-dimensional visual expressions.

Trans-Europe Express (Kraftwerk cover)

At FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL 2024, we performed right after Kraftwerk. As a tribute to them, we covered Trans-Europe Express, incorporating sampled sounds inspired by Japanese trains.

Bound for Tokyo

Sampling sounds from public transportation was a subtle theme for us in 2024. This track features Japan’s iconic Shinkansen, celebrating its global renown.

Drum Playthrough

Ren, our VJ, is a filmmaker and cinematographer, while Takehiko, our electronics specialist, is also a recording engineer. Sometimes, hobnob embraces acoustic and analog approaches for creative expression.

Baka

This piece captures the essence of hobnob. It blends improvised drumming, electronic sounds, and visuals in a dynamic jam, transforming live venues into immersive installation spaces.

Full Show Sample (12th April 2025)

Merchandise

hobnob_merch

hobnob introduces its first line of official merchandise. Designed with materials actually used on stage, the accessories repurpose CANARE L4E6S audio cables into unique keyrings and bracelets. Blending functionality with symbolic value, each piece embodies the group’s commitment to transforming performance elements into tangible, everyday design.

hobnob_archives project

hobnob_archives website preview

https://hobnob-archives.com/

This is the official website of hobnob.
Explore hobnob’s past and upcoming events through an interactive map.
We consider the website itself a piece of art, serving as a collaborative archive project built with our fans via Instagram Stories.
Our goal is to pin hobnob’s presence on maps across the globe!

Key Features:
Event Map: Check out our performances nationwide on an interactive map.
Calendar Integration: Add upcoming events to your calendar with a single click.
Archive Footage: Watch past performances via Instagram Highlights.
Route Guidance: Easily find directions from your current location to event venues.

downloads

contact/links