Nalle Mishima is Justin Daashuur Hopkins and Ryan York.

Justin and Ryan met in early 2010s Los Angeles, in a scene one step left of the city’s nascent “beat scene”. Theirs was a loose collective of improvisers, producers, and visual artists. They released solo albums on Non Projects and Leaving Records (as Asura, Rarebit, and Ryan York), played many shows together, but never formally collaborated. After a decade out of touch (Justin became a filmmaker, Ryan a scientist), they reunited and began Nalle Mishima.

Their self-titled album was recorded in two of Los Angeles’ best concrete rooms: the now-defunct Noh/Wave Gallery space in DTLA and Benevolent Studios in Chinatown’s underground. The songs on “Nalle Mishima” were constructed from long-form improvisations. Justin (guitar) and Ryan (electric + standup bass/guitar + voice) were joined by collaborators Dave Elitch (drums), Yvette Holzwarth (violin), Max Kaplan (baritone sax), Amirtha Kidambi (voice), and Jared Rodriguez (modular synthesizer). Taking influence from the seminal Talk Talk albums “Spirit of Eden” (1988) and “Laughing Stock” (1991), these improvisations were then extensively edited, re-arranged, and tortured. You can find threads of black metal, fire music, krautrock, Penderecki, butoh in the result. “Origin (VII)” is the only unedited improvisation on the album.

Produced by Justin Daashuur Hopkins & Ryan York
Performed by Justin (guitar) and Ryan (electric + standup bass/guitar + voice) which were joined by collaborators Dave Elitch (drums), Yvette Holzwarth (violin), Max Kaplan (baritone sax), Amirtha Kidambi (voice), and Jared Rodriguez (modular synthesizer)
Recorded at Noh/Wave & Benevolent Studios
Engineered by Jared Rodriguez
Mixed by Jared Rodriguez & Ryan York
Final Audio Treatment by Ryan York
Photography by Justin Daashuur Hopkins
Design by Ryan York