The music industry is like high school in a way: You become cooler and life becomes more advantageous after you make some well-connected, older pals.
In 2007, Tokyo instrumental math-rock and postrock quartet Lite teamed with experimental bass and sanshin band Funanori for a split CD. Funanori features The Go! Team's Kaori Tsuchida and seminal American bassist Mike Watt, a member of lauded 1980s punk act Minutemen, Porno for Pyros and currently Iggy and The Stooges.
In early 2008, Lite spent two weeks touring Japan alongside Watt's side project Brother's Sister's Daughter. Lite and Watt became friends, which led to Lite being invited to open at Mike Watt and The Missingmen shows in the United States in May last year. Wanting to make the most of the opportunity, while there Lite recorded their "Turns Red" EP with producer J. Robbins from posthardcore act Jawbox. They also taped one of the tour's performances for the digital concert album "Live in New York."