Aili

Aili is a Belgium-Japanese electro-pop duo formed by Aili Maruyama and Orson Wouters. Theirchance meeting in 2019 sparked a playful, spontaneous approach to music, blending electronic beats with Aili’s unique Japanese vocals. Their debut Dansu EP in 2021 quickly gained attention, spending eight weeks at the top of Radio 1's VOX (BE) list. Building on this success, Aili captivated audiences with vibrant live performances.

The duo’s reach extends to Japan, where they played sold-out shows and collaborated with TOKA for a special Japanese re-edition of Dansu EP. Their debut album, Nandakke?, released by Eskimo Recordings in February 2024, dives into surreal electro-pop and house, with lyrics reflecting Aili’s personal stories, from Japanese fashion to family traditions. Nandakke? has earned support from tastemaker radio stations like KEXP, KCRW, and Nova France. It climbed to the top of KCRW's Top 30 Album Chart and has been featured on major Spotify playlists like Metropolis, Pollen, and Nu Disco, amassing over 2 million followers.

In late 2024, Aili completed a successful tour with the French band L’Impératrice, performing at iconic venues like L’Olympia in Paris and Melkweg in Amsterdam. With a cross-cultural sound, compelling visuals, and an ever-growing fanbase, Aili is solidifying its place as a rising force in contemporary live dance music.