When I first heard Gods of Shamisen, Japanes Lute music- with Kevin Kmetz, it was in 2005 when they were in Santa Cruz. It seems they are touring around the country if not the world now. the effect is phenomenal when the funk, pop, and rock is added to the traditional ancientJapese lute style.
Kevin Kmetz, Estradesphere. El Joudon, Fishbowlorchestra