Tamio Okuda and Koji Kikkawa have formed a new unit called Ooochie Koochie. Their first song, "GOLD," was released today, February 26.

Though they have worked in different musical genres, both Okuda and Kikkawa share a common background of being born and raised in Hiroshima in 1965. They first became aware of each other in high school, when they were introduced in a private studio inside a clothing store located in a shopping arcade, a place where young band members from Hiroshima gathered. However, their musical paths didn’t cross in Hiroshima at that time. It wasn’t until recent years, during various music festivals, that the two began to talk. Being from the same hometown, they started drinking together and sharing stories about the past and their music. Eventually, they decided to collaborate and created Ooochie Koochie.

The name Ooochie Koochie was carefully thought out by the two. After considering various options, they landed on the word "おちこち" (Ochikochi), which conveys meanings such as "far and near," "here and there," "the future and the present," and "the past and the present."

Their debut track "GOLD" was inspired by the disco era of the late 1970s, when both Okuda and Kikkawa were growing up. The lyrics reflect the time when they were around 20 years old, transitioning into adulthood. The song imagines what their lives might have been like if they had spent their youth in Hiroshima, even though they were already active in Tokyo. The track evokes a somewhat nostalgic and lyrical landscape throughout.

Additionally, the music video for "GOLD" has been released on YouTube, and along with the announcement, the unit’s official X account (@OoochieKoochie) has been launched.