Touzai

Touzai are an Asian-Irish band blending 90s alternative, shoegaze textures, and heartfelt
lyricism into a sound that feels both intimate and expansive, pairing hazy guitars and
dynamic arrangements with lyrics that explore identity, yearning, and belonging.

Fronted by songwriter and vocalist Ethan Hollan, Touzai takes inspiration from his personal
experiences. Born and raised in Ireland within a Hong Kong household, Hollan grew up
navigating a dual sense of cultural identity that would later become a strong motivator for
the band. With the addition of Dan Monaghan and Danny Havern, their recordings
seamlessly translated into powerful performances. Their collective energetic presence on
stage is accompanied with reverb-soaked guitars and dynamic shifts from softness to fuzz,
balancing vulnerability and ferocity.

The band received national radio support from BBC Introducing, BBC Radio Ulster, and
RTE2FM, helping Touzai reach new listeners across Ireland. Touzai were also selected for
the PRS-funded talent development scheme “Scratch My Progress”, further cementing their
place among Ireland’s most promising emerging acts. Live highlights include shows and
festival appearances across the country, with notable support slots for Honeyglaze, Sunday
(1994), alongside showcases at Output Belfast and The Next Big Thing Dublin.