NELKE is a Japanese five-piece rock band centered on singer-songwriter RIRIKO, originally formed in 2023 as RIRIKO BAND before adopting the name NELKE in spring 2024; the name is said to derive from the German word for “carnation,” reflecting the idea of a solo project blossoming into a full band, and the group is known for emotionally direct songwriting, melodic hooks, and live arrangements that combine intensity with a polished pop-rock sensibility. The lineup consists of RIRIKO on vocals and guitar, Kei on drums, Takeda Toshifumi on bass, Matsumoto Shiori on keyboards, and Ito Masakage on guitar, and the band’s early history includes a sold-out solo performance and appearances at major events such as JAPAN JAM 2025. Their releases include the single “Incarnation” in 2024, followed by “夏果て,” “Believe in Breeze,” and the mini-album Paragraph released in March 2025, with later activity continuing into 2026; overall, the group’s appeal lies in the contrast between RIRIKO’s personal songwriting core and the broader impact of a full band arrangement. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.