L is a recording alias of Japanese multi-instrumentalist Hiroyuki Usui. Usui began his musical career as the drummer for Keiji Haino's Fushitsusha between 1981 and 1987. He then moved on to the Marble Sheep and Japan's A-Musick (the latter is not to be confused with the German band of the same name). As L, he recorded the underground classic Holy Letters album in 1990, which was privately pressed and horribly distributed. Guitarist Ben Chasny (Six Organs of Admittance) championed the album and VHF Records reissued it in 2004 to critical acclaim. Chasny and Usui recorded a self-titled album together as August Born in 2005.