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[press release] May’n (Accel World, Macross Frontier) to release new album on USA iTunes

Friday, May 11th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

J-Pop superstar May’n will release her recent albums ”HEAT” and “If you…” in the USA iTunes music store on May 16, in conjunction with the singer’s upcoming American tour.

May’n’s latest release “HEAT” (2012) reached Oricon’s Top 10 in its first week of release, including recent Japanese anime theme songs ”Brain Diver” (Phi Brain) and “Scarlet Ballet” (Aria the Scarlet Ammo/ Hidan no Aria), plus “Giant Step” from her collaboration song for Kamen Rider Fourze.

“If you…” (2011) features more songs from the vocalist’s catalog of popular Japanese anime/game/movie tie-ins, including “Ready! Go!” (Okami-san and her Seven Companions), “Moshimo kimi ga Negau no Nara” (Valkyria Chronicles 3: Unrecorded Chronicles), and “Shinjitemiru” (Incite Mill – 7 Day Death Game).

May’n’s most recent anime theme song “Chase the world” (from Accel World) will also be available for purchase on May 16.

May’n on iTunes USA: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mayn/id301384362

ROCK YOUR BEATS – USA Tour

May’n will return to America in June 2012 for two live performances in Los Angeles and San Francisco. May’n will perform with a live band and meet American fans at a special autograph session for VIP ticket holders.

Thursday, June 21 – Key Club, Los Angeles
Saturday, June 23 – Yoshi’s, San Francisco
Ticket information: http://maynusa.wordpress.com

May’n Profile

The artist name “May’n” is derived from her real name, and it demonstrates her hope to “always sing songs that will be everyone’s main theme.” May’n was discovered in Horipro’s annual Talent Scout Caravan competition at the age of 13, and in 2008, she performed as the singing voice of Diva of the Galaxy, Sheryl Nome, in the TV anime ”Macross Frontier.”

May’n released 2 singles in 2008 which instantly became big hits, each placing in the Top 3 on the Oricon Weekly Chart in their debut week. In January 2009, the long-awaited mini-album “May’n ☆ Street” was released, and it achieved 2nd place on the Oricon Weekly Chart in the first week. All of May’n’s releases since then have consistently entered the top music sales charts.

In January 2010, May’n performed her first solo Budokan concert, which sold out in only 1 day. In March of the same year, she held her first tour of Asia, followed in July by a 17-city summer tour of Japan. She works passionately on her live shows in Japan and overseas to deliver her songs directly, fascinating audiences with her irresistible singing skills and unique voice.

In Fall 2010, May’n was chosen to record the theme song for the film ”Incite Mill -7 Day Death Game-.” In February 2011, she released her 3D Live Documentary movie “May’n THE MOVIE -Phonic Nation-” and later that month released her 2nd album “If you…” which reached number 7 on the Oricon Weekly Chart. In March 2011, she held her 2nd solo Budokan concert “RHYTHM TANK!!” for a sold-out audience.

Her second 6-city tour of Asia in May 2011 was a big success. She participated in the largest-in-Europe Japanese Culture and Entertainment Festival “Japan Expo 2011″ and received large applause. She continues to be the must-see “New Generation Female Rock Vocalist.”

In July, 2010, May’n made her American live performance debut at Anime Expo in Los Angeles. In addition to her work on “Macross Frontier,” May’n has contributed songs to several anime and video games, including: “Love get Chu,” “Shangri-La,” “Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi,” “Aria the Scarlet Ammo,” “Phi Brain,” “Valkyria Chronicles 3″ (PSP), “Sengoku Basara 2″, and “Accel World.”

[live report + interview] Power FLOWing Through Music at Anime Matsuri

Monday, April 16th, 2012 by Jen Wang

The opening to 2001: A Space Odyssey crescendoed over the chanting crowd as FLOW took the Anime Matsuri stage.  It was an unexpected yet appropriate introduction: the band had visited the NASA Johnson Space Center two days prior.  Casually picking up their instruments, FLOW proceeded to play as though it was their last performance ever.

GOT’S bass shook the room while KEIGO and KOHSHI belted their lungs out. True to the band’s name, FLOW’s vocalists traded rap lyrics as though they were finishing each other’s sentences. Sometimes their harmonies would blend into one resonant voice. TAKE milked the long guitar chords, throwing his arm in the air like an ’80s heavy metal rocker. The audience went wild over the anime theme songs, “Colors” and “Days.”

“Tabidachi Graffiti” demonstrated that the guys didn’t always crank everything up to eleven. IWASAKI’s steady rhythms prevented a total loss of moment, but TAKE’s light strumming and the stringed accompaniment did create a calming atmosphere that had the audience ready to listen to what the vocalists had to say during their MC. KEIGO talked about loving rock music and anime while KOHSHI focused on a more somber subject, the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. “I felt that music was useless because it cannot help hunger or keep people warm,” he said. “My fear from the continuing aftershocks was relieved when I listened to music. Then I realized music is power.”

Forging ahead, FLOW lifted the room’s spirits with an upbeat cover of Siam Shade’s “1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou.” Then came member introductions, where TAKE stole the spotlight by strutting to the center of the stage with light-up sunglasses. The fans followed his every command, repeating nonsense phrases and throwing their fists in the air. FLOW’s energy never waned and perennial favorite, the Naruto theme, “Go!!!,” was the perfect cap to the set. Band members jumped higher than ever, and KOHSHI led the crowd in a sing-a-long of the chorus. It left them wanting more, and one more song was what they got in the encore. FLOW really did seem to find power in their music—not just to play their hearts out from start to finish, but also to bring the worlds of anime and rock ‘n’ roll together.

FLOW’s camaraderie was evident in our interview, as one member would answer a question only to have his bandmates chime in with more details or personal opinions.  Even after a busy weekend they remained enthusiastic, with their eyes on the future.

(more…)

[press release] sasakure.UK Song with Hatsune Miku Translation Contest

Thursday, April 12th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

Yokohama, Japan — April 11th, 2012 — HearJapan is proud to announce a new contest featuring a brand new song from sasakure.UK!

Combining chiptune, pop and even progressive rock influences, as well as his own illustration and animation style, sasakure.UK is a one man tour-de-force. His fame around the world on video sites like YouTube and NicoNico Douga is staggering, with rabid fans following him everywhere he goes.

HearJapan is giving the world the chance to bring the new sasakure.UK song “The Trash-Heap Princess and Apostrophe feat. Hatsune Miku” to life with a translation contest! sasakure.UK doesn’t just write songs. Through the voice of Hatsune Miku he spins storybook tales that stand the test of time. So by using a combination of the lyrics, video and Hatsune Miku’s emotional performance, entrants will be challenged to translate that story into English using their own words and personal interpretations.

Among the huge list of prizes is the top jackpot of having your English translation used in sasakure.UK’s official video, as well as: A beautifully illustrated story book of “The Trash-Heap Princess and Apostrophe feat. Hatsune Miku” signed by sasakure.UK, a signed CD for “The Fantastic Reality of Aesop” album, some secret sasakure.UK goods and over 17,500 yen in HearJapan credits to download a ton of music. But that’s just the beginning. There are many more goodies to oggle on the contest linked below, as well as all the resources you’ll need to get to work.

So fire up your imagination and get ready to tell the English-speaking world the story of “The Trash-Heap Princess and Apostrophe feat. Hatsune Miku!”

Contest Page:
http://www.hearjapan.com/en/news/sasakureuk-feat-hatsune-miku-translation-contest/

[press release] May’n Adds USA Dates to ROCK YOUR BEATS World Tour

Friday, April 6th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

J-Pop superstar May’n will return to America in June 2012 for two live performances in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

As part of the ROCK YOUR BEATS World Tour, May’n will perform with her live band and dancers, followed by a special autograph session for VIP ticket holders.

After her discovery in HoriPro’s Talent Scout Caravan, May’n became known to anime fans worldwide as the singing voice of “Macross Frontier’s” Sheryl Nome. May’n’s new album “HEAT” debuted in Oricon’s Top 10, featuring songs from “Phi Brain,” “Aria the Scarlet Ammo,” and ” Kamen Rider Fourze.”

ROCK YOUR BEATS America Tour Dates

Thursday, June 21
Key Club, Los Angeles – http://www.keyclub.com
Doors: 6:30pm
Start: 7:30pm
VIP ticket price: $100 (limit 100 – includes autograph session with May’n)
Regular ticket price: $40 (advance) / $50 (same day)

Saturday, June 23
(*special afternoon show!)
Yoshi’s, San Francisco - http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco
Doors: 1:30pm
Start: 2:30pm
VIP ticket price: $100 (limit 100 – includes autograph session with May’n)
Regular ticket price: $40 (advance) / $50 (same day)

May’n official website - http://mayn.jp/
May’n USA Twitter - @Mayn_USA

[press release] An Cafe – The Cafe is Reopening

Monday, April 2nd, 2012 by Kathy Chee

It’s An Cafe, the Harajuku Dance Rock band that took the international music scene by NYAPPY storm with their danceable pop tunes and uniquely fun-filled production, and they’re coming back!!

The 5-piece band, who was taking an indefinite break since their Budokan concert in January 2010, announced on April 1, 2012, on their official website as well as on YATTAR JAPAN (international news site for Japanese pop culture) that the band will recommence in summer 2012.

Want details of what is coming up?? They’re planning a new release for summer. And of course, they will be true to their promise to the Cafe-kko for “ANCAFESTA ‘12 SUMMER DIVE”, their comeback event, announced as Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9, 2012 at Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyougijo (Yoyogi National Gymnasium) in Tokyo. Pre-sale tickets will be available from their fanclub site “FC BondS” starting April 25, with a smartphone site due to start the same day. (*Note: “FC BondS” is available only in Japan.)

Further plans are in the works for a World Tour, a Japan Tour, etc. to bring you the maximum An Cafe experience!! Look forward to the all-new, revved-up An Cafe, going full throttle towards the year 2014, their 10th anniversary. O(≧∀≦)O

official website - http://www.ancafe-web.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/ancafehonmono
FC BondS - http://www.fcbonds.com
YATTAR JAPAN - http://www.yattarjapan.com

[press release] IRUMA RIOKA @ Anime Central Chicago

Monday, April 2nd, 2012 by Kathy Chee

IRUMA RIOKA will participate in “ANIME CENTRAL,” a convention in Chicago, USA to be held in late April. During the convention period of 4/27 to 4/29, IRUMA RIOKA make 2 appearances as a panelist and present a live performance.

Anime Central Website
http://www.acen.org (Top Page)
http://www.acen.org/category/categories/guests/musical-guests (Guest Page)

IRUMA RIOKA Profile:
Singer and song writer. She wears her hair long, so she often called “Rapunzel” in the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales. She has learned piano and composition from her childhood. She covers composition, lyrics and arrangement. Her melodies based on her classical music background catch listeners’ ears and remains for a long time. She is especially good at waltz rhythm songs creating her own world. She always gives the concert with her support guitarist, NERU, and her audience never gets tired with their high-level performances in Gothic-Lolita style costumes known as Japanese subculture. She appeared on the stages of Japan Expo 2011 in France, several cities in Mexico, Switzerland, and so on. She is going to appear for Anime Central U.S.A. in April 2012 as a musical guest. She has many fans all over the world.

Official Website –  http://irumarin.com/
Official Blog –  http://irumarin.com/
Official Myspace –  http://www.myspace.com/irumarin/
facebook (Official Fan Site) - http://www.facebook.com/iruma.rapunzel/
YouTube IRUMA Channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/irumarioka/

[press release] STEREOPONY Starts Official US Tour Twitter

Monday, April 2nd, 2012 by Kathy Chee

STEREOPONY starts official Twitter for first US Tour!

J-Rock band STEREOPONY (Bleach, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Darker Than Black) started an official Twitter account for their first U.S. tour, starting April 6 at Sakura-Con!
@STEREOPONY_US

STEREOPONY will post updates for their upcoming appearances at Sakura-Con (Seattle) , Slim’s (San Francisco), Key Club (Los Angeles), and Yost Theater (Santa Ana). More tour info at their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/STEREOPONY.OFFICIAL/events

[press release] STEREOPONY @ Sakura-Con 2012 & West Coast Tour

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

For the fourth consecutive year, all-girl rock band STEREOPONY is once again coming back to the U.S. after their remarkable performances at SXSW (2009), AnimeNEXT (2010), and Anime Boston (2011).

This year, the girls were chosen as the Guest of Honor for Sakura-Con, the largest Anime convention in the Northwest, held at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Downtown Seattle, Washington on April 6-8.

STEREOPONY is a Japanese all-girl rock band that formed in Okinawa in 2007 and will be attending their first Sakura-Con. Consisting of AIMI (Vocal/Guitar), NOHANA (Bass), and SHIHO (Drums) the band gained their first opportunity on the Japanese rock radio program “SCHOOL OF LOCK!”

STEROPONY should be well known to many anime fans as the artists behind several notable anime themes. Their debut single “Hitohira No Hanabira” was the 17th ending theme for the famous anime series “BLEACH”; released on November 5, 2008 and ranked #25 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Their 2nd single “Namida No Muko” was the second opening theme for the second season of the Sunrise series “Mobile Suit Gundam 00”; and achieved #2 in the Oricon charts.

STEREOPONY has toured internationally and experienced great success in the Oricon charts. In March 2009, the girls performed in SXSW 2009, and received a thunderous ovation.

Their 3rd single “I do it” is a collaboration with fellow Sony Music Entertainment Japan singer YUI, was released on April 22, 2009. Their debut studio album “A hydrangea blooms” was released on June 17, 2009 and ranked #7 on the Oricon weekly charts. STEROPONY’s 5th single “TSUKIAKARI NO MICHISHIRUBE”, also released with a tie-in with the second season of hit anime series “Darker than Black” which ranked #8 on Oricon. After releasing 2 singles, in June 2010, the girls released their much anticipated 2nd studio album “OVER THE BORDER”.

“Chiisana Mahou”, the opening theme of anime series “Letter Bee REVERSE” was released on December 8th. STEREOPONY collaborated with the band Kariyushi58 to produce the single “Tatoeba Utaenakunattara” released on August 10, 2011. The band’s 10th single, “Arigatō”, was released on September 28, 2011. The music video for ”Arigatō”, released on September 1, 2011, features film actor Abe Hiroshi; he is also on the cover of the version B release of the single.

Official STEREOPONY website – http://www.stereopony.com
Official Sakura-Con website – http://www.sakuracon.org

[press release] Next Music From Tokyo: Vol 4 Canada

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

Next Music from Tokyo: Vol 4

feat: ZAZEN BOYS, group_inou, Charan-Po-Rantan, Praha Depart

May 18 Toronto @ The Rivoli
May 19 Toronto @ The Rivoli
May 21 Montreal @ Divan Orange
May 23 Vancouver @ The Waldorf Hotel

Next Music from Tokyo is a non-profit cross-Canada tour showcasing the best independent and underground music from Japan. Volume 2 was named concert of the year by the Montreal Mirror in 2010. Volume 3 included a sold-out show at the Rivoli which made BlogTO’s list of Toronto’s best concerts in 2011.

Volume 4 boasts the best line-up yet headlined by one of the most critically acclaimed and important bands in Japan: ZAZEN BOYS

“Taking one band to the top of the Japanese indie rock world makes you noteworthy. Starting all over and doing it again makes you Mukai Shutoku.” – keikaku.net

ZAZEN BOYS is the current band of legendary singer/guitarist Mukai Shutoku. Despite resembling a bespectacled librarian, Mukai is an indie rock god in Japan. Mukai’s former band Number Girl is renowned as one of the most important and influential bands in Japanese rock history. Whereas, Number Girl followed a progressive yet straight forward alt-rock sound akin to Sonic Youth and the Pixies, ZAZEN BOYS is the vehicle for pushing the boundaries of Mukai’s creative and experimental genius. ZAZEN BOYS’ intricate math rock delves unpredictably into electronica, Buddhist hymns, spoken word, blues and Japanese folk. Mukai assembled some of the most talented musicians in Japan to play alongside him and ZAZEN BOYS’ passionate live performances are characterized by a high level of improvisation and an almost unrivalled degree of musical skill.

group_inou is a duo comprised of producer Imai and emcee CP. Imai deconstructs chip tune, hip hop, kraut rock and noise to create strikingly fresh dance instrumentals that seem to come straight out of an 80’s video game. CP ‘s vocals flow with an absurdly broad range in style of playful rapping, singing and occasional screaming. group_inou has shared the stage with Battles, OWEN, deerhoof, Gang Gang Dance, Why?, Locust, nisennenmondai and Melt Banana and have more than held their own. In fact, group_inou’s live performances are legendary for their wild intensity with Imai flailing over the mixing board like an electrocuted squid and CP rapping and singing either within the audience or while crowdsurfing directly above them. group_inou are just as comfortable performing at tiny, cramped venues as they are performing in front of tens of thousands at major festivals such as Fuji Rock and Rising Sun. While group_inou’s groundbreaking music sounds just fine on CD their true brilliance is best appreciated in a live setting.

Charan-Po-Rantan consists of two beautiful sisters: Momo (18yo) on vocals and Koharu (23yo) on accordion/chorus. Koharu says she was born playing the accordion which made labour and delivery quite painful for her mother. All kidding aside, Koharu Matsunaga is an internationally acclaimed accordion player having won numerous competitions. She was National Grand Champion in 2009 and represented Japan at the International Finals of the V-Accordion festival in Rome, Italy. Almost as formidable as her prowess on accordion is Koharu’s razor sharp wit. Koharu’s story-telling and comedic banter during emcee breaks is frequently the highlight of Charan-Po-Rantan’s shows.

Momo’s trademark is to belt out classic and original folk/gypsy tunes while hugging a plush doll pig under her arm. But despite her young age and extremely adorable appearance Momo-chan shines on-stage with the expertise and composure of a veteran cabaret chanteuse. As a duo, Charan-Po-Rantan can captivate any audience with their soulful, quirky charm. However, when backed by their supremely talented support band CANCAN BALKAN, Charan-Po-Rantan’s already potent stage performance is exalted to an awe-inspiring level. Bizarre and campy but oozing with elite musical talent, Charan-Po-Rantan & CANCAN BALKAN’s unique Japanese twist on Klezmer and gypsy/folk songs is guaranteed to elicit cheers from anyone with an open mind and appreciation for good music. CANCAN BALKAN will be accompanying Charan-Po-Rantan on the NMFT tour.

Praha Depart’s music is a fusion of psychedelic rock, metal and shoegaze with a tribal/folk beat. Something the Japan Times describes as “irrepressibly danceable gypsy punk.” The instrumentation and female vocals ebb and flow between darkly serene to ferocious crescendos of emotion and noise. Jumpei’s intricate and powerful drumming forms the backbone. An infectious tribal beat peppered with thunderous fills and improvised solos. Tsukasa layers on simple guitar melodies accentuated with brilliant phrasing, spine shivering effects and lightning speed riffs. Lastly, Mai attacks the low end on bass while using her voice to demonstrate the full spectrum of her emotions with soothing whispers, playful shrills, ear shattering war-cries and bloodcurdling screams. Already revered in Tokyo’s underground, Praha Depart ventured to the US in 2011 playing multiple shows in New York and Philadelphia followed by a European tour with 11 shows in Slovenia, France, Spain, Netherlands and Germany. Praha Depart’s music is soulful, unpretentious and overflowing with emotion and raw power.

Next Music From Tokyo Official Website – http://nextmusicfromtokyo.com

[press release] MISIA Performing at National Cherry Blossom Festival

Friday, March 23rd, 2012 by Kathy Chee

MISIA to perform at the opening ceremony of National Cherry Blossom Festival as Cool Japan Messenger

Nominated by the Government of Japan, Japanese recording artist MISIA has been invited to the ceremony to perform a live concert on March 25th (for Washington D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival) to send Japan’s appreciation for the support the nation has received for the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

This year is a remarkable celebration year, marking the 100th anniversary of Japan’s gift of cherry blossom trees to the United States. In commemoration of this anniversary, Government of Japan will showcase Japanese-style design and culture events under ‘Cool Japan’, and this initiative will also serve as the creative engine for the nation’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, to rebuild and revitalize the whole nation. The Japanese government is also promoting this campaign in various countries around the world under the “JAPAN NEXT (to the Next New Japan)” message, which embodies the nation’s determination to overcome its current challenges and rise above adversity. MISIA, named as Cool Japan Messenger by the Government of Japan, will express Japan’s appreciation for the support received from abroad following the devastation from the Great East Japan Earthquake through her live performance and speech.

Message from MISIA

Cherry Blossom, we Japanese love and get power from it. In Japan, there is a long tradition of nature worship, and a belief that cherry blossom can have our souls and spirits. I’m deeply touched by that these cherry blossom trees in Washington DC became the symbol of friendly Japan-U.S. relations. And I’m highly honored that I have the chance to sing at this memorial ceremony. This year is the 100th anniversary year of Japan’s gift of cherry blossom, and it also has a special meaning for us. Commemorating one year since Great East Japan Earthquake, we strongly hope for Japan’s reconstruction and revitalization. I’d like to sing with our love of cherry blossom, hope for reconstruction, love of Japan, and our heartfelt appreciation for your support from all over the world.

National Cherry Blossom Festival (Washington D.C) – http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/
MISIA Official Website – http://www.misia.jp/index_main.html
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