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Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

[press release] SoundWitch to Perform at Tekkoshocon 2012

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

February 4, 2012 – Osaka based gothic-metal/rock band SoundWitch will make their American live performance debut at Tekkoshocon 2012. The band will perform a live concert and attend autograph and Q&A sessions for fans during Tekkoshocon’s four-day event in Pittsburgh, PA from March 22 – 25, 2012.

Tekkoshocon information and pre-registration at: http://www.tekkoshocon.com

SoundWitch PROFILE
SoundWitch was formed in Osaka, Japan in 2005 and performing in the Kansai area. In 2007 and 2008, they released three demo single CDs, and in July 2008 performed at the female vocalist festival, “ADDICT XX”.

Maintaining their momentum, they moved into production of their first album and in April of 2009, “WICCAHOLIC” was released. For this release, they set out on a Japan-wide tour and released their first promotional music video, ”WITHOUT”. SoundWitch ended their tour in January 2010 with their first solo “one-man” live show in Osaka, performing 8 news songs which signalled the start of production on their 2nd album.

In 2009 and 2010, SoundWitch performed at several Japanese music festivals, including “FAR EAST RAMPAGE” and taking the headlining spot on the sub-stage of “ADDICT XX”, followed by the release of their second album ”GROTESCA” in October 2010. After the release, they began the “GROTESCA SHOW” tour country-wide, finishing the tour in November 2010 with a ”two-man” show with their 413 Tracks label mates and friends “6ft. down”. In March of 2011, the “KISS ME KILL ME” 2011 JAPAN TOUR CHAPTER ONE was announced.

SoundWitch members are: Twin (vocals), May (guitar, programming), Sack (drums), Matsubai (bass), Drug-on (guitar).

SoundWitch official website: http://www.soundwitch.jp/
SoundWitch on JapanFiles: http://www.japanfiles.com/soundwitch

Tags: gothic metal, Inc., j-rock, japanfiles, kansai, MONSTERS, Osaka, Pittsburgh, SoundWitch, Tekkoshocon, visual kei, vk, Wiccaholic
Posted in Press Release, indie, rock | No Comments »

[press release] ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION Greatest Hits Album

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION will be releasing their very first greatest hits album consisting 17 songs from their 6 full albums and 2 mini albums, added with their brand new song “Marching Band”.

Concurrently with the Japan release, the album is now available in the US through iTunes and Amazon.

Not only in Japan, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION has gained international popularity through features on various animation films including:

“Far and Beyond” (track 1) – opening theme song to NARUTO
“Rewrite” (track 5) – opening theme song to Fullmetal Alchemist
“A Town in Blue” (track 10) – theme song to Taiyo Matsumoto’s animation film Tekkon Kinkreet
“After Dark” (track 11) – opening theme to BLEACH

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION – BEST HIT AKG

Now available on iTunes and Amazon
1. Far and Beyond
2. Piece of the Future
3. Understand
4. A Flower Named You
5. Rewrite
6. To Your Town
7. Loop & Loop
8. Black Out
9. Blue Train
10. A Town in Blue
11. After Dark
12. Rock’n Roll, Morning Light Falls On You
13. Mustang
14. Fujisawa Loser
15. Love songs of new century
16. Soranin
17. Marching Band

ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION Official website – http://www.asiankung-fu.com/eng/

Tags: ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, Best Hit AKG, bleach, Fullmetal Alchemist, NARUTO, Tekkon Kinkreet
Posted in Press Release, pop, rock | No Comments »

[press release] Hemenway to Release NARUTO Ending Theme Song on Jan 24, 2012

Thursday, January 19th, 2012 by Kathy Chee

Making a meteoric major debut in November 2011, 4-piece band Hemenway’s new song has been chosen as the new ending theme to TV animation series NARUTO Shippuden.

This latest single “By My Side” will be digitally released in the US on January 24, 2012 through iTunes and Amazon.

By My Side
Ending theme song to NARUTO Shippuden

January 24 (Tue) Release via iTunes & Amazon

1. By My Side

2. Dust

3. Dear Junior

4. By My Side (Flying Guitar Ver.)

A new sensation who surpasses nations and generations, “Hemenway” enters the scene this autumn with their captivating melodies.

The four members first met while attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

After their graduation in 2008, the two Korean-Americans, Isaac and Charm formed a songwriting team as they went back to their homes in LA. Growing up with great influences from Japanese music and culture, Isaac and Charm were determined to pursue their music careers in Japan.

Finally, in summer of 2010, the two set their foot in the land of their dreams. As classmates Toshi and Ogaching reunite in Japan and start a band, “Hemenway” begins to pave their way in the music industry.

The band made its major debut on November 2, 2011 with single “Listen”.

Hemenway Official website – http://www.hemenway.jp/

Tags: By My Side, Hemenway, NARUTO, Sony
Posted in Press Release, pop, rock | No Comments »

[press release] exist†trace Announces 2012 America tour

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

Japanese all-female visual kei band exist†trace will tour America in March 2012, performing live concerts in:

Boston, MA
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA

Dates, venues, and ticket information to be announced soon.

Their latest CD release, “THE LAST DAYBREAK,” went on sale in Japan today. The 5-track EP is their second release from major label TOKUMA JAPAN.

Last month, exist†trace announced a special appearance as a special guest at Japanese culture and anime event Tekkoshocon 2012. The band will perform a live concert and attend special autograph and Q&A sessions for fans during Tekkoshocon’s four-day event in Pittsburgh, PA from March 22 – 25, 2012.

Tekkoshocon information and pre-registration at: http://www.tekkoshocon.com

exist†trace 2012 America tour is presented by JapanFiles, Monsters Inc., Tekkoshocon, and JhouseRock Entertainment.

exist trace USA information: http://www.japanfiles.com/existtrace.html

Tags: ET, exist trace, j-rock, japanfiles, Tekkoshocon, visual kei
Posted in Press Release, visual kei | No Comments »

[press release] SHOTA releases “You & I” at US iTunes Store

Friday, September 16th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

Japan’s singing sensation SHOTA (a.k.a. Shota Shimizu) is releasing his hit single “You & I”, a joyful up-tempo love song recorded in NYC last fall, at US iTunes Store on September 20th. It became a campaign song for Sony Walkman, and also being featured at FCI, the largest Japanese broadcaster’s theme song for US morning program, “The Morning Eye.“

After his Apollo debut in 2007 and the encore appearance the following year, SHOTA re-visited NYC in search of a brand new sound. He met and vibed with several accomplished piano players for an inspiration: Onaje Allan Gumbs, a seasoned Jazz/R&B pianist who has worked with such legends as Woody Show, Nat Adderly Cassandra Wilson, Betty Carter, etc.. welcomed SHOTA during his sound check at Joe’s Pub, the downtown hang-out for the music lovers. SHOTA and Onaje immediately clicked and jammed few songs. Shimrit Shoshan is a young and vibrant female jazz pianist originally from Israel, and has been in the New York jazz circuit for last ten years. Shimrit met SHOTA at uptown dance studio where they kept improvising over Donny Hathaway, and Marvin Gaye. Finally, Selan, the keyboard prodigy from Brooklyn who is also known as a musical director for Adele, and a supporting musician for Kelis, Kanye West, Rihanna and old school veterans like CHIC, Roy Ayers, Leon Ware and Roberta Flack, gave SHOTA an extra kick. They recorded “You & I” right after their first encounter and also performed at a special live concert in Tokyo titled “Live in the Dark.” The song was premiered at the pitch black auditorium where audience cannot see anything, but hear the acoustic live performance of the two: Selan’s blind touched piano and SHOTA’s crystal voice. The specially invited guest audiences were wowed by their performance, and SHOTA really shook them with his brand new sound. The rest was a story…

The song, “You & I” carries forward SHOTA’s pure and genuine sentiment, and grabs your innocent heart.

Available on iTunes U.S. (9/20/2011)

Click here for a preview!

Official Website – http://www.shimizushota.com/

Tags: itunes, j-pop, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Shota Shimizu, You & I
Posted in Press Release, pop, r&b | No Comments »

[press release] exist†trace to Perform at Tekkoshocon 2012

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

September 5, 2011 – Japanese all-female visual kei rock band exist†tracewill return to America for Japanese culture and anime event Tekkoshocon 2012. The band will perform a live concert and attend autograph and Q&A sessions for fans during Tekkoshocon’s four-day event in Pittsburgh, PA from March 22 – 25, 2012.

Tekkoshocon information and pre-registration at: http://www.tekkoshocon.com

exist†trace PROFILE

exist†trace is one of Japan’s first all-female Visual Kei rock bands. Formed in 2003, the members of exist†trace are Jyou (vocals), Miko (guitar), Mally (drums), Naoto (bass), Omi (guitar).

Along with multiple tours of Japan , exist†trace has performed twice in Europe, making appearances in Berlin, Helsinki, Moscow, Paris, London, and Barcelona. In 2009, the band *performed at the 2-day V-ROCK FESTIVAL in Chiba, Japan. In November 2010, exist*†*trace released their album “TWIN GATE” in Japan, followed by an American release from JapanFiles. In June, 2011, they made their major-label debut with the “TRUE” EP on Tokuma Japan.*

* *

exist†trace appears at Tekkoshocon by arrangement with JapanFiles and Monsters, Inc.

exist†trace official website - http://www.exist-trace.com
exist†trace on JapanFiles – http://www.japanfiles.com/existtrace

Tags: ET, exist trace, j-rock, japanfiles, Tekkoshocon, visual kei, vk
Posted in Press Release, rock, visual kei | No Comments »

[press release] L’Arc~en~Ciel World Tour Email Registration

Monday, August 29th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

L’Arc~en~Ciel Email Registration for the World Tour 2012 Starts

TOKYO, JAPAN – L’Arc~en~Ciel is announced to go on a world tour including New York, London, Paris, Shanghai, Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok in 2012 (tour dates T.B.D.) and in the meantime, email registration will start on their website for the fans all over the world.

What is email registration?

The fans who register will be able to receive the band’s world tour ticket sales information by email before anyone else. Registration is very easy, choose country of residence and enter email address.

It will start from August 26 on the following website - http://www.larc-en-ciel.com/en/information/20th/

This is a great way to reach information to reserve your ticket. Don’t miss it.

L’Arc~en~Ciel

If you hear their unique melodies and edgy sounds even once, you will be captivated. hyde (Vocal), ken (Guitar), tetsuya (Bass), and yukihiro (Drum) make up the band called L’Arc-en-Ciel, formed in 1991. It continues to mesmerize the music scene not only in Japan, but throughout the world.

Ever since their debut, it’s seemed like the band has reserved a spot on the sales charts, because whatever year it is, they’ve got a hit song to match the times. In 1999, the band had the unprecedented idea to release the albums “ark” and “ray” simultaneously, and the group saw sales of over 4 million units in Japan alone.

In 2011, the band celebrated their 20th anniversary with the two-night show “20th L’Anniversary LIVE” at Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium to 100,000 fans. The following “20th L’Anniversary TOUR” will continue into 2012, becoming a world tour of Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok, New York, London, and Paris, before concluding back in Tokyo.

L’Arc~en~Ciel Official Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/LArc-en-Ciel/139185632806476

Tags: hyde, Ken, L'arc~en~Ciel, laraku, Sony, Sync Music Japan, tetsuya, yukihiro
Posted in Press Release, rock | No Comments »

[press release] V-ROCK Festival Ticketing for Overseas Participants

Friday, August 26th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

Sync Music Japan, a project organized by Japan Association of Music Enterprises (JAME), Music Publishers Association of Japan (MPAJ), and the Federation of Music Producers Japan (FMPJ) is offering exclusive ticketing for overseas fans for “V-ROCK FESTIVAL ‘11″ to be held on 10/23 at Saitama Super Arena.

This brilliant V-Rock festival will present a grand lineup of 30 artist units including Gackt’s new band “YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz,” MUCC, SOPHIA, LM.C, girugamesh, Versailles and ViViD.

Ticketing Information:
http://shopping.nexus-web.net/nexusticket_en/products/detail.php?product_id=6950

Event Introduction for Overseas Participants:
http://www.syncmusic.jp/hub/main/vrock.html

Artist Lineup (in alphabetical order)

Administrator
ALI PROJECT
BORN
BLACK VEIL BRIDES
DaizyStripper
D=OUT
Eins:Vier
girugamesh
Golden Bomber
HERO
LA’ ROYQUE DE ZAVY【5th additional group】
LM.C
lynch.
Matenro Opera
MICHAELMONROE
Mix Speaker’s,Inc.
MUCC
Piko,
Lolita23Q
SCREW
SOPHIA
SuG
Versailles
vistlip
ViViD
YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz
and more!

Date: 10/23/2011(Sun)

Time: OPEN 9:30 / START 11:00 / CLOSE 20:30(estimated)

Venue: Saitama Super Arena
��Chuo-kuShintoshin 8, Saitama City 330-0081 Saitama, JAPANTEL：048-600-3001
Ticket Reservation for Overseas Participants

http://shopping.nexus-web.net/nexusticket_en/products/detail.php?product_id=6950

1. 1000-yen discount on advanced ticket until 9/2
Free-seating 11,000yen(tax in) + 1 DRINK minimum (500 yen)

2. Regular ticketing begins on 9/3
Free-seating 12,000yen(tax in)+ 1 DRINK minimum (500 yen)

Tags: j-rock, Saitama Super Arena, sophia, Sync Music, V-rock Festival, Versailles, visual kei, ViViD, vk, YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz
Posted in Press Release, visual kei | No Comments »

[press release] NAP UTATANE Tour 2011

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

Sept. 5th, (mon) El Rey Theatre
doors 8:00pm / adv$20 / all ages
Tickets - http://www.theelrey.com/

Sept. 7th, (wed) San Francisco at Slim’s
doors 7:00pm / start 8:00pm / adv$23 / all ages
Tickets - http://www.slims-sf.com/

Sept. 9th, (fri) Seattle at El Corazón
doors 8:00pm / adv$20 / all ages
Tickets - http://www.elcorazonseattle.com/

Sept. 11th, (sun) New York at Blender Theatre
doors 7:00pm / adv$25 / all ages
Tickets – Click here

Sept. 13th. (tue) Austin at SPEAKEASY
doors 6:00pm / adv$20
Tickets – http://www.speakeasyaustin.com/

The Pillows Official Website – http://www.pillows.jp/

The Noodles Official Website – http://noodles.velvet.jp/

All Ages Official Website – http://iloveallages.com/

Tags: All Ages, NAP UTATANE, The Noodles, The Pillows
Posted in Press Release, rock | No Comments »

[press release] ★STAR GUiTAR’s “PiECE” Available at US iTunes

Monday, August 15th, 2011 by Kathy Chee

★STAR GUiTAR’s smash hit single “PiECE” is finally available at US iTunes Store! This catchy pop-electro track is the title song for Leiji Matsumoto’s “Galaxy Express 999″ iPhone app and features all the main characters in 999 such as Tetsuro, Maetel and Captain Harlock in its full-length music video http://youtu.be/WegyOUficNY .

(for iTunes Store: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/piece-single/id445739536) Go grab the song and look for more update from ★STAR GUiTAR’s international releases of on CoolJapanMusic!!

★STAR GUiTAR is a solo project by SiZk, a producer/arranger/remixer known for the works with many major J-POP stars such as BENNIE K, ICONIQ, Thelma Aoyama, Kana Nishino, and mihimaru GT as well as the top artists from Japanese club music scene including Sweet Vacation, Ayaka Ikio, and GARI showcasing his versatility and brand new sound. As a seasoned club DJ who developed own dance floor approach and pop sensibility, ★STAR GUiTAR brings very unique and different taste to the table that is neither today’s electro, nor techno/house sounds, and shines so bright that is Revolutionary & Delighted New Disco Sound.

Listen to a preview at http://soundcloud.com/cooljapanmusic/01-piece

Purchase at iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/piece-single/id445739536

Tags: CoolJapanMusic, Galazy Express 999, j-pop, Leiji Matsumoto, SiZk, Star Guitar
Posted in Electronic, Press Release, pop | No Comments »

Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

[press release] SoundWitch to Perform at Tekkoshocon 2012

Tekkoshocon information and pre-registration at: http://www.tekkoshocon.com