Posts Tagged ‘japanfiles’
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 by Kathy Chee
October 31, 2009 – Japanese rock band HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR returns to the USA with a new vocalist and heavier sound. HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR will play a live concert at Sakura-Con 2010 and attend autograph and Q&A sessions for fans during Sakura-Con’s three-day event in Seattle, WA on April 2-4, 2010.
Sakura-Con information and pre-registration at: http://www.sakuracon.org/
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR profile:
Formed in Okinawa, Japanese rock band HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR has contributed theme songs for three hit anime series: “Bleach,” “Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Special Edition,” and “Darker Than Black.” The band has also contributed film songs for “Death Note: The Last Name (tribute album)” and “Anata wo Wasurenai.” In 2009, HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR (also known to their Japanese fans as “Haikara”) returned to their original label Spice Records and released a new album “Swamp Man” featuring a new vocalist HALCA. Their appearance at Sakura-Con 2010 will mark their first overseas performance with their new lineup.
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR appears by arrangement with Spice Records and JapanFiles.
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR Official Website – http://hmc.spicemusic.jp/top.php
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR Official MySpace – http://www.myspace.com/handmcofficial
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR music on JapanFiles – http://www.japanfiles.com/highandmightycolor
Tags: bleach, darker than black, Death Note, haikara, halca, High & Mighty Color, HMC, j-rock, japanfiles, Mobile Suit Gundam, sakura con, Spice Records
Posted in Press Release, indie | No Comments »
Friday, October 16th, 2009 by Victoria Goldenberg
Swinging Popsicle makes an unlikely link between indie music and anime/video game fandom. While its laid-back retro rock isn’t the typical soundtrack for animated entertainment, the unassuming trio has played at conventions in North America and composed the music for the well-regarded 2009 PC game Sumaga/Star Mine Girl, introducing their 12-year catalogue to a new audience. But singer Fujishima Mineko, bassist Hirata Hironobu and guitarist Shimada Osamu make indie pop with broad appeal: It’s cheerful, melodious and driven by soulful yet understated vocals. As Hirata puts it, “everyone from kids who like to watch anime to older generations can enjoy our music.” On Sept. 27, they performed their second New York City gig at The Studio at Webster Hall as part of the Far East to East Showcase, a concert connected to New York Anime Festival.
The cold weather caught Swinging Popsicle off guard this time. When they played a solo show at the Knitting Factory in 2007, it was on a balmy May night. Shimada soon regretted wearing short sleeves in an unusually biting September.
Sumaga’s manufacturer organized Swinging Popsicle’s appearance at NYAF. For Hirata, it was a chance to return to a city whose talented people inspire him. Or, as Fujishima describes New York: “It’s cool.” (more…)
Tags: 2ch, 2channel, 32º Convención de Juegos de Mesa y Comics, Add new tag, amuro namie, anime, B'z, beatles, beatles: rock band, CD, cosplay, devilman, digital download, english, Far East To East Showcase, flavour of sound, fujishima mineko, german, hamasaki ayumi, hirata hironobu, independent label, interview, japanfiles, knitting factory, korea, l.a.m.f., l.a.m.f. ii, like a mineko fujishima, loud cut, madonna, major label, matsui hideki, melt banana, mexico, new york, New York Anime Fest, New York Anime Festival, New York City, rolling stones, shimada osamu, Sony, star mine girl, sumaga, Swinging Popsicle, taru, the studio, utada hikaru, victoria goldenberg, video games, visual kei, Webster Hall, wham
Posted in Photo, interview, pop, rock | 1 Comment »
Thursday, October 15th, 2009 by Sarah
I tend to take album titles literally. It’s an involuntary response, especially when it comes to seemingly meaningful words or phrases. But before pressing play on exist†trace’s latest body of work, I decided not to pay attention to the album title. As I made my way through the seven tracks of this EP, I thought, “This sounds like some sort of mixed-emotion orchestral arrangement or perhaps a fluctuating philharmonic piece!” It wasn’t until I looked at the album title that I realized the more appropriate coinage of this album: an ambivalent symphony.
exist†trace brings an emotionally schizophrenic romp through Ambivalent Symphony. Minor keys and synthesizers satiate the moody visual kei brat inside all of us while the fast pace reminds the metal fan that chicks can thrash too. The album opens in a fury of pain and darkness with “Resonance” as vocalist Jou lets out a guttural growl above the screech of enraged guitars. The drums are strong and furious, steadying this otherwise out of control temper tantrum of a song.
Then an unexpected sun shower falls on your ears. The fires of pain are doused by the sweetness of piano and synthesized strings. Jou’s vocals float serenely over “Umi no Shizuku,” slipping into a soft head voice for the introduction and chorus. That’s not to say there’s no power behind this track. The backing instrumentals serve as a beacon for the otherwise listless melody, supporting and guiding the ballad along.
The album enters its third emotion with “Forward.” Eliminating most of the angst of the previous four tracks, this number trucks on with a slightly sassy and almost sarcastic attitude. The melody is entirely pop-rock, but the dual guitar mini solo and random synthesized noises give this album a feistiness that keeps the tune on the dirtier side. This track serves as the perfect balance for the rest of the album, keeping it grounded and away from being entirely woeful.
Unfortunately, with only six full tracks and one overture (appropriately titled “-overture-”), the album ends before you can become emotionally invested. You want to hear more, to listen to the ballad crescendo one more time or coast over the dueling guitars, but they’re just not there anymore. It’s done. Still, the cacophony of emotions in such a short time span is something to admire. I just wish all artists knew how to appropriately title their albums.
Tracklist
01. RESONANCE
02. Umi no Shizuku
03. -overture-
04. Ambivalence
05. Forward
06. Wrath
07. Owari no nai Sekai
Official Site: http://www.exist-trace.com/release.html
Release date is Oct. 21, 2009 (Japan)
JapanFiles – http://www.japanfiles.com
Tags: Ambivalent Symphony, chick rock, EP, exist†trace, j-rock, japanfiles, Jou, visual kei
Posted in Photo, indie, pop, review, rock, visual kei | 2 Comments »
Friday, October 9th, 2009 by Kathy Chee
Japanese rock band Dazzle Vision to perform at Sakura-Con 2010
October 9, 2009 – Japanese indie rock band Dazzle Vision will make their North American debut at Sakura-Con 2010. The band will perform a live concert and attend autograph and Q&A sessions for fans during Sakura-Con’s three-day event in Seattle, WA on April 2-4, 2010.
Sakura-Con information and pre-registration at http://www.sakuracon.org/
DAZZLE VISION PROFILE
Dazzle Vision is:
Vocals – Maiko
7-String Guitar – Yu
5-String Bass – Takuro
Drums – Haru (ex. Goofy Style)
Popular in the Japanese indie scene for their hard rock sound and Maiko’s alternating melodic/death-voice vocals, Dazzle Vision was formed in June 2003, and has held their current lineup since May 2008.
Dazzle Vision released their first album Origin of Dazzle in November of 2006. Their second album Camellia Japonica was released in April 2007, followed by an 11-city tour of Japan. After selling out of the first presses of Origin of Dazzle and Camellia Japonica, their 3rd album Crystal Children hit #1 on HMV’s pre-sale chart and #2 on Tower Records pre-sale chart prior to its official release in November 2008.
Dazzle Vision appears by arrangement with Human Noise Records and JapanFiles.
Dazzle Vision Official Website: http://dazzlevision.net/top.html
Dazzle Vision Official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/dazzlevision
Dazzle Vision music on JapanFiles: http://www.japanfiles.com/dazzlevision
Japan Files Official Website – http://www.japanfiles.com
Sakura-Con Official Website – http://www.sakuracon.org/
Tags: Camellia Japonica, Crystal Children, Dazzle Vision, Goofy Style, Haru, Human Noise Records, j-rock, japanfiles, Maiko, metal, Origin of Dazzle, sakura con, Takuro, Yu
Posted in Press Release, indie, rock | No Comments »
Friday, October 9th, 2009 by Kathy Chee
The new single from girugamesh, crying rain, is now available at Japanfiles!
track list
1. crying rain
2. S.T.F.U.
3. Nitro’09
– Only $2.97!
Japanfiles – http://www.japanfiles.com/girugamesh/
Official girugamesh website – http://www.girugamesh.jp/
Tags: crying rain, digital download, girugamesh, j-rock, japanfiles, nitro'09, US release, visual kei
Posted in rock | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 by Kathy Chee
September 23, 2009 – HelloStoreUSA is scheduled to open on October 1, 2009. The online store will sell merchandise purchased directly from Up Front Agency in Japan.
http://www.hellostoreusa.com
On opening day, HelloStoreUSA’s catalog will offer tour goods from past and present Hello! Project and UFA artists. Additional tour items and non-tour goods are scheduled to be added in the coming months.
Over 1,000 individual pieces are in stock for over 250 items, including photo cards, books, towels, phone straps, fans, and T-shirts. Featured artists include Morning Musume, Berryz Koubou, C-ute, Melon Kinenbi, Ongaku Gatas, Aya Matsuura, Natsumi Abe, and more. All items are in stock and ready to ship immediately.
HelloStoreUSA will ship items to fans in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, and Australia. Flat rate shipping is available for all orders.
Fans are encouraged to give feedback on what artists and items they would like to see added to the store. Contact information will be listed on the HelloStoreUSA website.
HelloStoreUSA is presented by JapanFiles, the Japanese digital music store.
(JapanFiles and HelloStoreUSA are divisions of Japanese education website YesJapan.com.)
Music downloads for Hello! Project artists are available at http://www.japanfiles.com
Tags: Aya Matsuura, Berryz Koubou, C-ute, hello project, HelloStoreUSA, j-pop, japanfiles, Melon Kenenbi, morning musume, Natsumi Abe, Ongaku Gatas, UFA
Posted in Press Release, pop | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 by Kathy Chee
Check out Japanfiles for new singles from C-ute.
EVERYDAY Zekkocho!!
Bye! Bye! Bye!
FOREVER LOVE
Massara Blue Jeans
JAPANFILES.COM
Website: http://www.japanfiles.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/japanfiles
LiveJournal: http://japanfiles.livejournal.com
Last.FM: http://www.last.fm/label/JapanFiles.com
Hello Project
http://www.helloproject.com/c-ute/
Tags: C-ute, EVERYDAY Zekkocho, girl band, hello project, j-pop, japanfiles, Massara Blue Jeans
Posted in pop | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 by Kathy Chee
August 12, 2009 – JapanFiles continues its partnership with Spice Records with the release of HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR’s new album “swamp man.”
The Japanese rock band’s new CD goes on sale in Japan on September 2, but JapanFiles has the early digital release available today for J-Rock fans worldwide.
With song contributions to three hit anime series (Bleach, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: Special Edition, Darker Than Black), the band has returned to their original label Spice Records to start over with a heavier sound and new vocalist HALCA.
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR links!
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR on JapanFiles.com -
http://www.japanfiles.com/highandmightycolor/
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR Official MySpace -
http://www.myspace.com/handmcofficial
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR Official Website – http://www.handmc.jp/
Tags: bleach, darker than black, gundam, halca, high and mighty color, HMC, j-rock, japanfiles, Spice Records, swamp man
Posted in Press Release, indie | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 by Kathy Chee
New girugamesh single “BORDER” available on JapanFiles
August 4, 2009 – Japanese rock band girugamesh releases its latest 2-track single “BORDER” in Japan today, and it’s available on the JapanFiles digital music website on the same day as its Japanese release. Fans in North America can download the single for just 99 cents a track in 320 kbps MP3 format.
Thanks to USA fans, over 4000 copies of their USA CD releases, “Girugamesh” and “MUSIC,” have been sold through the JapanFiles online store, online retailers, and Hot Topic stores nationwide. The USA releases feature Japanese-language booklets and artwork identical to the Japanese CD releases.
Girugamesh recently performed at Sakura-Con in Seattle, WA, in April 2009.
JapanFiles – http://www.japanfiles.com
Girugamesh Official Site – http://girugamesh.jp/
Tags: border, girugamesh, hot topic, j-rock, japanfiles, metal, sakura con, visual kei
Posted in Press Release | No Comments »
Thursday, July 16th, 2009 by Kathy Chee
July 15, 2009 – JapanFiles celebrates its 5th anniversary this week by announcing a partnership with Japanese music distribution/sales/rights agency BounDEE, Inc.
JapanFiles and BounDEE will work together in the coming months to expand the catalog of independent artists available to Japanese music fans through the JapanFiles.com digital music website.
(more…)
Tags: BounDEE, digital music, DRM-free, fanimecon, girugamesh, j-pop, j-rock, Japanese music distributor, japanfiles, jpunk, morning musume, sakura con, SXSW, visual kei
Posted in Photo, Press Release | 2 Comments »
