Posts Tagged ‘j-pop’
Monday, November 22nd, 2010 by Kathy Chee
Listen as Tom fumfers about trying to sum up being 6 months AWOL. While discussing Molice’s success and his mediocre acting career, he introduces music by Royalinserts, Swallow, Lolicon Fuckers, Sabnack, Lems, and Honeydew. Then he passes on pearls of wisdom about Tokyo summers and ponders the role of foreign bands in the J-Music scene.
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Royalinserts
http://www.myspace.com/royalinserts1000
The Swallow
http://www.myspace.com/swallowrise
Lolicon Fuckers
http://www.myspace.com/loliconfuckers
Sabnack
http://www.myspace.com/sabnack
Lems
http://www.myspace.com/lemszdw
Honeydew
http://www.myspace.com/honeydewjapan
Tags: Honeydew, j-indie, j-pop, j-rock, Lems, Lolicon Fuckers, podcast, Radio TBJE Nippon, Royalinserts, Sabnack, The Swallow
Posted in indie, pop, rock | 2 Comments »
Monday, October 4th, 2010 by Sarah
If (or when) cyborg aliens ever crash land to earth, demanding to steal the pinnacle of human technology, I ‘m not going to show them NASA’s most advanced rocket or the creepy robot that can lie. I wouldn’t even show them the iPad. No, I would hand them the band BOOM BOOM SATELLITES, particularly fresh after their live on October 2 at Makuhari Event Hall in Chiba.
After witnessing one of the most intense, psychedelic electronic noisefests I’ve ever experienced, I think our future cyborg overlords will be quite pleased.
Electronic music is often written off as robotic and soulless, relying too heavily on computers to do most of the musical leg work. But that’s not the case for BBS, particularly live. There’s persistent electric warmth to BBS’ sound that translates into an ambient blanket, like the comforting glow of a sleeping motherboard. This is created through various synthesizers and to some extent Michiyuki Kawashima’s calm, semi-mumbling voice.
But that isn’t the most enticing aspect of a BBS live show. Underneath that protective layer lies a certain amount of caged chaos. For one split second, bassist Masayuki Nakano hit a single string, and the sound produced at that moment mimicked that of a fighter jet breaking the sound barrier. A few members of the audience clasped their hands over their ears, in pain but enjoying the jolt. There’s a cybernetic monster locked up deep inside their music and every innocent human being can hear it blasting at the walls of its synthesized prison. The audience is afraid to let it out, but oh-so-very curious as to what it will do when it gets its first taste of freedom.
The music alone could easily lull even the most sober listener into a trance, but BBS cleverly added striking lighting and visuals to this particular live. A translucent veil dropped in front of the band midway through the show during the song “STAY.” Images of an eternally magnifying world projected over their silhouettes like dreams within dreams within dreams. I wish I could tell you not a single face could look away from the stage, but I was so transfixed on what was happening before me, I can’t say for sure. All I know is that I didn’t blink for a good ten minutes.
BBS’ performance was all things the digital age lives for: electronic, curiously chaotic, and all around audio-visual stimulation. And with their upcoming U.S. tour, this is a small piece of music genius BBS will let us use to represent our generation. (more…)
Tags: BBS, Boom Boom Satellites, electronica, interview, j-pop, j-rock, Masayuki Nakano, Michiyuki Kawashima, Moby, New York Comicon, OVER AND OVER, Public Enemy, Sony
Posted in Electronic, interview | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 by Kathy Chee
Pitching Japanese Music to American Media – A Discussion Panel at New York Comicon 2010
Join purple SKY magazine and Samurai Beat Radio at New York Comicon on Saturday, October 9th for our panel on pitching Japanese music to traditional American media such as radio and newspaper. Learn how to make a proper introduction to editors. Listen in as we discuss the differences between journalism and promotion, and pick up tips on how to work with Japanese labels.
When: Saturday, October 9th from 4pm to 5pm
Where: Room 1E13 (Jacob Javits Center)
Tags: j-pop, j-rock, New York Anime Fest, New York Comicon, NYAF, nycc, purple SKY, Samurai Beat Radio, visual kei, vk
Posted in Press Release | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 17th, 2010 by Kathy Chee
LOS ANGELES, CA – United Television Broadcasting (UTB) today announced the US tour of Japanese superstar performer Jin Akanishi, who entertained over 6,000 fans at his American debut concert in Los Angeles this past June. On the “Yellow Gold Tour 3010″, Akanishi will perform a variety of songs in English with back-up dancers on a futuristic stage.
Akanishi, a former lead vocalist for the renowned Japanese pop group KAT-TUN, left the group this summer and is now preparing for the US tour along with working on new material. “I’m thrilled to perform again in the U.S., the ultimate stage for entertainers around the world. With new, original material, I’m ready to introduce my fans to a whole new world of Jin Akanishi. We are working hard to produce a great show for audiences to enjoy, including those who came to my last show in Los Angeles. I’m looking forward to seeing my American fans and making new ones very soon,” said Akanishi.
Tour dates are listed below. Tickets will go on sale on October 8th through ticketmaster.com and allamerican-tkt.com.
Sunday, November 7th. Chicago, IL @ Rosemont Theatre
Wednesday, November 10th. San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield
Saturday, November 13th. Houston, TX @ House of Blues
Tuesday, November 16th. Los Angeles, CA @ Club Nokia LA Live
Sunday, November 21st. New York, NY @ Best Buy Theater (Former Nokia Theatre Times Square)
Concert information will be available at www.jinakanishi.us
Tags: futuristic, j-pop, Jin Akanishi, KAT-TUN, us tour, UTB, Yellow Gold Tour
Posted in Press Release, pop | 1 Comment »
Thursday, August 26th, 2010 by Kathy Chee
Tags: fashion show, hide, j-pop, j-rock, J-Summit, Kimono, Le'cil, Lilac, Lulla Miyuki, Manami, Megumi, Nobuya, Rie Fu, Taeko, visual kei, Webster Hall, Yukata
Posted in Press Release, lifestyle, pop, rock, visual kei | No Comments »
Thursday, August 5th, 2010 by Kathy Chee
Japanese Pop Star Furuuchi to play special PURPLE In New York performance Tuesday Sept. 21st at Joe’s Pub.
She will also be doing a special signing for her CD PURPLE and short performance at Kinokuniya BookStore on Sunday Sept. 19th.
Japanese pop star Toko Furuuchi is back again. After her performance last year to celebrate her 15th anniversary as a performer and her album In Love Again, she has been continuously working with top artists in Japan both as a singer and songwriter, which includes collaborations with KREVA and CHEMISTRY.
Her latest album PURPLE was released in Japan on Avex. PURPLE features colorful and groovy love songs, illustrating the sad, painful but beautiful feelings within ones heart. PURPLE In New York will be her only New York and US performance.
Toko picked up music while listening to Billy Joel, Hall & Oates, and Elton John records while in junior high school. After graduating high school in Connecticut, Toko moved to back to Japan to embark on a recording career. She saw her first release “Hayaku Isoide” followed by an album SLOW DOWN in 1993. Her turning point as an artists came when she released the 4th album Strength in 1995. The album was a huge success feat. renowned artists like David Sanborn. In 1996, her single “Dareyori Sukinanoni” and its album Hourglass dominated the Japanese CD charts. Her follow up album Koi in 1997 became a double platinum hit in Japan. Recently, Toko has been performing many shows throughout Japan.
Joe’s Pub
7:30 PM – September 21, 2010
Ticket Price: $20
Buy Tix: http://tickets.publictheater.org/index.php?id=13416
425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003 (between East 4th and Astor Place)
Joe’s Pub is part of The Public Theater.
www.joespub.com
www.tokofuruuchi.net
Toko will also be doing a special signing for her CD PURPLE at Kinokuniya BookStore on Sept. 19th
Kinokuniya BookStore – NY Mainstore
CD Signing and Short Performance 3:00 PM – September 19, 2010
1073 Ave of the Americas, New York, NY 10018 (6 Ave/bet 40 and 41 ST)
www.kinokuniya.com
www.tokofuruuchi.net
Tags: CHEMISTRY, In Love Again, j-pop, Japanese pop, Joe's Pub, Kinokuniya, KREVA, nyc, Toko Furuuchi
Posted in Press Release, pop | No Comments »
Thursday, July 8th, 2010 by Kathy Chee
Duo To Headline Concert At NYC’s Irving Plaza
The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) and Superglorious today announced Puffy AmiYumi, an iconic Japanese girl rock band, will perform at the Far East To East Showcase (FETES) on Sunday, October 10, 2010. FETES is produced by Superglorious, a live event production firm responsible for orchestrating events with a very eclectic and exciting mix of artists. The New York Anime Festival, an anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture convention, will take place October 8-10, 2010 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Manhattan. It is created by and co-located with the New York Comic Con. Puffy AmiYumi will be appearing at NYAF prior to their FETES performance. NYAF has already announced Japanese rock band VAMPS will appear as guests, and comics legends Stan Lee, John Romita, Sr., and John Romita, Jr. will headline the New York Comic Con.
FETES — going into its third year — is a night of music that brings together musical artists from both America and Japan, focusing on the borderlessness of song, and creating an evening appealing to anime fans, audiophiles, and casual New Yorkers interested in something new. Presented in Irving Plaza (East 15th Street, New York, NY) for the first time, FETES is proud to take place in this historic venue, and will be presenting a roster of performers fully befitting the concert hall.
“FETES has been a unique attraction at the New York Anime Festival since 2008,” NYAF and NYCC Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. “And, in 2010, we’re excited to welcome in a new year of FETES — with our biggest group of artists from both the US and Japan that we’ve seen yet.”
“I’m very happy to work with the renowned Puffy AmiYumi,” FETES Director Hayden Brereton said. “Their exceptional body of work and global appeal will promise a very exciting show for our audience.”
Puffy AmiYumi will be appearing at the New York Anime Festival and New York Comic Con throughout the weekend for panel discussions and autograph signings before taking the stage on Sunday night at Irving Plaza. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the doors. Tickets can be ordered at Irving Plaza’s Box Office or via Ticketmaster from July 9th. FETES will be announcing further details and additional acts throughout the summer.
Tickets for NYAF or NYCC may be purchased at www.nyanimefestival.com or www.nycomiccon.com. Other information about the shows, as well as news about the Reed Pop Culture Group, which also organizes Star Wars Celebration, is available at Lance Fensterman’s blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.
Tags: Far East To East Showcase, FETES, irving plaza, j-pop, Javits Center, New York Anime Festival, New York Comicon, NYAF, Puffy AmiYumi, Superglorious
Posted in Press Release, pop | 1 Comment »
Monday, June 28th, 2010 by Sarah
ZAMZA may take its name from the existentialist novella Metamorphosis, but don’t let that lull you into thinking this band has any similarities to your stuffy modern lit teacher. Taking members from the legendary pop-rock band JUDY AND MARY and the equally influential ECHOES, ZAMZA has played their distinctly high-octane shows across Europe and North America.
On the verge of the release of their latest album, Tsukizoku (Tribe of the Moon), guitarist Hiroki, drummer KOHTA, and keyboardist Toshimichi Isoe found some time to sit down with purple SKY.
pSKY: First, I’m not quite sure about your name. I’ve seen it written ZAMZA and ZAMZA N’ BANSHEE, so what is the difference between the two?
Hiroki: When we perform overseas, if we use the posthumous name ZAMZA N’ BANSHEE, no one will recognize it by just looking at it. It was too long for when we went overseas. That’s why we write it as ZAMZA. (more…)
Tags: anime, Avril Lavigne, Banshee, Disney, ECHOES, folk, Hiroki, j-pop, j-rock, judy and mary, kanye west, KOHTA, Linkin Park, loud rock, madonna, Manga, rolling stones, Toshimichi Isoe, Tsukizoku, ZAMZA, ZAMZA N' BANSHEE, Zinc
Posted in interview, rock | No Comments »
Monday, June 14th, 2010 by Kathy Chee
Photos by Ossip Kaehr
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Tags: GRAMM, h.Naoto, j-pop, j-rock, J-Summit, Lilac, Ossip Kaehr, VY
Posted in Photo, rock | No Comments »
Monday, June 14th, 2010 by Kathy Chee
JapanFiles and Victor Entertainment begin partnership with releases from KOKIA (Gunslinger Girl, Tales of Innocence) and detroit7
June 14, 2010 – The JapanFiles Digital Music Store adds releases from KOKIA and detroit7 this week, courtesy of a new partnership with Victor Entertainment.
Chart-topping Japanese singer/songwriter KOKIA is best known to Western audiences for her various contributions to anime/game soundtracks, including Origin: Spirits of the Past, Karakurizōshi Ayatsuri Sakon, Red Garden, Gunslinger Girl: Il Teatrino, Broken Blade, Tales of Innocence, Tail Concerto, Suikoden II, Demon’s Souls, Ar tonelico III.
KOKIA has also contributed songs to Japanese TV shows and commercial campaigns, and she has performed internationally in China, France, Ireland, Poland, Belgium, and Germany. Her song “Arigatou…” reached #1 in Hong Kong in a cover version recorded by Sammi Cheng, and her song “Yume ga Chikara” was used for the Japan team at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Eight full-album releases from KOKIA are now available from JapanFiles, including “pearl – The Best Collection,” “KOKIA infinity AKIKO -balance-” and “THE VOICE.”
http://www.japanfiles.com/kokia
Also available this week is the full “Black & White” album from indie-punk favorites detroit7. The album released on JapanFiles is the full 12-track Japanese release (vs. the shortened version on iTunes). Fans can now download the full album with its original artwork at the JapanFiles Digital Music Store.
http://www.japanfiles.com/detroit7
Tags: anime, detroit7, Gunslinger Girl, j-pop, j-rock, japanfiles, KOKIA, Red Garden, Sammi Cheng, Victor Entertainment
Posted in Press Release, pop, rock | 1 Comment »
