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Posts Tagged ‘Otakon’

[lifestyle] Ultimate Lolita Fashion Show

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 by Kathy Chee

Otakon hosted the 2nd Ultimate Lolita Fashion Show at the Hilton in Baltimore, MD on July 18, 2009.  Featured designers included Megan Maude, Atelier Ingenue and Candy Violet.   For more information on the designers and their fashions, please visit EGL Livejournal.

This year’s show filled the Hilton ballroom with over 300 attendees all in for a treat from the American designer’s.  There were unusual fabric choices and whimsical dresses uniquely reflecting each designer’s taste. Each collection that walked the runway showed the promise of American lolita style.  While keeping to traditional silhouettes, there was a distinct American flair in pieces like a pink and polka dotted rockabilly inspired punk dress or one flowing white ensemble (complete with parasol and hat) that could have jumped right out of an impressionist painting.

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[interview] Kanon Wakeshima – A Doll’s Story

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 by Kathy Chee

kanonAdorable, sweet and cute are what you think when you first see Kanon Wakeshima. Her dress is an exclusive design from Mana (Moi-même-Moitié). The floor length gown is blood red and it hugs her tiny waist before blossoming out like a rose around her. Sitting daintily atop her head is a matching hat with lace and a miniature red cello hiding amidst the netting and flowers.

Her debut U.S. concert at Otakon is short but meticulously choreographed, much like her image has been meticulously built by Mana and her record label. But however they try to funnel her talents into one avenue, the multifaceted core that is Kanon Wakeshima still finds a way of working itself into her music, her fashion and her art.

“I have been playing the cello since the age of three,” she says during one of the talk breaks during her concert. She clutches a sheaf of papers, English words for her to mime back to the audience, but you can feel the sincerity in her speech, her nervousness and her desire to perform well. (more…)

VAMPS Press Conference Otakon 2009

Friday, July 17th, 2009 by Kathy Chee

What’s the difference between a press conference and a fan panel?  The fan panel is fun. Otakon provided a cozy space at the Hilton, attached via skywalk to the Baltimore convention center, for the VAMPS press conference. There was an unprepared atmosphere amongst the press there.  Top it off with some truly wacky translating on behalf of Ai at Neubauhaus and you have the following transcription (some sentences corrected and random ums, ahs, buts and likes removed.) (more…)

[lifestyle] Morrigan NYC Fashion

Monday, July 13th, 2009 by Kathy Chee

Raven Skirt CreamRaven SkirtIf you’ve been living under a rock, you may not have noticed the increase in Gothic & Lolita fashion cropping up in North America.  Morrigan NYC is one of several North American designers who have been inspired by Gothic Lolita fashion and they just announced their new Raven skirt, now available for pre-order on their site.

The skirt is darling with a unique Raven print inspired by Edgar Allen Poe.  There’s a customary black with gold print, quite gothic and certain to match any number of other pieces in your wardrobe.  However, it’s the creamy antique white version of this skirt that I’m feeling a flutter over.  The black print against the aged white reminds me of the dusty, sad heroines of Poe’s literature. It’s not  pristine, a little wistful, but lovely still.

Morrigan NYC will be selling merchandise at Otakon’s artist alley this year.  Check the Otakon site for the artist alley dealer map.

[press release] Vocalist MELL To Perform at Otakon©

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 by Kathy Chee

mell-500Baltimore, MD (June 17, 2009) – Japanese singer MELL, whose music is described alternately as J-pop, trance and techno and who has recorded several anime theme songs, will be a guest at Otakon 2009.

MELL shot to fame as one of the main vocalists of the group I’VE Sound, a Japanese techno/trance music production group known for distorted grooves. With her debut single release of “Red Fraction,” from her 2008 album Mellscope, MELL’s fascinating voice brought her renown in Japan’s music industry. Her superb stage performances and deep passion for the music drew enthusiastic audiences, making her accompanying tour of Japan an instant success.
With her second smash hit, “Proof,” she expanded the dark image associated with her first single, demonstrating motherly kindness in her voice, and appealing to a wide range of ages.

MELL was the first singer to work with Kazuya Takase and Yasutaka Ipposhi, the founders of I’VE Sound, even before they created their label. The production group eventually featured the talents of fellow vocalists KOTOKO, Mami Kawada, Eiko Shimamiya, and Kaoru Utatsuki and created the theme songs for many anime series. MELL’s characteristic vocals, combined with Kazuya’s arrangements, formed a fresh sound that fans would love in MELL’s theme songs for Black Lagoon, Hayate the Combat Butler, Sky Girls, Kiru: Kill and Rideback.

For more information, visit the official I’VE Sound site: http://iveusa.net/
The official MELL site: http://www.myspace.com/mellusa
Otakon 2009 will be held July 17-19 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

[press release] VAMPS at Otakon

Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 by Kathy Chee
VAMPS Add Convention Stop for Otakon© Members – Autograph Session, Q&A Added Due to Groundswell of Support

VAMPSBaltimore, MD (June 16, 2009) – VAMPS, featuring HYDE and K.A.Z, have added a special appearance at Otakon 2009 to their busy tour schedule. The duo had already announced a special concert in Baltimore on Thursday, 16 July 2009, to coincide with Otakon.
Originally, HYDE and K.A.Z were to depart early Friday for their next concert, meaning they would not be available for any convention appearances. Otakon had arranged for members to submit questions for the band, and the original plan was to answer them via video, and show the video at the convention. However, the groundswell of support from Otakon’s membership led the band to reconsider, and in the end VAMPS decided a more personal response was warranted.

“I guess we must have made a good impression on HYDE a few years ago,” said Jim Vowles, Otakon’s head of Guests, Industry, and Press Relations, referring to HYDE’s appearance with L’Arc~en~Ciel in 2004.

“We were delighted to find that he and K.A.Z were interested in working Otakon into their tour. We were able to work out a special pre-Otakon appearance and a bit of cross promotion. When the responses started coming in, I guess everyone got excited. We’re delighted and flattered that they changed plans to meet the fans.”

Exclusively for Otakon members, VAMPS will give out special passes at their SONAR show on Thursday. These passes will grant priority access to the band’s panel and autograph sessions at Otakon on Friday afternoon. (You must be registered for Otakon to attend the panel and autograph sessions.)
Otakon also plans to make special arrangements for pre-registration pickup on Thursday to allow concert ticket holders to pick up their Otakon badges early without missing the concert. (Otakon allows pre-registered members to pick up their badges Thursday evening, prior to the convention.) Details will be posted on the Otakon Web site in the coming weeks.

VAMPS will appear at Baltimore’s SONAR on 16 July 2009. The autograph session and Q&A panel will take place on Friday afternoon, 17 July 2009, at the Baltimore Convention Center.

For ticket information for the SONAR concert, please visit http://www.vampsliveusa.com/

For more information and updates, please visit the Otakon VAMPS page at http://www.otakon.com/2009vamps.asp

Otakon 2009 will be held July 17-19 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

[press release] Singer/Songwriter Becca to Perform at Otakon

Monday, June 1st, 2009 by Kathy Chee

becca-500Baltimore, MD (June 1, 2009) – American singer/songwriter Becca, also known as Becca-chan, an up-and-coming artist who is gaining international fans, will perform at Otakon 2009.

From the time Becca was just 2 years old, she was already expressing herself through singing, and at the age of 10, she began playing guitar and writing music. Today at 19, Becca’s journey from high school freshman to emerging artist has been nothing short of a dream come true. “It all happened when a family friend sent one of my demos to Meredith Brooks”, says Becca.
Meredith Brooks, a multi-platinum artist, producer and songwriter (singer of “Bitch”), was immediately impressed by what she heard. “Becca has a powerhouse voice, and when I realized that she could write songs, too… I was sold.”

Within the next couple of months, Becca moved from her home in Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles to begin writing and recording songs with Brooks. After spending some months developing her sound, she began to play live shows along the West Coast.

Becca’s high-energy live performances began to grab the attention of the music industry and many new fans. By late 2007, Becca was offered a record deal by Sony Music. In June 2008, Becca debuted her first EP in Japan.
Since then, she has performed at the famous Japanese music festival, Summersonic. She has released a second EP, and her first full album, “Alive!!”, debuted at #2 on the international charts in Japan on November 5. Her single “I’m Alive!” not only topped the international single charts, but made her the only international artist to rank in the top 100 of Japan’s overall single charts.

To find out more about her, visit her official sites: http://www.beccachan.com

http://www.myspace.com/beccachanofficial

Win VAMPS Tickets – Otakon Exclusive

Monday, June 1st, 2009 by Kathy Chee

Exclusive for Otakon Members!!

VAMPS’ tour schedule doesn’t allow them to appear at Otakon in person, but they’ve scheduled their concert in Baltimore so that Otakon fans can attend.

And together, we’ve arranged two special treats for Otakon members:

First, we’re giving away FIVE pairs of tickets to the VAMPS show at Sonar on 16 July 2009.

And to sweeten the deal, Otakon will kick in passes that allow you to bypass the Otakon pre-reg line, so you don’t have to choose between getting your con badge and attending the concert! We’ll randomly select the winners on 17 June 2009.

Second, HYDE and K.A.Z will participate in a special virtual Q&A session, in which they’ll select and answer questions submitted by fans. The video of that Q&A session will be shown at Otakon on Friday! This is an exclusive to Otakon members, an a unique opportunity to get a shout-out from the band.

Remember, this offer is only for those who’ve pre-registered for Otakon 2009 prior to June 15th.

There are a few other rules:

* ONE entry per person; multiple entries may be disqualified.
* Contest only open to members registered for Otakon 2009 by 12AM ET on 15 June 2009.
* All decisions of Otakon staff regarding prizes and eligibilty are final.
* Submitted questions will be reviewed by Otakon staff and VAMPS management; final selection is entirely up to HYDE and K.A.Z.

Check out www.otakon.com for the form.

[press release] Cellist/Vocalist Kanon Wakeshima to Make US Debut at Otakon

Monday, May 11th, 2009 by Kathy Chee

kanon_wakeshimaBaltimore, MD (May 11, 2009) – Rising star Kanon Wakeshima will make her US debut at Otakon 2009. Wakeshima brings a unique and haunting sound composed of baroque cello, strong vocals, and electronic arrangements.

A promising newcomer who took up the cello at age 3, Wakeshima began performing at age 15, splitting her time between performing in classical ensembles and providing vocals to a pop/rock group. A few years later, she entered an audition held by Sony Music Japan, in which she was a finalist — and won an artist deal with Sony label DefSTAR Records Inc.

Her incredible talent attracted the attention of Visual-Kei star Mana (Moi dix Mois, Malice Mizer), who became the sound & visual image producer for Kanon for her debut single “still doll” (released in May 2008) from her first album. Wakeshima’s rich, haunting sound fits well with the Gothic & Lolita street fashion culture — for which Mana (who is also the designer of his own Moi-meme-moitie apparel brand) is very well known.

Her highly anticipated first album, Shinshoku Dolce, was released in February 2009. A record-breaking in-store performance at France’s biggest CD retailer, FNAC, paired with a sensational concert in Paris, put her on the road to international stardom. Wakeshima has also become the 2009 “Best Newcomer” Shojo Beat Music Award winner.

Wakeshima is also a talented illustrator. Fans flocked to her November 2008 exhibition along with the mini-concert in Tokyo’s fashion-conscious Harajuku, and she regularly posts her artwork on her Web site (http://www.kanonweb.jp).

Samples of her music can be found on her MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/kanonwakeshima.

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