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X JAPAN to Move to US, Play at Lollapalooza hide/expand
By Nicole in Rock on 2010/02/28

X Japan planning move to U.S. (Tokyograph)

Yoshiki, leader of legendary rock group X JAPAN, continues his hijinks with this announcement concerning the band’s move to the United States. Since Yoshiki has been living in Los Angeles for quite some time now, it appears that the group members will now all move to the US, and use LA as their “base.” Although the group has planned some shows outside of Japan before, they have almost all fallen through (except for this January show in LA). So the second bit of news–that X JAPAN will play at Lollapalooza in August–is not a surprise. But it appears that they might be considering some more overseas shows, so perhaps the band will be coming to a city near you in the not-too-distant future!

SparkPlugged Interviews Chiptune Group FLOPPY hide/expand
By Nicole in Blogs on 2010/02/21

Interview with FLOPPY (SparkPlugged)

Courtesy of the staff at JapanFiles, Shay of SparkPlugged recently had the opportunity to conduct a short interview with two-man chiptune/electronic band FLOPPY. The group has been around since 2004, and while not very well-known, has had some of their many fun, computer-generated songs featured on video game soundtracks. Shay’s interview is short, but offers some interesting insights into the minds of the group’s two members. The question about which instruments they’d like to know better is especially interesting!

Japan Live Loves Quinka hide/expand
By Nicole in Blogs on 2009/09/21

GREAT SONGS: Quinka, with a Yawn’s “Harunire” (Japan Live)

Ken has a knack for picking out the little groups and singers that possess real talent, but often find themselves overlooked by most fans of Japanese music. Quinka,with a Yawn is one such artist, and while I’ve been a casual fan of hers for a little while, this post covers her song “Harunire” in such depth that I felt quite compelled to sit down and listen right away. Don’t be scared off by the “indie” label: this is truly a beautiful, sweet piece. It’s Ken’s commentary that really makes this great, though; he’s moved by the singer’s lyrics, and muses a little on what makes her attractive an an artist to him, but not to others. Don’t skip this one–it’s truly worth your time.

Tsuchiya Anna Pregnant, Marrying Stylist hide/expand
By Nicole in Rock on 2009/09/21

Anna Tsuchiya pregnant, headed for remarriage (Tokyograph)

Via Tokyograph, it’s been announced that actress and rock singer Tsuchiya Anna is expecting her second child. She is also expected to marry her stylist, Yamato, who has been close to her for a number of years. It’s really good news for her, as her ex-husband (and the father of her first son) passed away last year from sudden heart failure. As her music career has been slowing down a little bit lately as it is, hopefully this means she’ll be taking some time to have a happy wedding and enjoy her new life!

Wendy Gushes About ikimono gakari hide/expand
By Nicole in Blogs, JPop on 2009/09/21

Ikimono-gakari (and why you should love them) (香水)

If you haven’t fully submerged yourself in the awesomeness that is ikimono gakari, Wendy has just the post for you! She has gone on at length about her favorite band, offering tons of PVs while gushing about the songs she really enjoys. Sometimes all you need to really get into a group is a little push… but Wendy’s post is more like a firm shove. Take a look, because she spent a lot of time getting all these PVs into one place, and the very least you can do is check out a little bit of the music!

appears and The Trouble With Western Jmusic Criticism hide/expand
By Nicole in Blogs, Noteworthy on 2009/09/13

The Trouble with J-pop: Revolutionizing the Western Community of Criticism (appears)

aipcThis piece is highly recommended for both blog readers and writers. While some may find it too lengthy or feel that it is elitist in tone, this is the rare sort of “blogging about blogging” commentary that I especially enjoy. Anna leads into this post by discussing first the possibility of intellectual criticism about Japanese music, but quickly concludes–like many others have–that this particular idea is easier said than done. She makes the point that it would be difficult to write (much less publish) any serious criticism without feeling a need to market to anime fans; mentioned is the now-dead record company Tofu Records, who sought to sell Western releases of Japanese music by marketing almost exclusively to anime watchers and manga readers. The question she asks here is a hefty one:

How do we make [Japanese music] accessible and appealing to those not completely taken with Japanophilia, who just enjoy music without the anime attachment that may give them reason to judge before even hearing something they probably weren’t even aware existed? How do we get serious students, listeners, writers, and critics of music to pay attention in a country not very open to musical imports?

The majority of this post focuses on the lack of Western criticism of Eastern music. Several specific blogs are mentioned (including IW), and Anna spends quite some time discussing what is both good and bad in the current Japanese music “blogosphere.” She believes that there are some good communities and singular websites out there, but also finds herself embarrassed by some blogs and fans. She has a point: there are blogs and bloggers that you couldn’t force me to like, either. While it’s surely fun to have fun while you write, and to never take yourself too seriously, as bloggers we are all part of a very new, quickly developing form of musical criticism that hasn’t existed–not even in Japan–until the mid-00s. So should we all be more self-aware of what we are doing? Should we spend more time being seriously critical, developing thesis statements and writing long-form essays on the topic of Japanese music as a whole… or should we simply just stop channeling so much of the 13-year-old-candy-fueled-excitement that sometimes comes through in our posts? To sum this up with a single question, as Anna puts it:

Shouldn’t our community strive to be defined by just as much maturity and experience as Western criticism?

What is being proposed here is something big. A lot of us blog for fun, but others have embarked on more ambitious adventures. So, if you are a blogger, this post may make you reconsider what your plans are. Or you may turn your nose up at it and say “that’s stupid, I’m just doing this because I feel like it.” What this post did for me, personally, is something I don’t have the space to write about. But even if you are not a blogger, you will take something away from this piece. Again, criticism of Japanese music–especially Western criticism–is a very new idea. Do you want to take part in it? Or are you unconcerned? Are you prepared to bear the heavy title of “critic,” or do you see yourself as someone who does this simply to have fun? It’s certainly something to think about… and maybe strive towards, in the future.

Versailles Bassist Passes Away hide/expand
By Nicole in Blogs, News, Noteworthy, Visual Kei on 2009/08/10

Versailles’ Jasmine You: Dead? (jrocknyc)
JY (Rock Japan Elec-tric)

jasmine Very sad news for visual kei fans: Jasmine You, bassist for Versailles (formerly Hizaki Grace Project and Jakura), has passed away. jrocknyc posts a translation of the official announcement (as provided by reader nook). You had been on break, apparently due to health issues, and as he is presumed to have been rather young… obviously his death is a surprise. As the official announcement says, You’s staff and family are understandably “dumbfounded.”

The news apparently spread rather quickly after Go’s post, and eventually makes its way to Elec, who had met him several times. As he says, hindsight is 20/20, and he recalls thinking that You seemed in need of some rest. Elec’s post, though not lengthy or overflowing with affection is really quite touching; even if you weren’t a fan of this band or any of its members, it’s very saddening to see someone who knew this man, even briefly, offer a personal story:

The very last thing was when he had me play his bass, as the other guys were interested in actually hearing me, which they’d never been able to. I played a little bit for them, and they said I was good, and Jasmine You said I was good, and I thought, that was very nice of him to say. I’ll miss him.

It’s always very, very upsetting when a band member passes away, especially at such a young age. IW staff will undoubtedly keep Jasmine You’s family, friends, and fans in our thoughts during this difficult time, and we ask that you do the same.

how to save a LIFE? on ROCK IN JAPAN FES 2009 (and more!) hide/expand
By Nicole in Blogs on 2009/08/10

ROCK IN JAPAN FES 2009 and YL Collaboration 3
Packing is not fun (how to save a LIFE?)

I looooooove Teo’s posts! For this first blog entry, she details seeing YUI and Perfume while attending 2009’s ROCK IN JAPAN FES. Sounds like a lot of fun! There’s a setlist for YUI’s performances, as well as the discussion of a cute remark YUI made about her choice of costume for the event… so, does this mean she normally doesn’t shave there? Hmm… now that’s food for thought. Unfortunately, Teo has left Japan by now, so these little concert reports may be over. Aww…

In an earlier post, made prior to the concert and Teo’s departure from the land of the rising sun, there’s some lovely covers of YUI’s “Laugh away” and “I remember you” performed by a group of Japanese students (including Teo of course). “Laugh away” is lovely… it’s wonderful to see little tributes like these! All the students participating are really very talented, and I absolutely love the part where the second guitarist bursts into the song… haha! I’d be happy if I could see more clips like these from bloggers, honestly–we got a bunch from Pata, of course, and now Teo, but nobody else that I can think of. Do you hear me, guys? Post videos of yourselves playing jmusic! DO IT!

Go is Unimpressed by Brown Eyed Girls hide/expand
By Nicole in Blogs, Kpop on 2009/08/07

review: brown eyed girls | “abracadabra” pv (2009) (jrocknyc)

Go gives another Korean girl group’s new “smash hit” a chance and finds it, in a word, “inferior” to a certain other Korean song. I won’t say which, but here’s a hint: gee gee gee gee oh god make it stop. His final remark about the “Abracadabra” PV is perhaps a little harsh, but it’s quick-witted and right to the point, which is classic Go.

Personally, while this is nothing like that other song, I quite like it… and for all the reasons Go doesn’t. I like rapping… I like autotune… and hey, the part where the girls start taking off their clothes and sticking their rear ends in the air is pretty hot. Just goes to show how different our tastes all are, I guess!

IW @ Otakon – Wakeshima Kanon Interview (Day 2) hide/expand
By Nicole in Otakon 2009 on 2009/08/04

My interview with singer and cello player Wakeshima Kanon was definitely the most nervewracking part of Otakon. Not only was I nervous about sitting down with a musician that I was a fan of–I had the same jitters with BECCA, too–I had just seen Kanon in concert only a few hours prior, and had rewritten almost half my questions afterwards so I would avoid repetition. (I mean, I’m sure everyone asked “how did you start playing the cello?”… a question she pretty much answered during a concert MC.) I was also worried about somehow offending her, or her translator, or pronouncing something wrong, or… you get the idea.

But… despite Kanon certainly being tired, the interview went very smoothly. She was very sweet and polite, and answered all my questions thoughtfully, without hesitation. I am extremely grateful to the Otakon staff, and to Sony, for allowing me to represent International Wota for this interview. I hope everyone enjoys reading it, because I certainly enjoyed conducting it!

Legend: P = pengie, K/T: Kanon via translator, K = Kanon without translator.

P: I’d like to start by asking what your favorite part of today’s concert was.

K/T: This was my first time performing in America. It was great to see the audience here, especially with all the cute cosplayers that [showed] up.

P: Is this your first visit to America, and are you excited about visiting California next?

K/T: Yes, it’s the first time. I haven’t yet been to [Los Angeles or San Francisco], so I’m looking forward to it.

P: How did you meet your producer, Mana?

otakon_kanon1K/T: It was through an audition. I performed with my cello, and produced a demo tape. Then Mana-sama saw a video of me performing. At the time, he was already planning on a female project, and that’s how–through the video, that’s how I got started.

P: Why did you choose a classical style of music, as opposed to rock or pop? Are you interesting in experimenting with different styles in the future?

K/T: I’ve been playing the cello since I was three, and started with a classical style, so that’s what I’m used to–it’s comfortable. (laughter) Right now, I think my songs are a mix of pop and classical. I don’t have a backing band, so that would be nice to experiment with later on.

P: In one of the songs you performed at the concert, “L’espoir~Mahou no Akai Ito~”, there are two [stanzas] performed in French. And you also spoke English during the MC portions. Are you interested in learning French or English, or any other language?

K/T: I was trying my best with the French and the English during the MCs. I practiced a lot. (laughs a little) For communicating with this interview, or with staff members, or fans, I would love to speak in English.

P: Now, a more personal question… What are your favorite bands or musicians?

K/T: For Japanese, it’s Kojima Mayumi. She’s a jazz singer. For American, Lady Gaga. I like her fashion and music. And for French, it’s Emilie Simon.

Translator: You know of Kojima Mayumi?

P: Yes.

Translator: (relates this to Kanon)

K/T: (surprised) How do you know Kojima Mayumi?

P: She had a song on a Nintendo commercial, actually, a number of years ago…

Translator: (tells Kanon)

K: (thoughtfully, starts humming) … (suddenly) kodomotachi–

Translator: Where the kids are playing and running around?

P: Yes! (laughs)

K: (claps her hands happily, laughing)

P: I don’t remember the name of the song, but that was it! [ed. note--the song is actually called "Hatsukoi"--I remembered it five minutes after the interview. I was kicking myself for a while, but Kanon did hum the right one!]

Translator: Great.

P: Okay. The first line in the song “still doll” is “Hi Miss Alice.” Is there a story behind this song [that relates to this lyric]?

K: Sou desu ne… (speaks for approximately two and a half minutes.)

Translator: (pauses) … um …

K: … gomen nasai!!

P: (laughing)

Translator: I’m just trying to think where to start… Well, you know the story of Alice in Wonderland. So that’s where “Miss Alice” is from–that world. [Kanon] is trying to express that wondering through that world. I don’t know if you’ve seen the music video, but the girl in it feels a sort of emptiness, and is trying to express that through [a] doll. She is trying to be more human. [ed. note--He got most of it. :) ]

P: Okay! At the concert, you mentioned that the cello you were using is named Mikazuki. Do you have more than one cello, and do they all have names?

otakon_kanon2K/T: I have three. The one I’ve always used for recording, and practicing, is named Yaeharu. The other, which I used in “still doll,” and for lives [photoshoots?], is Nanachie.

P: (not hearing it) Nanachi… Nanachiru?

K: Nanachie. Chi, e.

P: (laughing) Okay.

K/T: Mikazuki is the one I brought in today.

P: In your picture diary online, you post a number of original drawings, and you have an art exhibit coming up. Have you ever given any thought to publishing an artbook, or even becoming an illustrator for comic books?

K/T: There’s nothing planned yet. But I’d like to have something printed soon.

P: Your art is very good.

K: (in English) Thank you.

P: Okay, last question. Is there a particular message you would like to give to your international fans?

K/T: “I’m Wakeshima Kanon.” I hope you enjoy my songs more and more. Please listen to my album, if you haven’t, and view my blog–

K: (interjecting) nikki?

Translator: Yes, diary, rather.

K/T: … I would like it if more people would be able to view Wakeshima Kanon as an artist–not just for music, but as a more diverse person.

P: Thank you very much!

Very special thanks to Sony Music’s Takahashi Ryu for acting as translator for Kanon!

The concert images above were provided by Dave Wujcik, copyright © by Otakorp Inc., 2009. Used with permission.

This interview is copyright © Nicole Utz for International Wota, 2009. Reposting of this interview (or Otakorp’s concert photos) on other websites not permitted.

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