#188: Happy New Year and Meeting Yoko K. in DC!
Events, Music, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life, Writers 
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WIT Life is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
ちょっと遅くなりましたが、明けましておめでとうございます！ I hope that your 2012 has gotten off to a good start, and that the year of the dragon is a fortuitous one for everyone.
I’m down in DC with a new group of International Visitors invited by the State Department to study U.S. energy policy. In light of the Fukushima accident nuclear is obviously a big focus, but we are also looking at renewable energy options like solar and wind (as well as geothermal which will take us to a plant on the Big Island of Hawaii!). As part of our cultural activities outside of the professional program, the other night we attended Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center where a Japanese artist was featured.
Her name is Yoko K. and she hails from Nagano, and she is an electronic musician, producer, engineer and vocalist. I was not very familiar with that genre of music, but her performance kept me entertained throughout. She incorporates various tools in her sound creation, and you can see Read More
Justin’s Japan: Interview with Kaoru and Die of Dir En Grey on the Band’s ‘Dum Spiro Spero’ Tour
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Die of Dir En Grey: "Things that we took for granted before now feel more important than ever. We now venture forth into every single day, every new encounter, every concert we play, with everything we have." (Courtesy of MSO PR)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here for related stories.
Dir En Grey’s latest album is called Dum Spiro Spero, a Latin phrase meaning “While I breathe, I hope.” Hope is hard to associate with this murky Osaka quintet, whose previous numbers include “Child Prey,” “Repetition of Hatred” and “Agitated Screams of Maggots.”
But if killing is their business, then business is booming. Fresh from dates in South America and Mexico, the group is touring the U.S. and Canada through Dec. 23, with a high profile gig at New York’s Irving Plaza on Monday (Dec. 12). In this exclusive interview, I caught up with guitarists Kaoru and Die to discuss their sizable worldwide fanbase, scorning their government after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and their thoughts on the current protest movements in America.
he cover art of Dum Spiro Spero is said to represent Tara, the Mother of Liberation in Tibetan Buddhism. What was the inspiration for this?
Kaoru: The original idea had nothing to do with Tibetan Buddhism, to be honest. We simply wanted to capture something real and raw and decided to go with a photograph instead of the usual graphics and came up with the current cover.
Dir En Grey has gained a big audience around the world without having to write songs that rely on “pop” sounds or even English. What do you think is the reason for that?
Kaoru: I think the fact that we are not mainstream is why we appeal to the core fans.
Dir En Grey has been called a band in its own genre. How would you describe the style of your music at this point?
Kaoru: What we try to depict through our music comes from all the negative and unsightly parts of a human being.
For the complete interview, click here.
Songwriting contest for Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival
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Thanks to JETAA Music City President (and Arkansas Cherry Blossom Princess) Terry Vo (Kumamoto-ken, 2007-09) for sharing info about the songwriting contest for the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival.
Terry writes: “It’s open to ANYONE that believes that they can create a song (lyrical or instrumental) that exudes the spirit of the Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival (or any cherry blossom festival). This is an awesome opportunity and I would love for a JET alum to win this!! Let’s hope we get some entries on the JET or JET community side!”
GRAND PRIZE: $3,000 + A spread in the premiere Nashville Arts Magazine (February 2012) + Opportunity to have the song performed at the annual Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival (March 24, 2012)
Deadline: January 15, 2012
For questions or inquiries, please contact 615-383-0278 or songs@nashvillearts.com.
Hibari-sensei: Interview with Mio Soul for Purple SKY
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Jen Wang (Miyagi, 2008-09) is a lab tech in Dallas and a staff writer for the Japanese music website Purple SKY. Her love of cosplay and her junior high school students inspired the name for her own Japanese pop culture blog, Hibari-sensei’s Classroom.
Tokyo-born songwriter Mio Soul makes her debut with In My Skin. The EP contains the heavy drum beats and smooth melodies of contemporary R&B with flavors of pop, dance, and jazz. Simple yet candid, the lyrics are in English, except for the rap in “Let’s Party” where Mio effortlessly flows in and out of her native language. “Promise” chronicles Mio’s pursuit of her dreams in New York City and features sensual vocals complemented by airy piano trills. The final track, “Out of My Life”, takes a complete 180 from the sweetness of “I Wish” in the beginning. Mio engages an ex-lover in a showdown with passionate vocals and sexy Spanish guitars. Even though she sings that her “story’s ended” for that person, it has only just begun in the music world.
I had the opportunity to ask my fellow biologist via email about her career change, the “I Wish” PV, and her involvement with music-related charities.
What made you change from being a biologist to a musician?
When it comes to biology, I had a huge influence from my father. My mom, however, is a pianist, so music was always around me as a child. In college I was so curious about the connection of brain function and soul (heart)…I enjoyed all of the field work. I did, however, want to do music more than anything else. I started performing more and attending singer and dancer showcases, and these live performances just really fueled me to continue pursuing music.
Science is a real academic thing. You use instruments and theories to find the truth. When it comes to music, singing or making beats is the art of using your own instrument (your body and soul) to express your truth.
Did you have any formal vocal training?
Yes, I had two amazing vocal coaches since moving to NYC: Stacey Penson and Jamelle Jones. The best vocal training was…wait, should I mention this secret? I can give a hint: it has to do with going to church on Sunday.
Click here to read the rest of the interview
Justin’s Japan: L’Arc~en~Ciel Marks 20 Years in Rock with Special Film Screening
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'The Best of L'Arc~en~Ciel 2 Days Live at Tokyo Ajinomoto Stadium' premieres Nov. 29 in New York. (Courtesy of Live Viewing Japan)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here for related stories.
After 20 years, 13 million albums and 16 million singles sold, famed J-rock group L’Arc~en~Ciel is ready for its next career highlight: New York City.
On Nov. 29, movie theaters in Times Square and Union Square will unveil a special one-night-only music event for the band, which will be simulcast in eight other major American cities. The screening comes months ahead of their hotly anticipated live debut at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in March 2012.
Entitled The Best of L’Arc~en~Ciel 2 Days Live at Tokyo Ajinomoto Stadium, the concert film celebrates the group’s 20th Anniversary, traces their colorful history, and captures them in action at a gig last year that drew over 100,000 fans. The screening is presented by Live Viewing Japan in partnership with Maverick DC Group.
Live Viewing Japan is a distribution company focused on bringing Japanese entertainment media to an international audience. In New York earlier this month, they screened a concert showcase by superstar virtual idol Hatsune Miku (read this Examiner’s review here), and L’Arc~en~Ciel’s film has already made the rounds in São Paulo, Jakarta, Singapore, and will beam its way to London next month.
For the complete story, click here.
Hibari-sensei: THE LAST DAYBREAK by exist†trace
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Jen Wang (Miyagi, 2008-09) is a lab tech in Dallas and a staff writer for the Japanese music website Purple SKY. Her love of cosplay and her junior high school students inspired the name for her own Japanese pop culture blog, Hibari-sensei’s Classroom.
Recently I wrote a review of THE LAST DAYBREAK, the latest EP by exist†trace, for Purple SKY. The all-female J-rock band made their major label debut this past June and are now gearing up for a U.S. tour. They will play in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, as well as Tekkoshocon in Pittsburg, in March.
THE LAST DAYBREAK opens with a primal call from Jyou, but instead of singing in her trademark growling alto, she keeps her voice light and clear in “Daybreak ~Jyusan gatsu no shikisai.” Unexpected moves like these are the highlight of exist†trace’s new album.
Read the rest of the review here.
Justin’s Japan: Japan Arts Matsuri 2011 presents amateur night, guest stars, charity showcase
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Japan Arts Matsuri 2011 runs Nov. 4-6 at Manhattan's Theater for the New City. (Kenji Mori)
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here for related stories.
For every Japanese artist and entertainer in New York with a dream to make it big, the ninth annual Japan Art Matsuri (JAM) is the place for their star to shine. Held this year from Nov. 4-6 at the Theater for the New Cityin Manhattan’s East Village, this year JAM 2011 offers its biggest and most diverse lineup to date.
Hosted by Yoshi Amao and Saori Goda and presented by JaNet in association with Faune Dance Troupe, JAM 2011 has established itself as one of America’s largest Japanese art and music festivals, presenting Japan and its unique culture with performances by Japanese artists, musicians and entertainers in a true matsuri (festival)-style atmosphere, and to enhance friendship and communication among New York City’s cultural communities.
More than 1,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event that features, in addition to live entertainment, a variety of street stall-style shops in the theater lobby that sell everything from Japanese food and drinks to artworks and traditional goods. There will also be charity booths to help those in Japan devastated by the 3/11 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster.
For the complete story, click here.
JQ Magazine: Concert Review – DREAMS COME TRUE in New York City
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(Courtesy Chimera R. Productions)
By David A. in Virginia, special to JQ magazine.
Japanese mega-band DREAMS COME TRUE (ドリームズ・カム・トゥルー a.k.a. ドリカム) made a very rare U.S. appearance at the Highline Ballroom in New York City on October 9, the first of two shows that sold out within days of their announcement in July. Many thanks to fanpage DCT Joy for notifying its members of this wonderful event. For those of us not in New York, Los Angeles, or Seattle, we otherwise might not have known about it.
At dusk, around 6:30, the line already was down the block for admission to the inconspicuous Highline Ballroom in Chelsea. On this unseasonably warm October Sunday evening, the anticipation was palpable, the “DCT Joy” bringing alive the night. One walks upstairs to the ballroom, spare and easy to navigate. The management asks those seated on the floor of the “pit” to stand so that the crowd can fill the room.
First of all, a big shout-out to Justin Tedaldi (Kobe-Shi CIR, 2001-02) at JQ magazine. This reviewer cannot thank you enough. Also, thanks to Reiko from the DCT organization for her kind words.
Prior to the show, the house PA played a recording of some of DCT’s most well-known melodies, such as “Ano Natsu no Hanabi” and “Ureshii! Tanoshii! Daisuki!”, performed on soft bells.
Promptly at 8:00, introductions were made first by a woman in Japanese, to great enthusiasm from the audience; then a man said, “New York City! Are you ready for DREAMS COME TRUE?!” “A theme of the WONDERLAND” played as the fifteen-piece band-and-dance ensemble walked on stage, followed by Masato Nakamura (中村 正人). Although the Highline Ballroom has a standing capacity of 700, with a few dozen dinner tables on the balcony, the roar from the crowd was as if they were in an arena. With the theme concluded, Miwa Yoshida (吉田 美和) arrived, with her hair tied back and wearing a loose-fitting, light pink outfit; and, with her familiar exclamation “DREAMS COME TRUE in WONDERLAND….!!!”, the band launched into a heavy version of “Nando Demo,” as the crowd danced, waved, and cheered, encouraged by Miwa in all of her boundless energy.
Articles by JET journalist Patrick St Michel featured in The Atlantic
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Current Mie JET Patrick St. Michel has two articles currently featured in The Atlantic online.
- “The 48 Japanese Schoolgirls Aiming to Take Over the World” – The global ambitions of J-Pop group AKB48
- “How Korean Pop Conquered Japan”
Click here to read other writings by Patrick featured on JETwit.
JQ Magazine: Concert Review — Japan Society Hosts J-Pop Showcase with Yu Sakai and Cibo Matto
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Musician Yu Sakai brought his ecclectic talent to Japan Society Oct. 20. (Vlad Baranenko)
By Vlad Baranenko (Saitama-ken, 2000-02) for JQ magazine. Vlad is an avid photographer.
On Oct. 20, New York’s Japan Society held a sold out co-headlining performance by hometown heroes Cibo Matto and the Japanese singing sensation Yu Sakai in his international debut. Whether an aficionado of jazz, hip-hop, R&B or pop, the catchy synth beats of the girl duo and Yu Sakai’s melodic voice left an indelible impression on everyone in attendance.
Billed as J-Music Ride, the show opened with a set of fantastic vocal performances by Sakai. The breakout singer, whose professional music career kicked off in 2009 when his single titled “Story” became a radio hit, has quickly become one of Japan’s most admired artists, earning him the iTunes “J-Pop Best Album of 2010.” In June of this year, Sakai released his long-awaited album Yes!!, and those lucky enough to have attended the show (Yu Sakai’s only performance in the U.S.) were given an opportunity to sample many of the new tracks like “Train.”
Departing from the standard band format, the majority of instrumental sounds in Sakai’s pieces were recorded by the artist himself. At Japan Society, the artist would beatbox into the microphone to create a looping background rhythm, simulating a multi-layered chorus-like effect by sampling his own voice. He would then insert a fast paced piano tune, and the resulting melody astounded the audience, prompting whistles and applause during the song. To appease the American audience, Sakai-san surprised the concert attendees with his beautiful rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You.” In between pieces, Sakai would talk to the sold out crowd in a very nonchalant manner (he previously lived in Los Angeles), often making fun of himself and telling people to not be afraid to visit Japan. The obvious raw talent of Yu Sakai made this rare appearance a true gem, and the standing ovation from the audience at the end of his performance proved that this young artist can look forward to a bright future ahead.
JQ Magazine: JQ&A with Peelander-Yellow of Alien Punk Band Peelander-Z
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Peelander-Yellow, center: "I don't care about Band!!!!! We never 'play' music!!!!! We just want to 'play' with youuuuuu!!!!! Come to see our show then check it yourself!!!!!!!!" (Whitney Lee)
By Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) and Vlad Baranenko (Saitama-ken, 2000-02) for JQ magazine.
Psychedelic, seizure inducing, and fantastically successful in their ability to cause absolute sensory overload during their intergalactic performances, Peelander-Z is back. The colorful Japanese punk group hailing from the Z area of Planet Peelander returns to New York City (where it formed in 1998) for their latest tour behind their new album Super DX Hitz.
Those yearning for their Peelander-Z fix will have the opportunity to experience all the colorful mayhem at the Bowery Poetry Club on Oct. 22. In this exclusive interview, we interrogate Peelander-Yellow to reveal the deepest secrets of their cosmic travel, their mastery of the chaos theory, and what the future holds for the ongoing kaiju saga.
Tell us about Peelander-Z’s Super DX Hitz album.
You can hear our all Hitz songs and understand Peelander-Z world!!!!!!!
28 happy songs and 5 Karaoke DVD!!!!
Get it for your Mom, because your Mom wants dance with youuuuuuuuuu and Peelander-Z!!!
How do you come up with the themes for your songs?
All ideas come from my sweet yellow brain when I eat medium rare S.T.E.A.K., Tacos, Ice Cream~~~~~!!!!!
What inspired you to form the band?
I don’t care about Band!!!!!
We never “play” music!!!!!
We just want to “play” with youuuuuu!!!!!
Come to see our show then check it yourself!!!!!!!!
Who is Peelander-Yellow and what’s his story?
I’m not Peelander-Red!
I’m not Peelander-Green!
I’m not Peelander-Pink!
I’m not Peelander-Black!
Yes, I’m Peelander-Yellow for youuuuuuuu!!!!!!
I was born from Banana on Planet Peelander!!!!!
That’s why I love it!!!!!
Please bring it for meeeeeee!!!!!
Justin’s Japan: Hiroshima lends its divine sound to NYC Japan benefit concert
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Hiroshima brings its soothing sound to New York City Sept. 21.
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) for Examiner.com. Visit his page here for related stories.
A staple of the Los Angeles jazz scene since 1974, Hiroshima returns for an East Coast engagement tonight (Sept. 21) to headline a Japan relief benefit concert with special guest stars at New York’s B.B. King Blues Club & Grill.
The only Asian American band to have been nominated for a Grammy, the group’s most recent album, 2009’s Legacy, celebrates Hiroshima’s 30th anniversary of recording and serves as a re-visitation of songs (like the easy listening favorite “Roomful of Mirrors” and ’80s hit single “One Wish”) from the band’s first decade.
Led by original members Dan and June Kuramoto, the group proved itself a musical chimera from the start with its self-titled debut, mixing elements of jazz, pop, and R&B with traditional Japanese instruments. Dan has remarked that at the time in America, music was the only outlet of cultural diversity available, and the resulting disc was a pioneering voice in the world music movement that followed.
For the complete story, click here.
JQ Magazine: DVD Review — ‘Live from Tokyo’ Explores Music’s Japanification
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"What makes this film so unique is how the visuals compliment the subject matter. The music becomes more visceral when scenes from Tokyo’s fluorescent nightlife are flashing on the screen." (Good Charamel Records)
By Sam Frank, an ALT who taught English in Hiraizumi-Cho, Iwate-ken, from 2002-04 and worked in Shirahama-cho, Wakayama-ken as a JET from 2004-06, for JQ magazine. He currently manages the New York division of UnRated magazine and works as a project manager/Web producer at Arrow Root Media.
When it comes to cultural diversity, Japan has always been a borrower. Their entire writing system, known as kanji, is made up of Chinese characters; the country’s most popular sport is baseball, America’s pastime; and South Korean television dramas get all the top ratings. Japan’s music scene is no different. In Live from Tokyo, American director Lewis Rapkin takes us on a kaleidoscopic journey through Tokyo’s bustling underground music scene. Set within the backdrop of the modern Japanese megalopolis, the film explores Tokyo’s eccentric music culture, and how a combination of global information, media-saturated urban areas, and cutting edge innovation has impacted it.
“Since the 2000s, when the Internet became widely used, the number of people listening to underground music has been growing,” explains Murata, lead singer of the band Kuruucrew, during one of the film’s many fascinating interviews. There are many facets to Japan’s underground music scene, and Rapkin captures them beautifully. Early on in the film we learn how MP3s and digital downloads have altered Japan’s musical landscape. TokyoGigGuide.com’s Craig Eaton describes how you can now “get albums online, whereas in the past you’d have to wait until it came to your country or order it, and wait for it to come in the mail.” With a simple click, you can now access Japanese underground artists such as Shugo Tokumaru, Sexy-Synthesizer, and Sajjanu.
When we’re not learning about the underground scene through band interviews, Rapkin gives us an all-access pass to the bands as they perform on stage. Juxtaposed with time lapses of Shibuya’s nightlife, first person views from train lines, and kaitenzushi conveyor belts, we hear punk rock, J-pop, heavy metal, traditional Japanese music, and various synthesizer-based experiments.
For the complete story, click here.
JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi talks Hatsune Miku on FCI's "Today's Eye" segment. (Courtesy Fujisankei Communications International)
JQ magazine editor/Japanese Culture Examiner Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) was recently interviewed by Fujisankei (FCI) News on Japan’s virtual pop idol Hatsune Miku for their “Today’s Eye” segment broadcast this week on Japanese TV!
Miku is the star of Toyota’s summer Corolla ad campaign in the U.S., and earlier this month performed to massive crowds at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre and the San Diego Comic-Con! Check out the video here or click on the image for Justin’s comments.
Direct link: www.fujisankei.com/video_library/event/hatsunemiku.html
Dreams Come True to hold rare concerts in U.S. Any JET alums going?
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Just heard from Aaron Woolfolk (Kochi-ken) (writer and director of the film “The Harimaya Bridge”) that he’s going to the Dreams Come True concert in L.A. in October and that they’ll also be playing concerts in Seattle and NYC as well as free concerts in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima.
Here’s a June 28 post about the concerts from Anime News Network.
If you’re a JET or JET alum and plan on going, post a comment here and let the JET alum community know.
