Archive for August, 2009

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High and Mighty Color Interview

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

Post your comments about our High and Mighty Color Interview and let us know what you thought of them.

So the story goes… A man in a swamp is hit and killed by lighting. At that same instant another lightning strike somehow creates an exact copy of the man. Is he truly the same person as before?

For the group High and Mighty Color, their lighting strike occurred when the original female singer left last year to be replaced by newcomer HALCA. The verdict? We’ll leave that for you to judge, but based on their new album “swamp man” it looks to us like HALCA can more than hold her own with her powerful but beautiful voice meshing well with the scorching vocals of YUSUKE.

On August 18, 2009, HALCA, YUSUKE, MEG, KAZUTO, mACKAz and SASSY were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World talking about their new band member, album, upcoming tour and how the band originally formed back in Okinawa. High and Mighty Color Interview.

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The Psycrons Interview Comments

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Post your comments about our The Psycrons Interview and let us know what you thought of them.

“Originally, our ex-guitarist and I bonded because we both liked the Rolling Stones, and we wanted to play “Japanese rock from the good ol’ days” so we decided to start a band.” – Toru Horiuchi

The musical world that the Beatles and Rolling Stones created had a major impact far beyond the shores of England and the West. Case in point: The Psycrons, a Japanese trio hailing from Kyoto and Nagano. They play the classic guitar-bass-drums rock music familiar to anyone who grew up in the era of tie-dye and flower power but with a distinctly Japanese flavor all their own.

So come say hello to Toru Horiuchi on vocals and bass, Isamu Anboi on guitar and Wataru Fujie on drums and take a trip into the nostalgic past for some first class homage to a form of music that never seems to go out of style.

On August 12, 2009 the members of The Psycrons were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. The Psycrons Interview.

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MEG mini-album: “Journey”

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009


Journey bonus album version

Three months after her sixth album “Beautiful” hit the Oricon top 10 MEG has released a new 7-track mini-album, “Journey” featuring the producing talents of Shanghai Restoration Project. The album’s theme is expressed on the cover as “A JOURNEY WITH A SUITCASE OF THE MUSIC.”

Journey (8-26-2009)

Label/Distributor: Universal Music

1. Droplets
2. Questions
3. Rush
4. Dreamscape
5. Just Like That
6. Journey
7. Dawn (Remix)

Where to buy
Order from CD Japan
Order from YesAsia

Be sure to checkout MEG’s Interview with J-Pop World earlier this year.

Links
MEG official
MEG official MySpace

J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

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GLAY to Tour US – 2 Anniversary Releases

Tuesday, August 25th, 2009


GLAY 15 Anniversary

It’s been 15 years since GLAY released their first single, “RAIN,” and to celebrate they’re making a 2 part anniversary release. They will also be doing a 3 show mini-tour of CA from September 9 to 11.

GLAY released the first of their two part anniversary specials on June 10, 2009: “The Great Vacation Vol.1 – Super Best Of Glay.” This triple CD features all of their singles since 2001, re-recording version of “Yuwaku,” eight new songs, their latest single “I am xxx,” and more.

In between releases they will be performing three shows in California. See www.livenation.com for ticket info.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009; 8:00 PM: San Francisco CA: The Fillmore.

Friday, September 11, 2009; 9:00 PM: Hollywood CA: House of Blues, Sunset Strip.

Saturday, September 12, 2009; 9:00 PM: Hollywood CA: House of Blues, Sunset Strip.

And on October 21 they will be releasing “The Great Vacation Vol.2 -Super Best Of GLAY,” a massive 42 song bonanza that will include 11 new songs and 5 retakes on three discs. Will feature digital remastering by Ted Jensen. The bonus version will include 23 music videos on two DVDs.

Where to buy
Order from CD Japan
Order from YesAsia

Links
GLAY official
GLAY official MySpace

J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

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Madoka Interview Comments

Sunday, August 23rd, 2009

Post your comments about our Madoka Interview and let us know what you thought of her.

“I went to Mr. Bobby Watson’s studio, and to the studio of Mr. Ray Parker Jr. as well. Everyday was fun to visit the studios; it was like a great picnic.” – Madoka

For most Japanese high school students the idea of flying to the US to record with the likes of Bobby Watson and Ray Parker Jr. is the stuff of dreams. For Madoka, it was a reality. Gifted with an elegant voice and a passion to succeed, Madoka released her first CD, “Muses-Trap,” in 2005 at the age of 17, a moment she describes as “the joy of having two holidays at the same time!”

It doesn’t take long listening to Madoka’s music or hearing her talk about her craft to realize what these international producers saw in this rising talent from Tokyo. With her annual birthday special on the horizon what better time could there be to learn the story of a passionate heart who believes that “Recording is a process where miracles happen. Those miracles give birth to a splendid new art piece. It’s just amazing!”

On August 20, 2009 Madoka was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Madoka Interview

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AREA51 Interview Comments

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Post your comments about our AREA51 Interview and let us know what you thought of them.

“I was holding auditions in search of the ideal singer. After about 100 auditions, Kate came along… I knew she was the one immediately.” – Yoichiro Ishino

For fans of the group AREA51 there can no doubt that Yoichiro made the right choice. Yoichiro Ishino and Kate Cain play a style of music that Yoichirio describes as “Melodic/Neoclassical metal meets catchy female vocals.” Their first album, “Ankh,” was released in 2005 to good reviews. In 2008 they released “Daemonicus,” expanding on the sounds of their earlier work.

With another album on the way and a growing international fan base its time to say hello to the band who chose their name because “the mysterious nature of the place seemed to fit my philosophy of wanting to produce constantly changing music.”

On August 19, 2009 the members of AREA51 were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. AREA51 Interview.

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Creature Creature Shows for September – Dead End Recording Again

Monday, August 17th, 2009


Morrie as Creature Creature

Creature Creature, the latest incarnation of Morrie of Dead End fame have announced four shows in Japan for September.

Morrie and the original members of Dead End also just finished a live performance in Japan on August 15 at Makuhari Messe for Jack in the Box Summer 2009, their first show together in 20 years. After the performance it was announced that the members of Dead End will be recording together again as well, much to the delight of their fans. It was a long time coming, but Dead End is back!

Morrie (as Creature Creature) September shows are as follows:

LIQUIDROOM
Ebisu, Tokyo
Wed, Sept. 16
Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM
¥6,000 advance *not including drink
On sale July 25
Info: Disk Garage 03-5436-9600

*LIQUIDROOM PRE-SALES FOR 3 DAYS – JULY 15 20:00 ~ JULY 18 23:00 at getticket.jp (Japanese)

ROCK MAY KAN
Meguro, Tokyo
Thurs, Sept. 17
Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM
¥6,000 advance
On sale August 22
Info: Disk Garage 03-5436-9600

AKASO
Umeda, Osaka
Tues, Sept. 22
Doors 5:00 PM / Show 6:00 PM
¥6,000 advance *not including drink
On sale July 25
Info: Kyodo Ticket Center 06-7732-8888

VARIT.
Kobe, Hyogo
Thurs, Sept. 24
Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM
¥6,000 advance *not including drink
On sale July 25
Info: Kyodo Ticket Center 06-7732-8888

Creature Creature are:
Vocal: Morrie
Guitar: Hiro (Libraian, ex-La’cryma Christi)
Guitar: Shinobu (ex-Guy’s Family)
Bass: Hitoki (ROBO+S, Dummy’s Corporation)
Drums: Sakura (S.O.A.P., ex-L’Arc-en-Ciel, ex-ZIGZO)

Be sure to checkout the interview J-Pop World did with Morrie as Creature Creature last November.

Links
Creature Creature official
Creature Creature MySpace
Dead End official MySpace

J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

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Mari Iijima Interview Comments

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Post your comments about our Mari Iijima Interview and let us know what you thought of her.

“This album is about unrequited love. To me it is a universal heartache when two people’s heart temperatures are not quite matching… My album is based on love stories. My love stories.” — Mari Iijima

“Echo” will be the 21st studio album from Mari Iijima, and much like her debut album, “Rose”, it has been a true labor of love, with Mari immersing herself in every aspect of its songwriting and production. The music is powerful and poignant, driven by Mari’s perfectionist desire to bring the music of her heart to the world.

Although Mari might have first achieved fame through the lucky happenstance of voicing the character Lynn Minmay in the popular “The Super Dimension Fortress Macross” anime series, her long and successful career as a world class singer/songwriter has garnered her international awards and fans eager to hear the next installment of her musical odyssey.

So come hear the story of a remarkable woman who says “Life gets tough sometimes. I think that a part of my purpose in life is to create the music and words to give people some peace and hope for tomorrow.”

On August 16, 2009 Mari Iijima was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Mari Iijima Interview.

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Lisa Furukawa Interview Comments

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Post your comments about our Lisa Furukawa Interview and let us know what you thought of her.

“I think the American part of me is a freedom loving, independent, cowboy boots kind of girl, and the Japanese part of me is really concerned about formalities and saying and doing the right things to respect others.” – Lisa Furukawa

For Lisa Furukawa the world of music was destined to be an international journey. With an upbringing split between her hometown in Shibuya, Tokyo and the US, Lisa learned to appreciate the language and culture of both at an early age. Her latest album, “Reaching the Dragon,” highlights her international background, drawing on a wide range of musical influences.

In addition to her own songwriting and performing, Lisa also spends her time teaching, traveling and translating music between Japanese and English.

On August 7, 2009 Lisa Furukawa was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Lisa Furukawa Interview.

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Mai Kuraki New Greatest Hits Album: All My Best

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009


All My Best regular version album cover

Its been ten years since Mai Kuraki’s debut single “Love, Day After Tomorrow” and she’s celebrating with a 32 track greatest hits album on 9-9-09, including such songs as Love, Day After Tomorrow, Baby I Like, Beautiful and a new tune Watashi no, Shiranai, Watashi. One of her bonus versions of the album will include a USB memory stick (microSD Memory Card).

All My Best (9-9-09)

Label/Distributor: J-Disc

Disc 1
01 Watashi no, Shiranai, Watashi
02 Love, Day After Tomorrow
03 Stay by my side
04 Secret of my heart
05 NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP
06 Simply Wonderful (Radio Edit)
07 Reach for the sky
08 Start in my life
09
10 Double Rainbow
11 Stand Up
12 always
13 PERFECT CRIME
14 Can’t forget your love
15 Winter Bells
16 key to my heart

Disc 2
01 Baby I Like
02 PUZZLE
03 Beautiful
04 touch Me!
05 Love for you
06 BE WITH U
07 Silent love
08
09
10
11 Growing of my heart
12
13 Time after time (theater version)
14
15 Like a star in the night
16 Feel fine!

Order from CD Japan
Order from YesAsia

Links:
Official site (Japanese)

J-Pop World News and Comments Homepage
J-Pop World Homepage

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