Archive for January, 2010

Rheason Love Interview Comments

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

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

“Our songs often have spiritual messages. When I write that kind of lyrics, I feel like someone else is teaching me. I don’t know why but I can easily write about a feeling or experience that I have never had.” – Rheason Love

When you answer a “singing job for video game music” ad in Japan you never know where it might take you. For Nao Otokura aka “Rheason Love” one fateful ad launched a career of singing and songwriting that took her from her home in Osaka all the way to the US. Teamed with the upcoming producer AKI (aka Akinori Ishiyama) the two have released several of their songs on iTunes with hopes and plans for finding a major label for their music in 2010.

So if you’re looking for some soulful music with much to say about life and death, come take a listen to the duo who say “I am Japanese and respect American music, so I wanna try in America, I wanna send out my music alongside those I respect. Even if people say I’m reckless, I should sing in a place that I think is the greatest.”

On January 23, 2010 Rheason Love and AKI were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Rheason Love Interview

Tags:
Posted in Rheason Love | 2 Comments »

Kumi Koda New Greatest Hits and New Album “Universe”

Friday, January 15th, 2010


“BEST – third universe” and eighth album “Universe”

The pop star is serving up a double release of her third greatest hits album “BEST – third universe” features 16 hits and her eighth album “Universe” features 13 new songs.

BEST – third universe (2-3-2010)
Universe (2-3-2010)

Label/Distributor avex trax

1. [Best Album] Koi no Tsubomi
2. [Best Album] I’ll be there
3. [Best Album] Ningyohime
4. [Best Album] With your smile
5. [Best Album] Yume no Uta
6. [Best Album] BUT
7. [Best Album] FREAKY
8. [Best Album] girls
9. [Best Album] Ai no Uta
10. [Best Album] LAST ANGEL feat.Dong Bang Shin Ki
11. [Best Album] anytime
12. [Best Album] Moon Crying
13. [Best Album] That Ain’t Cool
14. [Best Album] Lady Go!
15. [Best Album] TABOO
16. [Best Album] stay with me
17. [8th ALBUM] Step Into My World
18. [8th ALBUM] Can We Go Back
19. [8th ALBUM] SUPERSTAR
20. [8th ALBUM] You’re So Beautiful
21. [8th ALBUM] Lick me
22. [8th ALBUM] Work It Out!
23. [8th ALBUM] No Way
24. [8th ALBUM] Stay
25. [8th ALBUM] Comes Up
26. [8th ALBUM] Physical thing
27. [8th ALBUM] ECSTASY
28. [8th ALBUM] UNIVERSE
29. [8th ALBUM] It’s all Love!
30. [8th ALBUM] Alive
31. [DVD] Koi no Tsubomi
32. [DVD] Ningyo Hime
33. [DVD] Yume no Uta
34. [DVD] BUT
35. [DVD] FREAKY
36. [DVD] Ai no Uta
37. [DVD] LAST ANGEL feat. Dong Bang Shin Ki
38. [DVD] anytime
39. [DVD] Moon Crying
40. [DVD] TABOO
41. [DVD] stay with me
42. [DVD] It’s all Love!
43. [DVD] Lick me
44. [DVD] ECSTASY
45. [DVD] Physical thing
46. [DVD] Can We Go Back
47. [DVD] SUPERSTAR
48. [DVD] You’re So Beautiful

Where to buy
Order from CD Japan
Order from YesAsia

Links
Kumi Koda Official (Japanese)

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

Tags:
Posted in Kumi Koda | No Comments »

unnatural Interview Comments

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

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

“For me, writing a song is like giving birth. Recording is the closing stage of the songwriting process. I feel like I’m almost done with child raising. Finally, I can say goodbye to my son or daughter… Bye-bye my kid. Live strong and cut your way. The world will judge you soon.” – Itsuka

They may go by the name “unnatural” but the duo of Itsuka and Mitsu play a country/pop style of music that is entirely down to earth. In 2009 they celebrated their ten year anniversary of making music together with the release of “DIP”, a seven track album that includes their signature piece Now!

So if you’re in the mood for a Japanese version of country tunes come take a listen and discover the answer to an amorous riddle: “Why did Itsuka and Mitsu have a hard time finding more band members when they were first starting out?” You just might become one of their “unnatuLOVERs” in the process.

On December 24, 2009 the members of unnatural were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. unnatural Interview.

Tags:
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Ayaka Ikio Interview Comments

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

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

“My family has never actually seen me sing or dance in a club, so they’re wondering how I actually do it. My friends say “It’s not like you, Ayaka. It’s not you!” They can’t believe it.” – Ayaka Ikio

After first seeing the video for Ayaka Ikio’s song Get Out we weren’t at all surprised by her comment. With a series of popping tracks like Spin Me Round and some rather risqué ones like LoLLyPop she has taken a successful career in modeling into the world of Japanese dance music. Ayaka Ikio released her first two albums in 2009 and toured throughout Japan.

With 2010 now at hand her goals continue to rise with her talent as her music is now available internationally through JapanFiles. For those not living in Japan we also bring good news as she told us “I really, really want to play a gig in America — please wait for me!”

On January 2, 2010 Ayaka Ikio was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Ayaka Ikio Interview.

Tags:
Posted in Ayaka Ikio | 3 Comments »

Want to be in an X Japan video? Yes you can.

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

The band will be filming four music videos in Hollywood, CA on January 9.

Here’s the press release:

X JAPAN INVITES FANS TO BE A PART OF HISTORY

Mega Super J-Rock Band Filming on January 9, 2010 in Hollywood

X JAPAN, one of Japan’s most popular and influential bands, invites American fans to the streets of Hollywood, CA to film four major music videos! It will be a huge and momentous event in the band¹s history. Fans will need to pre-register online to participate in the event. More information can be found at jrocknation.com.

About X JAPAN

X Japan is not only the biggest band in Japan rock history, their popularity is spreading overseas, to Asia, to Europe, and about to explode in the US. X Japan has sold over 30 million albums/singles/videos to date. They also pioneered Visual-Kei, which is infecting worldwide Anime fans through the unique style of music and fashion.

Links
jrocknation.com

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

Tags:
Posted in X Japan | No Comments »

Puffy’s Yumi Yoshimura Got Married on New Year’s Eve

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010


Puffy AmiYumi: Yumi (left) and Ami (right)

Yumi started the new year with a new husband. She apparently broke up with her long term boyfriend Nao Omori in August and has been dating what is being described as a “29 year-old businessman” since September (Yumi will be 35 on January 30 — you go girl!). The two have been friends for 7 years. They registered their marriage on December 31st but so far no news about a wedding ceremony.

Here is Yumi’s official announcement from their website:

—————————-

“**** Message from Yumi:

“I have a personal announcement to make.
I, Yumi Yoshimura, has gotten married on December 31.
I’ve been able to catch this great happiness but I still plan to take charge as always
so please continue to send us your support.
I will continue trying to do my best.
He is 29 years old, and we’ve been friends for 7 years.
As he doesn’t work in the same entertainment industry
it would be great if we are quietly supported.
Hope everyone has a great year!

Oh, btw, no worries cause I’m not pregnant.”

January 2, 2010
Yumi Yoshimura

—————————-

Here was Ami’s official response from her blog:

“I’m sure alot of you were surprised by Yumi-chan’s news.
There is no happier news than this for me, being her other half.
AmiYumi have gone thru so much together that
pain is split in half and happiness is doubled
so I am jumping with joy.
Of course I don’t know all the little details about the 2 but
I’ve met him.
We’ve both taken care by him when we were totally wasted.
The first time I met him was a few years ago
but it was last fall that I was properly introduced to him
as her boyfriend.
My impression of him was that he’s really clever, sweet and he’s really attentive to what’s going on around.
I feel like the “Father of the bride” when I met him,
but it was a great first impression.
I tried to find something wrong about him but couldn’t (LOL).
So, I thought if he’s the one, I’m ok with letting Yumi go.
Congrats, Yunko.
I wish you all the happiness.
You’re always welcome to come back.
…just kidding.”

Tags:
Posted in Puffy AmiYumi | 11 Comments »

Reni Mimura Interview Comments

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

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

“Sometimes I like to be a Japanese office lady by wearing a suite with my hair up. Wearing chequered pants with handcuffs and chains makes a girl with Rock style. Wearing a light pink dress with a frill makes Reni Lolita style. Everyday I would like to be different. Cosplay is my life!” – Reni Mimura

Do you think you have to travel all the way to Tokyo to see Japanese costume players doing their thing? Well think again. Reni Mimura brought her show to Manhattan in 2008 and performs on a regular basis with her MoeMoe Dancers. Winner of a Tokyo talent competition in 2006, its not hard to see why she is making a name for herself in the kawaii world of Japan’s cuteness culture. Her upcoming shows on January 16 and 24 will be featured in a documentary on NHK (Japan’s version of PBS).

So put on your maid outfit, Naruto jumpsuit or whatever floats your boat and come hear the story of the girl who says “My ideal situation is the audience not paying attention to me, but everybody is liberated and dancing themselves. That’s when we become one. Reni and audience feeling calm and gentle, and we are one.”

On December 24, 2009 Reni Mimura was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Reni Mimura Interview.

Tags:
Posted in Reni Mimura | 4 Comments »