Saturday, February 9, 2013
Reddit links from this week
[Crossover Sunday for Feb. 3] Seiko Matsuda & Donnie Wahlberg (of New Kids on the Block)
[Book Club Monday for Feb. 4] K.T. Greenfeld's Speed Tribes: Days and Nights with Japan's Next Generation
[Time Travel Tuesday for Feb. 5] A 1948 magazine clipping titled "Tokyo Boogie"
[List Wednesday for Feb. 6] 16 Firsts of Japanese Artist Activity in the USA
Talk Thursday for Feb. 7] Why You Should Care About Kishi Bashi (and Shugo Tokumaru)
[Fan Friday for Feb. 8] How did you discover music from Japan?
Saturday, February 2, 2013
[The Saturday Special for Feb 1] Sakanaction, Takayuki Manabe + Kousuke Sugimoto, Cibo Matto, & Rip Slyme
This post was originally posted on Reddit here. You cannot embed video there, so this post exists as sort of an alternative. As a reminder, Saturdays are for showcasing three music videos with excellent concepts and a one that's particularly bad. Please note that the videos are better resolution if you open them in a new screen.
Life uh, finds a way.
The AJMR is now a mod over in /r/Japanesemusic on Reddit. Content will be distributed through Reddit, Tumblr, and Flickr, so this is the place where it all comes together. Please just disregard any news posts prior to this. I want them as a record, so eventually they will just get bumped off the front page.
Come check us out here: http://www.reddit.com/r/japanesemusic/
Thanks!
Come check us out here: http://www.reddit.com/r/japanesemusic/
Thanks!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
June update
Alrighty - been a bit quiet around here, so what's going on?
First of all, we decided that the set-up was just not going to work long term. We have moved all of our news to Tumblr, as you can see by our new feed on the left. News used to be in this section, but it will not be anymore. However, the old posts are staying but will be pushed down by random blog updates. It'll make things look cleaner.
Secondly, we've plumped up our Flickr account containing our large collection of promotional material, fliers, and newspaper/magazine ads & press articles. Originally, we were just going to photograph our collection but realized that scanning them is much better. Some items up there are pictures but those will be phased out soon. Please take a look!
Lastly, The AJMR book list is almost done. We were able to get access to materials while on a trip to New York and so we're taking extra time to view and analyze our material.
First of all, we decided that the set-up was just not going to work long term. We have moved all of our news to Tumblr, as you can see by our new feed on the left. News used to be in this section, but it will not be anymore. However, the old posts are staying but will be pushed down by random blog updates. It'll make things look cleaner.
Secondly, we've plumped up our Flickr account containing our large collection of promotional material, fliers, and newspaper/magazine ads & press articles. Originally, we were just going to photograph our collection but realized that scanning them is much better. Some items up there are pictures but those will be phased out soon. Please take a look!
Lastly, The AJMR book list is almost done. We were able to get access to materials while on a trip to New York and so we're taking extra time to view and analyze our material.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Site note
Hello readers -
Our official launch was to be today, the 15th. However, there is an illness in the family so the hard launch is going to be pushed back to the 25th. Our book list is almost done, please look forward to it!
Our official launch was to be today, the 15th. However, there is an illness in the family so the hard launch is going to be pushed back to the 25th. Our book list is almost done, please look forward to it!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
May 5th - Evening Edition
May 4th news
[Site news] The AJMR is happy to announce that we've begun to upload our flier collection to Flickr. It'll take us a while to get them up all up and tagged, so please keep coming back to it!
[US & Canada] Shonen Knife has announced a big tour and a new album called Pop Sound. Pop Sound's album art, designed by Mami Saitou, will feature a different color scheme for each release in China, Japan, and America/Europe. The American release will be done by Damnably, a label in the UK; it goes on sale June 6th both as a CD digipak and digital download. Shonen Knife's North American tour will not only bring them to both the US and Canada, but to cities and states normally ignored by Japanese touring artists - Alabama, Montana, upstate New York, and Maine. After that, they leave for Europe.
More news under the cut:
[US & Canada] Shonen Knife has announced a big tour and a new album called Pop Sound. Pop Sound's album art, designed by Mami Saitou, will feature a different color scheme for each release in China, Japan, and America/Europe. The American release will be done by Damnably, a label in the UK; it goes on sale June 6th both as a CD digipak and digital download. Shonen Knife's North American tour will not only bring them to both the US and Canada, but to cities and states normally ignored by Japanese touring artists - Alabama, Montana, upstate New York, and Maine. After that, they leave for Europe.
More news under the cut:
Saturday, April 28, 2012
April 28th news
[Anaheim, CA] AM2 has announced another musical guest! According to their press release, fashion label h.Naoto will be attending to promote his fashion line and the band called Sixh. The press release is under the cut. Please read my notes at the bottom.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
X Japan has won the Golden Gods Award
[Los Angeles, CA] X JAPAN won the Golden Gods Award last night, making them the first Asian group to do so. Yoshiki gave a small speech and announced that X JAPAN is playing another world tour soon. Check out JaME's post about it here.
Monday, April 9, 2012
April 9th - Morning Edition
Alrighty, here's another update of news we've collected over the weekend. Also, just a notice, our Events page will be under going a massive overhaul in the next couple of days. Right now it's kind of a mess, but that will change. As a reminder - this blog is in beta. We'll probably do a hard launch in May. Just wait until we get our Resources page up, you'll be up until 1 am .... uh, like I am now. ONWARD WITH THE NEWS.
[Anaheim, CA] AM2 has announed their Summer Festival stage, full of local acts with a Japanese to them. LuCiD is gonna be there, and there's a rumor that may be opening for Ant1Nett? Either way, check out AM2's page for all the info on Brathzo, Icarus Kid, Kazha, LuCiD, and Momotama! The date for the Summer Festival hasn't been set yet, but Ant1Nett is indeed playing on the 16th.
[Los Angeles, CA] According to the press release: "X Japan has been nominated for Best International Band at the Golden Gods Awards alongside Rammstein (Germany), Lacuna Coil (Italy), Sepultura (Brazil), Behemoth (Poland), and Meshuggah (Sweden). X Japan is the first band from Asia to ever be nominated for a Golden Gods Award." [...] The winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 11th at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. It is America’s biggest hard rock and heavy metal awards show, and special performances include Marilyn Manson, Evanescence, Korn, Slash, and more.
The event will also coincide with the launch of a special Metal Exhibition at the Grammy Museum, located next to Club Nokia. The Golden Gods Award Black Carpet and Show presented by Epiphone® will be broadcasted live on X Box Live at 6pm PST. Show begins at 8pm PST. The 2012 Golden Gods Awards will also air on VH1 later in the year.
Notes: Voting is over. The Golden Gods Awards is the brain child of Revolver Magazine.
Source: Press Release at Nippon Project, Golden Gods website Updates will be made live on their Facebook page here.
[US] May'n has added dates to her US Tour, ROCK YOUR BEATS. On June 21st she'll be at the Key Club in Los Angeles, and on the 23rd she'll be having a special afternoon live in the famous Yoshi's in San Francisco. Anime News Network has all the information you need here.
[Anaheim, CA] AM2 has announed their Summer Festival stage, full of local acts with a Japanese to them. LuCiD is gonna be there, and there's a rumor that may be opening for Ant1Nett? Either way, check out AM2's page for all the info on Brathzo, Icarus Kid, Kazha, LuCiD, and Momotama! The date for the Summer Festival hasn't been set yet, but Ant1Nett is indeed playing on the 16th.
[Los Angeles, CA] According to the press release: "X Japan has been nominated for Best International Band at the Golden Gods Awards alongside Rammstein (Germany), Lacuna Coil (Italy), Sepultura (Brazil), Behemoth (Poland), and Meshuggah (Sweden). X Japan is the first band from Asia to ever be nominated for a Golden Gods Award." [...] The winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 11th at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. It is America’s biggest hard rock and heavy metal awards show, and special performances include Marilyn Manson, Evanescence, Korn, Slash, and more.
The event will also coincide with the launch of a special Metal Exhibition at the Grammy Museum, located next to Club Nokia. The Golden Gods Award Black Carpet and Show presented by Epiphone® will be broadcasted live on X Box Live at 6pm PST. Show begins at 8pm PST. The 2012 Golden Gods Awards will also air on VH1 later in the year.
Notes: Voting is over. The Golden Gods Awards is the brain child of Revolver Magazine.
Source: Press Release at Nippon Project, Golden Gods website Updates will be made live on their Facebook page here.
[US] May'n has added dates to her US Tour, ROCK YOUR BEATS. On June 21st she'll be at the Key Club in Los Angeles, and on the 23rd she'll be having a special afternoon live in the famous Yoshi's in San Francisco. Anime News Network has all the information you need here.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
April 5th News
[US & Canada] B'z are coming back to the US & Canada this September and October on their B'z Live - Gym 2012 -Into Free- tour! They're giving fans plenty of time to prepare which shows excellent preparation on their end. It seems that B'z will be doing some what of a circular route with their tour, hitting coastal cities on the East & West coast and skimming Canada before turning home. Holy hell, are we excited here at The AJMR. B'z has two enormous American accomplishments -
they were the first Asian artist to put their handprints on Guitar Center's Hollywood Rockwalk, and Tak Matusmoto with Larry Carlton won the Best Pop Instrumental Album category at the 53rd Grammy Awards for the Take Your Pick album.
Recently, B'z released their 50th kick-ass single on April 4th called GO FOR IT, BABY -キオクの山脈- (Kioku no Sanmyaku), released a PV for it. B'z also reworked their 24th single track "Samayoeru Aoi Dangan" into "Into Free -Dangan-", an English theme song for Capcom's game Dragon's Dogma (for the Xbox 360 & PS3). Although the game doesn't come out until May, "Into Free-Dangan-" was distributed on iTunes and a smattering of other Japanese sites on the same day as GO FOR IT, BABY.
Source: TokyoHive, B'z OHP
[Santa Monica, CA] JrockRevolution.com's website is back online.
[US] StereoPony's Sakura-Con activities will be broadcasted on NicoNico. This is a great way to see the concert if you can't make it to Washington! You do not need to have a Japanese address to sign up. You can view the feed for free, however, if there is high demand free users are booted so paid users may access the feed. There's more information on Anime News Network here.
Recently, B'z released their 50th kick-ass single on April 4th called GO FOR IT, BABY -キオクの山脈- (Kioku no Sanmyaku), released a PV for it. B'z also reworked their 24th single track "Samayoeru Aoi Dangan" into "Into Free -Dangan-", an English theme song for Capcom's game Dragon's Dogma (for the Xbox 360 & PS3). Although the game doesn't come out until May, "Into Free-Dangan-" was distributed on iTunes and a smattering of other Japanese sites on the same day as GO FOR IT, BABY.
Source: TokyoHive, B'z OHP
[Santa Monica, CA] JrockRevolution.com's website is back online.
[US] StereoPony's Sakura-Con activities will be broadcasted on NicoNico. This is a great way to see the concert if you can't make it to Washington! You do not need to have a Japanese address to sign up. You can view the feed for free, however, if there is high demand free users are booted so paid users may access the feed. There's more information on Anime News Network here.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Acid Mothers Temple is going on tour in US & Canada!
Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paradiso U.F.O. are going on an ambitious 30+ city tour titled, "Last Tour in US & Canada 2012". It starts April 6th in Dallas and ends on May 12th in Austin. Check out the dates here, as they include links to all the venues. If you love psychedelic rock, you need to go cause they will melt your mind!
Source: TicketWeb
Source: TicketWeb
Monday, April 2, 2012
April 2nd - Evening Edition
Busy, busy, busy.
[Los Angeles, CA] This is an addendum to the previous post. Between then and now, Anime Expo has officially announced LiSA as a guest for the convention. LiSA's page is here, and she looks super cute!
[Santa Monica, CA] JrockRevolution.com's website is feeling sorry for itself. Currently, the background is a photo of a typhoon in Hong Kong and the description in the title is, "Times are Tough for Poor Little Jrock Revolution". There has not been an official statement made on JRR's Twitter or Facebook (actually they haven't updated since March 23rd). Jrock Revolution began as a festival in May 2007, and their website was originally a placeholder and community for future events. After it became evident that no such events would occur, the website unofficially changed its name to JrockRevolution.com.
[WA & CA] STEREOPONY is playing in San Francisco , Hollywood, and Santa Ana on a three-stop tour called More! More!! More!!*. The dates and locations are April 9th at Amoeba Records, April 10th at Slim's, 11th at the Key Club, and 12th at Yost Theater. VIP tickets are available for $40, general admission tickets are $25. STEREOPONY are also playing at Sakura-Con in Washington this weekend.
*Not to be confused with the capsule's song and album More! More! More!.
[Anaheim, CA] Here's a backlog of news on the convention AM2 (Anime Music Manga). AM2 has an interesting set up where the convention is essentially free, but purchase of a "passport" allows you access to special events like concerts. They are going to be giving away 2 tickets for STEREOPONY's upcoming US Tour to all their passport holders. Go and sign up!
Also, AM2 have announced their first musical guest from Japan, visual kei group Ant1nett. It should be known that back in July of 2011, Ant1nett performed at 2nd Street Jazz and was the last band of the night to play.; after a brief sound check, their vocalist Masa performed half of the first song than walked off stage. Later, he made negative comments on Facebook about the low attendance rates and Los Angeles in general. Those have now been deleted. Hopefully, his attitude toward LA has changed.
[Los Angeles, CA] This is an addendum to the previous post. Between then and now, Anime Expo has officially announced LiSA as a guest for the convention. LiSA's page is here, and she looks super cute!
[Santa Monica, CA] JrockRevolution.com's website is feeling sorry for itself. Currently, the background is a photo of a typhoon in Hong Kong and the description in the title is, "Times are Tough for Poor Little Jrock Revolution". There has not been an official statement made on JRR's Twitter or Facebook (actually they haven't updated since March 23rd). Jrock Revolution began as a festival in May 2007, and their website was originally a placeholder and community for future events. After it became evident that no such events would occur, the website unofficially changed its name to JrockRevolution.com.
[WA & CA] STEREOPONY is playing in San Francisco , Hollywood, and Santa Ana on a three-stop tour called More! More!! More!!*. The dates and locations are April 9th at Amoeba Records, April 10th at Slim's, 11th at the Key Club, and 12th at Yost Theater. VIP tickets are available for $40, general admission tickets are $25. STEREOPONY are also playing at Sakura-Con in Washington this weekend.
*Not to be confused with the capsule's song and album More! More! More!.
[Anaheim, CA] Here's a backlog of news on the convention AM2 (Anime Music Manga). AM2 has an interesting set up where the convention is essentially free, but purchase of a "passport" allows you access to special events like concerts. They are going to be giving away 2 tickets for STEREOPONY's upcoming US Tour to all their passport holders. Go and sign up!
Also, AM2 have announced their first musical guest from Japan, visual kei group Ant1nett. It should be known that back in July of 2011, Ant1nett performed at 2nd Street Jazz and was the last band of the night to play.; after a brief sound check, their vocalist Masa performed half of the first song than walked off stage. Later, he made negative comments on Facebook about the low attendance rates and Los Angeles in general. Those have now been deleted. Hopefully, his attitude toward LA has changed.
April 2nd News
What's going on lately in the US? Here's some tips to get you started. More to come later. Please remember that our website is in beta and is constantly being updated and edited!
[US] Yoshiki Hayashi has made a cameo in the new Tenacious D music video "To Be The Best". Tenacious D's first album in six years, Rize of the Fenix, will be released on May 15th. You can see the official video here (Yoshiki shows up around the :48 second mark). The press release is here.
[Los Angeles, CA] At the recent Anime Contents Expo, LiSA announced that she will be performing at Anime Expo. Anime News Network describes her activities: "LiSA performed songs as part of the in-anime band "Girls Dead Monster" in the Angel Beats! television anime series. She then contributed the song "oath sign" for the first half of the Fate/Zero television anime series." Her website is here; Anime Expo's website is here although guests are not yet announced.
[Anaheim, CA] Indie "loud/screamo style hybrid rock" band Another Story has stated on their website that they will be "in Los Angeles" for a week starting April 3rd and there will be a live. Although dates are not (yet?) listed on their website, there is a Facebook event page for an April 6th performance at Mirror Image Studios in Anaheim. Local visual-kei group LuCiD will be joining them. Another Story's website is here, their Ameblo is here.
Last year, Another Story performed at a minor event here called Revolt 2011 which was put on by a promotional company called Nameless Group. Which leads us to...
Nameless Group is organizing another local event called Awake -2012-. Information on this is hard to find because Nameless Group's website is really outdated. It will be at Good Hurt in Venice, California, July 3, 2012. There doesn't seem to be artists listed yet.
[US] Yoshiki Hayashi has made a cameo in the new Tenacious D music video "To Be The Best". Tenacious D's first album in six years, Rize of the Fenix, will be released on May 15th. You can see the official video here (Yoshiki shows up around the :48 second mark). The press release is here.
[Los Angeles, CA] At the recent Anime Contents Expo, LiSA announced that she will be performing at Anime Expo. Anime News Network describes her activities: "LiSA performed songs as part of the in-anime band "Girls Dead Monster" in the Angel Beats! television anime series. She then contributed the song "oath sign" for the first half of the Fate/Zero television anime series." Her website is here; Anime Expo's website is here although guests are not yet announced.
[Anaheim, CA] Indie "loud/screamo style hybrid rock" band Another Story has stated on their website that they will be "in Los Angeles" for a week starting April 3rd and there will be a live. Although dates are not (yet?) listed on their website, there is a Facebook event page for an April 6th performance at Mirror Image Studios in Anaheim. Local visual-kei group LuCiD will be joining them. Another Story's website is here, their Ameblo is here.
Last year, Another Story performed at a minor event here called Revolt 2011 which was put on by a promotional company called Nameless Group. Which leads us to...
Nameless Group is organizing another local event called Awake -2012-. Information on this is hard to find because Nameless Group's website is really outdated. It will be at Good Hurt in Venice, California, July 3, 2012. There doesn't seem to be artists listed yet.
Friday, March 30, 2012
In progress
This blog is in progress. We'll begin updating normal news from April 1st.
Edit: I didn't want to post anything on April 1st because it's April Fool's Day...so here we go.
Edit: I didn't want to post anything on April 1st because it's April Fool's Day...so here we go.
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