|
|
Interviews Archives
September to November, 2008
Say the words "remix" and "Japan" and one name rises to the top. Tatsuya Oe aka "Captain Funk" has been at the cutting edge of Japanese
electronic and new wave music since launching his musical career back in the 1990s. A veteran of taking the tracks of literally hundreds of
artists to the next level of electronic hipness, Tatsuya Oe has already had a remarkable career in producing, songwriting and DJing. With a
new digital download addition to his company, Model Electronic, and a desire to see Japanese music reach an even larger international audience,
Oe will no doubt have many new sounds and surprises heading our way.
So break out the mixed tapes and see what the Captain had to say about his long career, the Japanese music industry and the new goings-on in
his business enterprise.
On November 20, 2008 Tatsuya Oe aka "Captain Funk" was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Captain Funk Interview.
- Posted November 28, 2008.
Here's a heads up for fans of Hiko Suzuki (checkout her interview
here at J-Pop World). On November 30th, 2008 she'll be headlining the Grand Cosplay Ball at the Clapham Grand in London, England. Other special
guests and performers will include Yaya Han (world-famous cosplayer), Isabelle Jeudy and Damien Ratte (World Cosplay Summit winners) and
Sonia Leong and Emma Vieceli (Manga Shakespeare artists). For more info see
grandcosplayball.com.
- Posted November 27, 2008.
Hailing from Kyoto, the old capital of Japan, are four musicians that play their own powerful version of garage band punk rock. The Soap
shine brightly with the ever exuberant Hissa singing lead, Keiko on bass, You-Ka on drums and Atsushi on guitar. Throw in some b-horror movie
flavor and some catchy band fashions and you've got all the ingredients for some good time head banging fun.
On November 19, 2008 the members of The Soap were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
The Soap Interview.
- Posted November 24, 2008.
Twenty-first century Manhattan might seem worlds away from Japanese 60s go-go music, but there is one band that is bound and determined
to build that bridge to the past. Say hello to Gaijin a Go-Go, a truly one-of-a-kind group of performers who enthusiastically pay tribute
to the era of tall white boots, psychedelic colors and flower power, but with a Japanese Shibuya style that you have to see to believe.
With songs like Skebe, Baby and Wasabi Man and a few flasks of sake you might just feel yourself dancing your way across that bridge
with them.
On October 31st, 2008 Kiku and Saiko, aka Petra Hanson and Sanford Santacroce, the masterminds behind Gaijin a Go-Go, were kind enough to give an interview to
J-Pop World. Check it out
here.
- Posted November 19, 2008.
When you name your band "Dirtrucks" getting down and dirty in the name of rock comes with the territory. And these four hard rocking
Japanese women know a thing or two about playing rough clubs with their custom blend of Motley Crue and Joan Jett style music. So take
some time to hear what Celica, Rui, Deth-Tomo and Sae had to say about their band, their new CD, their upcoming European tour and what life is like on the road.
On October 23rd, 2008 the members of Dirtrucks were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Check it out
here.
- Posted November 12, 2008.
A Boston Globe reviewer once noted, "any band that writes songs with lyrics such as "Banana chips for you!/Banana chips for me!/
In the afternoon, banana chips and tea" should have a life span no longer than that of a grasshopper." Shonen Knife will be
marking their twenty-seventh anniversary this December, proving that there is much more to this three-girl band than tongue-in-cheek lyrics.
Their charming sense of fun and upbeat music have earned them fans as impressive as Kurt Cobain and made them one of the most well known
Japanese groups in North America. With founding member Naoko now joined by Etsuko and Ritsuko, Shonen Knife shows every sign of bringing
their unique brand of girl-power to audiences around the world for many years to come.
On October 20, 2008 the members of Shonen Knife were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Check it out
here.
- Posted November 3, 2008.
Masamune is a Japanese singer and songwriter who is the co-owner of the new label Win Win Records. His earthy vocal style first came
to the fore in 2004 with a win in the BE!ON! Entertainment Vocalist Competition. This was followed by the debut of his mini-album, EVERLASTING,
in 2005. Masamune is currently recording his first full length CD slated for release sometime in 2009.
On October 11th, 2008 Masamune was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Check it out
here.
- Posted October 28, 2008.
From the beautiful Hawaiian beaches of Waikiki a new star is rising, offering a dynamic musical blend of east and west
in one stellar package. Shella, aka the "Blasian" has taken her background of an African-American father and
Japanese mother and crafted an original look and sound all her own.
Having to mature faster than most should by the tragic death of both her parents, Shella has poured herself into
a unique mix of rapping and singing in both English and Japanese.
On October 9th, 2008 Shella was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Check it out
here.
- Posted October 20, 2008.
Singer and songwriter Kawehi may be living and performing in California today, but in her heart Hawaii still looms large.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Kawehi's parents saw to it that she learned to read and write in native Hawaiian. With ancestors
tracing their origin back to Japan, Kawehi epitomizes Hawaii's long tradition of multicultural roots and influences. And yes,
she can play the ukulele! So take a few minutes to say hello to this rising star from the crossroads of Asia and America.
On October 10th, 2008 Kawehi was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World. Check it out
here.
- Posted October 13, 2008.
So what do you get when you take a talented singer/songwriter from Japan and match her with two
musicians from the UK, two from Taiwan and another from Korea? You get the UK based group Unshin.
While their music certainly has a Japanese spirit to it, Megumi Miyoshi, Henry Readhead, Thijs Hendricks,
Sing Yeh, Yupo Chen and Tobee Paik each bring their own background and musical style to this highly
unique musical ensemble.
They are currently finishing recording their debut album Waltz for Broken Dolls, which tells the story of a young
girl growing up under the strict pressures of Japanese society while trying to stay on her own path and find
herself as an individual.
On August 26, 2008 the members of Unshin were kind enough to give J-Pop World an interview.
Unshin Interview.
- Posted September 17, 2008.
Interviews Archives: 2008 May-August
J-Pop World 2008-2009 is run by Andrew of
Indianapolis. Send comments to
comments@j-popworld.com or contact me at
MySpace.com.
|
|
