|
|
Interviews Archives
February, 2009
"Music is like a lifesaver for my daily life. I can't imagine life without it." Those are the words of Natccu, a Japanese singer and songwriter
with a heartfelt, earthy style. She recorded her debut album, Sketchbook, in 2004 and is working on her second.
Last year she performed for the first time overseas, on a UK tour presented by "It Came From Japan". This year she will do performances in both the US
and UK. With her sights set high, Natccu is hoping to bring her brand of music to the next level.
On February 3, 2009 Natccu was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Natccu Interview.
- Posted February 25, 2009.
Congratulations to Emily - our GIF animation contest winner!
J-Pop World had a GIF Animation Contest from January
21st to February 21st, 2009. First prize was 6 Japanese music CDs and a permanent credit and link at the website. Congratulations to our first
prize winner, Emily! Here was her winning entry:
You can view the other 13 entries at the following link: GIF
Animation Contest entries
- Posted February 22, 2009.
Are pandas your thing? Then we've got the artist for you. Juri Panda Jones loved those cuddly black and white fluff balls so much she wrote
an entire album for kids dedicated to them called "Panda Bear Hug."
Born in Tokyo and a graduate of Berklee College of Music, her fascinating life has included a sojourn to Ghana, Africa, where she produced
her second album "Jam in the Bush." She is also the founder of Genuine Voices, a program that teaches music to at-risk youth in America's juvenile detention centers.
And yes the rumors are true... she really did play in her mom's rock band when she was 4 years old!
So put on those panda-shaped slippers you hide whenever company comes over and say hello to Juri Panda Jones. It'll be pandarific!
On January 30, 2009 Juri Panda Jones was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Juri Panda Jones Interview.
- Posted February 17, 2009.
For some, manic depression and mania can rob life of those things they wish for the most. While for others, they become a companion in life, allowing
them to see the world in a way they otherwise might not--through the eyes of an artist. Aiha Higurashi has faced her companion in life and chosen
the road of optimism, honest to herself and others about the issue.
Founder of the vividly named group "Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her," Aiha is doing double duty these days releasing both solo work and music
with her new group, "Aiha Higurashi and LOVES!" Their latest album "NOW is the time!" has proven to
be another fan favorite with Aiha's characteristic mix of edgy lyrics and emotional guitar rock.
So come say hello to the artist who lives her life by her own motto of "Don't rush if things go wrong. Just wait and see. Your time is going
to come!"
On January 30, 2009 Aiha Higurashi was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Aiha Higurashi Interview.
- Posted February 14, 2009.
"It was our everything at that time--the energy of the recordings, the type of songs we wrote, artworks--every element was there." For Kenji
Razor of the group, Razors Edge, that something was their 2000 seminal album, "Thrash 'em All!" Begun in 1998, Razors Edge has brought
the world the power and punch of Japanese Thrash rock at its finest.
With Taku now on guitar, Missile on bass and the well-named Krash on drums, they have set the standard for a genre of music that gets the Mosh
Pit fired up and the band members soaring into the air and over their audiences--literally!
On January 28, 2009 the members of Razors Edge were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Razors Edge Interview.
- Posted February 11, 2009.
When you roll the music dice you're never quite sure what will come up ahead of time. The five members of EMKE, ages 8
to 18, are taking their shot at success with a debut album due out later this year. With 8 year old Ezri, Kira (12) and
Mari (13) singing and playing guitars and keyboards, Kaci (17) on bass and Perry (18) on drums, these five fun loving kids
with Japanese and Filipino roots are happy to showcase some of the indigenous musical talent of Hawaii.
So pull up a chair and take a look at the creation of Mark Santos, founder of Hawaii MusicWorks (and father to Ezri and Kira) and prepare
yourself for one of the funniest interviews you're ever likely to see from a band.
On January 24, 2009 the members of EMKE were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
EMKE Interview.
- Posted February 8, 2009.
When Gwen Stefani needed someone for the role of "Music" for her Harajuku Girls, one name rose to the top. Rino Nakasone is fast becoming one
of America's premier dancers. Born on the Japanese island of Okinawa, she's gone from being a high school exchange student in the US to
performing with superstars like Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears and Janet Jackson and appearing in the movie "You Got Served."
Her dance group, Beat Freaks, are currently competing on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew on Thursday nights at 10pm ET/PT. Check your local listings to see them in action.
So do yourself a favor and come take a look at this amazing talent in the Dance World of "breaking, popping, locking and house" and hear the story
of how a little girl from Okinawa made it to the big time.
On January 29, 2009 Rino Nakasone was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Rino Nakasone Interview.
- Posted February 5, 2009.
"Our real lives are crazy, complicated, twisted ones," says the members of PSYDOLL, a three person group that combines the sounds of Punk,
Gothic and Industrial music with a cyber-dollish style all their own. They've toured in the US and Europe and have garnered a following from
around the world from fans who are attracted to both their music and their highly stylish stagecraft.
So put on some PVC, vinyl and goggles and join the growing fan base of three Japanese musicians who are charting their own direction in the ever
fascinating world of Japan's underground music scene.
On January 23, 2009, Nekoi, Ucchi and Loveless from PSYDOLL were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
PSYDOLL Interview.
- Posted February 2, 2009.
Interviews Archives: 2009 January
J-Pop World 2008-2009 is run by Andrew of
Indianapolis. Send comments to
comments@j-popworld.com or contact me at
MySpace.com.
|
|
