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Interviews Archives
January, 2009
Words from the heart of a true DJ: "I live to see people dance to my music. I can't stop smiling when they do!" It's just that simple and she
is just that good.
DJ Heavygrinder grew up in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture until the age of 14, when her parents decided they wanted her to receive an American
education. While her natural beauty garnered her success in modeling since she was a teen, she discovered the true love of her life at 17: the art
of DJing.
With her 2008 mix CD "Eternity" and a brand new single "Chains of Love" just released, DJ Heavygrinder is riding the tide of an internet sensation bent
on spinning that magic mix of music to rocket everyone off their butts and onto the rejuvenating world of the dance floor.
On January 21, 2009 DJ Heavygrinder was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
DJ Heavygrinder Interview.
- Posted January 30, 2009.
Curious costumes might attract fans to a band at first, but talent and fun are what keep things going over the long run. And if the celebration
of their tenth year anniversary is any indication, the always well-costumed group Thee 50s High Teens are well endowed with both. Whether they
are playing the role of cute and sexy vampires or one of their other personas, this all girl band from Fukuoka, Japan takes their intense music and
stagecraft just as seriously as their look.
If you (and who hasn't) ever once thought, "I wonder what female Japanese rock and roll vampires would look and sound like,"
here's your chance to find out. As an added bonus, you'll be the first on your block to know just what the heck "Thee 50s High Teens" actually
means--and no it has nothing to do with the 1950s.
On December 29, 2008 TOMO, Yocchi and Sue were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Thee 50s High Teens Interview.
- Posted January 25, 2009.
Gifted with both passion and fashion, Iruma Rioka is charting a course in the Japanese music scene with moving songs like 3:00 AM and
Vanilla. Her self-titled debut album "Iruma" showcases a blend of pop-rock with a bit of classical infusion. With help from her
guitarist NEMU and ever present teddy bear "Honey" her stage show is something that will bring a smile to your face.
So come say hello to the Japanese singer-songwriter with the very apt nickname, Rapunzel, and ponder the immortal words of the
Brothers Grimm fairy tale, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair, so that I may climb the golden stair."
On January 11, 2009 Iruma Rioka was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Iruma Rioka Interview.
- Posted January 22, 2009.
"There is something very primal about percussion that strikes you at the gut level" says Taku Hirano. And this master of all things percussion
knows of what he speaks, having studied with some of the greatest drummers in the world. From a whirlwind upbringing that took him from Japan
to the US to Hong Kong and back to the States, Taku's stellar abilities have earned him the honor of playing for artists such as Utada Hikaru,
Lionel Richie, Fleetwood Mac and Dr. Dre. He is currently the percussionist for Bette Midler's Las Vegas show "The Showgirl Must Go On" and is
busy with several other projects.
So if your heart is moved by the rhythmic beating of drums, come learn the story of the man who has made percussion his life's work and lives by
the famous Bruce Lee motto: "It is not, 'I am doing this,' but rather, an inner realization that 'this is happening through me...'"
On January 9, 2009 Taku Hirano was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Taku Hirano Interview.
- Posted January 19, 2009.
If you've ever played the acclaimed Nintendo DS action roll-playing game "The World Ends with You" and wanted to learn more about two of the
musical artists involved, you're in the right place. SAWA formed in 2008, joining the vocal talents of Sawa Kato with the composing and producing
skills of Takeharu Ishimoto. Now joined by Maki on bass and Masa on drums, this budding pop-rock group has just released their first CD, entitled 333.
With tight, powerful songs sung in English and Japanese they are starting the New Year off with the digital release of 333 on iTunes.
On January 5, 2009 Sawa, HIZMI (Takeharu Ishimoto), Masa and Maki were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
SAWA Interview.
- Posted January 16, 2009.
When music beckons, those with the fire in their soul must follow. For Takeharu Kunimoto of Chiba, Japan, his day of discovery came when he
heard a bluegrass song playing on the local radio station. Taken by the excitement of a musical style unknown to most Japanese, at 14 he took
the train to Tokyo to attend a fortuitous concert by the legendary Bill Monroe. A friendly handshake granted to the young teen sealed his fate:
Takeharu Kunimoto would become a bluegrass player.
But no ordinary bluegrass player, for when Kunimoto traveled to the hill country of Tennessee to learn his chosen music from the masters
themselves, he brought with him the traditional Japanese three-stringed instrument, the Shamisen, and ushered in a new type of music blending
the sounds of East and West.
On January 4, 2009 Takeharu Kunimoto was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Takeharu Kunimoto Interview.
- Posted January 13, 2009.
Some people, it seems, are born with Jazz in their blood. Mamiko Watanabe started life like many girls growing up in Fukuoka, Japan. But at
the age of 5 she began studying piano at the Yamaha Music School. Mamiko's obvious talent would eventually win her a scholarship to attend the
Berklee College of Music in Boston. Now living in New York, Mamiko has released two Jazz albums, explored several other genres of music and
performed around the world.
So if you're in the mood for some soulful expressions with an international flavor, come join the musical journey of Mamiko Watanabe.
On January 2, 2009 Mamiko Watanabe was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Mamiko Watanabe Interview.
- Posted January 10, 2009.
Love of culture is not something limited to the country you grew up in. For a growing number of people around the world, Japan's Anime and
Cosplay culture is a deeply held passion. For Stephanie Yanez, it has become an inspiration for not just her look, but for her musical style
as well.
So let loose the Pokemons and Sailor Moons and take a look at America's own Stephanie Yanez as she releases her first album, SIDES, and adds
her own persona to this now undeniably international phenomenon.
On December 29, 2008 Stephanie Yanez was kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Stephanie Yanez Interview.
- Posted January 7, 2009.
They're not Japanese. They're not Americans. They're not human beings. They are Peelander-Z, the interstellar masters of "Japanese Action
Comic Punk." If you have a hankering for some human bowling, colorful wrestling and ear splitting punk rock music then you've just stumbled
upon your own personal nirvana.
So put on your own color of P-skin, stomp your feet and join the fun with three transplanted Japanese characters who have brought the World of
Peelander to the Big Apple and beyond.
On December 24, 2008 the members of Peelander-Z were kind enough to give an interview to J-Pop World.
Peelander-Z Interview.
- Posted January 4, 2009.
Interviews Archives: 2008 December
J-Pop World 2008-2009 is run by Andrew of
Indianapolis. Send comments to
comments@j-popworld.com or contact me at
MySpace.com.
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