"Hideki is just really good at interplaying with my melodies. I was very impressed and actually cried when I listened to his work on Another Day." - Kazuha Oda

When the vocals of one artist flow perfectly with the sounds of the guitar, bass and drums of a band you have found something that no amount of corporate backing can create -- magic. We've heard a lot of that magic in songs like Close To You, I Still Remember and Another Day from the group Kazha. Composed of Kazuha Oda on vocals, Hideki Matsushige on guitar, Yota Sato on bass and Rui Aranai on drums, this new group released their first album "Overture" in 2010 and are currently touring the US.

With music that is both elegant and emotional, we think this new band may well be making some major waves in the near future.

"The mental conflict and passion of life are transformed into a song... and then the melody and music is made." - WEZ

Welcome to world of Emo & Screamo as the Kobe-based band WEZ plays it. Recently formed in 2008, they've landed their first song God knows on the Kobe compilation album "COMIN'KOBE'10" with hopes of promoting their own album "Cross their eyes" later this year.

Composed of Mutt on guitar and vocals, DON on bass and "w9d" on drums and screams this punk rock band rocks to the motto "I'm just screaming!!"

"I wanted to be a songwriter, and write songs for big name people, but as I encountered different problems, relating to race, gender, poverty, and life in general, I didn't find anyone out there who represented me to perform my songs and speak my lyrics." - Miwa Lyric

And so began a life's journey into the world of music, poetry and soul searching. Miwa Lyric, born in Los Angeles, has dealt with the issues of Japanese-Americans all her life. Profoundly affected by the works of Tupac Shakur, she took rap as the major instrument in her own self-expression.

So if you are in the mood for some gritty rap about life and death and everything in between (and have no problems with Parental Advisory stickers on your music) come learn the story of the rapper who says: "Light lip gloss, I wear flip flops, I don't crip walk but I'm still hip hop."

"This song is about girls falling in love. This is a wholly new song for me in a sense that the sound approach is different from songs I've performed before." - Yui Makino

That song would be Fuwa Fuwa♪ from Yui Makino's first single release on March 3, 2010. Fans of anime might best know Yui Makino for her voice acting on shows such as the "Tsubasa Chronicle" series and her singing theme songs for shows like "Soseino Aquarion". Gifted with a charming voice for both genres of entertainment, we think Yui Makino is a talent to keep an eye on as she more fully explores the solo musical side of her career.

In June she'll be returning to Paris to perform at the Japan Expo with additional shows being scheduled for Japan.

"Most important things is the melody for Gurigula's music. First we make a melody and next give it a rhythm and phrase. And last add a gimmick." - HAL

Gimmick or no, when fashion meets the world of Japanese rock you never know exactly what to expect in the long run. Formed in 2009, the three member rock band Gurigula are taking their shot in a genre of music that boasts both great talent and less-than-inspired processed groups. With a look that is both appealing and distinctive and a sound that impresses we think Gurigula may just have what it takes to play with the big boys.

"They discovered afterward that "ar" is often used as an abbreviation of such words as "artificial reality," "Augmented Reality," "air life," and that makes them happy about having chosen this name." - ar

As a name for a Japanese band "ar" probably rises to the top as one of the most improbable we've come across. Composed of Atsushi Kubo on vocals, Yoshitaka Fujimoto on bass and Tsubasa Ohta on guitar, this group plays a laidback style of music with a distinctly melancholy mood. Their latest album "LOVE LU LE LO" was released last year through Thistime Records.

So if you're in the mood for some contemplative tunes come take a listen to the band with the inexplicable name and, should you find yourself in the Nagano area, be sure to check out Atsushi's club "9k jikan".