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[Slowdive]

I don't know how it is in the West when an artist goes major.

But when I look at the reactions of Japanese fans on Twitter and other social networks whenever an artist/band goes major well, 99% of them are enthusiast. Different mentalities I guess. Maybe they're just less hung up about being indie and it means less over there.

Thinking about it, this doesn't happen too often in Japan, but in the west it sometimes it means an artist's sound is changed to be more mainstream so people get worried, I know quite a few western fans were scared of Oomori going major but there was nothing to worry about there, she just got even better. Same with Daoko. I'm not that worried about Charisma.com, their recent songs have been more pop-ish so I don't expect a big change.
...
Shiina Ringo's first international show is going to be in Taiwan, in the announcement it acknowledged there are lots of fans in Europe and America, so it's likely she'll play shows there too. The setlist is being chosen via votes.

 

[Aizo]

There's literally no artists I like that became less good after going major.
"Worst case scenario" they stay the same. Best case scenario their music is even better (which happens almost everytime imo) so heh.
♪(´ε｀ )

I wish I felt the same.
Edit: I'm talking about in the west. I think it has been okay with Japanese music for the most part. I'm still afraid every time, though.

 

[stump sock]

FRUITPOCHETTE『蒼天-Paradox-』MV

frankly I'm powerless against cheesy metal x idols

I'm listening to the album and just came across a song with straight up At the Gates riffs. so silly.

 

[chrominance]

I don't know how it is in the West when an artist goes major.

But when I look at the reactions of Japanese fans on Twitter and other social networks whenever an artist/band goes major well, 99% of them are enthusiast. Different mentalities I guess. Maybe they're just less hung up about being indie and it simply means less to be with a small label over there.

Mixed bag in the west. Sometimes it's better, sometimes it's worse, sometimes it's not really any different. There are plenty of cases where the major label dicks around an artist, though (ask Azealia Banks about Interscope not wanting to release her album, or Poe not even being able to perform under her stage name for a decade because of bizarre label merger issues). Steve Albini, the legendary music producer, wrote an essay about the abusive nature of band-label relationships that has practically become part of music industry lore, especially after Courtney Love made similar arguments in 2000 that were widely publicized. Albini thinks the industry's a lot better off nowadays, and it's true--the internet allows artists to go independent a lot more easily than they used to, which makes the traditional major label record deal a much less compelling deal.

None of that stuff necessarily impacts the quality of an artist's output, but in the west I think there's still some skepticism towards major labels from people who actually care about that sort of thing. They're seen as necessary evils and interlopers in the creative process, prioritizing commercial success over artistic success. That said, the group of people who do care about that sort of thing isn't that big, and it's very context sensitive--no one really gives Taylor Swift shit for being on a major, nor have I heard very many people suggest Swift's artistic process was compromised by being on a major. It's not like the 90s where pretty much everyone assumed a band had sold out if they got on a major label. This is partially because I don't think it happens nearly as much anymore--there are labels at all parts of the popularity spectrum, so it's a lot easier to stay on a smaller label and keep your indie credentials. Merge Records is a really good example. They're probably the biggest indie nowadays, thanks in large part to Arcade Fire. But people don't really think of Merge as one of the big bad major labels.

My sense is that in Japan, commercial success and artistic success are much more intertwined than in the west, where they're often seen as somewhat at odds.

Oh yeah, and to answer the original question: I'm still a little skeptical of Especia going major. Primera's got some sweet tracks on it, though.

 

[Kurita]

Interesting posts, thanks.

NECOKICKS are shaping up to be one of the best newcoming act of the year, definitely going to grab their first album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNbBupOLv4U

 

[stump sock]

Ano responds to a viewer commenting on her long fingers

Ano does arts & crafts

Ano makes candy

 

[Cindres]

So I recently discovered from a friend some great little japanese indie/math rocky sounding bands. To name a small few:

フレデリック「オドループ」 (Frederick - Oddloop)
かなしみアップデイト (Hinto (I don't know the name of the song))
空想委員会 / 春恋、覚醒 (Yeah I don't know the band's name or the song, other than what Google translated it to)

Only problem is it's hard to find some of this stuff online, I was able to find Frederick's 'oddloop' cd and the album the 3rd song is on, I think it was on cdjapan. But finding it online, especially when you don't speak or read Japanese is bloody difficult. Can anyone recommend me more stuff similar to these, or where to find it? I can only find like 3 songs by Frederick on youtube.

 

[Kurita]

So I recently discovered from a friend some great little japanese indie/math rocky sounding bands. To name a small few:

フレデリック「オドループ」 (Frederick - Oddloop)
かなしみアップデイト (Hinto (I don't know the name of the song))
空想委員会 / 春恋、覚醒 (Yeah I don't know the band's name or the song, other than what Google translated it to)

Only problem is it's hard to find some of this stuff online, I was able to find Frederick's 'oddloop' cd and the album the 3rd song is on, I think it was on cdjapan. But finding it online, especially when you don't speak or read Japanese is bloody difficult. Can anyone recommend me more stuff similar to these, or where to find it? I can only find like 3 songs by Frederick on youtube.

Frederic's stuff should be on every iTunes store now (it's on the French store so I guess it's available worldwide).
Last band is Kuso Iinkai.
Really great bands by the way, I discovered them last year. 2014 has been an amazing year for major labels, they all got really talented bands like Frederic and Kuso Iinkai.

As for recs :
KANA-BOON
KEYTALK
androp
[Alexandros]
CreepHyp
The Mirraz
THE ORAL CIGARETTES
Kyuso Nekokami
Hitorie
Czecho No Republic
Mrs. GREEN APPLE
04 Limited Sazabys
Arukara
Suck a Stew Dry
Hello Sleepwalkers
Gesu no Kiwami Otome
go!go!vanillas
SAKANAMON
Kankaku Piero
Brian the Sun
Good Morning America
Giraffepot
Yonezu Kenshi
Aru Kankaku
Yoru no Honki Dance
indigo la End
GOOD ON THE REEL
Sukippara ni sake
The Flickers
Dramatic Alaska
BLUE ENCOUNT
QOOLAND
Contemporary na Seikatsu
Rhythmic Toy World

 

[Kansoku]

To complement:
tricot
chouchou merged syrups.
イツエ (Itsue)
ハルカトミユキ (Haruka to Miyuki)
Heavenstamp
HaKU
She Her Her Hers
凛として時雨 (Ling (or Rin) Toshite Shigure
COgeNdshE
赤い公園 (Akai Kouen)
宇宙コンビニ (Uchuu Conbini)
the cabs
きのこ帝国 (Kinoko Teioku. Not mathy, but can't pass the chance to mention them >.>)

And math-y instrumental stuff:
LITE
ハイスイノナサ (Haisuinonasa)
LOW-PASS
MIRROR
nuito
rega
How to count one to ten
NINGEN OK
3nd
虚弱。(Kyojaku.)
downy
té

 

[stump sock]

But finding it online, especially when you don't speak or read Japanese is bloody difficult.

it's not a coincidence that I only fell into the deep end of Japanese music after decades of flirtation when I actually started to learn the language

I swear Kurita must have an impressive excel spreadsheet somewhere

--

Ebichu covering Sakuranbo by Ai Otsuka on Utage

 

[Kurita]

I just have a big textfile with almost every artist I like + one Youtube link so I can just copy/paste it whenever someone asks for recommendations haha

 

[Kansoku]

I should do this. I always either have to look for old posts, or do it again by hand. ~.~

Also, just knowing Kana and at least how Kanji works, helps a lot, and it's super easy to learn that. At least to identify songs/artists.

 

[Kurita]

Japanese music definitely became a good tool for me since I'm majoring in Japanese Language and Civilization. Just reading titles and names helps remembering kanji... haha
And it sure feels good when you realize you can understand some lyrics.

 

[Cindres]

Holy shit those are some lists, I'll start listening through them when I get to work, thanks!

 

[Kurita]

So BRAHMAN also announced a few shows in France in June... 2015 is blowing my mind.
First we get THE BAWDIES, then Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and now BRHAMAN who are coming with locofrank! Damn

 

[stump sock]

a montage of one of the live shows tentenko organized.

eccentric is a good description. I especially like the idea of a 93 year old man as the opening act.

 

[naw]

I just have a big textfile with almost every artist I like + one Youtube link so I can just copy/paste it whenever someone asks for recommendations haha

do you listen to old stuff? like 70s-90s?

been listening to oldies lately and I figured you'd be able to put me on more artists

this goes for anyone here, not just Kurita

 

[Kurita]

do you listen to old stuff? like 70s-90s?

been listening to oldies lately and I figured you'd be able to put me on more artists

this goes for anyone here, not just Kurita

Not really, I mostly listen to modern stuff but I know a couple of artists :

Elephant Kashimashi (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp2RHPNC0xo

Blankey Jet City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pllsbIN_H8

Flower Companyz (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_gRwFD4Kwk

THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PImjio4EPgw

THE YELLOW MONKEY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80kPyy1kYiA

RC Succession
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilAtADgyjPY

Unicorn (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP3oL9UJVOg

Quruli (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9osrk5jXCUY

Fishmans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCOP3TEk0dY

Sunny Day Service (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNC7gGnt93U

 

[stump sock]

do you listen to old stuff? like 70s-90s?

been listening to oldies lately and I figured you'd be able to put me on more artists

this goes for anyone here, not just Kurita

I'll throw my hat in here again and say that I'm always looking for more classic recommendations

also the NECRONOMIDOL girls were talking about this song on twitter a little while ago and I've been listening to it ever since. It reminds me a lot of Lalo Schifrin and some of the Italian movie composers of the 70s and I'd love some more.

 

[Kurita]

Discovered GOMESS thanks to Larsa's Tumblr. Young rapper (born in 1994 like me!) and already incredibly talented! Definitely going to grab his stuff on iTunes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMpB6NosM3Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-ZzDh_0qV8

 

[stump sock]

daoko was my introduction to GOMESS

this is still a real motherfucker of a song/video

 

[naw]

Not really, I mostly listen to modern stuff but I know a couple of artists :

Elephant Kashimashi (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp2RHPNC0xo

Blankey Jet City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pllsbIN_H8

Flower Companyz (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_gRwFD4Kwk

THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PImjio4EPgw

THE YELLOW MONKEY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80kPyy1kYiA

RC Succession
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilAtADgyjPY

Unicorn (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP3oL9UJVOg

Quruli (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9osrk5jXCUY

Fishmans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCOP3TEk0dY

Sunny Day Service (still active)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNC7gGnt93U

can only listen to the first song atm but i thought it was pretty good. thanks for all the links

 

[Larsa]

Yeah, GOMESS is so good. The best artist on the Low High Who label now that Daoko has moved on.

I watched the episode that was focused on him on the excellent Heart-Net TV Breakthrough series, which also had a Oomori Seiko centered episode a few months ago, recently. It was really touching and very intimate (a pretty hard to watch scene where it showed him having a panic attack after a concert comes to mind)

He dropped a new track today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKRAsKfJKRU&sns=tw

 

[Kurita]

New KEYTALK yiiiiiiiiiis!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChfQ7iqyOnA

 

[kasane]

New KEYTALK yiiiiiiiiiis!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChfQ7iqyOnA

i have been seeing quite a lot of teles from japan

guess they're really popular there as it should be

 

[Kurita]

i have been seeing quite a lot of teles from japan

guess they're really popular there as it should be

Yeah they're getting there. They're among the most popular young rock bands with KANA-BOON, Gesu no Kiwami Otome, Kyuso Nekokami... It's such a pleasure to see a scene with such good artists who also happen to be close friends.

 

[Kansoku]

Oh boy. きのこ帝国 released two teasers for the new single, 桜が咲く前に;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jm1sDSLDjc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ofpOZldTwo

Sounds pop-y. Shoegaze when?

 

[Kurita]

Sounds good to me, can't wait. If the three tracks are like their previous album I'll be in heaven.

 

[stump sock]

ももいろクローバーZ -『Z』の誓い（short ver.）

it's NARASAKI and you can tell

which is to say it's their best single in literal years

 

[Shiina]

Oh boy. きのこ帝国 released two teasers for the new single, 桜が咲く前に;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jm1sDSLDjc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ofpOZldTwo

Sounds pop-y. Shoegaze when?

Difficult to tell but this sounds more like Fake World Wonderland (which I wasn't a big fan of) than Uzu ni Naru or eureka which I both liked more than the shoegaze-heavy Long Goodbye.

 

[Larsa]

ももいろクローバーZ -『Z』の誓い（short ver.）

it's NARASAKI and you can tell

which is to say it's their best single in literal years

Speaking of NARASAKI, I saw this message in the Coaltar of the Deepers last.fm shoutbox:
"Narasaki told in a live show last week that they're going to throw a Coaltar gig next month at Shinjuku Loft where they're going to introduce a new member. The way he put things sounded awful lot like Coaltar would be waking up from the hibernation."

Deepers're Sleeping no more?! They're playing May 31.

 

[stump sock]

aw hell yeah man, that's great news!

everything that dude touches is gold, imo. I've been listening to that silly Ootsuki Kenji & Zetsubou Shoujotachi album a lot again recently.

 

[FloppyDelux]

The HIATUS -「Closing Night - Keeper Of The Flame Tour 2014 -2014.12.22」] live DVD/ Blu-ray comes out on 2015/6/24

Set list:
01. Roller Coaster Ride Memories
02. The Ivy
03. The Flare
04. My Own Worst Enemy
05. Storm Racers
06. Centipede
07. Monkeys
08. Deerhounds
09. Bittersweet / Hatching Mayflies
10. Superblock
11. Horse Riding
12. Tales Of Sorrow Street
13. Souls
14. Thirst
15. Unhurt
16. Lone Train Running
17. Something Ever After
18. Insomnia
19. 紺碧の夜に
20. Ghost In The Rain
21. Twisted Maple Trees
22. Silver Birch
23. Waiting For The Sun

info from their FB

 

[Kurita]

I think I'll grab it in Japan. Can't wait to watch it, must have been an incredible show.
the HIATUS + Budokan means awesomeness.

 

[Larsa]

Oh man, a new Izumi Macra album was released today. I love being surprised. it's also really good, unsurprisingly

She always has the cutest artwork.

 

[Kurita]

cinema staff's blueprint just came out.

They weren't kidding when they said they were going all in with this new album. I feel like it's even "wham! in your face!" than their previous albums. Actually it's somewhat close to their indie stuff. It feels new, original and familiar at the same time. They also threw some piano in there for the song 孤独のルール, something they never did before. Also some electronic sounds in 地下室の花, the intro is super intense, I love it.
This is another step in the right direction for this band, I didn't expect cinema staff to one-up their previous works but I think they did it.
Wonderful album, highly recommend it.

 

[MezzoForte]

Actually it's somewhat close to their indie stuff

now I'm interested.

 

[Kurita]

now I'm interested.

Dunno if their PV is a good representation of that but hey, check it out :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZOAj-OdboI
Also, emphasis on the word "somewhat" It still feels like a fresh start in my opinion.
But y'know, I like everything they did, they hold a special place in my heart since cinema staff is one of the first bands I got into when I was a teenager.

 

[stump sock]

Oh man, a new Izumi Macra album was released today. I love being surprised. it's also really good, unsurprisingly

She always has the cutest artwork.

this is really good stuff, thanks for the tip

 

[Slowdive]

The new Izumi Macra is really good, as expected.

 

[broz0rs]

AKB48 - Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai

Pink light sabers!

 

[SweetDonuts]

E-girls - Anniversary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUgnR2vb2hs really nice PV

AKB48 - Bokutachi wa Tatakawanai

Pink light sabers!

Since when did Paruru make it center?

 

[Kurita]

New KANA-BOON PV, use Hola if you're not in Japan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vjm3EUKb_4

Super catchy, fresh, the video is super cute, and the members doing a silly dance is priceless.

EDIT : or just use that link
http://www.jpopsuki.tv/video/KANA-B...b165ec3?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[broz0rs]

Since when did Paruru make it center?

It was announced about a month ago. This is the single that's going to have the voting code for the AKB election.

Speaking of Paruru, here's her trainwreck debut as a variety show MC.

Atsushi x Paruru no Part-time job! (English subbed)

 

[Rainy]

so listened to the latest porno graffiti album, and I really liked it. I had never listened to them before...what album should I listen to next? if anyone listens to them, what are your favorite albums?

 

[Kurita]

New Soredemo Sekai ga Tsuzukunara. Depressingly beautiful as usual.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZSEq-T6bpM
Sounds more shoegaze-ish than their previous stuff, I dig it.

so listened to the latest porno graffiti album, and I really liked it. I had never listened to them before...what album should I listen to next? if anyone listens to them, what are your favorite albums?

Their very first album, Romantist Egoist is neat, and it includes ヒトリノ夜 which is my favorite song by the band.

 

[Larsa]

Will be interesting to hear Dempagumi covering Shinsei Kamattechan on the seconds disc of the greatest hits album they're releasing in a few months. And 3 other artists I don't know anything about. フロントメモリー and Os-宇宙人 are from previous releases.

・23才の夏休み feat. でんぱ組.inc
・僕は頑張るよっ feat. 榊いずみ
・笛吹き花ちゃん feat. 上坂すみれ
・肉魔法 feat. 赤飯
・フロントメモリー feat. 川本真琴
・Os-宇宙人 / エリオをかまってちゃん

http://natalie.mu/music/news/145386

 

[Aizo]

Will be interesting to hear Dempagumi covering Shinsei Kamattechan on the seconds disc of the greatest hits album they're releasing in a few months. And 3 other artists I don't know anything about. フロントメモリー and Os-宇宙人 are from previous releases.

・23才の夏休み feat. でんぱ組.inc
・僕は頑張るよっ feat. 榊いずみ
・笛吹き花ちゃん feat. 上坂すみれ
・肉魔法 feat. 赤飯
・フロントメモリー feat. 川本真琴
・Os-宇宙人 / エリオをかまってちゃん

http://natalie.mu/music/news/145386

That sounds so awesome.

ももいろクローバーZ -『Z』の誓い（short ver.）

it's NARASAKI and you can tell

which is to say it's their best single in literal years

Gounn is the best.

Oh boy. きのこ帝国 released two teasers for the new single, 桜が咲く前に;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jm1sDSLDjc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ofpOZldTwo

Sounds pop-y. Shoegaze when?

Didn't we just talk about bands that changed when they went mainstream?

 

[Kansoku]

Didn't we just talk about bands that changed when they went mainstream?

Heh. When I saw you guys talking about it I thought to mention them, but I remembered the I was feeling the same thing with tricot and how the singe E and album A N D washed my worries away, and then decided to see how this single goes for Kinoko before worrying.

 

[Kurita]

I mean, the new Kinoko is just the obvious "sequel" to their latest album, so it's not like they changed to become more mainstream.
Also I don't like the idea that they have a new style just because they're becoming "mainstream". Maybe that's what they want to do, without getting told to do so by suits. I often see that comment when artists do some new stuff that people don't like and it just seems silly to me.