Tokyo's Coolest Sound

This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these pages. Tune in at the times below at https://lafaceb.live.

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.43) was aired at https://lafaceb.live on October 19 from 20:30 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: October 20, 2023 from 9:30 a.m.

This episode is not archived as-is. Some replays are expected to be aired in the following weeks, between Thursday noon and Friday noon (EDT).

Listen to the Spotify playlist of some of the songs played (some replaced according to Spotify availability), or scroll down this page to find music videos and individual songs, and also listen to the narration.

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes, and narration parts which you can listen to.

1. Ayane Yamazaki "The Blue Girl" (2023)
(Japanese title: 山﨑彩音 「アオイカノジョ」 "aoi kanojo")

Singer-songwriter Ayane Yamazaki recently released a 4-song cover EP digitally, titled "Ayane Yamazaki Cover EP" (Spotify, , YouTube Music), on which were included two self-covers of songs she had written when she was 16. "The Blue Girl" which starts this episode is one of those.

The EP also included covers of "Mahou o oshiete" (originally by Taeko Ōnuki) and the theme song of "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" (originally sung by Narumi Yasuda). A new album by Ayane Yamazaki titled "kaze no Serenade" has been announced to be coming for Record Day 2023 on November 3. It can already be pre-ordered at CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records, etc.

🎙 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Ayane Yamazaki, Nishioka Diddley

2. Nishioka Diddley "Sweet Luana" (2023)

Guitarist and also chiptune artist Nishioka Diddley (Bandcamp, SoundCloud), has recently released some new solo material. "Sweet Luana" (Bandcamp) is a cover of a song from 1920.

Following that song, a mini-album of 6 tracks titled "Memory of Tashiro Isle Trip" (Bandcamp) was also released, on Japanese label New Masterpiece. The release includes a remix by dub artist King of Opus (aka Naka Tomizawa, previously featured on this radio show).

Nishioka Diddley is also a member of Les Khmers (a Japanese band performing Cambodian music) and rock'n'roll band Didburns. Didburns will perform this weekend at rock'n'roll event Back From The Grave "Halloween Ball 2023" at Shinjuku Loft, they will play late night on Saturday October 21. Les Khmers can be seen on October 23 at Haretara sora ni mame maite in Daikanyama, part of Brainstory's Japan tour.

3. Three Berry Icecream "Gentle sunset" (2023)

Three Berry Icecream's first full-length album was released at the end of 2021 on vinyl (for Record Day 2021, still available at disques blue-very and Jet Set), and just last month it has been released as a CD edition with bonus tracks and an accompanying DVD. "Gentle sunset" is a song from that album.

Three Berry Icecream is the solo unit of Mayumi Ikemizu (previously a member of Bridge), which celebrates in 2023 its 25th anniversary!

"Gentle sunset" isn't available digitally, but instead you can watch the music video of "Rainbow mountain road" below.

4. Modern Choki Chokies "Kinkan" (2023)
(Japanese title: モダンチョキチョキズ 「きんかん」)

Modern Choki Chokies (𝕏, YouTube channel), nicknamed "Modachoki", is a large band fronted by singer Mari Hamada (also famous as an actress) that was active in the 90s and came back a few years ago following a long hiatus. Last month they released a brand new song titled "Kinkan" (Spotify, ), their first release in 27 years! It was written by front member Novko Hasebe who wrote several of the band's hit songs.

Check out the music video teaser below, and hear the whole song on download/streaming platforms.

🎙 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Three Berry Icecream, Modern Choki Chokies, the Loupes

5. the Loupes "NOLAN2" (2022)

the Loupes is a band based in Hiroshima. The song presented in this episode is "NOLAN2", taken from their latest mini-album titled "BOOT #1" which has been only available at their shows. the Loupes' latest line-up is formed of guitar, bass, drums, flute, and also since more recently a pedal steel guitarist.

Also watch the music video below of the song "saikai" also from the same mini-album ("BOOT #1"). Some earlier releases can be found on streaming platforms. A 7" released for Record Store Day in 2021 is also available, at Jet Set, Tower Records, etc.

6. Blank Music "Last Night" (2023)

Blank Music is the most recent project of singer-songwriter Dai Nakamura (also active as NUBACK, and also in bands BANK and Vacation Three). It's described as a minimal funk band. The song "Last Night" is from Blank Music's recent 2nd EP "Last Night / Zero" (Bandcamp, Spotify, , YouTube Music, OTOTOY).

Last month there was also a new 2-song release as NUBACK, "Kanata / Tagai Chigai", also available at Bandcamp.

🎙 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Blank Music, SaoriRinne

7. SaoriRinne "Bad End" (2023)
(Japanese title: さおり輪ね 「バッドエンド」)

Saoriiiii (𝕏), who was earlier also known as Saori@destiny, is back under the new name SaoriRinne. The new album "Rinne" is out now digitally (Spotify, , YouTube Music), and it includes the song "Bad End" which ends this episode. and with a new album titled "Rinne". The sound producers are TRON (of Seijaku in Tokyo) and sora, who have been collaborators since the Saori@destiny days.

A CD edition of the album is also sold directly at the label Rooftop Studio's web shop (currently shipping within Japan), where live footage from a recent show can also be purchased for download.

SaoriRinne will be part of event "Tokyo eleport" at Shibuya Star Lounge on October 22, starting at 10am. Also part of the show are SAWA, CUTIEPAI, Kus Kus and iroha mai.

Thank you for tuning in! Information about replays can be found at the top of the page.

Find previous radio shows right here. You can also listen to some older ones on Mixcloud.