Full-text search results for Epo

  1. 80kidz "Face"
    80kidz have a 4th album out this week, on their own Park label. This is the follow-up to "Turbo Town" (2012), though "80:XX-01020304" (a compilation of tracks from 4 EPs) was also released since. Featured are several international vocalists such...
    Posted on September 23, 2014 at 12:28. | Released on September 24, 2014
  2. RF "New Birth"
    Instrumental jazz band RF (Rokugen Club with Farah) has a new album coming, containing 12 hip-hop and R&B classics covered in their distinctive style, with songs by Pharrel Williams ("Happy"), Rihanna ("Diamonds"), James Blake ("Limit to your love"), Common ("Go"),...
    Posted on September 15, 2014 at 12:20. | Released on September 24, 2014
  3. Frontier Backyard "Gladness"
    Frontier Backyard is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and they have a new remix album out now featuring remixes by Cubismo Grafico, Halfby, Dorian, Avec Avec, YOSUKEKOTANI (Harvard), TA-1 (Furuta Taichi of Koncos), Yasei Collective, and more. The band will be...
    Posted on September 7, 2014 at 20:53. | Released on September 3, 2014
  4. Boogie the Machmotors "Hi! Erectus!"
    Boogie The Machmotors is a 3-piece band from Hakata (Fukuoka prefecture). This new album features Nomiya Maki (on "Eleki-Trick") who has previously toured with them and collaborated on a Halmens tribute album, after which they appeared at her 30th anniversary...
    Posted on August 28, 2014 at 23:46. | Released on August 27, 2014
  5. Teen Runnings "Now"
    Having debuted with "Let's Get Together Again" in 2012 (on Kyoto label Second Royal), here's the 2nd album from Tokyo-based 3-piece band Teen Runnings. This one is being released on Sauna Cool, label that popped up at the end of...
    Posted on July 31, 2014 at 23:40. | Released on July 23, 2014
  6. Buffalo Daughter "Konjac-tion"
    Here comes a brand new original album by Buffalo Daughter, follow-up to "The Weapons of Math Destruction" (2010). The new album has a theme of "block party" and comes as a set of 2 CDs, one of the original new...
    Posted on July 20, 2014 at 17:56. | Released on July 23, 2014
  7. COR!S "Across Time & Space"
    COR!S is a young electro singer-songwriter from Osaka who has the skills to entirely self-produce her music down to mastering (formula that reminds of Nakata Yasutaka). She has previously produced tracks for Yun*chi (among others) and remixes for mishmash*Julie Watai...
    Posted on July 13, 2014 at 23:00. | Released on June 15, 2014
  8. Le Grand Escroc "Portraits"
    Le Grand Escroc is the new jazz project of DJ Miura Makoto (SoundCloud). This new album features members of fox capture plan and TRI4TH (among others), with also akiko, Steve Piccolo (ex-Lounge Lizards), Momus, Necozawa Emi, Gak Sato and more....
    Posted on June 12, 2014 at 00:17. | Released on June 18, 2014
  9. Old Monk "Posing as Love" (12"+download code)
    Brooklyn 3-piece indie rock band Old Monk has a 2nd album out now! Their bassist is Tsugumi Takashi (ex-PINE*am), which is more than enough of a reason to mention them here. Well of course they're truly great too, so check...
    Posted on June 10, 2014 at 23:41. | Released on June 10, 2014
  10. Various Artists "Techpri Tribute ~Techpri Happy Ever After~"
    Sendai-based techno-pop idol group Techpri (English name "t.c.princess") was active from 2009 to 2013, produced by electro artist Tobeta Bajune, with their last show held part of TIF2013 (the annual Tokyo Idol Festival). This tribute album features mainly girl-fronted units...
    Posted on May 24, 2014 at 12:44. | Released on May 21, 2014
  11. Gig report: Takako Minekawa solo live at Tensai Sansūjuku
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On March 19, Minekawa Takako played a solo show part of a cassette-themed exhibition. Held at Asakusabashi Tensai Sansūjuku, a multipurpose venue, the exhibition showed various artworks made using audio...
    Posted on April 10, 2014 at 22:37.
  12. Gig report: The Scooters, Juicy Fruits, Kotaro & The Bizarremen at Shibuya WWW
    Text and photos Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On December 5 was a show featuring The Scooters, and it was held at my favorite venue, WWW in Shibuya. Since their official come-back last year, after some 30 years, The...
    Posted on December 14, 2013 at 23:51.
  13. NeoBallad "02 ~ōgon no sato~"
    NeoBallad is the unit of singer Wakasa Sachi and drummer/producer Kamiryō Wataru (ex-P-Model, Grass Valley). Together the duo perform Japanese traditional songs (minyō) with programmed electro backtracks. On this 2nd album, each song featured comes from a specific prefecture in...
    Posted on November 11, 2013 at 23:34. | Released on November 8, 2013
  14. blue marble "full color"
    blue marble is the songwriting unit of Shock Tarō (stage keyboardist for frenesi) and Ton-chan, which debuted with album "Valerie" in 2010. Now they have newly teamed up with singer Takei Mariko (previously in 8-bit unit usagi no heitai wa...
    Posted on September 26, 2013 at 23:40. | Released on October 16, 2013
  15. Kaseki Cider "Kaseki Cider no Ani-song!! Vacation!"
    Rapper Kaseki Cider's new album is a collection of anime song covers, arranged in his own style. Guests include Kaji Hideki, Kojima Mayumi, Horigome Takaki (Kirinji), EPO, Yumemi Nemu (Dempa Gumi.inc) and Mashiro Megumi (Hicksville). HMV gives away a 20-minute...
    Posted on August 7, 2013 at 00:22. | Released on August 7, 2013
  16. playtime rock "Play Time"
    Playtime Rock (blog) is the unit of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) and flutist/singer Ichiba Mina. After last year's split-album "Evening Primrose" (2012), here comes their real first full-length album "Play Time". Half of the tracks are covers of foreign songs...
    Posted on July 23, 2013 at 22:48. | Released on July 24, 2013
  17. Gig report: Playtime Rock, BANK live at Saravah Tokyo
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday July 12 was a show of Playtime Rock, the Nagasaki-based band of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) (blog). Nagasaki being part of the Kyūshū island in the south of...
    Posted on July 17, 2013 at 00:59.
  18. Toki Asako "Heartbreakin'"
    Singer Toki Asako (ex-Cymbals) has a new original album that was released in June. With an 80's city pop taste, the album has two songs of which the music was written by EPO. Check out the video for "Tokyo Drive"...
    Posted on July 13, 2013 at 22:34. | Released on June 12, 2013
  19. Gig report: Vanilla Beans, Nomiya Maki & BIBA
    Text and 2nd photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound. 1st photo by Kaz Sekiguchi, courtesy of Yoko Fujiwara. On July 5th was the 4th edition of Vanilla Beans' series of shows with a live band. Every time they...
    Posted on July 11, 2013 at 23:34.
  20. Gig report: blue marble, mishmash* Julie Watai
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday June 22 was an event presented by blue marble, a band that released first album "Valerie" (Amazon) four years ago to then sort of disappear. This was to...
    Posted on June 29, 2013 at 11:26.
  21. Gig report: Vanilla Beans band live with Kaji Hideki
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Until recently, Vanilla Beans had always performed their shows "idol style", singing karaoke over a backtrack of the music. Last year marked their 5th anniversary, and then came 3rd album...
    Posted on May 3, 2013 at 20:01.
  22. Gig report: Joy Ride vol.133: soyuz project, CTO LAB., NeoBallad
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday April 19 was the 133rd edition (!) of electro-themed event series "Joy Ride" that started in 2006. That's an average of 2+ events per month! I went to...
    Posted on April 25, 2013 at 23:18.
  23. Gig report: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in New York
    Text and photo by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Here's a report of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's latest show, held last weekend in New York. Big thanks to correspondent Nicholas D. Kent. Read on! Kyary Pamyu...
    Posted on April 20, 2013 at 14:22.
  24. Tarte Tatin "TETRAD ENHANCE～tartetatin remix album～", "1st LIVE @ SHIBUYA WWW"
    Tarte Tatin is a cute girl duo produced by Azel & Baijan (aka Nishiura Kensuke and Manabe Shūichi, both ex-Sōtaiseiriron). Following 1st album "Tetrad" (2012, Amazon), here comes a remix album fearuting tofubeats, Sexy-Synthesizer (aka (S_S)), Cherryboy Function, Tanaka Takashi...
    Posted on April 10, 2013 at 22:37. | Released on April 17, 2013
  25. Gig report: Takako Minekawa & Dustin Wong debut live w/ Living Astro
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday, I finally got to see an artist I had been wanting to see for about 15 years, ever since I got "Cloudy Cloud Calculator"! That's right, Takako Minekawa...
    Posted on March 26, 2013 at 21:04.
  26. Gig report: Monochromoon: Tabuchi Jun, Nosa Lena, Nacional, DeliciouSweets
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On March 6 was event "Monochromoon!" at yumemiru kimiomou (aka Moon Romantic). I wanted to go there for at least 3 reasons. The first was to see Nosa Lena, a...
    Posted on March 22, 2013 at 23:59.
  27. Crystal "Vanish Into Light" (12")
    Here's a 2nd original solo 12" from Crystal (Traks Boys, ((((surround)))), follow-up to "Heavenly Overtone" released in December 2011 (also available on compilation "Crue-L Café"). Included are two versions of new track "Vanish Into Light" that's being defined as "shoegazer...
    Posted on February 24, 2013 at 23:09. | Released on February 23, 2013
  28. capsule "rewind BEST-1 (2012-2006)", "rewind BEST-2 (2005-2001)"
    Not one but two greatest hits albums coming from capsule, rewinding through the years from their most recent works (album "World of Fantasy") to the early beginnings ("haikara Girl"). All selected by Nakata Yasutaka, "rewind BEST-1" will guide you around...
    Posted on February 19, 2013 at 23:41. | Released on March 6, 2013
  29. hitomitoi "YOUR TIME Route #1" (12")
    hitomitoi's cover album "YOUR TIME Route #1" (released on CD in November 2012) is being released on vinyl. All 9 songs from the album are included. Some audio samples can be heard at Jet Set. hitomitoi "YOUR TIME Route #1"...
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 18:47. | Released in January 2013
  30. Gig report: Saitō Neon Sign, Love & Revolution, Emmy Lee & The Psyzans
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday January 6, I went to an event at Koenji U.F.O. Club part of a series celebrating the 17th anniversary of the popular GS (Group Sounds)/garage rock oriented venue....
    Posted on January 14, 2013 at 00:11.
  31. Gig report: Beat Communist vol.12: Nakatsuka Takeshi, Iga-Bang BB, P.O.P ORCHeSTRA, Aoki Karen, Rie Fu
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound My last show of 2012 was Beat Communist, a regular event organized by Nakatsuka Takeshi every 2 or 3 months at cool jazz lounge JZ Brat located in Cerulian Tower,...
    Posted on January 5, 2013 at 12:42.
  32. Gig report: Happy X'mas with The Scooters
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Christmas day, I went to a show of The Scooters who got active again this year after some 30 years! Last summer was released new album "Une Manche et...
    Posted on December 28, 2012 at 23:48.
  33. Gig report: Nosa Reina release party w/ Portable Rock, Nomiya Maki, Takanami K-taro
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On November 30, I went to the release party for Nosa Reina's first album "don't kiss, but yes". Producer Takanami K-taro was on stage too part of the band, more on that...
    Posted on December 11, 2012 at 00:19.
  34. hitomitoi "YOUR TIME Route #1"
    Following its "Choice" series of foreign song covers, Billboard Records begins a series of Japanese song cover albums titled "Your Time". The first artist of the series is hitomitoi who released her latest original album "City Dive" on the label....
    Posted on November 5, 2012 at 21:58. | Released on November 14, 2012
  35. Vanilla Beans "Vanilla Beans One-Man Live DVD - Debut 5th Anniversary Live @ Shibuya WWW" (DVD)
    Vanilla Beans have been around for 5 years already, and here's their first ever live DVD. Included is a show from last June 21 (2012) held at Shibuya WWW, currently my favorite venue. You can get a taste of the...
    Posted on September 26, 2012 at 23:58. | Released on October 3, 2012
  36. Calmera "1000nichimae High Colors"
    Osaka-based instrumental jazz-rock band Calmera has a 4th album out now on Orange Records! Included are 2 remixes, one by Groove Unchant. Also, the first limited pressing comes with a bonus DVD of a show held in Osaka on February...
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 23:06. | Released on August 29, 2012
  37. Gig report: frenesi "gendai" release party
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On September 15, 2012, was the release party for frenesi's album "gendai". It was held at Shibuya WWW, one of my favorite venues lately (it used to be a movie...
    Posted on September 17, 2012 at 00:34.
  38. Kaseki Cider "Mr. City Pop"
    Rapper Kaseki Cider has a new album following last year's great "Sound Burger Planet", this time again with back-band the Hugtones! Featured are guests Illicit Tsuboi, Horigome Takaki (Kirinji) and Epo. Covers of Denpa gumi inc's "kuchizuke Kibonnu" (a song...
    Posted on September 15, 2012 at 00:49. | Released on September 19, 2012
  39. Gig report: hitomitoi sings "City Dive"
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last June singer hitomitoi's new album "City Dive" was released on Billboard Japan Records. The album was produced by Cunimondo Takiguchi of city pops unit Ryūsenkei, with some tracks by Dorian and...
    Posted on September 3, 2012 at 00:20.
  40. Gig report: Vanilla Beans one-man live vol.4
    Text and photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday June 17, I went to see Vanilla Beans who were holding their 4th one-man live. I had been to the first held in December 2009 (report), and have...
    Posted on June 21, 2012 at 23:35.
  41. Gig report: Portable Rock
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday June 2, I went to see Portable Rock at small venue Club Crawl in Shibuya. It was the first of two "one-man" shows (no opening band) the band played. This...
    Posted on June 3, 2012 at 21:57.
  42. Gig report: Beat Communist vol.10: Nakatsuka Takeshi, Kaji Hideki, akiko, P.O.P ORCHeSTRA
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday May 26 was the 10th edition of the "Beat Communist" event presented by Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), which is regularly held every 3 months at jazz club JZ Brat....
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 23:20.
  43. Shūnosuke Ishikawa "shumusic EP" (Download)
    Here's a new series of monthly digital releases under the name "Delicatessen LAB", brought by Nakatsuka Takeshi. The first is of Ishikawa Shūnosuke, a sax and flute player who is a regular member of Nakatsuka's live band and who also...
    Posted on May 10, 2012 at 21:35. | Released on May 2, 2012
  44. Gig report: Tokyo eleport 006: The Aprils, Candles, Cutie Pai, ExceNtRip
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On April 12 was the 6th event of the "Tokyo eleport" series organized by indies techno-pop unit Candles. It was held at Shibuya Star lounge, a quite nice venue I...
    Posted on April 14, 2012 at 17:05.
  45. Gig report: Nomiya Maki's 30th anniversary concert
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound. Photos by Kasuga Miwa. On Monday March 19, I went to Nomiya Maki's 30th anniversary concert held at O-East, coincidentally (?) almost the same place where was held Pizzicato Five's last concert...
    Posted on March 23, 2012 at 22:31.
  46. Portable Rock "Lost & Found"
    Portable Rock, the 80's band fronted by Nomiya Maki, has a new CD coming! This contains 2 songs that had remained unreleased back in the day, one of which surfaced on Maki's 30th anniversary album "30". Both songs have lyrics...
    Posted on March 4, 2012 at 18:39. | Released on March 14, 2012
  47. Gig report: Love And Hates "L.A.H." release party
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Sunday, February 5, was the release party for Love And Hates' 1st album "L.A.H." The event was held at Shinjuku Marz, starting at 5pm and to finish around 10!...
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 21:41.
  48. Gig report: (M)otocompo vs The Aprils, with BiS, Ezypt
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On February 4 was an event organized by (M)otocompo, together with The Aprils, BiS and Ezypt. It was held at Shibuya Milkyway, and it was my first time at this...
    Posted on February 12, 2012 at 00:30.
  49. Gig report: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu in-store live at Tower Records Shinjuku
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Tonight I dropped by Tower Records in Shinjuku for a free in-store live by Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, in promotion for her first single "tsukematsukeru" out this week! It was my first time...
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 22:17.
  50. Gig report: Tokyo Outbound vol.02, with CTO LAB., Open Reel Ensemble, etc.
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Saturday was event "Tokyo Outbound vol.02" at Koenji High, presented by CTO LAB. and Otona no kagaku, a popular magazine that always comes with something that you can build...
    Posted on January 11, 2012 at 23:36.
  51. Gig report: Sally Soul Stew and The Fave Raves
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound The last show I went to in 2011, on December 28, was one organized by Sally Soul Stew, band of bassist Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift). I had...
    Posted on January 6, 2012 at 23:30.
  52. The Aprils "Magical Girls"
    Here's a brand new release from The Aprils coming early January! 2 years have went by since "Back To The Future Music", and this time the band adds a touch of magic to its future-pop post-Shibuya-kei sound. With 4 new...
    Posted on December 26, 2011 at 22:35. | Released on January 11, 2012
  53. Various Artists "We 'hub' music! Vol. 01-04" (Download)
    Just about a year ago was held the first "We 'hub' music!" event organized by Yasuda Toshiyuki. Since then the series has seen 4 events, where the artist always acts as a "hub" inviting others from different genres and scenes,...
    Posted on December 1, 2011 at 20:55. | Released on November 23, 2011
  54. Gig report: The Aprils "Magical Girls E.P." pre-release party
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last night (November 22) at Koenji High was the pre-release party for The Aprils' new CD, "Magical Girls" EP going on sale on January 11, 2012. The event was even...
    Posted on November 23, 2011 at 22:37.
  55. Toki Asako "sings the stories of 6 girls"
    Toki Asako (ex-Cymbals) has a new mini-album of 6 songs. Included is a new version of "Gift ~anata wa Madonna~", previously released as a single, now also featuring singer Epo. The limited edition contains a DVD of 6 live songs...
    Posted on November 21, 2011 at 23:13. | Released on November 23, 2011
  56. Dorian "Studio Vacation EP" (12")
    4 great tracks from Mr. Tropical Disco Dorian (MySpace)'s 2nd album "Studio Vacation" have been released on 12". DJ's with a weak spot for 80's taste tracks don't miss this! Check out the video below, and also our report of...
    Posted on November 20, 2011 at 23:38. | Released on November 18, 2011
  57. Gig report: Dorian "studio vacation" release party, w/ Luvraw & BTB, (((sssurrounddd)))
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound We've been enjoying some cool autumn weather in Tokyo lately, but last Friday was a hot summer night at Shibuya WWW where was held the release party for Dorian's "studio...
    Posted on November 6, 2011 at 23:33.
  58. Clémentine "Varientine"
    After various anime covers, now you can hear Clémentine singing Imokin Trio's "High School Lullaby", Epo's "Downtown", The Drifters, and even "Maru-Maru-Mori-Mori" in her usual bossa nova style. Check out her charming cover of Crazy Cats' "sūdara bushi" (in French...
    Posted on August 4, 2011 at 00:11. | Released on August 3, 2011
  59. Gig report: Vanilla Beans & Negicco release day in-store event
    Text by Patrick for Tokyo's Coolest Sound This week was the release of Vanilla Beans' 2nd full-length original album "Vanilla Beans II"! They are now touring several record stores around the Kantō area in a promotion rush, but it all...
    Posted on July 24, 2011 at 00:00.
  60. Gig report: Yellow Magic Orchestra U.S. shows, with Cibo Matto, Buffalo Daughter, Towa Tei
    Text, photos and videos by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Two reports of Yellow Magic Orchestra shows held in California last month (June 26 at Hollywood Bowl, L.A., with Cibo Matto, Buffalo Daughter and Towa...
    Posted on July 23, 2011 at 20:13.
  61. Gig report: Maezono Naoki Group in-store at Tower Records Shinjuku
    Text and photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday July 11 was held an in-store event at Tower Records Shinjuku with Maezono Naoki Group in promotion of 2nd album "tooku e." (translates to "To far away") released...
    Posted on July 13, 2011 at 22:37.
  62. Gig report: CTO LAB. Presents Tokyo Outbound #01, with (M)otocompo, Shampoo
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Monday June 27 was an event organized by CTO LAB. at Koenji High, a good venue for which I've heard many praises for its good sound and tall stage....
    Posted on July 4, 2011 at 00:18.
  63. Boot Beat "Hodgepodge"
    Here's the latest all-genre party mix CD by Boot Beat (MySpace), aka DJ Kamiya Naoaki. No tracklist is to be found, but check out the sampler clip below, and then proceed at Jet Set if you will! Boot Beat "Hodgepodge"...
    Posted on July 3, 2011 at 00:08. | Released on June 24, 2011
  64. Vanilla Beans "tengoku e no kaidan (Stairway To Heaven)"
    Vanilla Beans are back this summer with a 2nd original album coming in July, but first here's a "one-coin" single that contains new covers of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven" (!) and Pizzicato Five's "Baby Portable Rock", along with two...
    Posted on June 25, 2011 at 19:43. | Released on June 29, 2011
  65. Gig report: Saori@destiny "Domestic domain" release event
    Text and photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound This week was the release of Saori@destiny's new mini-album "Domestic domain", and she is doing a series of mini live shows at Shosen Book Tower, a book and entertainment store...
    Posted on June 17, 2011 at 00:12.
  66. Gig report: Vanilla Beans & Negicco press conference
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Tonight was a special press conference for idol groups Vanilla Beans and Negicco, held at Tower Records Shibuya's Stage One venue downstairs. It was in a way open to the...
    Posted on June 3, 2011 at 23:58.
  67. Gig report: Hikashu & Shinohara Tomoe at The Japan Society, NYC
    Text and photos by Nicholas D. Kent (Japanese Electronic Music) for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Back in late 2009 Tomoe asked to let her listen to some Hikashu (MySpace) tracks, specifically "Biro Biro", a classic 1980 released track of theirs because...
    Posted on May 17, 2011 at 23:22.
  68. Gig report: mōretsu kara Beautiful Concert 2011: Sally Soul Stew and Keme
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday May 8 was a show of Sally Soul Stew, the band of bassist Sally Kubota (Les 5-4-3-2-1, The Phantom Gift), held at Shinjuku rock venue Red Cloth. Sally...
    Posted on May 14, 2011 at 11:55.
  69. Gig report: "Swing in the JICOO" with Nakatsuka Takeshi
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Saturday, May 7, was another swinging cruise hosted by Nakatsuka Takeshi aboard JICOO, the water bus-turned-floating bar designed by manga artist Matsumoto Leiji. The event was a sort of...
    Posted on May 12, 2011 at 22:58.
  70. Gig report: Frenesi and Kaseki Cider
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Friday May 6 was the first day of a series of shows celebrating the 11th anniversary of venue Astro Hall in Harajuku. It was only my 2nd time there (the first being...
    Posted on May 11, 2011 at 00:10.
  71. Gig report: Farm Party #6: Abikyokan, Hosaka Akane, Young Fratellis, N'toko
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday April 22 was a fun event held at Asagaya GaMuSo, of the Farm Party series organized by the great Tokyo Gig Guide. Started just last year, it was...
    Posted on April 29, 2011 at 11:49.
  72. Gig report: Charity event: KAJI Hideki, Chabe, Harvard, Love and Hates
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Wednesday was held a charity event organized by Kaji Hideki, with the help of Harajuku Astro Hall where he has been doing regular events for a long time. The...
    Posted on April 25, 2011 at 23:25.
  73. Aira Mitsuki "Aira Mitsuki LiVE TOUR 2011 '???' in LIQUIDROOM" (DVD+CD)
    Aira Mitsuki has a 2nd live DVD coming up, this time of the awesome final show of her latest tour for 3rd album "???". This show was held last January 30 at Liquidroom in Ebisu, Tokyo. I had the great...
    Posted on April 10, 2011 at 00:19. | Released on April 20, 2011
  74. Various Artists "GO!GO!7188 Tribute - GO!GO! A GO!GO!"
    Rocking trio GO!GO!7188 really impressed me when I saw them live last year. Now they have a tribute album where various artists cover their songs. Featured are Polysics, Shonen Knife and more. Various Artists "GO!GO!7188 Tribute - GO!GO! A GO!GO!"...
    Posted on March 3, 2011 at 22:47. | Released on March 16, 2011
  75. Sunahara Yoshinori "liminal"
    That's it! Finally a 5th album by Sunahara Yoshinori! Following last year's EP "subliminal", this one is called... "liminal"! Can you believe it's been 10 years since his previous full-length album, "Lovebeat"? The limited edition comes with a DVD with...
    Posted on March 2, 2011 at 23:19. | Released on April 6, 2011
  76. Bakubaku Dokin "guppy" (Download)
    First released last December on Towa Tei's Mach Beat digital label (which unfortunately only sells within Japan so far), here comes a first song by Bakubaku Dokin on iTunes! The wacky 2-girl unit formed of Naoko and Yui is produced...
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 22:47. | Released on February 16, 2011
  77. Gig report: Ohno Yumiko "The Rainy Table" release party
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Friday was a public holiday, Japan's National Foundation Day, and early evening I went to Roppongi SuperDeluxe for an event organized by multi-talent Ohno Yumiko of Buffalo Daughter. Yumiko...
    Posted on February 14, 2011 at 22:52.
  78. Gig report: Aira Mitsuki "???" tour final
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Sunday I had the chance to catch Aira Mitsuki's last stop of her tour for the release of latest album "???". The show was held at Ebisu LiquidRoom on January 30....
    Posted on February 6, 2011 at 22:56.
  79. Gig report: Club Aloe live at 440
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound My first show of the year was Club Aloe, the anti-aging post-punk band featuring 5 ex-members of Modern Choki Chokies. It was their 2nd show in Tokyo, following the one...
    Posted on February 1, 2011 at 00:17.
  80. Gig report: CTO LAB., Candles, Hi-5, spoon+
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Monday (December 27) was my first occasion to see CTO LAB., a side-unit of Imai Kentarō (The Aprils), polymoog (Elektel) and Okada Tōru (Moonriders), which I had been wanting...
    Posted on December 31, 2010 at 17:46.
  81. Gig report: Harajuku Performance+: Nomiya Maki, Open Reel Ensemble
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last week on Tuesday December 22 was the first of two days of a performance-themed event at La Foret Museum, Harajuku, titled "Harajuku Performance+". On that day were two artists that I...
    Posted on December 30, 2010 at 21:37.
  82. Gig report: Groove Unchant "Notre Musique" release party
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On December 18, Groove Unchant was of passage in Tokyo part of a tour for the release of his first album "Notre Musique" (out last month on Orange Records). Even...
    Posted on December 30, 2010 at 01:46.
  83. Gig report: We "hub" music Vol. 01: Yasuda Toshiyuki, the firefly clan, Wono Satoru
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On December 11 was held a very special event organized by Yasuda Toshiyuki. The place was a beautiful house with a large garden in Yotsuya managed by Pierre Barouh, a...
    Posted on December 26, 2010 at 18:54.
  84. Gig report: Electronic World Cup 2010
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound It's been a month already since I went to this really fun event titled "Electronic World Cup 2010". Organized by Kishino Yūichi (hige no mibōjin aka La veuve moustachue aka...
    Posted on December 18, 2010 at 14:08.
  85. Gig report: Fantastic Explosion "Sounds In Space" release party
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last week, on Friday October 22, was Fantastic Explosion's release party for new mini-album "Sounds In Space". The event was held at heavysick ZERO, a small-sized 2-floor club in Nakano,...
    Posted on October 30, 2010 at 11:39.
  86. Gig report: WOWOW "Music Ltd." 17th public live recording
    Text by Patrick for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On October 12 I went to a public live recording for pay TV channel WOWOW's "Music Ltd." show. The recording isn't done in a TV studio but at a regular live house, and...
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 22:50.
  87. Gig report: Hoover's Ooover at the O-West
    Text by Ken M (Japan Live) I have trouble with big concert venues. A phobia of sorts. Ax, Zepp, Tokyo International Forum...I'm not a fan of any of them. Visions of animals being herded through the slaughterhouse... But these places...
    Posted on October 17, 2010 at 18:49.
  88. Gig report: Nakatsuka Takeshi "53512010" Release Cruise
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last week, on Friday September 24, I had the chance to go to a live event in a very special place. Nakatsuka Takeshi threw a release party for his new...
    Posted on October 2, 2010 at 20:33.
  89. kotringo "picnic album 1"
    Pianist and singer-songwriter kotringo has a cover album coming this week. Included are her takes on hit songs by Flipper's Guitar, YMO, Yuming, Clammbon, Epo and more. Audio samples on official site kotringo "picnic album 1" 1. koi to Machinegun...
    Posted on September 20, 2010 at 20:47. | Released on September 22, 2010
  90. Gig report: Guitar Pop Restaurant vol.3: Three Berry Icecream, Acoustic Soft Parade
    Text and photos by Ken M (Japan Live) Many of the musicians friendly with the group Three Berry Icecream live in that rectangular zone in Tokyo west of Shibuya, surrounding Shimo-Kitazawa, along the Inokashira-line and east of Mitaka. It's a...
    Posted on September 20, 2010 at 19:47.
  91. Gig report: It's a Sunny Day
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last weekend, on Sunday September 12, I had the chance to go to this very special event. Wack Wack Rhythm Band recently lost one of their important members 6 months...
    Posted on September 18, 2010 at 13:29.
  92. Gig report: Future Pop Lounge 2010
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On August 28, I went to Future Pop Lounge (official site), a festival style event at Shibuya O-Nest. It was the 3rd time the yearly summer event was held though...
    Posted on September 8, 2010 at 22:37.
  93. Fujimura Tohru & Yasuda Toshiyuki "Silent Disco Live 2010.07" (Download)
    Last July, Fujimura Tohru and Yasuda Toshiyuki (MySpace) played an improvised live show at Shimokitazawa's Slow Comedy Factory using various electronic instruments, the audience listening to the music via headphones. I had the chance to be there (my report here)....
    Posted on September 8, 2010 at 00:08. | Released on September 8, 2010
  94. Gig report: Rocketman Summer Fes 2010 - thank you for the music!!
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday August 22, I went to Liquidroom in Ebisu for "Rocketman Summer Fes 2010", an event celebrating the 10 years since the debut of Rocketman, Fukawa Ryō's music unit....
    Posted on September 1, 2010 at 22:47.
  95. Gig report: Club Aloe
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Two weeks ago, on August 10, I had the chance to see what I believe was the first show by Club Aloe, a new band by 5 ex-members of Modern...
    Posted on August 28, 2010 at 02:00.
  96. Gig report: Rehabilitation: yes, mama ok? & Yume to Cosme
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday August 6, I went to mona records in Shimokitazawa for an event called "Rehabilitation", featuring a show by mid-90's indies band "yes, mama ok?". 5 years ago leader...
    Posted on August 15, 2010 at 20:09.
  97. Gig report: Fujimura Tohru + Yasuda Toshiyuki "Shimokitazawa Silent Disco"
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Recently I got to go to an interesting event held in a café called Slow Comedy Factory in Shimokitazawa. Limited to some 30 people, as many seats as there were,...
    Posted on August 5, 2010 at 23:50.
  98. Gig report: Shinohara Tomoe's Ultra Relax Day 2010
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last Wednesday, July 14, was a show celebrating the 15th anniversary of Shinohara Tomoe's debut album "Super Model". The album was reissued just recently with bonus tracks and an added DVD of...
    Posted on July 17, 2010 at 21:07.
  99. Gig report: "E*P=10Y" Elektel and Pyokn's 10th anniversary
    Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Last weekend, on Sunday June 13, was held an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of two bands, Elektel and Pyokn, incidentally formed around the same time. The event was...
    Posted on June 20, 2010 at 18:21.
  100. Gig report: Aira Mitsuki "6 FORCE" in-store live at Ishimaru Soft
    Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound This Tuesday, the day before the release of mini-album "6 FORCE", Aira Mitsuki gave her first in-store show of a promo tour. I went to have a peek. Held on the 7th...
    Posted on June 3, 2010 at 00:04.

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