Blog - September 2018 Archives

September 2018 Archives

Index

.30 Weekly revue: 2018 week #39 (September 22 to 28)
.24 Weekly revue: 2018 week #38 (September 15 to 21)
.17 Weekly revue: 2018 week #37 (September 8 to 14)
.09 Weekly revue: 2018 week #36 (September 1 to 7)
.03 Weekly revue: 2018 week #35 (August 25 to 31)

September 30, 2018

Weekly revue: 2018 week #39 (September 22 to 28)

Food: - Curry at Marujō, Ikenoue
- Bacon cheeseburger at The Great Burger, Shibuya Stream
- Cake & coffee at Saza Coffee, Mito
- Hot sandwich & cold-brew green tea at No Rails, Shibuya Bridge. A new café to officially open on October 1st. The logo was designed by Shindō Mitsuo!

Music events: - On September 22 was the first show of the "SOLEIL is Alright" tour, following the release of the 2nd album of the same name! It was held at Rock Joint GB, Kichijōji, same place where SOLEIL performed two weeks earlier with Juicy Fruits. The show was sold out and the place very packed! The band, of which the main members are singer Soleil, bassist Sally Kubota and guitarist Nakamori Yasuhiro, also featured drummer Shirane Kenichi and chorists Hoshino Michiru and Shirai Mariko.

Most songs from the new album were played, and also several from the previous. The new songs sounded great live! One of the most fun to watch live is "Sweet Boy" during which Soleil pulls out boy faces (one of which was of Sally Kubota) and throws them at the audience to keep (each were signed on the back). Also the encore featured just the trio, with Soleil who played drums while singing!

I bought Soleil's new photobook (as I have been collecting them), and had the chance to get it and the CD signed! Yay! Just a few days after the show, a video for song "My Sweet Fifteen" was made including footage from the show. Check it out below!

An in-store event will be held on October 7 from 14:30 at Tower Records Shibuya after week 15-year-old singer Soleil will take a break until next spring to focus on her studies. It was announced that the next one-man show will be held on March 30, 2019 at Shibuya WWW.

Set list: Theme of SOLEIL / My Sweet Fifteen / Sweet Boy / Baby Boo / Every Day Every Night / Apple Princess Go Go! / Late Summer Silhouette / Pieces of Candy / Captain Scarlet / Do You Believe in Magic? / So Long My Fourteen / The Beginning of Love / Bittersweet Graduation / Marine I Love You / Are you happy? / Theme of SOLEIL (Reprise)
Encore: Session / Guitar in Love / My Emo-Coloured Corazon / Pinky Fluffy

- I went to "Delica Lab" at Batica, Ebisu to see Ookawara Izumi (Qypthone) and Nakatsuka Takeshi (also Qypthone)! The show started with Takeshi (he always plays first at this event) who was accompanied by bassist Ishigaki Kentarō (Qypthone), drummer Suzuki Kaoru, and trumpet and saxophone. That was very energetic, and included some of my favorite syncopated songs ("parkour" and "Prism") from latest album "EYE". Next to play was Takae × Asaka Rie (from MACARONICa), a duo of pianist and singer who have a very good jazzy sound with powerful vocals! Last was Izumi's set, again with Kentarō on bass and Kaoru on drums, and also with Ōnishi Mami. She sang her own songs an also a few Qypthone songs.

Nakatsuka Takeshi set list (partial): parkour / Prism / (New instrumental song) / On and On

Ookawara Izumi set list (partial): Friendly Ghost / Polka Dot on the Paper / Melody (Qypthone cover) / Boogaloo Chair (Qypthone cover) / Strawberry Jam

Exhibition: - Went to Art Tower Mito to see a solo exhibition by Rei Naito titled "on this bright Earth I see you". Large white rooms with natural lighting from windows only are decorated with smallish objects and many small "human" wooden sculptures.

Some more photos taken in Mito:

Music release news: Cutie Pai, Saoriiiii, Seijaku In Tokyo feat. Aira Mitsuki, Her Serves & Receive, CTO LAB.

This week's video: SOLEIL "My Sweet Fifteen" (Short version)

September 24, 2018

Weekly revue: 2018 week #38 (September 15 to 21)

Food: - Curry at Indo Fujiko, Kōenji
- Sanma (Pacific saury) curry & moon cake at Tapir

Music event: - Following the great event from last year, I just had to go again to Grand Gallery's 13th Anniversary "Home Party"! Held at Daikanyama Unit/Unice/Saloon (three venues in the same building), it featured a lot of great artists, and this year the ticket price even included a free CD from Grand Gallery's vast catalog (I picked Horie Hirohisa's album "At Grand Gallery").

I got to see Hicksville, French singer Clémentine feat. violinist Kinbara Chieko (backed by DJ Hashimoto Toru (Café Après-midi), Sandii, hitomitoi (backed by DJ Kawanabe Hiroshi), bird and Yann Tomita (feat. special guest Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius)), and then some..!

Hicksville

My evening started at Unice, a café-like venue where food was also served (I had Abe Kumiko's Thai green curry!). It was my first time seeing Hicksville live! Formed of just two guitarists (Nakamori Yasuhiro (also of SOLEIL) and Kogure Shinya) plus lead singer Mashiro Megumi, the band has a very cool sound!

Clémentine feat. Kinbara Chieko, Sandii

Still at Unice, I got to watch Clémentine visiting from France, accompanied by Kinbara Chieko (a violinist I like very much), and backed by DJ Hashimoto Toru (Café Après-midi). A very nice mellow set of some of her best songs (mostly covers). Clémentine has a very nice voice!

Clémentine set list (partial): Pillow Talk (Sylvia cover) / Les voyages (Jeanne Moreau cover) / Couleur café (Serge Gainsbourg cover) / L'été (Gontiti cover) / Un homme et une femme (Pierre Barouh cover) / À St Tropez

Then I ran down to Saloon, a very small club venue, and caught a set by Sandii who sang mainly Hawaiian-style songs, sometimes accompanied by a pretty dancer named Marilyn who danced in hula and Tahitian styles.

Hitomitoi w/ DJ Kawanabe Hiroshi, bird

Next at Saloon, hitomitoi did a fun club set backed by DJ Kawanabe Hiroshi (Tokyo No.1 Soul Set, InK). She sang several of my favorite songs! I like the fun dance she always does in "koi wa omoi no mama". :) Then back at Unice, I watched bird who played an acoustic set with her guitarist. One song she sang was from her early days, produced by Mondo Grosso aka Shinichi Osawa.

hitomitoi set list: Dive / Harbor Light / Flash of Light / Let it Out / Weather Report / koi wa omoi no mama

bird, Yann Tomita feat. Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius)

Then it was time to go to the main stage at Unit, to see Yann Tomita! On the way I stopped by the merch table where Donuts Disco Deluxe were selling some goods, I got their new mix CD "Tropical Mix" and got to shake hands with Afra and Ani!

Yann Tomita's set took place on the large stage (last year it was in a small corner on a side), and both sounds and visuals were mesmerizing and very impressive. Towards the end he introduced Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius) who wore one of the cool helmets and played guitar. Once the show was over, Yann said it was his last set of his "Space Program" series, and that his upcoming performances will focus on his "Mobile Army Communication Corps". While there was no proper encore, organizer Ide Yasushi (Grand Gallery) came on stage and there was a party time as Yann sequenced some Doopees sounds live. Lots of fun! I look forward to seeing new performances by this unique artist.

- On Wednesday I dropped by an in-store event by Vanilla Beans at Tower Records Shibuya. It was a seated event held at the Stage One floor, and consisted of an hour-long talk show with Tower Records' president (also founder of the chain's T-Palette Records idol label) and also a mini-live of about half an hour. One of the most interesting points of the talk show was that the president recalled first knowing of Vanilla Beans at an event he was at to see Cutie Pie! How cool! The mini-live was a bit longer than usual with 5 songs, and it was followed by a handshake/autograph/photo session so I took the opportunity to go say hi again. :) The last days of Vanilla Beans are counted, with the last one-man live on October 6 that will be followed by a final "thanks festival" the next day.

Set list: Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji / going my way / Summer Vacation / Nicola / Last Song

Exhibitions: - Okano Akiko solo exhibition at iGallery, Ginza. This time was a concept of tummies linked to the universe by their umbilical cord, with the help of bees. Beautiful patterns were painted on the inside of each piece.

- Vanilla Beans have a special shop open at Shibuya Marui's 4th floor, only until October 7 when the unit will see its end. On display are a lot of their stage outfits used through their 11 years, as well as many personal things (even wigs!). CDs and a few goods are sold there, and there's a guestbook where visitors can write a message. I wasn't quite able yet to put my thoughts together then, so I'll probably have to go back and write a little something. I just know I'll really miss them.

Music release news: Cornelius, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

This week's video: Cornelius "Audio Architecture (Studio Live Version)"

Perfume "Future Pop"

September 17, 2018

Weekly revue: 2018 week #37 (September 8 to 14)

Outing: Spent a day in Yokohama to catch the movie "Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama" at Cinema Novecento, an Indo-Japanese anime film from 1992. Also went for a walk in Chinatown, ate gyōza at Santon, bought moon cakes at Kaseiro, and visited Crazy Ken Band shop Suzie Wong ran by Yokoyama Ken's parents! They always treat customers with Ken's favorite candies (Lioness Coffee & strawberry milk). :)

Food: - Curry at Anjali, Shimokitazawa
- Lunch set at Daylight Kitchen, Shibuya. Daylight Kitchen will close at the end of September.
- Lamb burger at Megan, Shibuya
- Muscat of Alexandria and coconut ice cream at Sincerita, Asagaya

Music events: - On Sunday September 9 was a show of Juicy Fruits and SOLEIL at Rock Joint GB in Kichijōji! Juicy Fruits is a band that was formed in 1980 and is most famous for its debut single "Jenny wa gokigen naname" (later covered by Hi-Posi, Perfume, etc.), since a few years they've been very active performing live, and they released new album "Bittersweet" this year. In this show organized by them, they invited SOLEIL to share the stage. Juicy Fruits' singer and lead guitarist Iria wrote lyrics of two SOLEIL songs, "The Fruits Who Dream" from 2nd album "My Name is SOLEIL" and "Late Summer Silhouette" on new album "SOLEIL is Alright".

SOLEIL was first on stage, this time accompanied by drummer Sasai Kyōsuke and chorist Shirai Mariko. They played a selection of songs from the first album plus two from the new one (incl. the Takanami K-taro/Iria song "Late Summer Silhouette", and the Sally Kubota-written "My Sweet Fifteen"). The new songs are great, and I can't wait to hear them! For "Late Summer Silhouette", Juicy Fruits' Iria joined and sang in duet with Soleil.

Then Juicy Fruits performed a rocking set of songs. Like last time I saw them, I was amazed that singer Iria plays all (or almost) guitar solos on her own despite the presence of two other guitarists! Yet the band's three guitars have an essential role in making great harmonies. Another particularity is that all five members sing, also creating delightful harmonies (think Beach Boys). They played many songs including "Jenny wa gokigen naname". For the encore they invited SOLEIL members on stage and sang a cover of The Peanuts' "furimukanai de".

SOLEIL set list: Do You Believe in Magic? / Guitar in Love / Pieces of Candy / Late Summer Silhouette / The Fruits Who Dream feat. Iria (Juicy Fruits) / My Sweet Fifteen / Marine I Love You / Are You Happy?

- I went to an in-store talk & mini-live event by Vanilla Beans at Shibuya Marui (8F). It was my first time to see them since they announced that they will be splitting up in October. They are releasing a last single "going my way" this month, and it happened that despite there was still a whole week before the release the CD was already pressed so they began selling it in advance at this event! Of course I got a copy, and by doing so I had the chance to shake hands with the two after the show!

Having been a fan of Vanilla Beans since their debut (the release of single "U ♥ Me" in 2007), the news of their split-up was quite big for me. I'm thankful for all the great songs, their great visuals, performances and personalities, but also that they're the first artists in the "idol" category that I ever really liked. For me Vanilla Beans was the first winning combination of idols and great music, and thanks to them I also started looking for and enjoying more great music in the idol scene. Actually I feel that they opened the door to more variety and coolness in that scene. Anyway Vanilla Beans remain my personal idol starting point and will always keep a special spot in my musical history. I'll definitely be catching them several more times until their official last day on October 7.

Set list: tokeijikake no Wonderland / koi no Theory / Tic Tac / Summer Vacation

- I went to Wakita Monari's release party for new album "Ahead!" at Shibuya WWW X. She sang most of the new album (including my favorite right now: "CUTi-BiL"), and also several favorites ("Est! Est!! Est!!!", "Irony", "In The City" and "Boyfriend"). For the whole show she was accompanied by her great band, and for most songs Smooth Ace also sang chorus! Great show!

A new single titled "yasashii uso" (a song she had been performing live for a little while) was announced to be released on November 28. Also a new remix by Arai Toshiya of "Callin' You", titled "Callin' House", will be released for download on October 17. Can't wait!

Set list: Dear / yasashii uso / ai no Decadence / Est! Est!! Est!!! / Peppermint Rainbow / yūsei kara no I Love You / Gozigen Lover-Joi / CUTi-BiL / yoake no VIEW / hashiru boku / ao no yume / Take It Lucky!!!! / Irony / Callin' You
Encore #1: In The City / Wingscape
Encore #2: Boyfriend

Movies: - "Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama" (1992) at Cinema Novecento, Yokohama

- "Brigsby Bear" (2017) at Yujiku, Asagaya

Music release news: Learners, fox capture plan, STUTS, Mia Nascimento, SOLEIL

This week's video: STUTS "Dream Away feat. Phum Viphurit"

September 9, 2018

Weekly revue: 2018 week #36 (September 1 to 7)

Food: - Sri Lankan curry at Court Lodge, Nakano
- Hamburger at Weekend Garage Tokyo, Daikanyama/Shibuya

Music events: - On Sunday September 2, there was a special live event at the Setagaya Literary Museum, where Shindō Mitsuo's exhibition is being held (until September 17). The event featured Obandos, a strange band led by Anzai Hajime (of Tamori Club fame) that uses only homemade instruments, and The Scooters (band whose leader is Shindō-san).

Obandos was a lot of fun! Formed of designers, illustrators, etc. (and also Paradise Yamamoto!), the band's instruments range from self-constructed guitars, one named "pudding" (as it consists of yellow buckets with "プリン" written on them), one made of a few plastic straws connected together, etc. The songs were just as entertaining, with a "cover" of Flipper's Guitar's "Young, Alive, in Love" (that didn't sound anything like it), an "answer song" to Pizzicato Five's "Tokyo wa yoru no 7ji" (also not having much to do with it), a cover of an imaginary song by The Scooters (?) and then some more. Lots of silliness and pure playfulness. I loved it! I've been a fan of Anzai Hajime for a long time, watching him on TV every week on Tamori Club, in which he MC's the "soramimi Hour" segment.

Then it was The Scooters' turn! It was their first show since the release of their new single "Be My Baby" (also the exhibition's theme song). They sang a selection of their live favorites, and for the encore they kept "Heat Wave" (which they have been singing since their early days), their new song, and their biggest hit "Tokyo Disco Night". For the first time the band also featured chorus girl Coco, actually the designer of brand Masse Mensch. That was a great show! I also got to take a photo with Soleil who was in the audience (her band SOLEIL is produced by Sally Kubota who is also a member of The Scooters)! :)

The Scooters set list: The Key to Her Ferrari (Thomas Dolby cover) / I Believe in Miracles (The Jackson Sisters cover) / Young Americans (David Bowie cover) / Motown Medley / Shout (The Isley Brothers cover)
Encore: Heat Wave (Martha and the Vandellas cover) / Be My Baby / Tokyo Disco Night

w/ The Scooters w/ Soleil

- I went to dahlia's 20th anniversary live show held at café Weekend Garage Tokyo in Daikanyama/Shibuya. dahlia debuted with album "Table Talk" in 1998 as a band (if I'm right), and for now many years it has been singer Kaori's solo project. This time Kaori was accompanied by piano, guitar and flute. The show was titled "Sweet & Bitter", and it was accordingly presented in two sets ("Sweet" and "Bitter") consisting of over a dozen songs from her whole career! We were also treated with two brand new songs which Kaori sang with her full bold voice, unlike her usual singing style with a whispery voice. That was a very nice surprise! She wrote the 2nd of those new songs especially for this show. The whole show was very pleasant and had a soothing atmosphere that fit the café venue very nicely. Also the unexpected new songs definitely make me look forward to more to follow from dahlia! :)

"Sweet" set list: Bossa Bambina / non finito samba / Rose, her name is Rose / Ask me anything about Orange / sweety~Ending / the measels / flower
"Bitter" set list: lilic / Hotel Margaret / ciel blanc / Rubble / futari dake no koi (New song) / Camellia (New song)
Encore: green fields / tōmei na, hikari

Movie: - Wes Anderson's "Isle of Dogs" at Yujiku, Asagaya

Playlist: dahlia, Vanilla Beans

This week's video: Halfby "Diamond Head"

September 3, 2018

Weekly revue: 2018 week #35 (August 25 to 31)

Food: - Cheeseburger @ Fatburger, Shibuya

Music events: - I went to Manon's release party for her first album "Teenage Diary"! Produced by Yuppa (HNC) and with guest appearances by Kuro Kuro Bonito and Ryan Hemsworth, the album is full of catchy great tracks that show off Manon's vocal and rap skills. The stage and venue also decorated very nicely by prop team YA3i, with also a "photo booth" corner where Manon hung out before and after the show to take photos with visitors. The opening act was Normcore Boyz, a teenage rap group of five that collaborated with Manon on her new video (watch below), and also there were DJ sets by shakke-n-warda and Back To School (Shingostar & YO!HEY!!).

Manon did a great job singing her full album almost non-stop (just with a few breaks to drink water)! She wore her sparkly golden dress from the album jacket, and for "Gomenne Girl" she sat around in the bedroom set-up on the stage. Of course the whole set featured Yuppa on keyboards and samplers, and also VJ unit onnacodomo who made live visuals the whole time using countless tiny goodies. That was a great show! :)

Manon set list: xxFANCYPOOLxx / SWIPE / WAVY PINEAPPLE DAYS / SOMEWHERE / GOMENNE GIRL / BEAT THE BAD LUCK / POPCORN CRISIS / 2 LIVE IN A REAL WORLD / COCO BOI ROMANCE
Encore: Young Dumb & Broke (Khalid cover)

- I also went to see a talk event featuring Konishi Yasuharu and Shindō Mitsuo. Held at the venue of Shindō-san's retrospective exhibition "Be My Baby", the Setagaya Literary Museum, the talk show lasted almost two hours and focused on early days of when the two met, and also on The Scooters which Konishi-san was a big fan of. It turned out that Konishi-san lived very close to Shindō-san's office back when they were introduced, and they were both very surprised to have very similar tastes in music, movies, etc.

During the talk, both pulled out rarities from their bags, one of which was a rare Scooters promo sonosheet that Konishi-san didn't know existed, and Shindō-san gave it to him on the spot as the audience applauded. At the end, both interviewees and also the MC pulled out some rare goods (Konishi-san had brought small Kellog's cereal boxes with the "Non-stop to Tokyo" EP design, and also a Pizzicato Five™ cup-and-saucer set) to give away to the audience, and some intense rock-paper-scissors was played by the 200 people or so to win them. That was a lot of fun!

Music release news: Vanilla Beans

Playlist: Hello Wendy!, Manon, CTO LAB., Wakita Monari

This week's video: Manon "2 Live In A Real World (Remix) feat. Normcore Boyz"

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