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Written by JJ Moran-Douglas
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Thursday, 11 December 2008 |
 Metro-Ongen has graciously allowed bokunojpop.com an exclusive
backstage pass to understanding life as an Indie Artist in Japan!
Please dicuss the article in our forum.
Tokyo-based four piece Metro-Ongen have been around for a few
years. They have received acclaim for their guitar-based pure pop
songs, play shows regularly, and you can find their CDs in Tower
Records and HMV across Japan. What's more, it seems like they're about
to start a bidding war amongst record labels. Still, even for those
among you who have your fingers on the pulse and who are first in line
when it comes to hot new J-pop, they'll almost certainly be a new name.
So why is this, and who are they?
Metro-Ongen
are one of what must be hundreds, if not thousands, of 'indies' bands
who play in and around Tokyo. 'Indies' in Japan really does mean
'independent', and consequently it is the starting place for many of
Japan's best known pop and rock artists, with performers as diverse as
Ellegarden, DefTech, Asian Kung-Fu Generation and even Kaela Kimura all
going through 'indies' periods before making it big. These times are
often financially and mentally challenging, and often form the basis
for a band's lyrics, as well as their attitudes on stage and in
interviews.
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Read more...
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Written by Angel Wings
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Friday, 28 November 2008 |
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 Sad news has been released from UFA today. It appears that Kaori Ida's (former Morning Musume member) young son died on July 27th from chronic renal failure. He was only 6 months old.
Kaori's comments (thank you to TnB from MM-BBS for the translation):
I have an announcement to make.
On 7/27, my son left this world due to chronic renal failure.
I
loved him more than anyone and treasured him, so [when he passed] it
was extremely painful and sad and there was nothing I could do but cry.
I
continued in a state of being completely unable to even think about it
for a while, but since we put his ashes to rest, I have gradually been
able to go outside and had the opportunity to speak to the staff.
As
a result of thinking "from now on, how I live will be for my son," I
think being cheerful and optimistic will be the best memorial to my son.
As
a result of thinking "what does it mean to live cheerfully and
optimistically...," I decided to resume the activities I had taken a
break from, and the first thing to do is to stand in front of the fans.
So I spoke to the staff.
Until I was able to feel this way, not
just my family, but also my friends and staff supported me. Without
forgetting my gratitude, I'll do my best from here on, and live life to
the fullest for my son.
Everyone, I think I'm imposing on you and causing you to worry, but please continue to cheer me on.
H!P Statements in Original Japanese:
Kaori
UFA
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Written by Angel Wings
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Sunday, 19 October 2008 |
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UPDATE
In light of the graduation of the OG H!P girls, it's was announced to the H!P fan club that they have to now choose which fan club they wish to belong to.
A) Hello! Project (Morning Musume, Berryz, Cute, Mano Erina, Eggs)
B) Matsuura Aya
C) Morning Musume OG (Yossi, Rika, Miki, Abe, Yaguchi, Ogawa, Konno, Yasuda, Nakasawa, Kaori, Tsuji)
D) Melon Kinenbi
We still don't know what's going on with Inaba Atsuko, Maeda Yuki, Mihoshi Erika, and Okada Yu. Rumor has it they'll also be under a new "umbrella".
It was also announced on MKB's blog that they're not breaking up.
So, this basically means that they're keeping "Hello! Project" as the "pure" sector, and allowing the others to do which ever endeavors they so choose under the mature category. So you have to get more memberships and spend more money to follow your favourite members. Many members are angry at this move as it resembles the JOHNNY's like membership and forcing fans to pay more on top of concert tickets, merchandise and CD/DVD releases.
Read more to read the original article, to see the chopping block (over 25 members) and to read Tsunk's and Yuko's comments.
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Written by Angel Wings
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Sunday, 12 October 2008 |
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 Fashion and Jpop collide!
Former Morning Musume members Hitomi
Yoshizawa and Rika Ishikawa are paired together as Hangry & Angry. What
makes this special is that Hangry & Angry is a collaboration with a popular
Punk Harajuku fashion line, which is sold by the company S-inc.
The clothes are available to ship to most
countries via their website.
They will also be releasing a mini-album “Kill
Me Kiss Me”, to be released November 19th. You can listen to it here.
Websites:
S-Inc.
S-Inc.: HANGRY&ANGRY Website
International S-Inc. Shopping Website
HANGRY&ANGRY Myspace
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Written by Angel Wings
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Monday, 22 September 2008 |
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 Thanks to masterelr on the forums for the heads up!
Great news for Do as Infinity fans; as the group announced in August on a-nation that they are reuniting.
The group was originally formed in 1999 and went their separate ways in 2005. In the spring of 2008 the members and staff met again and started discussing a reunion. They had decided on the official date that they will resume activities (September 29).
There will be a live show on September 30th, 2008 in Yoyogi Park Japan. The band plans to focus on live performances in the future, but they also aim to release new material next spring. They also plan on touring in November, which will take them to major cities in Japan such as Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo.
Official Website
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Written by Angel Wings
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Wednesday, 10 September 2008 |
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It’s official; another Asian superstar is
crossing the ocean to America!
BoA (born Boa Kwon) who is an active
artist in both South Korea
and Japan. She is Tri-Lingual, with the ability to speak Korean, Japanese and English.
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Read more...
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