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Metro-Ongen: An Exclusive Look at Japan's Indie Scene PDF Print E-mail
Written by JJ Moran-Douglas   
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.

It's no wonder, then, that 'indies' bands have a reputation for being some of Japan's hardest working musicians. Metro-Ongen are no exception to this. Having all graduated from Tokyo's prestigious Waseda University, the band have a solid education behind them, and you would expect them to walk into well-paid jobs. Unfortunately, Metro-Ongen suffer from the same problem as other bands in Tokyo; to succeed, you need a full-time rehearsal and gigging schedule, and only part-time work gives you the flexibility to play and just about make enough to pay the rent. "Music is my main job," explains guitarist Yuuta Ryuuzaki, "I wouldn't take on a contract because I need flexibility for gigs and tours."    The band's front-man, Yuuichiro Tsuchiya adds, "If you have a career here, you don't even have enough time to practice, and it's impossible to get time off to play gigs."  Because of this fact, Metro-Ongen and almost all of their 'indies' contemporaries are faced with a bleak choice: either get by on low wages and have time to write and record, or give up your dream, put on a suit, and work a regular Japanese nine-to-eight.   

Despite all of this, the band are happy. Fumie, Metro-Ongen's charismatic female drummer remarks with a smile "I wouldn't do anything else."  So far they have released four CDs which have had great reviews, been on tours, supported bands, and have built up a large group of fans and industry admirers. This is all fairly standard for a decent 'indies' band, but Metro-Ongen seem to be about to go a step further.      

Recently they met and then started working with Scottish producer David Naughton, who has worked with artists including Belle & Sebastian, Suede, and even Kylie Minogue.  It seems that the timing of this meeting was perfect; David had just arrived in Japan, and Metro-Ongen had just begun working on their next CD.  After a few initial sessions, it became clear that something good was happening.  David's overt enthusiasm had a positive effect on the group, and they responded with a volley of the best tunes they have ever made. Both band and producer are currently working together on a set of tunes that have caused larger record labels to prick up their ears. "Songwriting is going more smoothly because David offers an objective and professional opinion on what we're doing," Yuuta says. Bassist Satoshi Arai agrees. "Having a producer you can trust gives you more possibilities in the studio."

The reaction at gigs has been good, too. Despite Metro-Ongen's lyrics being in Japanese, their songs are catchy, and their fanbase seems to be growing more and more diverse.  As well as selling T-shirts and CDs to home-grown customers, it's becoming the usual thing to spot one of the band having a chat with a foreign member of the audience after each show. "It's great to think that people on the other side of the world are listening to us, and we really like to hear from people from other countries," Fumie explains. Yuuichiro enthusiastically continues where she left off, "We don't really think in terms of 'Japan' and 'the rest of the world' anyway; we want to play everywhere.  As long as people like our sound, then we'll go there!" 

Right now, Metro-Ongen are in the studio working hard on their next CD and getting ready to step up to the next stage. Even though their newest mixes are yet to be unleashed on the world, there's a buzz about the new songs at the gigs which has fans and potential labels excited.

Metro-Ongen have been around for a few years, and you may not have heard of them before, but keep your eyes and ears open – you'll probably hear something that you like. 
Some of Metro-Ongen's songs are now available for free download on Facebook. Just search for 'Metro-Ongen'.

http://www.metro-ongen.com
http://www.myspace.com/metroongen
http://www.audioleaf.com/metroongen 
Text and Interview by JJ Moran-Douglas
 
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