Gaijin Kanpai Network :: JPop JRock Anime J-Culture Podcasts

Source: Excite

If music can overcome national boundaries, than age is no boundary either

--“Kirakira Hikare” is an uptempo song with an impressive Ramones-esque beat. This is the first time you’ve put together a fast song like this.

Eriko: That’s right.

Akiko: This song was produced by Goto [Masafumi] from Asian Kung-Fu Generation, but when we asked him what kind of song he wanted us to do, he said that he wanted us to do something fast. So we did.

Saturday

Jul142012

Gaijin Kanpai Ep. 167 - Top of 2012 (So Far)

LoKi

It’s that time of year again where we rank the best of the best in Japanese singles and albums for you, our listeners!

167 - Top of 2012 (So Far)
Top Singles | Top Albums
Download: [MP3]

We’ve been conflicted about the J-Music scene this year. It started out strong and then devolved into a post-apocalyptic wasteland of lackluster idol songs and half-assed Korean covers. But now we’re going beyond thunderdome*, baby! We don’t need another hero, we’ve got Japanese Music.

*Jaylee is Tina Turner in this scenario.

BI-ANNUAL NOTES!

Friday

Jul132012

Amuro Namie "Uncontrolled" Exclusive Interview Translation

Source: Oricon Style

I chose songs that I like, and that I wanted to sing

--Your new album is called “Uncontrolled,” a beautiful title that expresses freedom and acts as a symbol for your progress as a singer.

Amuro Namie: Everyone on my team puts forward ideas for the title each time, and I really like this one, too. (laugh)

--This year is the 20th anniversary of your debut. Did you create this album for that purpose?

Saturday

Jul072012

Gaijin Kanpai Ep. 166 - Amerathon

LoKi

What do we love about America? The ability to buy quality Japanese music on iTunes, like Crystal Kay's new album “VIVID.” That's about it.

166 - Amerathon
SPYAIR - 0 GAME | Crystal Kay - VIVID
Download: [MP3]

We tackle some great music this week, including SPYAIR's latest single, "0 GAME," and the aforementioned Crystal Kay album. Add in some hilarity in the news segment and you have yourself a pretty solid episode of GK if we say so ourselves. So take out your leftover hotdogs and stale buns and get ready for a holiday celebration the GK way.

EXPLOSIVE NOTES!

Thursday

Jul052012

GK PV Play: Supernatural Beings Edition

Many music videos are released every month in Japan to promote the latest single or album coming out. Though we often talk about the music videos that accompany the music we review, some PVs slip through the cracks. This week we task our lovely writer with the difficult job of reviewing some of the recent vids to make their way all the way from Japan to our computer screens in the US.

Denpagumi.inc - Kira Kira Tune
Kalafina - moonfesta
Chatmonchy - Kira Kira Hikare
Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Sore de ha, Mata Ashita
Girls' Generation - Paparazzi

1 Comment

Friday

Jun292012

Gaijin Kanpai Ep. 165 - "Bi for Korean Music"

LoKi

It all started so innocently. You’ve had one too many drinks when a Korean song comes on and you get into it. What’s the harm in a little experimentation?

165 - Bi for Korean Music
AFTERSCHOOL - Lady Luck | Namie Amuro - Uncontrolled
Download: [MP3]

Next thing you know your world is upside down and your identity is challenged by the edgey pop and synth beats of K-Pop. You’re buying songs in their native language instead of waiting for Japanese covers. What was once a monochromatic music scene is a rainbow of possibilities!

Your friends and family may not understand you but we do. We do.

FABULOUS NOTES!

5 Comments

Thursday

Jun282012

World Order "2012" Exclusive Interview Translation

Translated by John Thomas
Source: Natalie

Their musical roots are melo-core, blues, Mashima Masatoshi

--Sudo, I’d like to hear about your musical roots. What kind of music did you listen to when you were a student?

Sudo: I like rock, and about the time I entered high school, shred guitar was getting really popular. So anybody who could play guitar super fast was really cool. We would pass around shred guitar CDs between friends saying, “Check this guy out! He’s so fast!” (laughs). But I could never play fast like that, so I was made to play bass. That’s when the melo-core boom hit, and I started listening to bands like Green Day and NoFX.