ArtistoftheWeek:Kyary Pamyu Pamyu 7/16/12-7/23/12

If you haven't heard about PONPONPON then you should check it out now before I start off.
Now that we've caught you up to speed (or got you back on this page after hours of being lost in Youtube) we can talk about the success of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and her music.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu started out as a Harajuku model at the age of 14. She's kept up with the world by keeping a blog telling people about her travels and her photo shoots. She had fun modeling with food, machines, and creatures made from paper-mache but after a few years of doing all this she developed the desire to sing, so she released an indies track (in Japan unknown releases are called "indies") and got a little bit of recognition from people, but not enough. One day, Yasutaka Nakata took a look at Kyary and said, "I'mma make you a star", and the rest was history. She worked with him in the studio while he was also working with, Capsule, MEG, Perfume, Ami Suzuki, Coltemonikha, SMAP, the list goes on and on. I don't know how in God's name he does it (Adderral) but nonetheless he took the girl, worked on her with a few tracks and released the "PONPONPON" music video and single worldwide on July 16th 2011.
*Today is the anniversary of PONPONPON.*
The world responded to the music video in various ways, in shock, fear, enjoyment, fun, judgement and addiction. The music video has received more than 20 million views and people are still watching it even after a year of it being out. She then released an EP titled Moshi Moshi Harajuku which topped Electronic charts all over the world especially in the US. After that she released two new singles, "Tsukema Tsukeru" and "CANDY CANDY". The music videos for the two songs are ranking up in millions in views as well.
In May 2012, she released her debut album Pamyu Pamyu Revolution. This album topped the charts in both Japan and America (US iTunes Electronic #1 & Oricon Charts #2). The album has been well-received by critics and fans of KPP. Kyary has toured a little bit in the US and has been played on American radio stations (in California but hey that's a start). It'll be great to see where this success with take Kyary, Yasutaka Nakata and Jpop in the future.
Free Downloads
Chodo Iino (English lyrics)
Drinker (English lyrics)
Jelly [Capsule Cover]

~Keep Calm & PONPONPON~

ArtistoftheWeek:Younha9/26/11-10/3/11

Younha is an Asian Singer/Songwriter, best known for her song, Houki Boushi that featured on the hit Anime, Bleach. She has been singing and working with the Japanese/Korean Music Industry since the huge hit. Switching back and forth promoting her music, and singing in two different languages, for her fans.
Her music has been deemed as catchy, fun, and somewhat melancholic.
Nowadays, she has been releasing new music trying to step out of the box of her huge hit, and branch out to certain styles and genres of music she would like to do.
As much as Younha would like everyone to acknowledge her talents as she grows as a famous Korean musician, she would still like it if people just listen and enjoy the music.
Free Downloads
Houki Boushi
Memory (Original Mix)
Rainbow
Nonsense
Selective Songs From Under The Same Sky
Stay (Lisa Loeb Cover)

ArtistoftheWeek:EMI MARIA8/1/11-8/8/11

EMI Maria, is like a breath of fresh air when you're a little tired of Japanese pop and you want some R&B. This musician has an outstanding style of soul. Mixing her style with the Japanese language, keeping the music fresh one album at a time. The music is so similar yet so varied that it makes you wonder, why would I ever want to check out any other JR&B artist? From EMI Maria's, "Mr. Alien," to "Focus On Me," her songs are so catchy and seductive, making your body sway back and forth with the beat while still having a bounce in your step.
If you haven't heard of her you need to check her out, she's a talent you shouldn't miss.
Selective Songs From A Ballad On My Own
Selective Songs From Crossover EP
Selective Songs From Contrast
Selective Songs From Blue Bird

ArtistoftheWeek:Do As Infinity4/11/11-4/18/11

Do As Infinity, is a band composed of two people. Tomiko Van, lead vocal and lyricist and lead guitarist Ryo Owatari. They have been in the music industry for nearly ten years now and have made memorable songs used on many Anime television shows and Japanese Commercials. They have made their mark in the Japanese industry and have brought their music up to the next level every time they release a new album.
The group was almost on the verge of breaking up in 2005 when Tomiko Van wanted to go solo with her music career but the group came back together and came back stronger than ever! Now they've released their recent album Eight this year and it went to the top of the charts and they released their great single Hand in Hand which involved the lead gutiarist sing a part in the song. A first for D.O.I!
You should check out Do As Infinity as well as their music videos they're a band to have in your collection!


Free Downloads
1/100
Everything Will Be Alright
Oasis
Tookumade
Fukai Mori
We Are
New World
Holiday
Wings 510
Under The Moon
Hand In Hand

ArtistoftheWeek:Moumoon3/14/11-3/21/11

Moumoon formed in the year of 2005 and didn't receive popular recognition until 2010 with their single, "Sunshine Girl". A cute poppy uplifting song geared towards females.
Thanks to the Anessa Commercial they have become a known pop duo for cute and happy or sweet and sad songs for the sentimental hearts.
After the success of their single they released two more chart-topping singles titled, "Moonlight" and "YAY". The songs were featured in more commercials and were getting more radio play than the songs they released before "Sunshine Girl".
After their successful year (2010) they released a new music video for the promotion of their recent album, "15 Doors". The new single is titled 15 Doors. The song is thought to be depicting the musical life of YUKA and Kosuke Masaki.

"5 Minutes Ago...10 Days Ago...15 Years Ago...15 Doors..."

Free Downloads
Selected Songs from Full Album 15 Doors

SKY HIGH

Selected Songs from Mini Album SPARK

Selected Songs from Mini Album Refrain

Moumoon Songs: English Edition

Official Website


Music Video for 15 Doors

Moumoon have gone far with their musical talents and commercial success, I wish all the luck for them on their musical journey! Go Moumoon!

ArtistoftheWeek:Round Table feat. Nino8/24/10-8/31/10

I love ROUND TABLE feat. Nino! They're like the Japanese Version of Ivy! They rock. Sadly they don't get a lot of recognition for their music but trust me if you like Bossa Nova or just calming pop music you'll love this group.
I found out about this band from an anime show (of course..) And I loved their song called, "Let Me Be With You (New Step Mix)" it was on Chobits. I knew about their song and bought both of the Chobits Soundtracks for that song. A few years later I find out about another Anime Series that caught my eye, called, Welcome To The NHK, and their song, Puzzle ~Extra Hot Mix~ was it's theme song.
I loved it so much that I looked for more of their songs and was opened to a whole collection of beautiful songs from them. ROUND TABLE feat. Nino is the best.
I really like that they actually take their time with their music and release a new album every 2-3 years instead of every 10 months like the really popular Japanese artists. Now that's crazy!
ROUND TABLE's style is a cool one and a unique sound indeed. I still kind of see them as the brighter more lovable side and Japanese side of Ivy. But Ivy wouldn't be able to do their music and vice versa it's like Ivy and ROUND TABLE are the same but they're not.
Anyways, this is the last artist for the Summer of 2010. Hope you listen to these songs and think back to the great times you had in the summer and the bad times and the moderate times. All the times of your wonderful summer! :)
Music For A Memorable Summer!
Selective Songs From April
Selective Songs From Nino
Selective Songs From Distance
Promo Videos for Distance
Koi Wo Shiteru|Nagareboshi
Official Website

~I Hope You Enjoy ROUND TABLE feat. Nino!~

ArtistoftheWeek:MiChi3/24/10-3/31/10

Well, to me MiChi is a great artist to have in your collection. Especially if you like some good J-Pop. Her first album, "MiChi MadNesS" is all English but after so much Japanese popularity of that album she went to Japan to pursue her music career and promote the great nation of the UK.
And who could blame her? If most of your fan base was in Japan you'd go rock it out there too.
Great songs from the album are mostly covers but the song that made me notice this great artist is her rendetion of You Gotta Be. A great song done by her.

Her next album, "Up To You", is a great sophomore album to the first. Consisting of japanese songs with some parts where she slips into English at time.
Featuring singles like,
HEy GirL
KiSS KiSS XXX
& ChaNge The WoRLd
I think that MiChi will be making so more great songs later in time, all we have to do is wait and see what she does next.
You Gotta Be
HEy GirL
ChaNge the WoRLd
KiSS KiSS XXX

Official Website

Hope you enjoy the artist!