CLEAR AND REFRESHING

As a rule, I have a strict policy of not allowing C.A.R. to be used for the recycling of event and CD release propaganda, regardless of who it is for (for the record, I rarely even write special posts here about my own events or releases). Nevertheless, this is a case where I'll make an exception because the person responsible, a Canadian chap (and possibly a certifiable lunatic) Steven Tanaka, is putting himself out in a quite extraordinary way to not only promote, but also bring across the Pacific, a quintet of almost completely unknown Japanese underground bands, all of whom offer something quite different from the norm, and all of whom I believe will spread sweetness and light into the hearts of all who perceive them.

Steven is interviewed on Anusaya here, and his tour's web site, Next Music from Tokyo, is here. I strongly recommend following the link to check out the bands and tour dates. They will be in Canada, starting in Vancouver, from the 22nd until the 29th, with four shows in total, finishing on two (with one an all-ages show) in Toronto.

As someone who has tried booking Japanese bands abroad (in much less ambitious circumstances) and who knows a lot of the problems that can come up, I demand that anyone in a relevant part of Canada, with any interest in hearing something different, check these shows out and support this worthy enterprise.

Big news this past week has been the fire at an izakaya in Koenji. There's more over on the Call And Response blog about why this is important.

In my capacity as the head honcho and sole staff member of Call And Response Records, I was interviewed back in May about Japanese music for an article on venerable UK news organ The Grauniad's web site. Fabulous publicity for the label, natch, so I can overlook the fact that the writer has just cut and pasted an (occasionally clumsily) edited version of my answers into his piece and then claimed for themself whatever pittance C.P. Scott's descendants pay for my work.

I nevertheless have a problem with the way the sentence "Shibuya-kei is the only scene anyone really speaks about here." is somehow put into my mouth. This is both patently wrong and makes me look foolish and ignorant. Anyone who has spent any meaningful length of time in the Tokyo music scene knows that there are numerous music scenes, all with their fans and cheerleaders here there and all over. Anyone who finds their way here as a result of out good friend Mr. Google (I note that the article links to both the term "Shibuya-kei" and the admittedly confusing to dolts term "Sisyphean", but not to any form of the actual C.A.R. web presence) may wish to see the actual questions I was asked and the actual answers I gave.

(Sorry this site doesn't allow comments; If anyone wants to agree/disagree/whatever with anything I've said, I've blogged this on the comments-enabled Call And Response page as well)

Update Oct 16th 00:08: Reading back over the above, I should add that despite the snarky tone, I'm very pleased that the article got published and I've had some great feedback from people today as a result of it. » Read More

This was written, while comfortably drunk, in response to this post by Emily from the Koenji Calling blog, seeking people's views on Japanese punk. I spent no time doing anything so tedious as research or careful thinking; this is simply what came out. » Read More

This isn't really news, but since I've just posted a link to the band's album review, I thought I ought to mention that they are now, sadly, no more. I saw Hideki at The Oversleep Excuse's show on December 6th and he told me the news then.

Rumour has it that it was due to differences among the members over the band's direction, with some pushing for a more professional approach and others preferring to remain a looser, more underground outfit. According to what's left of their web site, Mamoru's going solo now, so the phantom hand of major labels probably looms darkly in the background of this breakup.

UPDATE: Mamoru's new project has since re-emerged, still using the name Nhhmbase, and playing all the old Nhhmbase songs. Music, band politics, intrigue -- the plot thickens...

The Koenji Pop Festival is ready to go. Some changes from the Flyer with a couple of new acts added and unfortunately Her had to pull out due to events beyond their control. Instead, Naruse from Audipop agreed to fill in for them with a special solo performance.

Date: 12/6 (Sat)
Place: Koenji Penguin House
Time: 15.00 open/15.30 start
Cost: 2000yen (adv/door)

» Read More

Firstly, there are a few videos from the most recent Switched On! event at Kichijoji Bar Drop now up on C.A.R.'s YouTube account and some photos on Flickr. The same info is up on Call And Response Records' Myspace blog.

Also, further parts of my explanation of Call And Response's Wire covers album, Post Flag, are up here, here and here.

The events were great fun and C.A.R.'s next live event is the Koenji Pop Festival '08 at the Penguin House on December 6th. More info soon.

More information about Post Flag on C.A.R.'s Myspace, check the blog posts here and here.

Call And Response Records' newest release is now in shops around Japan. You can check out some tracks from the album at our Myspace and also read about it on our Myspace blog.

Stay tuned for more updates over the next few weeks.

Call And Response Records has a new CD coming out and on the off-chance there are any readers in the Fukuoka area, I'd love it if you could check out this release party event. All my many Tokyo-based readers will have to wait until September, when I'll have a spectacular two-day extravaganza on the 12th and 13th.

Call And Response Records presents
Post Flag (Wire covers album) Release Party
7/5 (Sat) at Fukuoka Decadent Deluxe
OPEN:18:30/START:19:00
1800 yen + 1 drink order

-LIVE-
MIR (from Tokyo)
tacobonds (From Tokyo)
Hyacca (From Fukuoka)
Nezishiki (From Fukuoka)
accidents in too large field (From Fukuoka)
Folk Enough (From Fukuoka)

-DJ-
ASADA (tepPohseen)
TAKAKI (ex-the monkies)