Weekend Blastoff #254

Ok, dunno whats going on with the google articles off to the side..... but

Today's Show!

Part 1:

Yuki Kimura - Love & Joy
Flow - Days (Eureka Seven)
Sheryl Nome Starring May'n - Iteza Gogo Kyuuji Don't Be Late (Macross Frontier)
Mami Kawada - Tiny Days (Onegai Teacher)
Chihiro Yonekura - Winter Wish (Love Hina)
X TV OST - Seki Shi (Inst.)

Part 2:

Mai Kuraki - Never Gonna Give You Up
Mai Kuraki - Perfect Crime
Angela - Dear My Best Friend
Kotoko - Chi ni Kaeru ~on the Earth~ (Starship Operators)
Myco (Changin' My Life) - Eternal Snow (Full Moon wo Sagashite)
Hikaru Utada - Colors

And I need a new microphone... or at least a new wire >.<

Weekend Blastoff #253

So I said I'd play some May'n this week... and I do!

Music as well this week from MAX... Back-ON... nobodyknows+....Mell.. and others

also a rundown of the top 10 singles

and Japan drawn into a world cup group with the Netherlands, Cameroon and Denmark

Weekend Blastoff 252

Talkin' bout May'n this week, who if she had released one album instead of two woulda had top spot on the charts.... maybe I'll actually play some May'n next week.

music this week from Hikaru Utada, BoA, Boa (lol) and um.... others.

Weekend Blastoff #251

All about the music this week.

Exile
Do As Infinity
Hitomi Shimatani
Akino Arai
Orange Range
The Gospellers

and more. and not in that order.

Weekend Blastoff #250!

Didn't think I'd make it this far.... seeing as I've never done 250 of anything before lol.

On this weeks show.....

Hikaru Utada.... "In the Flesh" world tour!

http://www.utada.com/events/detail.aspx

and looks like she added some dates between the time I started working on the show and the time I finished working on the show lol.


Audtions! (the good ones)

http://www.jype.com/audition02.html
http://audition.smtown.com/GlobalAudition0900_2.asp?lang=eng
http://www.avexstarsearch.com/about

not going to link bodyline cause they don't deserve it.

and me doing weird stuff :P

Weekend Blastoff @249

On this weeks show.... well gremlins ate what I was originally planning for this weeks show....

.... music this week from Hikaru Utada, Globe, L'arc en Ciel, High and Mighty Color and others...

congrats to Hideki Matsui for being world series MVP!

Weekend Blastoff #248

On This weeks show... lots of J-Rock music followed by music that would scare normal folks away.... o.o

Weekend Blastoff #247

Music from.... I forget lol. Listen to find out!

also, Japanese Sports Report, top 10 chart, and a list of some of the new releases in Japan this week.

Weekend Blastoff #246

It's on, now! go listen!

On this weeks show - rediscovering songs from Macross frontier.... and lots of talking by me.

Japanese Sports Report

top 10 report

new releases

and complaining about the new anime season....

songs from Maaya Sakamoto, Exile, and a song from the Kanon anime series

No show this week ; ;

Yeah... just too damn exhausted from life in general... was going to talk about the most awesome Final Fantasy concert too... I will have one in for next week though, look forward to it!

Weekend Blastoff #245

I really gotta update these things earlier... damn work and real life getting in the way.

This week, the top 10 charts, Japanese Sports Report, and the Evangelion 1.0 movie in Canada! (or not, depending on where you were.)

Music from Yoko Takahashi ....and others

Weekend Blastoff #244

This week, lots of anime-related news.... and an exercise in experimentation on the 2nd half of the show.

Interview with Minx Zone!

By Sean Cruz

1. How did the three of you first meet?

We met at a music college. Originally we played in different bands, but we were attracted to each other's music and played together before graduating.

From L to R, Ayuha (Drums), Waio (Guitar), Yukari (Vocals)

2. How was the name “MinxZone” born?

It might've been the natural flow of events (laugh). Since we didn't have a name when our first event was decided on, we came up with one on the spot.

3. One of your songs, “Vinyl Umbrella” was used in an Australian TV commercial. How did that come about?

During a street performance, we caught the eye of an industry person. It
seemed like he thought on the spot that "It can only be this song!"


4. which do you like the most, being in studio, live concert, or street performance?

There are good points about all of the locations, but for concerts, we like open air. Anyways, we really like playing in the sun.

5. You have performed in both Australia and now Canada. What are the differences between foreign and Japanese fans?

Overseas fans seem to use their bodies to express their feelings of fun and happiness, making the concerts more exciting. The opposite, in Japan it feels like the guests carefully listen to the lyrics and music.


6. If you did an anime theme song, which series would you want to do the most?

It would probably be One Piece. By the way, Waio really likes Zoro.

7. Are there music artists that you admire/respect?

Jellyfish Ben, Folds Five, Yes

8. In order to build their careers, many bands move to Tokyo. When did MinxZone decide to move from Osaka to Tokyo? Did you find it difficult?

When we were 23, we did a concert in Tokyo and were surprised at the honest reaction of the guests, both good and bad. We felt we had to move here in order to mature.

9a. For Ayuha: When did you starting playing the drums?

18 years old.

9b. For Yukari: When did you start singing?

From when I was born!

9c. For Waio: When did you start to play guitar?

When I was 14.

10. For Ayuha: At Anime Evolution you played an electronic drum kit.
When did you start playing that kind of drum kit? Do you still play acoustic drum kits?

Of course I play normal drums! The fusion of natural and digital is just
one theme. I'm still just at a checkpoint.

11. What is your process for writing a song?

There are a lot of different situations, but recently most of the time it's "I want to sing these words" and then we attach a melody.

12. What message is your music is trying to send?

If it had to be one phrase, it would be "smile with tears." When one becomes an adult, the times one can laugh or be angry with all their heart decreases. Perhaps because expressing those feelings is embarrassing, or because the circumstances require one to restrain oneself. So, when Minxzone is singing, cry and laugh!
That is, "now" is an also important part.

13.What should people who do not know your music expect?

It makes us happy to give courage to people who listen, and for our
songs to become the beginning of something.

14. If you weren't in a band, what would you be doing now?

I can't really imagine it...
But whatever we do, it would probably be singing or playing the instruments we like.

15. What is MinxZone's future?

To send our songs to lots of people and create a world full of emotion! Then, it would be nice if we could have a concert for people throughout the world.


Minx Zone's Performed in Vancouver at Anime Evolution June 12-14th, and released their latest mini album “New Age Drive” June 5th.

They will be performing live in Japan on Sept. 22nd at the LaLaport MUSICJAM at the LaLaport Tokyo Bay Shopping Center, and also on Oct 29th in Roppongi's morph-tokyo live house.

For more information check out their website at http://www.minxzone.net or their myspace at http://www.myspace.com/minxzonemusic

MinxZone tracks are also available on iTunes at: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=276923636

Thanks to Shinji for translation help.
Photos courtesy Avex Entertainment.

Urawa Reds #3 needs to stop diving

Seriously.... watching the last 10 minutes of the Urara Reds vs. Kawasaki Frontale match #3 was diving and flopping 5 times in 10 minutes.... and he popped back up each time.... what horrible sportsmanship. By the way, the Reds won 2-0.

#3 is Hajime HOSOGAI, a midfielder who looked like he was filling in at left back.

Weekend Blastoff #243

This week music from Maaya Sakamoto, L'arc en Ciel, Hikaru Utada and others....

Went and saw the Mariners game yesterday, 14 inning, 4-3 win for the Mariners, great game!

They play the Yankees this weekend.

Also getting ready for Aion to launch.... that will take up most of my time when it does.

Also watch this space for an upcoming interview with an up and coming Japanese band!

Peace!

Weekend Blastoff #242

Back from PAX! and no swine flu! lol.

This week music from Kotoko, Akino Arai, Megumi Hayashibara, M-Flo, and more!

I'm finally hoping to catch a Mariners game next week.....

Weekend Blastoff #240 + #241

So 240 played last week, and 241 is this week.....

music from Ayana, Hyde, Anzen Chitai, See-Saw, Hikaru Utada, Ayumi Hamasaki... a good mix in all

also watched the Romeo x Juliet anime last weekend.... pretty good, should do an actual review of it on the blog (watch for it!)

also, no show next week, I'm going to PAX! (been wanting to go for years now!!)

see you all in 2 weeks!

Weekend Blastoff #239

Music this week from .hack//SIGN, Nana, "that song", and "that really long song"

... and some Rina Aiuchi

:P

and.... anyone else notice the Seattle Mariners are in the wild card chase in the American League? Go Ichiro!

Weekend Blastoff #238

yah, it played.

good music too :P

should be more talkative next week.

Weekend Blastoff #237

........and the march goes on...

Music this week from J-pop's holy trinity (Ayumi, Boa, Hikaru)..... and some Gackt.

also Misia, Angela and a Haruhi song.

Distant Worlds: Final Fantasy in Vancouver

Finally! Final Fantasy comes to Vancouver!

And with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performing its gonna be great! :P

Conan O'Brian dubs Ghost in the Shell

Apparently Bang Zoom Entertainment, the American dub studio, is a few blocks from the Tonight Show studios. Maybe they can make this a recurring skit? I hope?

Weekend Blastoff #236

On this weeks show.... music from Kotoko, Back-On, K, Ayumi Hamasaki and others. Also check in on J.League action in the Japanese Sports Report, and... I talk really fast at the end of the show!

Weekend Blastoff #235

#235 this week, I talk about the Emperor of Japan (briefly), also news about Inuyasha, Kannagi and Black Lagoon. Music from NobodyKnows+, Hikaru Utada, Ken Hirai, Gackt and more!

Weekend Blastoff #234

So no show last week.... when you work overtime on a holiday... that'll happen >.<

Anyway, music from Mell, Gackt, Two-Mix, Rina Aiuchi, The Gospellers, T.M. Revolution, Asian Kung Fu Generation, High & Mighty Color..... quite a mix this week!

I'll also get back to posting more random links about things like.... the Emperor of Japan visiting canada O.o!

More on that next week.... in a show where I will be more talkative.

Weekend Blastoff #233

And we keep on rolling. This week songs from Macross Plus, and "that song" from MAX.

Weekend Blastoff #232

The return from AE! This week, I play the set that I played during the Anime Evolution Friday night dance, as well as announce the winners of Anime Idol 2009. And that's it. Enjoy!

Minx Zone @ Anime Evolution

The title and picture says it all, really.

Check them out at www.minxzone.net
and also check out Anime Evolution's webpage at www.animeevolution.com

Japan Clinches World Cup Berth!

Team Japan beat Uzbekistan last week 1-0 to clinch a spot in next year's world cup taking place in South Africa. Shinji Okazaki scored in the 9th minute in a very poorly ref'd game to give Japan the victory with 2 games to go in qualifying. Japan then took on Qatar today in a meaningless game for the Japanese and drew 1-1, effectively ending Qatar's chances at the World Cup. Up next for Japan is a clash with bitter rivals Australia next Wednesday.

Weekend Blastoff #231

On this week's show we check out the Oricon top 10 charts, a rundown of some of the new releases this week, the Japanese sports report, some news from the anime world regarding Funimation, a long talk about Anime Evolution (which takes place next weekend), and of course music! Featured artists this week include Maaya Sakamoto, Mai Yamane, Chemistry and more!

Japan World Cup Soccer team beat Belgium

Japan tuned up for its final world cup qualifying matches with a 4-0 win over Belgium in Kirin Cup action. Japan also beat Chile by the same score earlier in the Week and will face Uzbekistan in their next match. Japan currently sits 2nd in their group with 3 games to play and are 4 points up on 3rd place Bahrain. Japan looks like a lock to qualify out of Asia for the 4th consecutive time.

Weekend Blastoff Episode #230!

I can't believe I've done this 230 times lol.

On this week's show we feature music from Mika Nakashima, Misia, and indie J-rock band Molice! Also the Oricon Top 10 Charts and a rundown of some of the latest releases in Japan this past week!

School Food Punishment - Futuristic Imagination

This is the ED for the Higashi no Eden (Eden of the East) anime series. This is the first time lots of people (including myself) have been introduced to the band. A lot of their songs are in a similar vein and its just nice to listen to. Hope to hear more from them soon!

Mika Nakashima

An interesting article on Mika Nakashima in the Japan Times... which coincided with her new release "Overload" on May 13th

Changes!

As you might have noticed, I changed the title and the layout of the blog. This is now the blog for my show on Japan-A-Radio. (something I should have made a long time ago lol.)

Hikaru Utada's newest english single!

http://www.myspace.com/thisisutada

also at http://www.islandrecords.com/site/promo/splash/utada/index.htm

Utada - Come Back To Me

I wish they'd use her full name. Also interesting to see what kinda promotion this gets.