Japan Nite Artist Introductions Round 8: Mahoshojo ni naritai

A self-proclaimed "no-genre band," Mahoshojo ni naritai is dripping with nerd-core goodness.  With a sound straight out of an old-school video game, the synth backdrop and effected vocals make you feel like you're adventuring with Zelda or defeating evil mages in Final Fantasty I.  Even navigating their OHP feels like a video game.  Check them out after the break.

Band Name:  Mahoshojo-ni-naritai

Members: 
KAJI BASIL (vocal)
gari (VJ/vocal)
MEIJIsan (guitar)
Ui Viton (guitar)
ADULT YUkun (bass)

Japan Nite Artist Introductions Round 7: Pirates Canoe

When I tell you about this band, you're going to think I'm lying.  Pirates Canoe is a Japanese....Americana band.  I know, it confused me, too, but there is no denying their authentic folk sound.  Started in the summer of 2009, this group from the Kansai region of Japan will fool you into thinking they're from the Mississippi Valley with their blend of guitars, fiddles and sweet, southern-twanged vocals.

Band Name:  Pirates Canoe

Members:   

Elizabeth Etta (vocals and guitar)
Sara Kohno (vocals and mandolin) 
Kanoko Keyaki (vocals and fiddle)
Kazuhiko Iwaki (resophonic guitar)
Takashi "Yossie" Yoshioka (percussion)
Jun Taniguchi (bass)

Japan Nite Artist Introductions Round 6: The fin.

If you're looking for something a little more low-key, The fin. is for you.  Formed in 2012, their first self-released EP, Glowing Red on the Shore, did so well that Hip Land Music gave it a full re-release in March of last year.  They just released their first album in December 2014 and its chillwave sound is sure to please your ears.

Artist Name:   The fin.
Member names: 

Yuto Uchino
Ryosuke Odagaki
Takayasu Taguchi
Kaoru Nakazawa

Japan Nite Artist Introductions Round 5: ZARAGANI$

 ZARAGANI$ (pronounced ZARAGANI Dollar) is a high-energy girl rock duo that mixes punk, pop and all-out noise into something exciting and purely fun.  This group played at SXSW last year and had the whole crowd dancing.  Check out a clip from the performance as well as the full interview below the break.

Artist Name:   ZARIGANI$

Member name:
Eri(Bass&Vox)

Mizuki(Drums) 

Japan Nite Artist Introductions Round 4: QUORUM

Like a blast from the past, QUORUM comes at you with vintage rock sound straight out of the 70's.  Despite their young age (the group states an average age of 22), these guys list such old school rock greats as Jimi Hendrix and Led Zepplin as their greatest influences and it shows with their bluesy guitar riffs and melodic vocals.  Classic rock with a modern edge, this is a group that is sure to steal the show.  Check them out below the break.

Member Name :
Shintaro Namioka (vo)
Yuta Kitagawa (gt)
Yukito Bonkobara (ba)
Kenjiro Namioka (dr)

Band Name:
QUORUM

Japan Nite Artist Introductions Round 3: TsuShiMaMiRe

TsuShiMaMiRe mixes elements of punk, funk, hip hop, pop and even children's songs to create their own unique and eclectic sound.  This alternative girls rock trio formed in 1998 has never seen a single lineup change and it shows with a groove that's tight as a drum.  Full of charisma and quirk, this is a band you surely don't want to miss.  Find the full interview and tour dates below the break.

Artist Name:   
TsuShiMaMiRe

Member names:
Mari : Vocal and Guitar
Yayoi : Bass and Chorus
Mizue : Drums and Chorus

Japan Nite Artist Introductions Round 2: BO-PEEP

Don't let the cutesy name fool you, these girls are 100% rock and roll.  Formed in Fukuoka and now based in Tokyo, the trio keep it simple with just one guitar, bass and drums.  God, I miss grunge music and these girls give me just what I need as they hammer out powerful Ramones-style grunge riffs reminiscent of all the dirty rock of the 80's and 90's I used to love.  BO-PEEP are no strangers to these shores, making their debut in the US in 2009 and earning rave reviews for their previous SXSW appearances.  They will be appearing at several stops on the Japan Nite tour, so if you can't make it to SXSW this year, make sure to check the dates below for a show near you.  Find our full interview with BO-PEEP below the break.


Artist Name: BO-PEEP 

 Member names:
・Mika Yoshimura(Vo,Gu)
・Ryoko Nanakano(Dr)
・Yuki Sujaku(Ba)

Japan Nite Artist Introductions Round 1: moumoon

Japan Nite Tour 2015 will soon be gracing our shores, celebrating their 20th anniversary and bringing with them yet another amazing host of Japanese musicians.  We at Project:  Lixx aim to introduce you to each of them in turn, starting with pop duo, moumoon.  Formed in 2005, the pair have graced Japan with their mellow, melodic sound with well over 20 releases since their inception.  Their latest release, Hello Shooting Star, is available for download and physical purchase February 25.  Japan Nite will mark their first American performance.  Check out our full interview with moumoon below.

Artist Name:
moumoon

Members:

YUKA(Vocal)
MASAKI(Compose,Guiter)

Artist Feature: Haruka

Look out, girls!  Singer-songwriter and guitarist, Haruka, is ready to make her mark on the world!  She released her first single, Mune ni Kibō o, in 2008 under Pony Canyon, which was subsequently used as the opening theme for their anime series, Blue Dragon.  Last year, she decided to take matters into her own hands and started her own label, CLUB DISORDER, through which she released her latest album, ANTHEMS, just this October.  She was kind enough to take the time to talk with us about the challenges of being a female musician, starting her own label, and, of course, her plans for world domination.  Check the digest video for her album below and the interview after the break.

Artist Feature: Haruka Teaser!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2015 is upon us, and brings with it the promise of greater things to come. What better way to start it off right than with some killer news tunes? Meet solo artist and label owner, Haruka!

Gifted with talent and drive, her desire to spread her music across the globe and reach out to fans world-wide is what brought her to our attention. Check out her comment video below and watch for her full article coming soon!!

Band Feature: ICE ELEMENT

A band I stumbled across during the Red Bull Live On The Road contest last spring caught my eye. A new band, just formed by the vocalist, SYOGO in 2012. That band was ICE ELEMENT. 

Though young, they have already self-produced and released 1 single, 4 mini-albums and 1 full album, as well as a dvd of their Music Videos. The music video's themselves, are also produced by the band. Their desire to commit to their music evident by their consistency and growth. 

Eager to share their music, the band aims to keep their Lives frequent, as well as their activities online via their YouTube channel. Their music is also available by mail order via their OHP!

Meet the members and read the interview after the break!

Band Feature: ICE ELEMENT Teaser!

Happy Holidays everyone!!! We hope you're having a great time with family, friends and food! But of course, what holiday would be complete without music? And so, we bring you our next band feature, ICE ELEMENT! Check out their comment video below and look forward to reading their article up Monday!

They've also just released a new PV Preview for their upcoming track アテナ. So check that after, and tell 'em Lixx sent ya!

Happy Holidays!

Band Feature: Hybrids

Hybrids are a Jrock-inspired visual band from France who say their interests are music, sex and rock!  These guys bring a little bit of the East to the West with their unique sound and style.  They've toured through Europe with popular Japanese bands such as Anli Policino and Eat You Alive and their first album, Human Paranoid, just released this July. 

Meet the members:

NAO
DoB : 26.08
Instrument brand of choice : gretsch
Favorite colour : purple
Favorite clothing brand : roschell
Favorite food : porc au caramel
Most known for saying / catch phrase : Caaaaat  !!

Yune

DoB : 29.11

Instrument brand of choice : ESP

Favorite colour : red

Favorite clothing brand : Roshell, black baccarat

Favorite food : pasta

Most known for saying / catch phrase : Let's rock !!!

Jay
DoB : 17.10
Instrument brand of choice : Schecter
Favorite colour : yellow
Favorite clothing brand : Carhartt
Favorite Food : hamburger
Most known for saying / catch phrase : I'm too lazy

 

Sae

DoB : 20.04

Instrument brand of choice : ESP, Ampeg

Favorite colour : pearl aqua blue

Favorite food : salmon sashimi

Most known for saying / catch phrase  : what do you think?

 Tatsu
DoB : 05.06
Instrument brand of choice : tama, meinl, vic first
Favorite colour : purple
Favorite food : dairy
Most known for saying / catch phrase : fla ta ta ta tcha ta drag ta fla ta fla fla ta ta ta ta pouf

Band Feature: Spacetime And Streams

Formed in February 2010, Spacetime and Streams is a band inspired by a variety a music to create their own grunge alternative shoe-gazing style. Ever chasing after their inspiration, they have carved their own path and seek to free you from everyday, and introduce to you their unique creation of space.

Vocalist: carlos
Birthday: Sept. 11th
Favorite colour: Yellow
Favorite food: Japanese noodles
Most known for saying/catch phrase: Nothing's real anymore.

Lead Guitar: bancho

Birthday: May 5th

Favorite Artist: 3 Doors Down

Instrument brand of choice: Altero Custom Guitars

Favorite colour: Black

Favorite food: Japanese food

Most known for saying/catch phrase: Nobody is perfect.

Bass: masashi
Birthday: March 20th
Instrument brand of choice: FODERA、MOON
Favorite colour: Blue
Favorite brand of clothing: ZARA
Favorite food: Curry
Most known for saying/catch phrase: Treasure every meeting, for it will never recur.

Drums: taka

Birthday: August 17th

Instrument brand of choice: I use ALL USED or ALL REMODELED drum parts.

Favorite colour: Blue

Favorite brand of clothing: Adidas Originals

Favorite food: Italian

Most known for saying/catch phrase: Don’t think, feel.

Though busy with new PVs and member changes, the guys of Spacetime and Streams squeezed us in to talk a bit about what inspires them and the dreams they are chasing. 

Band Feature: Spacetime And Streams Teaser!

2014 has been a busy year for these guys, but even with the chaos, Spacetime and Streams squeezed us in! With their 3rd PV due to be released Nov 1st, you'll definitely want to give them a listen! And be sure to check out our feature focus on them, out tomorrow! So click play, and meet the members behind the band!

Band Feature: Re:CODE

Re:CODE is a visual rock band from Bandung, Indonesia. The band was originally formed by Ryou (Guitar) and Irsan (Vocals) in early October of 2009. They invited Fadia (Bass) and Emon (Drums) to join and named the band Coitus Delusion (Co: De). Co: De was a band that performed cover songs of Japanese visual kei bands, namely DELUHI. But the formation changed when Irsan (vocals) decided to resign and replaced by Ikbal. However, it was not to be and Ikbal decided to resign in Nov. 2010. This forced them into looking for a replacement, and they recruited Aldy from RIOTS as the new vocalist and that is how the band stands today. They have also changed from that of a cover band, into producing their own original tracks.

Meet the members and read the interview after the break!

Band Feature: Girls Rock Duo Rovin

Born in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, Jin and Tomoe formed girls rock duo Rovin in 2009. Their sound is said to be "cool", and they are increasing their listener base, particularly overseas.

In 2010, Rovin uploaded their first song on myspace, and their first music video was released on YouTube in 2012. In 2013, Rovin was performing at local TV program live events in Japan, and they appeared on a TV music program on NHK. Rovin ranked # 3 in summer sonic 2013 Google+ audition at that time. 

In November, Rovin was # 1 for the fourth consecutive month in local area artists on 'music ru TV' website of TV asahi (Japanese television station), and also their the music video was published on NHK WORLD TV website.

Currently, their 2nd Download Single 'imitation' is available now. 

Meet the members and read the interview after the break!

Band Feature: Rose Noire

Rose Noire was formed by members Louie (Vocalist) and Jill (Violin) when they were the students of the Tokyo National University of Fine arts and Music. They won the ZOOM at SONY-ZOOM DEMO tape competition in 2007.

Their music is free from predefined genres and concepts. Composed of their own world, in their own image, of their own existence and music. Classical with a touch of variety like Rock, R&B, Club music, HipHop, Industrial, Electronica and others.

Meet the members and read the interview after the break!

Band Feature: The Mootekkis

The Mootekkis, an east-meets-west Tokyo-based 5-piece rock’n’roll band, were formed midway through 2008 and were featured on the front cover of Japanzine after winning the magazine’s nation-wide battle of the bands. They went on to get airplay on InterFM 76.1 one of Tokyo's biggest radio stations and due to their no-holds-barred, beer-fuelled rock'n'roll they have also been targeted by local drum'n'bass DJ's for remixes.

In August 2012 they embarked on a 10 day tour of New York where they played Manhattan hot spots Bowery Electric and Piano’s as well as New Haven’s Elm Bar and a handful of basement and loft parties in Brooklyn. Earlier in the year they took the stage at Metropolis Magazine's "Saiko" event alongside internationally traveled Japanese bands - Tokyo Pinsalocks and Moja – and there’s no sign of them slowing down.

Brooklyn’s Ishmael Osekre, organizer of the festival Aputumpu and front man of Osekre and the Lucky Bastards, had this to say after seeing the The Mootekkis at a Bushwick loft party: “This was pure rock’n’roll in a way that most people around here haven’t seen for a long time…it was just amazing.”

What’s next for these five brothers from different mothers? What isn’t next?

Meet the members and read the interview after the break!

Band Feature: The Mootekkis Teaser!

Oh yeah, you know you wannnnn'it! Our next band feature is ready to go and it'll be hitting you up in style tomorrow. The Mootekkis may sound familiar if you checked out our recent review of their debut album "Heckling The Dawn". If not, go read it after checking out their teaser comment video above. Then come back tomorrow for the full band feature with interview - look forward to it!