INTERVIEW: umbrella LIVE at Anime North, May 22, 2015

umbrella are back and taking over Anime North! It's been 2 years since their last performance here on Canadian soil, but speaking with them again it feels like it was just yesterday. Let's hope it's not another 2 years before we see them again!

The interview was set as a small press conference consisting of myself, Satty from CJLO's Shibuya Crossing and Dianna from Beachboosterradio's Beach Corner.

Please watch for all our coverage on our blog. Lots more to come!

Enjoy!

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HUGE Thanks to:

umbrella: Yui, Syu, Hal and Sho!

xxumbrellaxx.com

J-rock North Promotions, Inc. 

j-rocknorth.com

INTERVIEW: UchuSentai: NOIZ. LIVE at Anime North, May 22, 2015.

We had the chance to sit down with UchuSentai:NOIZ right at the beginning of Anime North this year. It was a pleasure to speak with them again, having last seen them at their performance 2 years prior.

The interview was set as a small press conference consisting of myself, Satty from CJLO's Shibuya Crossing and Dianna from Beachboosterradio's Beach Corner.

Please watch for all our coverage on our blog: Lots more to come!

Enjoy!

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/xzzLixxzzx

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xzzLixxzzx

HUGE Thanks to:

UchuSentai:NOIZ - Angel, Masato, Kotaro, Kyo and Yamato

uchusentainoiz.com

Galaxy Star Disc

J-rock North Promotions, Inc. 

j-rocknorth.com

INTERVIEW: VAMPS Live at Welcome to Rockville

Right smack in the middle of their run with Nikki Sixx on SIXX:AM's Modern Vintage tour, VAMPS made a quick stop in Florida to perform in Monster Energy's Loudest Month series, rocking the stage during Ft. Rock in Ft. Meyers and Welcome to Rockville in Jacksonville.  I caught up with Hyde and KAZ after their smoking set in Jacksonville on April 24 and, with the help of translator, Hiroki, chatted about touring with an American legend, performing in a foreign country and vampire evolution.


You guys have been playing a LOT lately. You’ve been very very busy. Do you do anything special to stay in shape, maintain your voice, anything like that?

H: We have kind of a hard time, of course. With the one man tour we get kind of tired, but everyday something new happens and it’s kind of refreshing.


Speaking of new things, Nikki Sixx recently played VAMPARK in Japan with you guys and now you are opening for him on his SIXX:AM Modern Vintage Tour. How did that come about?

H: Nikki knows that I’m a big fan of Motley Crue and Nikki Sixx. We recently had a big gig in Japan called VAMPARK Festival and we supported SIXX:AM and helped them get into the Japanese market. Now, we are with SIXX:AM because they are trying to give back for what we did for them.

Interview: HIZUMI of UMBRELLA Design Co. At Naka-kon 2015

Naka-kon marks the beginning of my con season and I have to say, it is starting out great! Thanks to a friend I had the chance to get out and enjoy this amazing convention, plus I had the opportunity to sit down for an interview with HIZUMI, of D'ESPAIRSRAY fame, to talk about his career in design and his company UMBRELLA.


Q. Thank you for speaking with us today. How did you enjoy Naka-kon? Did you have a chance to look around?

A. This is the first time I've really gotten to walk around and look through a venue where it is very concentrated on anime. It left quite an impact.


Q. You run your own company, UMBRELLA. Are the style of design you use and the name connected?

A. There is no real connection between the name and designs. The name for the brand comes from the fact that people call me the "Rain Man." The name doesn't have anything to do with my creative works.


Q. Can you tell us about overall influences? Such as other artists or things in everyday life that influence you to create your designs?

A. It mostly comes from talking with people. Like going out and talking with drinking buddies.

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.

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: 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. 

Interview: Shonen Knife North American Tour 2014!

No stranger to endless tour dates and trips around the world, Shonen Knife have returned stateside to once again take North America by storm! With 34 concerts, including both Toronto and Montreal Canadian dates, as well as the newly announced 10/22 date at The Knitting Factory, NYC, you'd be hard pressed not to find your way into their audience.

Inspiring, influencing and creating since their formation Dec. 29, 1981, Shonen Knife is a band that has woven it's way through rock history and clearly made a mark. In an era where many musicians come and go as though seasonal trends, they continue to evolve, yet remain true to the rock lifestyle.

Just fresh into their 2014 tour, Naoko, Tirsuko, and Emi took a moment to sit down and speak about their music, their fans and food!

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!

Interview LIVE at Anime North: Rose Noire & DaizyStripper

Amidst the chaos of convention life, both Rose Noire and DaizyStripper were kind enough to sit down with me prior to their lives at Anime North. Both bands were present during the interview, so the conversation will bounce between both bands. Enjoy!