A recent interview for Sakura TV has reached close to 100,000 views on YouTube as of this post! The interview is for Shogen’s film “December” directed by Anshul Chauhan.
Author: Haisai Richie
Luchuan Wayseeker
Brandon Ufugusuku Ing’s “Chijuyaa” on the DisOrient 2023 Film Festival
We think we first saw the video for Brandon Ufugusuku Ing’s “Chijuyaa” during one of the HUOA’s YouTube channel livestreams and thought it was an amazing arrangement of “Hamachiduri” and a very beautiful video. Now we’ll have a chance to watch it again as it’s been selected to be streamed on the DisOrient 2023 Film Festival! And if you love it be sure to support him on his Bandcamp.
Chijuyaa – the plover. Descendants of Okinawan immigrants in Hawai‘i perform a traditional Ryūkyūan song and dance, evoking memories of the past, and emotions of loneliness and yearning. Sung in Uchinaaguchi, one of the endangered Ryūkyūan languages.
https://disorient2023.eventive.org/films/chijuyaa-63c8c7f1f76a4000cd32dab5
It’ll be available for streaming from 3/13 to 3/19. The trailer is down below.
Uehara Shunsuke’s Dawgss New Single “Finale”
Possibly one of the best/top drummers from Okinawa (you’ll often find him keeping the beat for the most popular artists from Japan) is Uehara Shunsuke (formerly of Rinken Band) and his group dawggs has a new single “FINALE” that was released on 1/17/23. We’re really loving it. Add it to your favorite streaming platform here.
Miura Daichi Goes to Space (Kinda)
Miura Daichi recently released a new digital single (he’s been on quite a streak lately with new songs!) and this one takes him to space, well kinda. For his new song “ALOS”, Daichi is working with JAXA for their new “Daichi (ALOS)” satellite series. His single before this was the theme song for an anime and now he has a song literally going to space. So what’s next?! And you better believe the song is available everywhere on Earth and beyond! 🛰️👩🏻🚀👽
Anly Shares An Amazing Photo
Anly recently shared a photo on her Twitter that’s mind-blowing 🤯 because it’s a pairing of one of the top pop music artists (Anly, of course) and folk music artists (Nakasone Hajime / R∞2) from Okinawa! If you follow us, you know that she did a collaboration with Hajime on her song “Alive” which is one of our favorites from her new album. She mentioned that it was the first time they performed together live! Amazing talent in this photo.
New Single from YU-KA “Hoshizukiyo”
YU-KA is back with a new single for 2023 and back together again with Toru from ONE OK ROCK so this one will get a lot of attention! “Hoshizukiyo” is now available on your favorite streaming platform. And of course, there’s an MV for it too. 😊
Shimoji Isamu’s “Karai”
I can’t believe it’s Shimoji Isamu’s first album in 4 years! Released on 12/24/22, “Karai” has a total of 12 tracks with an MV released for “Kyuu nu Yuu nu Suu” (the 2nd song on the album). What’s great is that it’s been released on all streaming platforms. Sadly, his back catalog hasn’t been released on streaming platforms but at least we now have hope that we’ll one day see them available to fans.
Yafuso Akane’s “Kotaeawase”
Yafuso Akane’s new music video for “Kotaeawase” (2022 release) made it to the iTunes top J-pop video chart at #8! The single (as with the rest of her catalog) is available on most streaming platforms. Watch the video on her YouTube channel!
Singer Anly to Hold a Fender Workshop in Fukuoka
Fender Japan announced that singer Anly (our most listened to artist for 2022!) will have her own Fender Workshop in Fukuoka! The workshop will be for those starting out or looking to improve their acoustic guitar skills. Fender gives Anly a lot of love so is it only a matter of time till she has her own signature model?
Film “Kiminisachiare yo” Stars Kobashigawa Tatsuru
Coming to theaters this February is “Kiminisachiare yo” which stars Okinawan actor Kobashigawa Tatsuru (Waido from Okinawan Heroes) and fellow Okinawan actor and Waido cast member (the super cool) Tamayose Keiji. An interesting side note to the film is that it’s directed by Sakurai Keisuke who had a role in the NHK drama “Chimudondon” as one of the kitchen staff (Tamashima Masahiro). Below is the film’s trailer and it looks like an amazing story.
Karakui 