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Kiroro to resume activity – Tokyograph
Okinawan duo Kiroro announced that they are planning to fully resume activity next month, in time for the 10th anniversary of their major label debut. The two women both got married in 2005, and Kiroro was put on hold as they each prepared for motherhood. Ayano Kinjo gave birth in November of that year, and…
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Cocco’s ‘Jugon no Mieru Oka’ links to Okinawa
Being a big fan of Cocco’s art and music, I was pleasantly surprised to hear the tun-tun-ten of a sanshin in her latest single “Jugon no Mieru Oka.” Although that alone is pretty cool in itself, Cocco goes on to sing (at 4:51) lyrics from “Ittaa Anmaa Maakaiga”, an Okinawan warabi uta (children’s song). While…
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Lina (MAX) to release photobook ‘LINA SINGS’ on 12/22
Lina (30, of the J-pop group MAX) announced on her blog the upcoming 12/22 release of her solo photobook (shashinshuu) LINA SINGS. Her fellow band mate, Reina, has already released two photobooks the latest R-017 is from 2006. (Above image comes via Lina’s blog.)
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Yui, please be my girlfriend
According to an Oricon survey, ‘Koibito ni shitai hito’ (the person you want as your boy/girlfriend), uber-popular actress Yui Aragaki (Gakky) took the top spot in the ranking which also featured fellow Uchinanchu Yukie Nakama (#4) and Aya Ueto (#6). It’s no surprise to see her rank at the top because she’s definitely cute and…
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Film: J-pop singer Beni Arashiro to make her big screen debut in 2008
With an upcoming single called “BIG BANG” picked as the theme song for TBS’ live American Football broadcast in March of next year, J-pop singer Beni Arashiro will be making her big screen debut in the movie “Bura Bura Ban Ban” based on a manga of the same name. The movie is set to begin…
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Blogs worth subscribing to from Vision Factory’s artists
Vision Factory, which manages artists like J-hip-pop queen Namie Amuro, has a listing of blogs (Namie is unfortunately not on the list) up on their site. The great thing is that a few of these blogs contain video clips (so they’re closer to vlogs). Below are a few of my faves: hiro (ex-SPEED) – ‘Constanze…
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Shopping: CDJapan has Coco d’Or 2 CD on clearance sale
CDJapan has a clearance sale just in time for X-mas shopping and you’ll find the second album from hiro’s (ex-SPEED) Coco d’Or project on sale at 40% off of its regular ¥3,800 price! The 2006-released clearance sale item is bundled with a bonus DVD (AVCD-16102) containing two music videos.
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Music: Toru Yonaha’s 3rd album ‘Utage’ 12/19 release!
Still waiting to see the album cover but that’s beside the point as we finally have a release date for Toru Yonaha’s much-anticipated 3rd solo album: 12/19/07. Titled ‘Utage’ (Party), the album will feature collaborations with artists like Masamune Kusano (from the J-rock band Spitz), Kyogo Kawaguchi (J-pop), Naomi Tamura (J-pop), Kiyosaku (of the punk…
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H&MC announces singles collection – Tokyograph
H&MC announces singles collection – Tokyograph: Rock sextet HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR has announced the release of their first best album, which goes on sale December 26. Titled ’10 COLOR SINGLES,’ the album is a collection of their ten singles released so far, from their debut hit ‘PRIDE’ to their latest song ‘Dreams.’ The album…
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Yui Aragaki to debut at Budokan – Tokyograph
Details of Yui Aragaki’s new music career were announced on Monday. On December 5, she will release her first album, titled ‘Sora.’ Then on December 21, she will give her first live performance in front of 10,000 fans at the Nippon Budokan. Aragaki is only the third artist (and first female idol) to debut at…
Karakui 