-
J-MELO in Okinawa!
On today’s episode (#119) of NHK’s English-language music show J-MELO, VJ (and popular J-pop artist) melody. announced an upcoming show with the focus being on Okinawa. Yay! There was a short clip of melody. singing a song of hers with Yukito Ara (Parsha cluB) on sanshin and Isamu Shimoji on guitar that should be pretty…
-
Remaking the Sanshin
We’ve seen sanshin+guitar hybrids in the past (not to mention what we’re seeing done with kankara sanshin) with Rinken Teruya’s Cheren, BEGIN’s Ichigo-Ichie (Nirai, Kanai) and now here’s a “peg” sanshin from Sanshin-ya Tururunten (above images are via their blog). Anyone tried one of these yet or seen it played by the members of Okichin?…
-
BEGIN Starts Up Their Own Record Label: PIG PINK
Music group BEGIN has founded its own music label named PIG PINK, also known by the nickname ‘Buta House.’ The label started in July as part of Imperial Records, the J-pop branch of Teichiku Records. Last fall, BEGIN started working on their music in a pink-walled house on Okinawa. Their label’s name is based on…
-
Karakui’s Album Cover Art
Asano Irei Originally uploaded by karakui Starting a new project of CD album cover art scans. Enjoy! Check them out over here: karakui’s (flickr photostream).
-
In Hawaii: Hanayakara, Ryusei Daiko & Naha Daiko
The girls of the group Hanayakara are so cute and talented that they could possibly be thought of as the Okinawan version of the popular J-pop group Morning Musume. Hanayakara will be performing in Hawaii at 2pm on Friday (8/31/07) at the Ala Moana Shopping Center’s Centerstage and at 4:05pm on Saturday (9/1/07) at the…
-
In Hawaii: Miiuta Taishou Winner Takayuki Oshiro [Unconfirmed]
Last year, one of my favorite upcoming utasaa, Akane Murayoshi, came to Hawaii as part of Radio Okinawa’s annual Miiuta Taishou Grand Prix winner’s prize. This year’s (the 18th annual) grand prix winner is Takayuki Oshiro (his nickname is ‘Ootaka’ おおたか) who will be performing his winning composition, “Sakasanaya∼”. The YouTube clip above is Ootaka…
-
In Hawaii: Churamana
Name sound familiar? Yup, I recently posted an entry about Churamana here and we’ll have a chance to see them live in Hawaii on Friday, August 31, 2007 at the Okinawan Festival in Kapiolani Park. They’ll be performing as part of the “Aloha Concert” set starting from 8pm with Kumu Hula Sonny Ching & Halau…
-
In Hawaii: Rinken Band
It looks like it’s confirmed, the group that put the “O” in O-pop, Rinken Band, will be performing a free, wait, let me say that again, FREE (yes, doesn’t it look better emphasized and bold?) concert in Honolulu on Saturday, September 1, 2007. Opening for them will be “Hawaii’s Largest Bon Dance” (yeah, I wish…
-
CD Album: Yanawarabaa’s ‘Utagusui’
I’m marking this as the O-pop CD album to buy this year. Yanawarabaa’s forthcoming 1st full-album of 13-tracks, “Utagusui” (AKCY-58033) will be released on August 29, 2007, and the first press edition will come with kunkunshii (think guitar tabs for your sanshin)! Check out my ‘Digging Yanawarabaa’ post for a YouTube clip of this fantastic…
-
DVD: Misako Oshiro’s ‘Uta Kataree’
Utasaa great Misako Oshiro is making 2007 a year to remember. She started off the year with her first full-album in 10 years, “Uta Umui” (UBCA-1008, Tuff Beats), and held her 50th anniversary (in Okinawa’s performing arts) recital last month (7/8/07) at the Naha Shimin Kaikan. She’ll be performing around Japan from August to October…
Karakui 