このウェブサイトについて

It Came From Japan is an agency running tours and showcases that bring the freshest, creamiest Japanese bands to the UK. ICFJ's podcast is our way of saying thanks to the fans who come to our shows, and a way to expose new Japanese artists to music-lovers in the West. Please subscribe to the podcast in iTunes. We want to hear your comments, and we hope you love it!

FACEBOOK, TWITTER, RSS












WHAT YOU CAME FOR:

podcast ICFJ #048 – Special interview with Heavenstamp!

by Daniel Robson on October 14th, 2019

Click here to download from iTunes

Hey everyone! We’re back! Kinda?

Yeah, so the main thing is not an audio podcast but a beautiful video on YouTube – an interview with the excellent band Heavenstamp! Regular listeners will know that we played them on the ICFJ podcast episode 38, back in 2014. Now, Heavenstamp have an amazing new album called Love Builders, and we asked them loads of stuff about it. The video also includes exclusive live performances of several songs at Lush in Shibuya, Tokyo, including their single ‘L.O.V.E, Right?’ You should watch the video, it’s great!

It’s been something like two years since our last episode, and making a fully subtitled interview video was time-consuming, so who knows when the next one will come. But we hope you love it, and tell your friends about it, and subscribe to our YouTube channel, and leave comments, and… Ah whatever, just enjoy the video 🙂

Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2019 It Came From Japan

Play

Includes a clip from L.O.V.E, Right? by Heavenstamp

Our exclusive video interview with Heavenstamp on YouTube

Heavenstamp official website

Heavenstamp official Twitter account


Click here for all PODCASTS


Click here for all INTERVIEWS


Click here for 2014 UK TOUR


ICFJ #048 – Special interview with Heavenstamp!

podcast by Daniel Robson on October 14th, 2019

Hey everyone! We’re back! Kinda?
Yeah, so the main thing is not an audio podcast but a beautiful video on YouTube – an interview with the excellent band Heavenstamp! Regular listeners will know that we played them on the ICFJ podcast episode 38, back in 2014. Now, Heavenstamp have an amazing new album called Love Builders, and we asked them loads of stuff about it. The video also includes exclusive live performances of several songs at Lush in Shibuya, Tokyo, including their single ‘L.O.V.E, Right?’ You should watch the video, it’s great!
It’s been something like two years since our last episode, and making a fully subtitled interview video was time-consuming, so who knows when the next one will come. But we hope you love it, and tell your friends about it, and subscribe to our YouTube channel, and leave comments, and… Ah whatever, just enjoy the video 🙂
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2019 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #047 – Special interview with Aldious!

podcast by Daniel Robson on March 28th, 2017

We’re back with a special one-off episode of the ICFJ podcast to bring you an exclusive interview with Aldious! They’re a super-cool metal band whose fifth album, Radiant A, is now available in the UK and Europe on JPU Records.
This is our first episode in over a year, and for now it’s a one-off, but who knows – if you guys are still listening then maybe we’ll make more. Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2017 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ podcast TEASER – new episode coming soon!

podcast by Daniel Robson on March 27th, 2017

Hi! Hello! We’re back! Well, sort of. Here’s a quick teaser to let you know about a forthcoming special episode of the It Came From Japan podcast featuring an interview with the band Aldious. Come back for the full episode very soon!
In the meantime please find us online at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan. ©2017 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #046 – Picks of 2015, including Dempagumi.inc, Passepied and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on December 30th, 2015

On ICFJ#046, Daniel and Asuka look back at their musical highlights of 2015, with a playlist that includes Dempagumi.inc (Dempari Night), Looprider (Kill La), HAJIMETAL (GIRI GAL), VooDoo Hawaiians (Ame No Hi No Parade), BO-PEEP (YOU&I) and Passepied (Ura No Ura).
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2015 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #045 – Koeda, Shonen Knife, Electric Eel Shock, Otori, LLLL and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on June 8th, 2015

ICFJ#045’s playlist includes music from Koeda (DanSin’), Shonen Knife (Bad Luck Song), Electric Eel Shock (My Favorite No. 9), LLLL (Blue), Pirokalpin (Be Free) and Mamadrive (Mad Scientist), along with tracks from artists part of the Next Music From Tokyo tour in Canada including Otori (Hanten) and Atlantis Airport (Hikari To Kage No Hazama). We also have interviews with Otori and LLLL.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2015 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #044 – Passepied, Moumoon, Yosi Horikawa, Merpeoples, CQ and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on May 3rd, 2015

ICFJ#044’s playlist includes music from Merpeoples (Kiss You), Phenotas (Konya Ga Owaranai), Kinoco Hotel (Makka Na Zeri), Ni-Hao! (Make It) Awesome City Club (Jungle) and CQ (Ian), along with tracks from artists performing at The Japan Rising showcase at The Great Escape festival in Brighton, United Kingdom including Passepied (Matatabistep), Moumoon (Hello, Shooting-Star) and Yosi Horikawa (Wandering). We also have an interviews with Haneda Narita of Passepied and music journalist Patrick St. Michel of Make Believe Melodies.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2015 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #043 – Lite, The Fin., Mothercoat, Pika☆, Takaakira “Taka” Goto and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on March 14th, 2015

ICFJ#043’s playlist includes music from former Afrirampo drummer Pika☆ (Ryu No Sumika) and Mono frontman Takaakira “Taka” Goto (Delicate Madness), along with tracks from artists performing at SXSW 2015 in Austin, Texas, including Tsushimamire (Speedy Wonder), Mothercoat (Fake A Fake), The Fin. (Night Time), Bo-Peep (Power), Haioka (Wasurenagusa) and Lite (Echolocation).
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2015 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #042 – Suiyoubi No Campanella, Dempagumi.inc, Yokan System, DYGL, Umez, and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on February 27th, 2015

ICFJ#042’s playlist includes Suiyoubi No Campanella (Sen No Rikyu), Dempagumi.inc (Neo Japonism), Mop Of Head (FFFFresh), Tokyo Karankoron (Koi No Machine Gun), DYGL (All The Time), Yokan System (Yokan Teresa), LLLL feat. Meghan Riley (Transcribe) and Umez (Good Bye My Friend), plus an interview with Yokan System. Also featuring brand new host, Ryotaro Aoki of Looprider, who will be taking over the podcast from Daniel starting with this episode (with Asuka of course)!
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2015 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Meet our new podcast host!

news by Daniel Robson on February 11th, 2015

Meet the new host of the ICFJ podcast – Ryotaro Aoki!

Ryotaro is a musician (we played his awesome band Looprider on episode 039) and a music journalist (he blogs at donotcrossthestreams.wordpress.com), and he has great taste, so we’re sure he’ll fit right in when he joins Asuka from episode 042 this month. Say hi to him on Twitter @ryotaroao!

ICFJ #041 – Vamps, Passepied, Alexandros, TIMM and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on November 16th, 2014

ICFJ#041’s playlist includes Meliyas (Kari Kari), Mayuko (Toy Cross), KiRiKo (Shinsai-ba), Passepied (Tokyo City Underground (English version)), Tomoyuki Nagasawa (Vanilla), Vamps (Lips), Burnout Syndromes (Tsuiraku/Joushou), Molice (Jewel Story (live at TIMM 2014)), plus a roundup from Tokyo International Music Market and Japan Night, featuring interviews with Vamps, Passepied, Alexandros, Mayuko and Comme Ci Comme Ca. Daniel and Asuka also chat about their favourite Japanese music moments of 2014, and explain why the podcast is going on hiatus for a bit. Oh!
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #040 – Cibo Matto, FACT, Summer Sonic and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on October 8th, 2014

ICFJ#040’s playlist includes FEMM (Whiplash), Cibo Matto (Deja Vu), Josy (Paradise), Happy (Lift This Weight), Fuyumi Abe (A Thousand Days Of Love), The Diders (Beer Boys), FACT (Ape), fhana (Kotonoha Breakdown feat. Towana) and HeavensDust (World Goes Gray feat. Eijiro of Bull Zeichen 88 (ReGraced Mix)), plus a roundup from Summer Sonic festival featuring interviews with Cibo Matto, FACT and The Diders. All that plus a preview of Tokyo International Music Market and the usual banter between Daniel and Asuka (with extra coughing).
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #039 – Dempagumi.inc, Oomori Seiko, Rock In Japan and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on September 15th, 2014

ICFJ#039’s playlist includes Santara (Backseat), Oomori Seiko (Kyuru Kyuru), Large House Satisfaction (Twilight), Dempagumi.inc (Chururi Chururira), Looprider (Farewell), Theatre Brook (Mou Ichido Sekai Wo Kaeru No Sa), Sister Jet (Super Big (Comes Up) and Downy (Saru No Tegara), plus a roundup from Rock In Japan festival featuring interviews with Dempagumi.inc, Oomori Seiko, Orange Range and Theatre Brook. All that and the usual banter between Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #038 – Heavenstamp, Inshow-ha, 101A and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on August 8th, 2014

ICFJ#038’s playlist includes Karasu Wa Masshiro (Fake!Fake!), Heavenstamp (Parasite), Inshow-ha (Beam!), 101A (Forbidden Sky) and Jebiotto (Love Song Duet). That’s it! It’s a quick’n’dirty episode, though Daniel and Asuka still find time for all the chatter that matters.

Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #037 – Marty Friedman, sasakure.UK ft Hatsune Miku, Bakubaku Dokin and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on June 30th, 2014

ICFJ#037’s playlist includes Bakubaku Dokin (Bikkuri), sasakure.UK ft Hatsune Miku (*Hello, Planet.), Opera Aoi (Untitled), Roth Bart Baron (Hyougaki #1 (The Ice Age)), Bugy Craxone (Nantonaku Be Happy), Marty Friedman (Inferno), Akasick (Shuuden) and 385 (Mienai Uchuu), plus interviews with ex-Megadeth guitrist and J-pop musician Marty Friedman and Vocaloid artist sasakure.UK, and a round-up from The Vocaloid M@ster at Niconico Choukaigi. All that and Daniel and Asuka chatting lots and lots and lots. (Too much?)
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #036 – Japan Rising round-up, Buffalo Daughter, Charisma.com, Phenotas and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on June 4th, 2014

ICFJ#036’s playlist includes Charisma.com (Iina Dzuke Blue), TarO&JirO (Silent Siren), Phenotas (Sushi De Sushi), Mayu Wakisaka (Bunny), Suiyoubi No Campanella (Mothra), Buffalo Daughter (Cyclic), Sukippara Ni Sake (Karasu) and The Cold Tommy (Parachute), plus a round-up from Japan Rising at The Great Escape Festival featuring Buffalo Daughter, Mayu Wakisaka and TarO&JirO. All that and the usual unusual chat from and indeed between Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Extra Brighton show for Buffalo Daughter, Mayu Wakisaka and TarO&JirO!

news by Daniel Robson on April 22nd, 2014

So you’re all set for Japan Rising on 10 May at The Great Escape festival in Brighton, right? Better make a weekend of it: We can now announce a warm-up show on 8 May called Japan Rising Preview!
JAPAN RISING PREVIEW at The Great Escape
The Hope, 8 May (Thurs)
Daytime show (12-4pm)
Entry with festival pass only
The show features the same three artists – Buffalo Daughter, Mayu Wakisaka and TarO&JirO – but no free sushi this time. Think of it as a welcoming party, since the band members will have arrived in the UK the previous evening – and everyone’s invited.
Three-day tickets for the festival are on sale now at £59.25. (It looks like one-day tickets are all gone…) The festival pass lets you in to not only Japan Rising but roughly 35 venues with around 400 bands performing day and night.
As previously announced here, the artists will play together at Japan Rising on 10 May at Queens and then each play individual shows later that evening. Here’s a recap of the show info (note the updated time for TarO&JirO’s extra show):
JAPAN RISING showcase at The Great Escape
Queens Hotel, 10 May (Sat)
Daytime show (12-4pm)
Entry with festival pass only
Artists
Buffalo Daughter
Mayu Wakisaka
TarO&jirO
+ DJ Tom Smith (Japan Underground)
Extra shows
Buffalo Daughter, Artrocker Stage @ The Hope (11:15pm)
Mayu Wakisaka, Arts Council England @ St Mary’s Church (7pm)
TarO&JirO, Juice FM @ Blind Tiger (11:15pm)
Info and tickets
The Great Escape
PROMIC TV
RIAJ
It Came From Japan
PROMIC TV on Facebook  and Twitter
Sponsors/support
Manga Entertainment UK
The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
.

ICFJ #035 – Buffalo Daughter, Sayuri Ishikawa x Sheena Ringo, Shonen Knife, and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on April 21st, 2014

ICFJ#035’s playlist includes Sayuri Ishikawa x Sheena Ringo (Anya no Shinjudate), Mamadrive (Onna No Ana), Loves (Brain Washer), Buffalo Daughter (Volcanic Girl), Hajime Tachibana (font), Pinky Doodle Poodle (Cosmic Candy), Unlimits (Lilly), Kinoko Teikoku (Umi To Hanataba) and Shonen Knife (Jet Shot), plus an interview with suGar from Buffalo Daughter, more info on Japan Rising at The Great Escape festival and a chance to win tickets to the show. Plus chat from Daniel (smitten as usual with Hatsune Miku) and Asuka (who has finally learned to cook).
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Japan Rising at The Great Escape!

2014 UK tour news by Daniel Robson on March 28th, 2014

Here’s the big news we’ve been teasing for a couple of months. It Came From Japan is involved in putting on an official Japan showcase stage at The Great Escape festival in Brighton, England, in May!
JAPAN RISING will be held on 10 May 2014 at the Queens Hotel in Brighton, 12-4pm. We’ll have free sushi for everyone, and entry is free with a Great Escape festival wristband.
But here’s the best bit: the line-up!

Buffalo Daughter
Mayu Wakisaka
TarO&jirO
This will be the first UK show in 13 years by Buffalo Daughter, who have long been active worldwide and have just concluded a well-received US tour.
Mayu Wakisaka has earned critical acclaim and songwriting awards around the world.
TarO&JirO, a pair of brothers who play grunge-influenced rock music on acoustic guitars, honed their craft in London before returning to Japan to sign a major deal.
All three artists will also perform separately later that evening with other international bands:
Buffalo Daughter, Artrocker Stage @ The Hope (11:15pm)
Mayu Wakisaka, Resonance FM @ St Mary’s Church (7pm)
TarO&JirO, Juice FM @ Blind Tiger (10:45pm)

We’ll also have Tom Smith from Japan Underground on the decks, and sponsorship from Manga Entertainment UK.
So what is Japan Rising? It’s a big deal, that’s what. This will be the first time Japan has provided resources for a pop/rock showcase like this in Europe. The showcase is organised by The Foundation for Promotion of Music Industry and Culture (PROMIC) and Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ), and coordinated by It Came From Japan. It is part of a remit to create overseas showcase opportunities for performers at Tokyo International Music Market; further showcases will follow.
Held annually in Brighton since 2006, The Great Escape is Europe’s fastest-growing music marketplace and consumer festival. This year, 400 selected artists from over the world will perform at 35 clubs around the city on 8-10 May. It Came From Japan put on a stage at the first five editions of the festival, but this is the first time Japan will have an official presence.
You need a festival wristband to get in to the showcase (sorry, TGE doesn’t sell tickets for individual shows). With a wristband you can also enter any other show at the festival, or just come to see repeat performances by our artists!
We’ll have more to announce soon. In the meantime, stick 10 May in your diary, get your TGE ticket and listen to episodes 34 (March) and 35 (April) of the It Came From Japan podcast to hear interviews with the artists. See you in Brighton!
JAPAN RISING showcase at The Great Escape
Queens Hotel, May 10 (Sat)
Daytime show (12-4pm)
Entry with festival pass only
Artists
Buffalo Daughter
Mayu Wakisaka
TarO&jirO
+ DJ Tom Smith ​(Japan Underground)
Info and tickets
The Great Escape
PROMIC TV
RIAJ
It Came From Japan
PROMIC TV on Facebook  and Twitter

.

ICFJ #034 – BIG NEWS, TarO&JirO, Mayu Wakisaka, FACT, Uhnellys and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on March 28th, 2014

ICFJ#034’s playlist includes Uhnellys (Doors), Molice (Rainbow), FACT (Disclosure), Taro&Jiro (Once In A While), The Cold Tommy (Passcode), The Kanmuri (Kaettekita Heavy Metal), Mayu Wakisaka (24 Hours), Mikinorme (Sokubaku) and Tomoyuki Nagasawa (Supermarket Blues), plus BIG NEWS about UK shows, and interviews with TarO&JirO, Mayu Wakisaka and a pair of J-pop ambassadors. Plus chat and that from Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #033 – Japan Nite special – Vampillia, Jungles (Red Bacteria Vacuum), Hatsune Miku, Tsushimamire and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on February 25th, 2014

ICFJ#033’s playlist includes Lillies And Remains (This City), Zarigani$ (Johnny), Baal (Chikushoudou -Brush Aside Your Way-), Vampillia ft. Noriko Tujiko (Endless Summer), Deco*27 x Sasakure.UK ft. Hatsune Miku (Aozora Harusaito), Tsushimamire (Speedy Wonder), Owarikara (Saihate Song), Jungles (Rock’N’Roll Party), Peelander Z (Alphabet) and Silent Siren (Are You Ready?), plus a special on SXSW and the Japan Nite tour featuring interviews with Jungles from Red Bacteria Vacuum, Vampillia and Zarigani$. Plus the usual chat and twisted digression from Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #032 – Cibo Matto, Soda!, Coba-U, Unlimits and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on January 29th, 2014

ICFJ#032’s playlist includes Unlimits (Eternal), SODA! (Heart Ni), TarO & JirO (Silent Siren), Cibo Matto (Hotel Valentine), Etsuyo Elle Emerald (Follow me), Nakanoise Band (Sorekara) and Coba U (Happy Song), plus interviews with Miho Hatori and Yuka C Honda from Cibo Matto. Also! Daniel and Asuka waffle as usual – and will Asuka actually get the Facebook URL right first time for once? Let’s face it, probably not.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2014 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #031 – Tokyo Boot Up, Noodles, Shonen Knife, Electric Eel Shock, Dempagumi.inc and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on December 18th, 2013

ICFJ#031’s playlist includes Hamada Maron (Taikutsuna Yoru Wa Boogie Wo), Lighter190E (Pandora), Suzu (Usotsuki), Yuuno (Galileo), Electric Eel Shock (MMMBop), SpecialThanks (Getting On), Fuyuu Suru Neko (Daruke), Dempagumi.inc (Vandalism) and Shonen Knife (Sweet Christmas), plus a report from Tokyo Boot Up festival including interviews with Noodles, Bugy Craxone, Josy, Lighter190E, Fuyuu Suru Neko and Yuuno. Also! Win some Christmassy stuff, hear Daniel and Asuka’s best music and favourite memories of 2013 and all the usual chitter and chatter. And chotter? No, that would be going too far.
Find band links and more info at itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #030 – Shishido Kavka, Charan Po Rantan, Okamoto’s, Dempagumi.inc and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on November 6th, 2013

ICFJ#030’s playlist includes tamamix (Kouhii-fu No Uta ~ Coffee Blues), Charan Po Rantan (Nande Nande), Mayu Wakisaka (Fall), The Man (Gabba Gabba Hey), Dempagumi.inc (Denden Passion), Shishido Kavka (Muteki No Rock Star), Makimiki (Tairyou Taikomi) and Tokyo Pinsalocks (Cinderella Time Up), plus a report from Tokyo International Music Market including interviews with Shishido Kavka, Charan Po Rantan, Mayu Wakisaka, The Man and Okamoto’s. Also! Win some CDs, and the usual chat between Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #029 – Budo Grape, Melt-Banana, Knotlamp, Josy and more

podcast by Daniel Robson on October 5th, 2013

ICFJ#029’s playlist includes Melt-Banana (The Hive), Josy (Vanity), Knotlamp (Ashe’s Children), Budo Grape (Sutten Kororin), Tricot (Pool), Zoobombs (Highway A Go Go), miu mau (monochrome), The Ands (Another Phase), Fudanjuku (Dansou Revolution) and an interview with Budo Grape. Also! Win a mystery prize, and the usual nonsense banter between Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

More Budo Grape UK dates!

2013 UK tour news by Daniel Robson on September 6th, 2013

Budo Grape have added extra UK dates for November!
As previously announced, Neo-Nagoya new-wave rock band Budo Grape will perform at the Doki Doki Japanese pop-culture festival in Manchester on 9 November.
Extra dates have now been added in Brighton on 8 Nov and London on 10 November, so you can get a taste of the Grape down south too!
It Came From Japan presents
BUDO GRAPE
8 Nov BRIGHTON Prince Albert
9 Nov MANCHESTER Doki Doki Festival, Sugden Sports Centre
10 Nov LONDON The Dublin Castle, Camden
Ticket information will be announced soon – for now, stick those dates in your diary, and give Budo Grape some love via Twitter, Facebook and at their official website.

ICFJ #028 – Summer Sonic festival, Amiaya, Shishido Kavka, Crossfaith and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on September 5th, 2013

ICFJ#028’s playlist includes Mamadrive (Kuruizaki), A Flood Of Circle (Rock’n’Roll Band), Chirinuru Wowaka (Iromeki), Un Amin (Giant Panda Ni Notte Mitai), Rhyme Berry (SUPERMCZTOKYO), Puffyshoes (Don’t Wake Me Up), Amiaya (Star Line), Shishido Kavka (Love Koriida), Gabriella (Just The Way You Are), Crossfaith (Eclipse) and Puffyshoes (Goodbye To You), plus a report from Summer Sonic festival including interviews with Amiaya, A Flood Of Circle, Yellow Fang and Tizzy Bac. Also! The chance to win CDs and AKB48 curry, a report from Akihabara and the usual nonsense banter between Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #027 – Fuji Rock, Tokumaru Shugo, Bo Ningen, Muddy Apes, Ryukyudisko and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on August 7th, 2013

ICFJ#027’s playlist includes Noodles (Macy’s Day Parade), Bo Ningen (Henkan), Ryukyudisko (Super Uchina Land), capsule (Rainbow), Muddy Apes (New Sunday), Lite (Echolocation), Oboreta Ebi No Kenshihoukokusho (Washa Washa!! Ggyagyagyagya!!!), Tokumaru Shugo (Poker) and Neko Punch (Go Baby!) plus a report from Fuji Rock Festival 2013 including interviews with Tokumaru Shugo, Bo Ningen, Muddy Apes, Ryukyudisko and Lite, as well as the fans at the fest and more. Plus plus! The chance to win a Fuji Rock-related bundle, and the usual hilarious banter between Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #026 – Perfume in London, Orange Range, Towa Tei feat. Shiina Ringo, Buffalo Daughter and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on July 13th, 2013

ICFJ#026’s playlist includes Buffalo Daughter feat. Keigo Oyamada (Great Five Lakes 20th), Charisma.com (Hate), Jovo (Wiikii Wourii), Passepied (On The Air), Satomi Takasugi (Hitomi Wo Tojite), Towa Tei feat. Shiina Ringo (Apple), Orange Range (Special Summer Sale) and Mix Market (Ready Go) plus a report from Perfume’s debut London concert including a chat with the fans and a brief message from the members of Perfume, the chance to win a Steins;Gate Blu-ray or DVD set and a poster signed by Perfume, and all sorts of nonsense chat between Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #025 – Charan Po Rantan, Delofamilia, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Tommy February6 and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on June 12th, 2013

ICFJ#025’s playlist includes Tommy February6 (Spacey Cowgirl), Tsushimamire (Hajimari No Uta), Urbangarde (Tokai No Alice), Charan Po Rantan (Circus Circus), Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Mi), Delofamilia (In A Zoo), Ender (My History Comes Around) and Illion (Beehive) plus interviews with Charan Po Rantan and Delofamilia, the chance to win a One Piece DVD set, a report from a Finnish music fest in Tokyo and all sorts of nonsense chat between Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ #024 – Bugy Craxone, Etsuko Yakushimaru, Parakeet, Tricot and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on May 15th, 2013

ICFJ#024’s playlist includes Mustang Jerx (Namida No Choo Choo Train), Etsuko Yakushimaru (Venus To Jesus), Hearsays (The Blind), Naomi & Goro (Strength Of Your Nature), Coba-U (Smile), Bugy Craxone (Ikagen Na Blue), Parakeet (Hiccups) and Tricot (99.974°C) plus an interview with Yukiko Suzuki from Bugy Craxone, the chance to win a One Piece DVD set and all sorts of fun chitter-chatter between Daniel and Asuka.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Budo Grape play at Doki Doki festival 2013!

2013 UK tour news by Daniel Robson on April 29th, 2013

It Came From Japan is thrilled to announce that Budo Grape, Japan’s fruitiest new-wave rock band, will return to the UK this autumn!
Budo Grape will play live on 9 November at the Doki Doki festival, which will be held at Manchester’s Sugden Sports Centre. The 2011 edition of the festival drew 1,600 fans of Japanese pop culture, and this year the organisers will have double the space for an even larger event. Attractions besides live music will include film screenings, videogame demos, fashion shows and Japanese food stalls, with a fundraising maid-service cafe to boot.
Tickets for Doki Doki festival are on sale now.
Hailing from the retro-futuristic city of Neo-Nagoya, Budo Grape played their debut UK tour in October 2012. Look, here they are on Facebook and Twitter. You can read more about the band here and here, and hear their songs on episodes 12, 14, 15 and 16 of the It Came From Japan podcast. Or head to YouTube here or here to see some videos.
Further UK dates will be announced shortly…

ICFJ #023 – HeavensDust, HiGE, Fuyumi Abe,The Vibrators and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on April 17th, 2013

ICFJ#023’s playlist includes Zarigani$ (Shall we dance!?), Haruka To Miyuki (Newton No Ringo), Fuyumi Abe (i love rock and roll), The Vibrators ft. Nabana Tomomi from Detroit7 (Turn Up The Heat), HiGE (Totemo Yukaina Theodore No Sekai), HeavensDust (Annihilation), T.C.L (Dis The Power), Umiuma (Niji Ga Kakaru) and Day And Buffalo (Bye Bye Daddy), plus an interview with Shin from HeavensDust, the chance to win a DVD and all that good stuff you lovingly love to love.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#022 – Toquiwa, The Wedding Present, Nihongaku Radio, Hotel Mexico, Passepied and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on March 21st, 2013

ICFJ#022’s playlist includes Passepied (Fever), Sawas Phool (Karma Wave), Damage (ID Check), Toquiwa (Kennedy), Pirate’s Canoe (Siren’s Comb), Lite (Bond), Jake Stone Garage (Himitsu), Hey-Smith (Endless Sorrow) and Hotel Mexico (This Moon Down), plus an interview with The Wedding Present and Toquiwa, a guest spot with Jonathan McNamara from Nihongaku Radio, the chance to win a Blu-ray/DVD set and all that good stuff.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Buy Japanese CDs online – in English!

news by Daniel Robson on February 22nd, 2013

ICFJ has joined affiliate programs with CD Japan and Amazon.co.uk! From now on we’ll add links to the playlist for each episode, so you can easily click through and buy the album that features that song. Here’s the playlist for the latest episode, #021.
CD Japan is all in English and delivers most of its items worldwide. It’s been running a loooong time and we’ve used it ourselves, so we know it works great. In general we’ll link to CDs on CD Japan, or sometimes to Amazon if there’s a UK release of the album (like the new Tokumaru Shugo album, which isn’t available on CD Japan but is on Amazon).
CD Japan stocks everything from J-pop to underground Japanese punk to anime songs, plus DVDs, videogames, books and all more, all exported from Japan. It’s a Japanese music geek’s dream!
Every time you click one of those links and make a purchase, we get a little kickback from CD Japan or Amazon. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, so it’s an easy way to support ICFJ while also easily tracking down those hard-to-find Japanese CDs!
The cut we get actually applies to everything you buy after clicking the link, so not just the item we’ve linked to. You could just go to the top page of each site and go shopping instead, using this link for CD Japan and this one for Amazon. Over the next couple of weeks we’ll add links to all the previous episodes too.
Happy shopping!

ICFJ#021 – SXSW special, with The Mornings, Josy, Tokumaru Shugo, The Cold Tommy and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on February 21st, 2013

ICFJ#021’s playlist includes The Cold Tommy (Paradox), Kinoko Teikoku (Eureka), SuiseiNoboAz (Shoegazer), Josy (Land Ho!), Charan Po Rantan (Saigo No Jun Tokkyuu), The Mornings (Mad Cheer Girl), Rottengraffty (Konjiki Graffty), Tokumaru Shugo (Katachi) and Mix Market (Radio), plus interviews with The Mornings and Josy, some chat about South By Southwest and Japan Nite in Texas and Next Music From Tokyo in Canada, the chance to win a Blu-ray/DVD set and all that good stuff.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#020 – FACT, Asakusa Jinta, The Girl, best of 2012, new co-presenter Asuka and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on January 24th, 2013

ICFJ#020’s playlist includes Asakusa Jinta (Kamata Koshinkyoku (Song Of The Vagabonds)), Loka (Slick), Skall Headz (Get Down), The Girl (Know Wow Wow), Puffyshoes (Can’t Be Your Friend), FACT (Foss), Foodie (Night Comes) and Silent Siren (Sweet Pop!), plus an interview with FACT, a chat about our favourite music of 2012, the chance to win DVDs, AND our brand new co-presenter, Asuka!
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2013 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Asuka joins the It Came From Japan podcast

news by Daniel Robson on January 22nd, 2013

Meet Asuka, new co-presenter on the It Came From Japan podcast! Asuka will join us from episode #020 and share some of her favourite music. Check out the video intro below!

Win free anime and free music!

news by Daniel Robson on January 5th, 2013

We have 2 copies of Journey To Agartha to give away! This widely lauded anime is out on 28 January on Blu-ray, DVD and collectors’ edition, courtesy of Manga Entertainment.
We also have 5 copies of Dancing After 1am, a compilation CD of 18 Japanese underground bands, all of whom are amazing. The album was released by Call And Response Records in October 2012.
For a chance to win, listen to episode #019 of the ICFJ podcast here to get the password for each competition, then send a tweet with a comment about our podcast, our Twitter name with an @ and the password with a hashtag, like this:
Your comment about our podcast @ItCameFromJapan #PASSWORD
You can enter both competitions if you like – just send a separate tweet for each.
Thanks to Manga Entertainment and to Call And Response Records. And good luck, listeners!

ICFJ#019 – Boom Boom Satellites, Hatsune Miku Orchestra, The ××ズ, Hysteric Picnic and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on December 27th, 2012

ICFJ#019′s playlist includes Hatsune Miku Orchestra (Nice Age), The ××ズ (The Chomechomes) (Watashi No Hanzaigaku), Lagitagida (Terrible Boy), Hysteric Picnic (Abekobe), Boom Boom Satellites (Nine) and Coba-U (Psycho Killer), plus an interview with Hysteric Picnic and the chance to win cool DVDs and CDs.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#018 – The Bohemians, Lolita No.18, ni-hao!, Tokyo International Music Market and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on November 27th, 2012

ICFJ#018′s playlist includes Coba-U (Monster), tricot (Omotenashi), ni-hao! (Tashikame-Izon Syndrome), Lolita No.18 (“Yes, Punk Rock” Call With Me!!!), The Bohemians (Yume To Risou No Festibaru Ni Ikitai), Kinoco Hotel (Gouka) and The Cat Loves Strawberries (Super Star), plus an interview with The Bohemians and a report from Tokyo International Music Market.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Win Ninja Scroll Blu-ray/DVD steelbook sets!

news by Daniel Robson on November 9th, 2012

We have 5 copies of Ninja Scroll DVD/Blu-ray collectors’ edition steelbook to give away! This anime classic is out on 26 November on Blu-ray for the first time, and this HD version includes a director’s commentary and comes in a world-exclusive steelbook, along with a bonus DVD copy of the film.
For a chance to win one of five Ninja Scroll sets, listen to episode #017 of the ICFJ podcast here to get the password, then send a tweet with a comment about our podcast, our Twitter name with an @ and the password with a hashtag, like this:
Your comment about our podcast @ItCameFromJapan #PASSWORD
Couldn’t be easier! Thanks to Manga Entertainment for supplying the discs. Get entering now!

ICFJ#017 – Mamadrive, Tha Blue Herb, Hisashi Suto and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on November 1st, 2012

ICFJ#017′s playlist includes Hisashi Suto (Asobi Ikou), Hana To Chiruran (The Game), Extruders (Collapsing New Buildings), Mamadrive (Hebi No Onna), Wash? (Chikashitsu No Hangyaku-sha) and Tha Blue Herb (Nuclear, Damn), plus an interview with Mamadrive and a chance to win a limited Ninja Scroll Blu-ray set.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Budo Grape

interview by Daniel Robson on October 17th, 2012

Hailing from Nagoya (or Neo-Nagoya as they call it), new-wave five-piece Budo Grape are gearing up for their very first tour of the UK on 26-28 October.
The band are Quminco Grape (vocals), Nagai Grape (guitar, songwriting), Matsui Grape (bass), Naho Grape (keyboard) and Taichi Grape (drums).
We crammed into their tour van when they were in Tokyo for a show last month to find out how they expect a UK audience to react, how cruel they are to new recruit Naho, and why Quminco’s mum hates to hear her swear.
Listen to episode #016 of the podcast to hear the interview and an exclusive live recording of their song Kiss Too Shy, or read the transcript below!
——-
Thank you for joining us on the ICFJ podcast. You’re going to England in October, so first of all tell me why – why do you want to go to play in England?
Nagai: “It’s our dream to play in the UK, because I love British rock music since I was a child, like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who. And after that the new-wave movement, punk movement, The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Smiths. A gig in the UK is our dream. So dreams come true.”
And what do you think it’s going to be like to play in England?
Quminco: “I have never been to England. I’m too excited now, and I’m really nervous.”
Why are you nervous?
Quminco: “Mmmmm, we went to America; that tour was so great. But England, we have never (been there).”
Nagai: “We don’t know (England).”
What’s your image of British music venues?
Nagai: “I imagine English people are a little bit cool. How do you think?”
I totally agree with that statement 100%.
Nagai: “Because there are dark bands in the UK, many dark bands.”
But Budo Grape is not a dark band.
Nagai: “Yes. Not a dark band.”
(All laugh)
How do you describe your sound?
Quminco: “Pop. Catchy.”
Nagai: “Catchy. Powerful. Energetic. Cute. And handsome!”
Taichi: “So smart.”
Nagai: “Kind.”
Taichi: “Bright.”
Quminco: “Junk.”
Nagai: “Boner.”
(All laugh)
OK. So when you go to Britain you’re playing three shows. You’re going to Brighton, London and Manchester. What do you think it’s going to be like when you go on stage and play in front of a British audience? How do you think the British audience is going to react?
Matsui: “Dance. Dance.”
(Matsui dances in his seat)
Quminco: “I guess English fans will love us, because there are English fans (of Budo Grape) in Japan.”
You’ve been playing together for 11 years, and you come from Nagaoya – from Neo-Nagoya. Tell me what the music scene is like there.
Nagai: “Um… Number one band is Budo Grape, haha. Nagoya is maybe the third (biggest) metropolitan city – Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya. There is a small music scene, but there was a punk movement and a new-wave movement, and there are some great bands. And the best is Budo Grape.”
Quminco: “Sure!”
Naho, as the newest member of the band, what was it like to join a band that was already together for about 10 years before you joined?
Quminco: “She was (originally) a bassist.”
Naho: “Mmm, I was a bassist, and this band was my first time to play keyboard. (It was) very difficult, and very exciting. Very hard days.”
The other members already knew each other for a long time, right? And you were new to the band.
Nagai: “Yeah, but I knew her well.”
They didn’t tease you or weren’t mean to you, right?
Naho: “Mmmmm… hmmm hmmm hmmm… Hahahaha!”
That’s a yes, isn’t it? Wow.
Nagai: “Yes.”
Naho: “Well, yes, but…”
Nagai: “Yes and no!”
Not too bad?
Nagai: “Not too bad.”
Quminco: “We are like a family, but she is…”
Nagai: “Slave. She’s a slave.”
Naho: “Oh! Is that how it is?”
Nagai: “She always forgets something. We have (matching) costumes, the same shirts. But she always forgets (to bring) that.”
So what happens if she forgets?
Naho: “I go back home.”
Nagai: “She goes back home and brings it back.”
When I was a kid at school, if we forgot to bring our shorts for football or whatever, we had to do it in our pants. You don’t make her play in her pants, right?
Nagai: “Oh yes, that’s a good idea.”
Quminco: “Next time!”
Naho: “Eeeeeeh?!”
When you play shows in Nagoya, do your parents ever come?
Quminco: “My mother comes to our live shows. My mother loves our music, but she hates Fun Yon Tan, our duelling song.”
Nagai: “Our dirty song.”
A dirty song?
Nagai: “Fun Yon Tan.”
Explain what that means.
Quminco and Nagai: “Crap, piss, spit.”
Nagai: “We played that song in the USA and the American audience called, ‘Crap! Piss!’ That was great.”
So when you play that song in front of your parents, how do you feel?
Quminco: “I don’t care! Enjoy!”
(All laugh)
So is there anything that you want to say to the people listening to the podcast to entice them to come to your shows?
Nagai: “Please come to see us.”
Why should they come?
Naho: “Quminco is very cute. Very cute girl.”
Quminco: “Thank yooou! Naho is very cute.”
Naho: “Aaaah!”
Quminco: “A little bit.”
Interview by Daniel Robson

ICFJ#016 – Budo Grape, Taffy, You Got A Radio!, Toquiwa and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on October 10th, 2012

ICFJ#016′s playlist includes Sunset Drive (Yeah Yeah Yeah), You Got A Radio! (Pegasus), Taffy (Flower Chain), Budo Grape (Kiss Too Shy), Falsettos (Invisible Enemy), Toquiwa (Give Me A Chocolate), plus an interview with Budo Grape ahead of their debut UK tour and more.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#015 – Grimes, Passion Pit, HiGE, Noodles and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on September 16th, 2012

ICFJ#015′s playlist includes Noodles (Beautiful Dreamer), Chiroline Ver. 2 (Tochuu Ni Shite Ne), Mamadrive (Welcome To Night), HiGE (Tequila! Tequila!), Budo Grape (Nogashita Chu!), Tacobonds (Fiction), plus a field report from Summer Sonic 2012 festival in Chiba that includes interviews with Passion Pit and Grimes, and literally loads more.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Budo Grape UK tour – more info!

2012 UK TOUR news by Daniel Robson on September 11th, 2012

Here are some more details of the dates Budo Grape will play in England in october.
26 Oct BRIGHTON
Cable Club
@ The Prince Albert
£4 adv; 8pm
W/ White Star Liners, Running Dogs + Atlantic & Lion
www.whitestarliners.co.uk
27 Oct LONDON
Japan Underground Vs NEO
@ Bloomsbury Lanes Kingpin Suite
£5 adv, £8 door; 8pm-3am
W/ Ken Kobayashi + more
japanunderground.wordpress.com
28 Oct MANCHESTER
Doki Doki
@ Gullivers
£5 adv; 7-10.30pm; 18+ only
W/ SK8BIT + Shirokuma
www.dokidokifestival.com

Aiha Higurashi (The Girl)

interview by Daniel Robson on August 26th, 2012

The Girl is the new-ish band of Aiha Higurashi, formerly of the bands Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her and The Loves!, as well as a solo artist under her own name and a songwriter for artists such as Yuki (of Judy And Mary) and Aikawa Nanase.
Aiha chatted with us on episode 14 of the It Came From Japan podcast about her exploits, why humming is the purest form of music and how she gains access to the various rooms inside her head.
Listen to the podcast to hear the interview and The Girl’s song Benjamin, or read the transcript below!
——-

So, The Girl is your new band. The band’s name is The Girl, and all the members in the band are girls too. What was the reason behind that?
“Ah, honestly I just got a little tired of being in a band (with men in it), so I just came up with the idea, with all those pretty girls around me — it’s nice.”
What’s the difference between playing with men and playing with women?
“It’s not talking about the difference between men and women, but it’s just comfortable for me to be around Tabasa, the bassist, and drummer Naoko. We just became friends, and it’s really nice.”
How do you feel The Girl is different from your last band, Loves!, and from your solo music and other projects?
“The Girl is more like what I had been doing in Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her, which is my ex-band. It’s a three-piece, just Tabasa and Naoko and me, and it’s simple, and… I don’t know how to explain. Solo is more simple and, of course, I do it by myself; I sing about my private life. Loves! is more technical, and all the members are super, super, super technicians. So with The Girl I can make songs by humming, like what I was doing in Seagull.”
Is that how you write songs?
“Yeah, by humming, mainly. I don’t use guitar to make songs.”
You’re comparing The Girl with Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her quite a lot. Do you feel like you’ve gone back to your roots with The Girl?
“Yeah. I am re-learning from Seagull. Seagull’s songs are really unique, and I really love my style (in that band), and I realised that my style is unique, and that’s the reason why I’ve got to do (it) my own way in the new band.”
I was a fan of SSKHKH when the band were still together, and then listening to your solo music and listening to Loves!, and clearly Seagull had a very organic, quite primal kind of sound.
“Yes, totally.”
I definitely can hear that on The Girl’s album.
“Yeah. But everybody who listened to the first album of The Girl said that it sounds like a garage band or alternative rock or something like that, and I… don’t… like that kind of compliment, haha. I’m not (saying) the first album was bad — it wasn’t bad, of course — but I realised that I can break the songs, and cut (them) into pieces, and I can make more using free style and making songs by humming. So I want to write songs based on my humming, which is gonna be very unique.”
Humming is the most basic means of making music that everybody has, right? Because everybody can hum, even if you don’t know any language and you can’t sing words, and even if you’re not a good singer, everybody can hum. It’s the most absolutely soulful…
“Yes! And pure and genuine. Uh-huh.”
Just before SSKHKH broke up you released in the UK a compilation album, Red Talk, on the label Cherry Red. I guess the timing wasn’t great; it came out just as you guys broke up. How do you look back on that time?
“Ummmm, it wasn’t complicated (or) anything. Me and Nao were so close, so tight, and so like sisters, and we toured together like 30-day tours in America six times, and we were in the same room all the time and, you know, it happens between girls. It’s natural that I and Nao thought it was now time to go our different ways. It had been long that we’d spent time together, so close, so tight and like sisters.”
Do you hope to be able to release music in the West again, with The Girl or your other projects?
“You mean release a CD or a record? Actually, The Girl’s Lost In Wonder vinyl is selling in the US.”
Oh, is that released by a US label or is it the Japanese version?
“It is a US label but owned by a Japanese guy; he’s my ex-manager at Sony.”
What’s the name of the label?
6Tunes.TV.”
When SSKHKH were around, back in those days, when I first found out about the band it was from a Japanese friend who lent me a cassette tape and I grew to really love these songs, and when I tried to buy the CDs I couldn’t find them anywhere. In the end, it took months; if a friend was going to Japan I would ask them to pick something up for me — cos Seagull had a lot of albums too, right? — but the one album I couldn’t get anywhere was 17.
“Really?!”
I just couldn’t find it. And then eventually, one day — this must be 10 years ago or something — I found an online store, probably CD Japan, and the store’s site was in English and they were selling Japanese music but they would deliver it overseas. So I bought 17.
“Must be expensive, yeah?”
It was so expensive! I also bought the video, you know you made a VHS with a different music video for every song on the album, and it was so expensive. It took weeks and weeks to arrive and I had to pay import tax. Whereas these days it’s so much easier for people in other countries to get your music digitally or whatever. Do you think it’s helpful now that people can find your music online?
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Uh-huh. Yes.”
Do you feel like it’s not even necessary to release a CD in another country because people can just get it from iTunes?
“No! It’s one of my biggest dreams, releasing CDs or vinyl or MP3 or whatever that can sell in the US, or overseas, like Britain or everywhere. 6Tunes.TV sells the MP3 version too. So everyone can buy it.”
In terms of the music you write for other people, for example you wrote quite a lot of songs for Yuki on her various solo albums, is that very different than writing for yourself?
“Actually, Yuki was a big fan of me, and I didn’t know much about her. She was really nice, and when she offered me some songs to write for her, I was about to become solo, so I had like five songs for my debut as a solo, so it was good timing. She liked the songs that I’d made, so she picked up five songs — I mean, everything that I had as a solo. So it was quite easy, and a nice offer.”
Yuki’s voice and your voice are so different, because you have a very low voice and she has a very high voice.
“Yes.”
Was that something that was quite difficult, to make songs that would match her voice?
“Not really. I don’t exactly remember, but we just changed the key for her. But she was really a hard-trying musician, and she had a great low voice too. So she was great.”
Is it quite hard to juggle between projects? You also had a third solo album about a year and a half ago, and the new band, and writing for other people. How do you keep on top of everything?
“It’s a totally different brain; I’m using a different brain. There are several rooms in my head, and so I knock on the doors of my rooms, and when I wanna open the door of solo I knock on the door, and then I try to knock on the door again and again, and then humming comes out.”
What happens if you try to knock on the door and there’s no answer? Or it’s locked? Does that ever happen?
“Yeah, it’s always happening, haha. It’s always confusing too. Sometimes I knock on the door of the solo room when I was trying to write songs for The Girl.”
You also keep a blog, Sky Nikki, which seems to be a popular blog. It’s all in Japanese, so I guess our listeners wouldn’t be able to read it, but what kind of things do you write about on your blog?
“I am writing recently about what I like, about my friends’ bands, friends’ bands’ CDs. I introduce their stuff.”
Which bands in particular would you recommend at the moment?
“Uh, a band called Crypt City. The bassist was in Loves!, and he also produces a lot of bands; he’s a producer. And he produced our first album of The Girl, Lost In Wonder. And he has a lot in common with me, in music.”
What kind of music do they play?
“I don’t know; if I could explain that, I could be a writer or something! Haha.”
That must have been kind of weird, though, to have a member from your last band producing the album by your next band. It must be like having an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend watching you while you’re in bed with the new one.
“Haha, yeah, it sounds like that. It sounds weird, maybe. But Kentaro — his name — we have a lot in common in music, so when we were in Loves!, he understood me a lot, and he helped me a lot.”
OK, we’re going to play a song from The Girl’s album Lost In Wonder, and the song is called Benjamin. What can you tell me about the song?
“Benjamin is quite a strange song. There’s no one I know called Benjamin, haha. I created the person. It’s like, it’s about boys’ and girls’ stuff. It’s like, I don’t know. It’s like, breaking up with Benjamin, and Benjamin… I mean, sometimes men… Um, no, no, no, I mean, women also, but, uh… I don’t know! Sorry.”
That’s alright, we’ll let the song do the talking for you. Thanks for joining us on the podcast!
Interview by Daniel Robson

ICFJ#014 – The Girl, Budo Grape, Hotel Mexico and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on August 17th, 2012

ICFJ#014′s playlist includes Pride For Pain (Hynen), Hotel Mexico (Wolves Running Through the Desert), Budo Grape (Super Pain), The Girl (Benjamin), Mix Market (Super Sonic) and Mikabomb (Super Sexy Razor Happy Girls), plus an interview with Aiha Higurashi from The Girl/Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her!
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Budo Grape UK tour!

2012 UK TOUR news by Daniel Robson on August 3rd, 2012

It Came From Japan is thrilled to bits to announce that Nagoya band BUDO GRAPE will play three UK shows at the end of October. Oh yeah!
OCTOBER 2012 DATES
26 BRIGHTON The Prince Albert
27 LONDON Japan Underground Vs. NEO 
28 MANCHESTER Doki Doki
More info coming soon!
Budo Grape are a catchy, high-energy avant-garde pop band from Nagoya, Japan.
The band are fronted by model and radio personality Quminco on vocals and Nagoya music legend Nagai (formerly of The Shockers), who is Budo Grape’s chief songwriter and guitarist.

Formed in 2001, Budo Grape released their first full album “KOIBITO WA KOUSHITE TSUKURU” in 2005. The album was a hit in the Japanese underground scene, and was followed by a number of other exciting albums.
The band’s cred soon spread, and they were invited by overseas fans to play in the United States, performing their successful debut live tour there in 2008 and releasing a best-of album, “JUICE!”, via a US label. The band also participated in a tribute album for French singer-songwriter Claude Francois, released in Japan as well as France.
New keyboardist Naho joined the band in 2012, bringing with her an edgy synth sound that has given the band’s sound a boost. They released their sixth album, “KARE NO NAMAE WO OMOIDASENAI”, the same year.
The band, whose members all have Grape as their last name, claim to come from “Neo-Nagoya.” They continue to tour Japan with their crazy live show and catchy songs, and in October 2012 they will perform their long-awaited debut concerts in the UK.
We’ll be revealing more info about the shows soon. Keep ’em peeled! Peeled like a Grape. Uh.

Cantoy

interview by Daniel Robson on July 17th, 2012

Cantoy are a four-piece band originally hailing from Nagoya, now based in Tokyo and signed to Splatter Records, the label owned by Dai Kato from Ketchup Mania and KillKills.
Vocalist miri-pow, guitarist Catherine, bassist Haga-Chang and drummer Ken joined us on episode 13 of the It Came From Japan podcast to talk about their new album, Kill (due out late July 2012), and their obsession with beer.
Listen to the podcast to hear the interview and new song Tenkaippin, or read the transcript below!
——-
First, tell me a little bit of background about Cantoy.
Haga-Chang: “Cantoy was formed in Tokyo in 2004, but its name was Candy Toybox. In 2009 we changed the name in order to stand on a new starting line. The name is Cantoy.”
Your sound is a mix of hardcore and pop with some digital elements; it’s not exactly digital hardcore though. How do you describe it?
Haga-Chang: “Our sound is digital hardcore, but miri-pow’s vocals are cute, so it’s music whose imitation is impossible. It’s Cantoy.”
Which bands are your heroes?
Ken: “We respect Ketchup Mania, because they had success in the United States. We would also like to succeed in the United States.”
There’s quite a big gap between your heavy guitar sound and the very poppy choruses. Is that deliberate?
Catherine: “It was made naturally. When we had made Cantoy’s music this big gap was born. But it’s our weapon!”
Your new album, Kill, is out at the end of July, two years after MissMatch, your previous album. What’s different on this new album? How has your sound changed?
Haga-Chang: “Kill was made more offensively than MissMatch. MissMatch was an introduction to Cantoy. I think that people who love Cantoy can enjoy themselves more.”
Cantoy have a few songs about alcohol, and you’re always drinking on stage and you sometimes hand out beer to the audience. What’s your poison?
Haga-Chang: “Oh, we love beer!”
Which beer?
Catherine: “Do you know Asahi Super Dry? We love Super Dry.”
Haga-chang: “We love Super Dry. Beer, beer, beer! Beer and beer!”
Catherine: “Beer is nature!”
Haga-Chang: “Beer is free!”
The booze is probably partly what fuels your crazy live shows. What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened during a Cantoy show?
Catherine: “Do you know the performance called ‘guitar spin’?”
You mean when you spin the guitar around your body?
Catherine: “Yeah. I (hit) the head of miri-pow one day (with my guitar during) that performance. Miri-pow’s head ‘CRASH!’ Guitar spin performance, onto miri-pow’s head, ‘CRASH!’ ‘OUCH!’ She said, ‘Are you trying to kill me?!’ Blood came out – a lot of blood.”
Cool! And I hear Cantoy plans to tour in the United States in the near future. Is that right?
Haga-Chang: “Yes, it is true, because we want to go to the next stage. It is a challenge for us, but we love the United States, so we are looking forward to it very much.”
Ken: “Yeah, we love the United States.”
And miri-pow, you’re a model for Zipper magazine in Japan. How do you balance the modelling and the music?
Miri-pow (in Japanese): “With both modelling and music, it’s not really a problem to find a balance because I enjoy each one so much. I’m happy to be able to do both.”
And of course your guitarist’s name is Catherine, which in the West is a girls’ name. How did you end up with the name Catherine?
Catherine: “A slim person in Japanese is called ‘kyasha’. (Catherine) became my nickname because it sounds very similar.”
(NB: The Japanese pronunciation of Catherine is ‘kyasarin’.)
And finally, what is Cantoy’s raison d’être? Why does Cantoy exist and continue to make music?
Haga-Chang: “Because it is for enjoying our life. We want to give dreams and freedom across the world. So please support us. Thanks!”
Interview by Daniel Robson

ICFJ#013 – Cantoy, The Ands, Akira Yamaoka and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on July 16th, 2012

ICFJ#013′s playlist includes Ririri (Ageru Taberu), The Ands (Dakota), kate (Life Seasoning), Cantoy (Tenkaippin), Jim Guthrie & Akira Yamaoka (Bones McCoy) and Sayaka Amano (Michi), plus an interview with Cantoy!
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Detroit7

interview by Daniel Robson on June 23rd, 2012

Garage band Detroit7 have been a revered fixture on Japan’s live circuit for a decade and have recently gone from being a trio to a duo, with the departure of long-standing bassist Nobuaki Kotajima.
Rather than replace him, guitar-vocalist Tomomi Nabana and drummer Miyoko Yamaguchi decided to carry on as a no-bass duo, sort of like a much louder and faster White Stripes or Black Keys, and rework their songs to suit. The result is a more dynamic and even tighter sound and a flurry of new material.
Nabana appears on June 2012’s It Came From Japan podcast to talk about the new version of Detroit7 and to play us a song so new it hasn’t even got a name yet.
——-
Detroit7 recently became a two-piece – there were originally three of you but your bassist left. How has it changed your sound?
“(There’s) no low (end), and a very big responsibility for Miyo and I. It was very difficult, but now it’s become fun.”
When I saw you a couple of weeks ago, I don’t think there was no low-end. You’ve made your guitar sound fatter, right?
“Oh really? My guitar has not changed, but Miyo’s drums are very fat and loud. (She’s a) beast!”
At that show you played maybe four new songs. Have you been writing as a duo new songs that work better as two people?
“Yeah, very fast – more than (as a) three (piece), because we are two people, so it’s easy for conversation and to create.”
Do you find that you’re writing different kinds of songs?
“Yeah, haha, very different. We try to find a new balance – more and more simple things.”
Also you’re still playing some older Detroit7 songs as two people, so again you’ve had to maybe change those songs a little bit because there’s no bass.
“Yes.”
Was that difficult to do?
“Yes. Because in my head, I can hear the bass, so it’s very difficult. But recently it’s getting better, maybe, haha.”
When I saw you play at that show, for the older songs I could also hear the bassline, even though it wasn’t there, because I’m used to hearing it with the bass. But the new songs of course, because they were new songs, all I could hear was what was really there – the guitar, the drums and the vocals. So maybe it’s something everybody has to get used to. How about having just two people on stage instead of three? Does it change how you use the space on stage?
“Yes, Miyo is right in front of the audience and I’ve moved to the right. I have more space, haha.”
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
“Yeah, a good thing. I can make big movements.”
What’s the plan for Detroit7? What is your next step?
“Next step? I don’t know! Haha. But we want to write drum- and vocal-only songs (with no guitar) and we wanna find more new things.”
When I saw your recent show you played a cover of Tom’s Diner by Suzanne Vega, and that was also drums and vocals only, until the end when you came in with your guitar. Why did you choose that song?
“Um, we wanna play drum- and vocal-only songs, but we have no songs (like that yet).”
Will you be doing some recording soon?
“Not yet, but (we’ll) make more songs and (then) maybe a 12-inch EP.”
On vinyl?
“Vinyl, yeah.”
Why?
“Very cool, I think!”
Last year you made a 7-inch single?
“Yeah.”
Do people still have record players in Japan?
“When you get the vinyl you (also) get a download code for the MP3s. So you can use the record for an ornament, haha.”
OK, great. We’re going to play a song by Detroit7 now on the podcast; this is a brand new song; it’s a live version. Tell me a little bit about the song.
“This is a new song. But there’s no name, haha, not yet. New Song 01.”
What’s the song about?
“Being pushed past my limit.”
And what happens if someone pushes you past your limit?
(Long pause)
“Revolution!”
Interview by Daniel Robson

MONT BLANC

interview by Daniel Robson on June 23rd, 2012

Interview with Gen Kitajima of the band Mont Blanc (comprising Gen and his twin brother, Dai). We chatted in Shibuya’s Centre-gai shopping street the day before Mont Blanc flew to England for a recording session and festival appearance.
Thanks for coming on the show. You’re playing at Liverpool Sound City, Studio 2 venue, on 19 May. How do you feel about going to Liverpool?
“I feel so good and so excited, and so scary!”
Scary?
“Uh-huh. My English is so… not better. I play music, only music. To everybody’s heart.”
So maybe it doesn’t matter if you can’t speak English, because it’s from the heart, to the heart.
“Haha, yes.”
You’ve been to England before; you played in England in 2010.
“Yes, 2010.”
At In The City.
“Yes. That’s a great party. It’s fun! It’s fun to play with non-Japanese bands.”
What is Mont Blanc’s live show like?
“My band has bass and drums, but no drums, no bassist, no drummer, but the sound has everybody. It’s sequenced, but not programming all the music. I play the drums part, ‘1, 2, 3,’ and the bass part, ‘1, 2, 3,’ so…”
Oh, so you play it live into the sequencer and then the sequencer repeats it.
“Yes. I choose live.”
That’s cool. And tell me about your bandmate.
“My band’s member: twin brother, Daisuke Kitajima, is the vocal, and so he is writing songs and I program it. And sometimes support members come.”
What’s it like to play in a band as twins?
“Uhhhhh… It’s difficult! Haha, no, it’s so… He is really angry to me — and me too. But it’s real family. No problem.”
I think all bands fight, but if you’re family then it’s OK to fight.
“Yes. We can be honest to each other. True hearts.”
You can say your true feelings and you don’t have to pull any punches.
“Yes.”
When you go to England, apart from playing at Liverpool Sound City, what else are you going to do?
“Oh, we are recording before Liverpool Sound City in Brighton, and Seb Cassette from The Pipettes, at his home studio, we are recording.”
And will you then release that later in Japan as an album or something?
“We’ll release next year, in maybe May. I want to collaborate with any foreign-language artists – UK, Australia, America. If you hear, call me, haha.”
OK, thanks very much for talking to us. We’re going to play a song by Mont Blanc now – what’s the name of the song?
“Wake Up.”
What’s the song about?
“What’s the song about? I think very important is song’s groove, not words. So, groove and the story. So for example, language doesn’t matter. I write music, not words. It’s a feeling.”
Interview by Daniel Robson

ICFJ#012 – Detroit7, Shonen Knife, Electric Eel Shock and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on June 18th, 2012

ICFJ#012′s playlist includes The Aginers (People Purple), LAZYgunsBRISKY (A-Cha), Tomoyuki Nagasawa (Shiawase E No Kataomoi), Budo Grape (Sutten Kororin), Detroit7 (Untitled new song – live in Tokyo), Electric Eel Shock (Japanese Meets Chinese In USA) and Shonen Knife (Pop Tune), plus an interview with Tomomi Nabana from Detroit7!
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#011 – Who The Bitch, Nokies, Red Bacteria Vacuum and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on May 11th, 2012

ICFJ#011′s playlist includes Josy (Hooligan Babe), Red Bacteria Vacuum (Horror Samba), Who The Bitch (Superstar), Nokies! (Andy), Mont Blanc (Wake Up) and Hana To Chiruran (Taboo De Rendez-Vous), plus an interview with Gen Kitajima from Mont Blanc and and a special comment from Who The Bitch!
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Mont Blanc at Liverpool Sound City

2012 UK TOUR by Daniel Robson on April 26th, 2012

Tokyo twins Mont Blanc return to the UK for a show at Liverpool Sound City. Catch them on 19 May at Studio 2, Parr Street, Liverpool!
For more info or to book tickets, visit Liverpool Sound City’s website or Mont Blanc’s Facebook page (entry with a Liverpool Sound City pass only; on stage 9:30pm).

Formed in the womb but formalised in 2008, Japanese duo MontBlanc mix electronica with live instruments (and sometimes a backing band) to create an eccentric style.
Identical twin brothers Gen and Dai ooze an infectious fervour that has seen their party-starting live act spread to venues all over Tokyo plus a UK tour (including a show at In The City) in 2010. The fresh vibe of their recordings belies their studio-based creation.
Gen and Dai’s influences range from RJD2 and LCD Soundsystem to Beck and Modest Mouse, with an affinity for Manchester acts like Joy Division. They create music in their Tokyo home studio, performing at clubs and venues as a twosome or with a band. In Japan, it seems the best things come in twos.

ICFJ#010 – Molice, Trippple Nippples, ZZZ’s and more!

podcast by Daniel Robson on April 15th, 2012

ICFJ#010’s playlist includes ZZZ’s (Dystopia), Trippple Nippples (LSD), Molice (Please Please Pris), Day And Buffalo (Saikena Shonen Wa, Itami No Naka) and Broken Doll (Reach For The Sky), plus tour news and an exclusive interview with Molice.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2012 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Download Kimono Records albums at HearJapan

2011 UK TOUR by Daniel Robson on October 16th, 2011

Wanna buy albums or songs by the bands on the current ICFJ tour? Our chums at HearJapan have fully licensed and legal MP3s for your downloading pleasure. In the case of GalapagosS’ latest album, you can buy it a week before its official release!
You can find the artist pages here: Tokyo Pinsalocks, GalapagosS, Hondalady
And here’s what HearJapan has to say about it:
HearJapan has just made five new electro-fueled albums available to the world to coincide with the forthcoming It Came From Japan European tour!
Starting October 15th and running through the 19th, Japanese bands tokyo pinsalocks, HONDALADY and GalapagosS will be hooking up with It Came From Japan via Kimono Records to embark on a mini-tour EU tour.
Those in-the-know are already making plans to be there, but just in case you’re unfamiliar with any of the bands, HearJapan is bringing their new releases to you! tokyo pinsalocks’ “Kurukuru to Guruguru” features the all-girl trio exploring electro-tinged territory along with their usual upbeat and playful psyche-rock sound. HONDALADY mix chiptunes with rap, rock and a bit of just about everything else on both “SNEAKER MON AMOUR” and “Gimme a Break.” GalapagosS (featuring Sharaku Kobayashi from the chiptune duo Floppy) takes the chiptune sound through an electro-pop wonderland over two albums, “Black including all” and “Soy sauce impulse.” As a special bonus, HearJapan has an EXCLUSIVE offer to get “Black including all” a full week in advance of it’s official release date!
This is a must-see, once in a lifetime event that all electro-rock fans will love. Grab the albums and check the tour dates. Get ready to electro-rock!
======
HearJapan is the largest and fastest-growing place on the web to purchase Japanese music of all genres. Featuring over 5,000 artist profiles in English with 40-second samples of all songs. Over 100 releases are added every week to the currently-available 40,000+ songs in the 100% DRM free catalog. HearJapan is a great place to find the hard to find and to explore the unexplored in the world of Japanese music.

France!

2011 UK TOUR by Daniel Robson on October 11th, 2011

Une soirée 100% électro-pop japonaise vous attend le lundi 17 octobre à Paris, du côté du Star Café, dès 20h! Au programme, trois groupes: GalapagosS, Tokyo Pinsalock et Hondalady, actuellement en tournée européenne.
17 octobre – PARIS
Star Café
11 rue du Théâtre 75015 Paris (près de la Tour Eiffel)
20:00; €10
www.starcafe.fr
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=225101630878244
Also:
18 octobre – LE HAVRE
Magic Mirrors
Quai des Antilles 76600 Le Havre (en face piscine des Docks)
8:30pm; €8
www.facebook.com/magicmirrorslehavre
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=255861411124983

ICFJ#009 – Tokyo Pinsalocks, GalapagosS, Hondalady and tours in the UK and Canada!

podcast by Daniel Robson on October 4th, 2011

ICFJ#009’s playlist includes Pinky Piglets (Tokyo Merry-Go-Round), GalapagosS (Ariekeru), Tokyo Pinsalocks (Lu La Hallelujah), Merpeoples (Shaman), Hyacca (Riot) and Hondalady (Gimme A Break), plus tour news and an exclusive interview with Tokyo Pinsalocks.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2011 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

France dates for Tokyo Pinsalocks, GalapagosS, Hondalady

2011 UK TOUR by Daniel Robson on September 29th, 2011

We’ve added two France dates to the tour, in Paris and Le Havre – see the post below this one for info!

Kimono Records tour: Tokyo Pinsalocks, Hondalady & GalapagosS

2011 UK TOUR by Daniel Robson on September 5th, 2011

It Came From Japan presents:
KIMONO RECORDS EUROPE TOUR 2011
Electronically enhanced pop from Tokyo

Featuring:
Tokyo Pinsalocks
Hondalady
GalapagosS
15 Oct LONDON
Japan Underground
@ Bloomsbury Lanes Kingpin Suite
Bedford Way, near Russell Square Tube
7pm-3am; £10 adv from wegottickets.com; rock/indie/electro DJs, plus karaoke!
www.facebook.com/JapanUndergroundClub
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197186073682033
17 Oct PARIS
Star Cafe (avec Ramen Events)
11 rue du théâtre 75015
8pm; €10
starcafe.fr
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=225101630878244
18 Oct LE HAVRE
Magic Mirrors (avec O’san Productions)
Quai des Antilles 76600 Le Havre (en face piscine des Docks)
8:30pm; €8
www.facebook.com/magicmirrorslehavre
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=255861411124983
19 Oct BRIGHTON
The Prince Albert
48 Trafalgar Street
8pm; £5 adv, £6 on the door
www.facebook.com/ThePrinceAlbert
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=225353024180225

TOKYO PINSALOCKS are a psychedelicious three-girl groove-pop outfit who have toured the UK and US several times. In step with the Tokyo music scene, their latest album, ‘Kurukuru To Guruguru’, takes on a more electronic sound, and the trio’s fun live show pits bass and drum grooves against Naoko’s energetic vocals.
www.pinsalocks.com
www.myspace.com/tokyopinsalocks

GALAPAGOSS is the brand-new project of Sharaku Kobayashi, from internationally successful chiptune unit Floppy. The new group’s name reflects Japan’s increasingly insular and unique nature, tapping the zeitgeist to inform their 8bit-soaked electronic sound. They perform as a full band, giving blisteringly aggressive live shows.
http://galapagoss.syncl.jp

Techno-rock unit HONDALADY have history stretching back to 1996 but have performed as a two-man outift since 2002. Their 8th album, ‘Sneaker Mon Amour’, has been an underground hit in Japan, and the duo have also written music for videogames on Nintendo Wii, growing them a fanbase among gameheads in Europe and the US.
www.hondalady.net
www.myspace.com/hondaladyjapan
It Came From Japan – tweeting from the heart of central Tokyo!
@ItCameFromJapan

ICFJ#008 – Japan fundraiser special! With John Lydon, Electric Eel Shock, Detroit7 and more…

podcast by Daniel Robson on March 25th, 2011

ICFJ#008 is a roundup of the best live music benefits and fundraising compilation albums to help the people of northeastern Japan, plus interviews and tons of ace music from Japan too. Help save Japan with rock’n’roll! Hosted by Daniel Robson, with special guest co-host Iain Lee. The Playlist includes Limited Express – Has Gone? (Nightingale), Detroit7 (Fatman Blues), World’s End Girlfriend (Birthday Resistance), Boomhauer X (8 Steps To You), Natccu (Present), Electric Eel Shock (Rock’n’Roll Can Rescue The World), SpecialThanks (Hello Colorful) and EeL (696969), with John Lydon (Public Image Limited/The Sex Pistols), Electric Eel Shock frontman Aki, and a journalist who has visited Sendai to see the aftermath of the tsunami firsthand.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ‘Fatman Blues’ is available from JapanFiles. ©2011 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Help save Japan!

news by Daniel Robson on March 20th, 2011

Oh! Northeast Japan needs your help – and It Came From Japan, plus a roster of our celebrity mates, want to tell how you can pitch in.
You already know about the magnitude 9.0 megaquake and ensuing tsunami on 11 March, which wiped out many towns in Tohoku region in the Northeast of Japan and raised the menacing spectre of nuclear contamination from the Daiichi power plant in Fukushima.
Right now, the number of dead or missing human beings stands at over 20,000. Also, nearly half a million people are suffering right this very minute, with limited access to electricity, fuel, clothing, shelter and hope.
Here’s the good news: You can help, and it’s more fun than you think.
We’re putting together a special edition podcast packed with information on music-related fundraisers around the UK, US and Europe to dazzle your ears while benefitting those afflicted by the quake and tsunami, presented by our chum Iain Lee and ICFJ founder Daniel Robson. Plus! We’ll have special guest interviews and tunes that rock harder than a 10-metre wave.
You can subscribe for free to the podcast on iTunes
here, or you can listen for free on this page. We hope to have it online before next Friday (25 March 2011), along with a list of links.
In the meantime, may we suggest sending some money to the Red Cross?

Autumn Tour – October dates!

2010 UK TOUR by Daniel Robson on October 6th, 2010

It Came From Japan presents:
MontBlanc debut UK tour
Identical Japanese twins bring live electronica meltdown!
In Japan, the best things come in twos. Formed in the womb but formalised in 2008, Japanese duo MontBlanc mix electronica with live instruments to create an eccentric style. Identical twin brothers Gen and Dai ooze an infectious fervour that has seen their party-starting live act spread across Tokyo, and the fresh vibe of their recordings belies their studio-based creation.
www.myspace.com/montblancband

14 October – MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER In The City
Last.fm presents… @ Dry Live
28 Oldham St, Northern Quarter
Free entry with In The City pass / On stage 7.45pm
With Crystal Fighters, White Ring, Lissi Dancefloor Disaster + more!
17 October – LONDON
LONDON The Dublin Castle
94 Parkway, Camden
£6 (£4.50 concs) / On stage 7.10pm
With The Lightwings, Vvolves, Jonny White

ICFJ#007 – Lillies And Remains, Iain Lee, and tours in the UK, Canada and Vietnam!

podcast by Daniel Robson on May 5th, 2010

ICFJ#007′s playlist includes Molice (Romancer), Sunset Drive (She Don’t Need Anybody), Natccu (Domino Tax – live at Camden Crawl), Lillies And Remains (Wreckage), Rica Minami (Kingyo), Mothercoat (Movie) and Kulu Kulu Garden (Age Zen Suezen), and exclusive interviews with Lillies And Remains and TV/radio presenter Ian Lee.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2010 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

Camden Crawl and Great Escape ticket info

podcast by Daniel Robson on April 29th, 2010

Please note that entry to our Camden Crawl and Great Escape stages is restricted to festival pass-holders only – in other words, you can’t just turn up at the door and buy a ticket for our show. We’re very sorry about this. But in the case of both festivals, you can use a day pass or weekend pass, and there will be plenty of great bands playing in the evening after our shows and on the other days.
Camden Crawl is 1-2 May at venues around Camden, London, and tickets can be purchased from www.thecamdencrawl.com. Part of the proceeds are donated to the War Child charity.
The Great Escape is 13-15 May at venues around Brighton, with tickets on sale at www.escapegreat.com.

ICFJ#006 – April/May UK tour special! With Natccu, Sunset Drive, Sputniko! and more…

podcast by Daniel Robson on April 13th, 2010

ICFJ#006′s playlist includes Jonny (Birthday), Sunset Drive (We’ve Got To Talk), Natccu (Hakushon! Bless You’ – live at Chelsea Hotel, Tokyo), Sputniko! (Google Song) and Lillies And Remains (Moralist S.S.), and exclusive interviews with Natccu, Sputniko! and Sunset Drive.
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2010 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#005 – Kat McDowell, Bo-Peep, KillKills!

podcast by Daniel Robson on March 7th, 2010

ICFJ#005′s playlist includes Nihon Matsu Hitomi (Nou Den Timer), Dead Bambies (‘Ai Mai Me Mine’), Bo-Peep (Power), Plingmin (7 Days), Kat McDowell (Stop), KillKills (Paradise), plus an exclusive interview with singer-songwriter Kat McDowell! 
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2010 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#004 – Peelander-Z, Bo-Peep, Donkey Vegetable Voxxx!!!

podcast by Daniel Robson on March 7th, 2010

ICFJ#004′s playlist includes Anaakies (Bokushi No Chinko Girochin Die!), Bo-Peep (‘Level 3’), Ed Woods (Monster Trash), Cannibal Rabbit (TV), Peelander-Z (So Many Mike), Donkey Vegetable Voxxx!!! (Fight For Your Right), plus interviews with Peelander-Z and ‘Live House’ director Kevin McGue! 
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2010 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#003 – Shonen Knife, Molice, DJ Scotch Egg!

podcast by Daniel Robson on December 20th, 2009

ICFJ#003’s playlist includes The Automatics (Step Into Christmas), Molice (‘Ms Panic’), Psysalia Pysalis Psyche (Butch And The Sundance Kid), DJ Scotch Egg (Scotch Hausen), Asakusa Jinta (Viva Boom Boom), Shonen Knife (Space Christmas), plus interviews with Shonen Knife, Molice and DJ Scotch Egg!
Find band links and more info at <a title=”It Came From Japan” href=”http://www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk”>www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk</a> or follow us on Twitter <a title=”It Came From Japan” href=”http://twitter.com/itcamefromjapan” target=”_blank”>@ItCameFromJapan</a> – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2009 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#002 – Hi-Standard, Dr Usui, Suga Shikao!

podcast by Daniel Robson on November 24th, 2009

ICFJ#002′s playlist includes Ogre You Asshole (Headlight), Dr Usui (Only A Devil Can Change My Heart), Molice (Headphone), Suga Shikao (Keppeki), Hi-Standard (Stay Gold), and Motocompo (Motor Girl), plus interviews with Namba Akihiro (Hi-Standard/Ultra-Brain), Dr Usui (Motocompo) and social anthropologist Angela Beattie!
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2009 It Came From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS

ICFJ#001 – Electric Eel Shock, Pinky Doodle Poodle, JOHHNY MARR!

podcast by Daniel Robson on October 18th, 2009

ICFJ#001’s setlist includes Bo-Peep (B-Level Motion), Electric Eel Shock (No Shit Sherlock), Tigarah (Color, Culture, Money, Beauty), Pinky Doodle Poodle (Pirates Of PDP), Suga Shikao (Hajimari No Hi), Masadayomasa (217519), Sawa (Dragon) and Natccu (Hakushon! Bless You), plus interviews with Electric Eel Shock, Pinky Doodle Poodle and JOHNNY MARR!
Find band links and more info at www.itcamefromjapan.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @ItCameFromJapan – and hey, write us a message on our iTunes page and let us know what you think! All tracks used with permission. ©2009 It Come From Japan

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSS


Amazon top page