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!
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).
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)!
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!
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).
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.
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.
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?)
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, aaaand our brand new co-presenter, Asuka!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!