The Battle Continues

Laptop Battle Tokyo, vol. 3
7/16, SuperDeluxe

Combining the craziness of computer-generated music and the thrill of competition, the sporadic Laptop Battles at SuperDeluxe are becoming some of my more anticipated events in Tokyo. It's a way to see how individual musicians, working in the very solitary medium of computers, can translate their gadgetry to a live performance.

The third edition did not disappoint. The music is always the focus, but this time I feel like the competitors upped their showmanship. While some may dismiss crazy masks, wigs and dancing as gimmicks, I figure that if you already know you can throw down, you might as well go for entertainment value as well -- something the judges seemed to take into account.

The battle featured eight musicians in a bracket-style tournament, competing for software and gear. It was off to a strong start in the first round, when Hiroaki Oba's mix of disco-y influences rightly won out over Azop Corp's more technically proficient but rather standard beats.

I won't go into detail of each round, but highlights for me included lots of samples from old-school Nintendo games, and the stage antics of Lastboss (who went on to the final) and Naotoxin, a competitor from the first laptop battle who unfortunately was eliminated.

Technical problems terminated competitor T3 from the running, but perhaps his dark, expansive music wasn't cut out for the competition.

The final paired ambient DJ Yuko Ono with the spastic stylings of Mancunian mixer Lastboss. It was a tough call because the two are so different stylistically. The crowd seemed to favor Ono, but Lastboss' supporters definitely knew how to be vocal.

Ono started out strong and I was sure she had it, but her second offering wasn't as sure. Lastboss was consistent in his seizure-inducing glitches and samples, and maybe it was his technical prowess and showmanship that won him the title.

Even though I thought the decision should've gone the other way, I don't think that Ono lost out, and I hope to see her again soon.

Check out the Laptop Battle website for lots of info. And anywhere else for pics better than mine.

Flo Union Summer special

Flo Union is a monthly event which has been happening at different venues and with different organisers since 2004. It has morphed from a book exchange to an arts showcase to its current incarnation as a Media Lounge, organised by the VJ, David Roy (Modius Cafe) with the help of Craig Exton (Tokyo Gig Guide).

The July Flo Union on July 20th, will focus on live music with some very special international guests: Mixtune For Cully, visiting from Denmark, Cigarettes For Ping Pong from Australia, as well as local, Eri Makino.

Like every month, there will also be VJs and artists showing their work.
In fact, any kind of artist is free to perform or show their work. Live painting, short films, DJs, VJs, performance art, dance, poetry, live projection, animation, design, photography... Just let us know in advance if you can. flounion@gmail.com

Between performances, DJs Mr Craig e, Bamboozled, Stick Close Like Dogs, Dolly and more will play DJ tennis.

It will be held on Sunday, July 20th at The Pink Cow, a cool loungeroom-like event space/restaurant/bar in Shibuya.

Entry is free and it starts at 8:30pm.



Mixtune For Cully
Aage Hedensted; the man behind the previous Danish indierock successes such as Yellowish and Slowburn is back on track with his most ambitious project so far, Mixtune For Cully. A singer/songwriter with a preference for the traditional shoegazer scene, Hedensted, with his beautiful and piercing voice, masters to muster a fragile thoughtfulness in his lyrics. The noise of the guitar has been tuned down and replaced by insisting, acoustic elements. We Know Where The Aircrafts Hide is released in Denmark the 6th of October by GoodTape Records in collaboration with Playground Music. Aage will bring the new album with him to Japan and play some of the songs from it live.

Cigarettes For Ping Pong
From Melbourne, Australia, Carol Micallef's (Cartwheel, Like Chandeliers) new project Cigarettes For Ping Pong play music which conveys both tenderness and charm like that of a new foal attempting to stand on it’s own. We hope you will be fond of it.

Eri Makino
Eri Makino is “Piano and vocal and something” style musician, with snare drum, with many toy, with laptop, with impromptu, with sampler, with orchestra, with band, with idol unit, with i-pod, with a teddy, with my friends, etc.

Eri Makino and Cigarettes For Ping Pong will also play on the afternoon of Saturday, July 19th at Stax Fred in Koenji for a special lunchtime live show with electronic duo lotusloop. Details here.

Maher Shalal Hash Baz & Doronco Gumo

Koenji High May 12th





Doronco Gumo





Maher Shalal Hash Baz

Aprils, Hazel Nuts Chocolate, Aira Mitsuki, Furil @ Basement Bar 26 April

Deciding I needed a dose of happy-happy pop, I went down a Shimokitazawa basement to Basement Bar. Surprisingly, the place was chock-a-block with an odd mix of folks.

First up was Furil, who I didn't know anything about and who didn't really help with my need for happy-happy pop. They were a squeaky synthetic karaoke act who took themselves too seriously, but seemed to go down well with the otaku I noticed congregating at the front of the stage.



The otaku didn't quite know how to react to the next performance, Hazel Nuts Chocolate.
Yuppa made a hilarious entry and danced about singing a bunch of Hazel Nuts classics. Although she was singing to a backing track, she also played synth and was joined by Dr Usui from Motocompo on guitar. They were loud, eccentric, danceable and put a smile on my face as they always do.



When Henachoco finished, there was sudden excitement on the otaku front. Patrick, who I ran into at the show, was perfectly correct in guessing they were all there to see Aira Mitsuki, the idoru who was up next. She was an idoru of the Perfume type, and like Perfume, she was actually blessed with some interesting songs, produced by Yasutaka Nakata worshipper, Oonishi Terukado. At first I was admittedly a bit afraid though; a singer who looked like a doll wearing a maid-like dress, her management wearing suits, choreographed dancers, nerds enthusiastically copying the moves.. Was this Shimokitazawa or Akihabara? Well, perhaps Akihabara via Shibuya. Well, via the post-Shibuya-kei techno-pop of the likes of Capsule.
She even did a cover of Cornelius' Star Fruits Surf Rider and even pressed a couple of keys on a synth. Bonus points.
Everything she sang was through a vocoder and she not only sounded, but also looked like a robot. However, this artificiality was indeed intentional and part of what made her interesting.
Quite enjoyable actually. Though those otaku were scary.. But they made a mad dash to the merchandise table after Aira finished, leaving a bit more room for us to enjoy Aprils.



I pulled out the light stick Aprils gave out for free (Oh no! Otaku behaviour! I'm becoming one of them!) and watched Aprils enthusiastically belt out some of their happy-happy pop classics. As usual, they filled the stage with supporting members, lights, smoke, pico-pico-flipper's-guitar-pop and monitors synched up to their songs. No appearance by the giant blue panda this time though. But they did play Pan・da:



Check out the Chipple report of this show.

Fuji Rock Lineup

Lots more artists have been announced for Fuji Rock.

Some friends are coming over from Australia for it so I'm going to go too.
Want to join the TGG cohort?

ASPARAGUS, BEAT CRUSADERS, BEN FOLDS, BETTYE LAVETTE, Bill Laswell presents Method of Defiance, BLACKMARKET, Bootsy Collins Tribute to the Godfather of Soul, THE BREEDERS, THE CRIBS, CSS, DatA, THE DEATH SET, DOBERMAN, eastern youth, ELLEGARDEN, FEEDER, FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND, FreeTEMPO, GALACTIC featuring Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5) and Boots Riley (of The Coup), THE GO!TEAM, GOGOL BORDELLO, GOSSIP, GOTYE, HARD-FI, IAN BROWN, KIYOSHIRO IMAWANO & NICE MIDDLE with NEW BLUE DAY HORNS plus NAKAIDO "CHABO" REICHI, JANET KLEIN, JASON FALKNER, JASON MRAZ, KASABIAN, KATE NASH, Kicell, LETTUCE, M!NK, MELEE, MICHAEL FRANTI AND SPEARHEAD, THE MUSIC, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, MYSTERY JETS, NARUYOSHI KIKUCHI DUB SEXTET, ONE NIGHT ONLY, OZOMATLI, PRIMAL SCREAM, PRINCESS SUPERSTAR, QURULI, THE RASCALS, Riddim Saunter, RODRIGO Y GABRIELA, ROGER JOSEPH MANNING JR., RYUKYUDISKO, SEASICK STEVE, SHERBETS, SPECIAL OTHERS, SPOON, SWITCH, Tomobe Masato, TRAVIS, UNDERWORLD, WHITE LIES

Tokyo Gig Guide in Best Of The Web '08

Tokyo Gig Guide was included on Japanzine's Best Of The Web '08 article about Japan websites.
It's in the 'Tragically Hip' section, along with some good music sites like Japan Onchi and Improvised Music From Japan.

Dancing to a Japanese Beatles cover band by the tandoor

Last night, a coworker had been invited to play bass in a band in Chiba, so I decided to go along.
After getting totally lost, we finally managed to get to the venue which was an Indian restaurant hidden under a huge apartment building in the middle of nowhere in Higashi-Chiba.
Inside, it was a British rock-themed izakaya-like place jam-packed with an odd collection of middle-aged locals. I tucked into a super-spicy North Indian curry and some pints of Bass.
The band set up and earnestly played Beatles songs. A few people got up and danced at first, and later after more songs, beer and samosas, chairs were pushed aside and half the place was getting on down. An Indian chef showed off some Bollywood moves and a lady in a strange dance outfit very enthusiastically tried to make me dance with her, while an old guy with overalls and a combover cheered and took photos. We were offered some home-brewed ale.
Next, just to make things even more surreal, an old guy in an orange shirt got on stage and started singing opera.
It was great to see some real, unpretentious culture. If only I'd brought along my camera.

Club 8

Fancy some Swedish pop?
Club 8 will be in Japan on April 3rd for a show at O-Nest, supported by 4 bonjour's parties and Mondialito.



Club 8 is Karolina Komstedt and Johan Angergård, also in the great indie-pop band, Acid House Kings. Since 1995, Club 8 have released 6 albums on Spanish label Siesta and Swedish label Labrador. Their sound has moved between twee, bossa-nova, electronica and shiny, happy but melancholic pop.

Their new album, Boy Who Couldn't Stop Dreaming, is out in Japan now.
Listen: Whatever You Want mp3




4 bonjour's parties is a seven piece band who play a large array of instruments from guitar to flute to synthesiser and everything in between. Could they be called dreamy chamber-pop or Belle & Sebastian meets Tortoise? However you describe them, they are definitely one of the most interesting and original bands in japan right now.



Mondialito play beautiful down-tempo, acoustic-electro-bossa. Singing almost all songs in French, you can hear the influence of Keren Ann. Their 4th album, Cher Mon Amoureux, is out now.

On The One, Tearbridge International and Cookie Scene present Club 8.
April 3rd (Thursday) at O-Nest in Shibuya.
The doors open at 6:00 and the music starts at 7:00.
Tickets can be purchased from Lawson. The L-code is 72151.
It costs 3400yen advance or 3900yen at the door.

Fuji Rock & Summersonic lineups

by craig


Some of the artists have been announced for Fuji Rock Festival `08:

NEW (April): ASPARAGUS, BEAT CRUSADERS, BEN FOLDS, BETTYE LAVETTE, Bill Laswell presents Method of Defiance, BLACKMARKET, Bootsy Collins Tribute to the Godfather of Soul, THE BREEDERS, THE CRIBS, CSS, DatA, THE DEATH SET, DOBERMAN, eastern youth, ELLEGARDEN, FEEDER, FLOWER TRAVELLIN' BAND, FreeTEMPO, GALACTIC featuring Chali 2na (of Jurassic 5) and Boots Riley (of The Coup), THE GO!TEAM, GOGOL BORDELLO, GOSSIP, GOTYE, HARD-FI, IAN BROWN, KIYOSHIRO IMAWANO & NICE MIDDLE with NEW BLUE DAY HORNS plus NAKAIDO "CHABO" REICHI, JANET KLEIN, JASON FALKNER, JASON MRAZ, KASABIAN, KATE NASH, Kicell, LETTUCE, M!NK, MELEE, MICHAEL FRANTI AND SPEARHEAD, THE MUSIC, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, MYSTERY JETS, NARUYOSHI KIKUCHI DUB SEXTET, ONE NIGHT ONLY, OZOMATLI, PRIMAL SCREAM, PRINCESS SUPERSTAR, QURULI, THE RASCALS, Riddim Saunter, RODRIGO Y GABRIELA, ROGER JOSEPH MANNING JR., RYUKYUDISKO, SEASICK STEVE, SHERBETS, SPECIAL OTHERS, SPOON, SWITCH, Tomobe Masato, TRAVIS, UNDERWORLD, WHITE LIES

Of course more artists will be announced but it looks like it might have potential. My Bloody Valentine? Yes!


Most of Summersonic `08's artists have been announced:

COLDPLAY / THE VERVE / SEX PISTOLS / THE PRODIGY / ALICIA KEYS / FATBOY SLIM / PAUL WELLER / DEVO / SPIRITUALIZED / THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN / PANIC AT THE DISCO / MAXIMUM THE HORMONE / ZEBRAHEAD / AGAINST ME! / BEAT UNION / BAND OF HORSES / BEDOUIN / SOUNDCLASH / CAJUN DANCE PARTY / CRYSTAL CASTLES / FRIENDLY FIRES / JACK'S MANEQUIN / JUNKIE XL / LATE OF THE PIER / THE METROS / MUTEMATH / NEW FOUND GLORY / NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB / OLD MAN RIVER / POLYSICS / SILVERSUN PICKUPS / SKINDRED / SOUTH CENTRAL / THE SUBWAYS / THE TING TINGS / WE SMOKE FAGS / XAVIER RUDD

NEW (March 15th): 311, Lostprophets, The Fratellis, Justice, Hadouken!, The Hoosiers, Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong, MGMT, Onerepublic, The Wombats, Trivium, Vampire Weekend.

NEW (March 21st): Death Cab For Cutie, The Kooks, Cafe Tacvba, These New Puritans, The Teenagers

A few goodies but mostly fairly yawnable.

FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL '08 is on July 25th (Fri), 26th (Sat) and 27th (Sun) 2008 at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata.
3-day tickets are ¥39,800. 1-day tickets are ¥16,800 but limited to 10,000 tickets a day. A car park pass costs ¥3,000 a car per day and a campsite ticket is ¥3,000 valid for the festival period. Pre-booking on sale now until 6/6 from Pia, eplus, and Ganban (English)

SUMMER SONIC '08 is on August 9th (Saturday) and 10th (Sunday) at Chiba Marine Stadium & Makuhari Messe.
A 1-day ticket is ¥15,500 and a 2-day ticket is ¥28,500.
Tickets will be on sale from May 24th from:
Pia (The Pia code is 287-355 for 1 day and 782-024 for both),
Lawson (The Lawson code is 77770),
eplus and CN Playguide

Sufjan Stevens at Club Quattro Jan 22nd 2008

by craig