Category Archive for J-News
V-ROCK 2009 VISUAL KEI FESTIVAL IN CHIBA, TOKYO JAPAN. MOI DIX MOI, GAZETTE, D'ESPAIRS RAY, MARILYN MANSON, VERSAILLES.
Everyone say this in a dramatic voice:
“In 2009 JAPAN will set its attention to the WORLD!
We proudly present this year’s Festival of Festivals!
In October 2009 more than 50 artists will participate
in the world’s largest visual-kei festival ever…V-ROCK!”
“For two days on four stages Makuhari Messe will be transformed into sacred ground.” This year, the performers include such Visual Rock gods as Versailles, D’espairs Ray, The GazettE, Moi dix Mois, PENICILLIN, D’espairs Ray, heidi., Vidoll, SuG, ALI PROJECT, TSUCHIYA ANNA… and Marilyn Manson? Whatever works!
Here is a 10 minute propaganda video that will get your blood flowing. Can you find Yukiro Dravarious among the interviewees?
And can you name the Visual Kei bands in all the photos?
The V-Rock Visual Kei festival takes place October 24-25 at Chiba’s Makuhara Messe. A 1-day ticket is 12,000 JPY; a 2-day is 20,000 JPY (tax-included). For English info and a link to buy tickets, click here. Has anyone been to V-Rock before? Which bands would bring out your inner fangirl/boy?
Song of the Day #162: Anna Tsuchiya – Kuroi Namida (She’ll be at the festival; will you?)
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J-NEWS #3: HELLO KITTY IPHONE, MANA'S MOI DIX MOIS @ LA ANIME EXPO, NEW VISUAL KEI BANDS @ HEARJAPAN, PHOENIX WRIGHT MUSICAL.
Time for a long overdue round-up of Lolita/Visual Kei/J-pop news! If you want to receive J-news in real time, you’re welcome to follow me on Twitter. Whenever I receive press releases, store specials, invites etc, I immediately share the news on Twitter.
† Hello Kitty iPhone application launched! You can dress her in Gothic Lolita & Harajuku fashions, and there are more Sanrio wallpapers and skins on the way.
† Mana-sama is coming to Los Angeles! His Visual Kei project, Moi dix Mois, will perform at the July 2-5 Anime Expo at the LA Convention Center. Will any of you be there?
† Poketo, designer of cute limited-edition art products and accessories, is camping out at Royal/T Maid Cafe in LA from June 27 to July 18. You’re invited to the Pop-Up Shop opening and a Karaoke Dance Party on July 10.
† Japan’s three “cute ambassadors”, which you may remember from this post, are raising some eyebrows among Japanese Diet members. What do you think – could there be “unwarranted criticism against overseas tours by ‘pretty ambassadors’ wearing very short skirts”?
† Digital music label HearJapan now has over forty Visual Kei artists under its umbrella! These include Deathgaze, Dolly, Ghost, Otokage, Angelique, Hizaki’s solo project, Versailles…
† Japan & Anime event promoter Sakura Syndrome recently had two successful parties in Greece, and will be announcing more soon. Their featured band for June is DARKSIDE MIRRORS – check them out!
† Lady GaGa wears Sweet Lolita dresses while on tour in Japan. What do you think – does she pull it off? Video here.
Finally, here are some funny “only in Japan” tidbits that I found on the Net…
† How to hide from the Yakuza? By flipping your skirt over your head and laying your bag on the ground. The criminals will think you’re a vending machine and mistake your purse for a pothole!
† I wish I saw this in Tokyo… a takarazuka production of Phoenix Wright. Yes, the DS video game… with singing and dancing and an all-female cast! Check out the video; “character designs and characters and music and settings all faithfully reproduced… pretty spectacular” according to Ronan.
† Above: the Happy Phantom meets Lolita Princess Mihoko and Goth Princess Zoe. Featured films include: Satan’s Bed, Scare Their Pants Off, The Best of Burlesque! (all by ‘Something Weird Video’) and even The Beatles ‘HELP!’
† And finally, in La Carmina news… if it fancies you, my Theme Restaurants book can be pre-ordered online (it comes out in July). You’re welcome to browse my garage sale for neat clothes ($10-20). And I just got exciting news about a potential appearance… on a major TV show… with someone hardcore… cross your fingers for me!
Did I leave out any exciting J-news? Comment below or Twitter me – I promise to reply!
Song of the Day #137: Max Him – Japanese Girls
LA CARMINA
