LM.C – New Single “SUPER DUPER GALAXY” out on March 30, 2011 – Music Video World Premiere to be featured on Facebook

Mixture Rock band “ViViD” to hold world premium press conference on Ustream!

ViViD WILL GIVE A WORLDWIDE, URGENT PRESS CONFERENCE ON USTREAM TO COMMEMORATE THEIR MAJOR DEBUT!

Evolving at thunderstruck speed, mixture rock band ViViD will make their major debut on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 with “YUME ~Mugen No Kanata~”.

To commemorate the release, the band will give a press conference entitled “ViViD MAJOR DEBUT WORLD PREMIUM CONFERENCE”, on the very day of major debut, January 19, 2011, at Harajuku Astro Hall.  The conference will take place in front of the fans invited through the band’s website and other media, and will be broadcasted worldwide through Ustream.

New release notices, question-and-answer session using Twitter, and the launch of ViViD’s streaming program THE ViViD SHOW (working title) will be broadcasted as part of the press conference.

[ViViD MAJOR DEBUT WORLD PREMIUM CONFERENCE]

Webcast: 19:30-20:30 JST

Access URL: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/vivid-sounds

Preliminary questions accepted at: Twitter　Hashtag: #vivid119

[ViViD: Band Profile]

ViViD was formed in March 2009 by bassist Iv and drummer Ko-ki, and was joined by guitarists Reno and Ryoga as well as vocalist Shin to settle in the current lineup.  The name “ViViD” implies the band’s mantra to cherish each member’s color to let it shine.  Under the concept of “Melodix Mixture Rock”, their music blends elements of various genres with raps and hard-edged melodies.

ViViD made their indie debut on July 8, 2009, with single “Take-off”.  The band’s career literally took off a great start and the single debuted at #2 on the indie chart.  The three following singles all debuted at #1 on the indie chart.  Their latest single “PRECIOUS”, released in July 2010, debuted at #15 on Oricon’s major chart.  Within the same month, while still not making their major debut, they were invited to Japan Expo 2010, the largest convention on Japanese popular culture held in France, and performed in front of approximately 10,000.

In August 2010, ViViD announced their major debut during their third one-band show at Shibuya AX entitled “Day of Awaking”.  At the same time they announced the final one-band show as an indie band, entitled “Kosai GENESIS” to be held at Shibuya C.C. Lemon Hall.  Tickets were sold out in a mere hour.

And now, ViViD is making their major debut from Epic Records Japan with single “YUME ~Mugen No Kanata~” on January 19, 2011!

[Release Information]

Major debut single “YUME ~Mugen No Kanata~” in stores January 19, 2011!

Ending theme song of TV Tokyo network anime Level E (Mondays, 25:30~)

Monthly opening theme (January 2011) of TV Tokyo network’s visual-kei music program V-No Ryugi (Tuesdays, 26:30~)

Release formats:

First-run only limited edition A(CD+DVD) ESCL3585-3586 / JPY1,890 (tax inclusive)

First-run only limited edition B (CD+DVD) ESCL3587-3588 / JPY1,890 (tax inclusive)

Special bonus track edition (CD only) ESCL3589 / JPY1,260 (tax inclusive)

[Future gigs] ViViD ONEMAN LIVE TOUR 2011 “Dear…ViViD COLORS”

March 14 / Mon	Sunphonix Hall in Yokohama Arena	OPEN18:00/START18:30
March 19 / Sat	Sapporo / Cube Garden	OPEN17:00/START17:30
March 21 / Mon	Sendai / Darwin	OPEN16:30/START17:00
March 23 / Wed	Kanazawa / AZ	OPEN18:00/START18:30
March 25 / Fri	Nagoya / Electric LadyLand	OPEN18:00/START18:30
March 26 / Sat	Osaka / Muse	OPEN17:00/START17:30
March 28 / Mon	Fukuoka / DRUM Be-1	OPEN18:00/START18:30
March 31 / Thu	Nagano / CLUB JUNK BOX	OPEN18:00/START18:30

~Tour Final~

May 15 / Sun

Tokyo / Hibiya Amphitheater

OPEN16:30/START17:30

J!-ENT interview with LM.C by Dennis A. Amith

The duo that rocked the USA, to be exact, San Jose, California where the Japanese visual kei rock and electronic pop unit LM.C. performed for over 2,000 people in San Jose last June.  LM.C  consists of maya (a former support guitarist for rock artist Miyavi) and guitarist Aiji (who came from the visual kei rock band Pierrot).

J!-ENT’s Dennis A. Amith recently had the opportunity to interview LM.C members maya and Aiji to discuss their music, their new album and also their performance in San Jose.

Click here to download our J!-ENT interview with LM.C

Long live X Japan!

There’s not much to say since we weren’t at Lollapalooza this year. But as a long time follower of the band and seeing the American audience reaction to the band and to see how the crowd grew over time, it was awesome to see everyone rocking to music and seeing people who have never heard of the band before really getting into them. Please check out the following articles in regards to X Japan’s performance at Lollapalooza: 1, 2, 3, Long live X Japan!

Feel the visual-kei heat with new releases from Kaya, Sileen, LIX. and GLACIER

Yokohama, Japan – July 28th, 2010 – The summer scorcher continues with
four brand new visual-kei releases from HearJapan!

LIX. continues to impress with their second maxi-single “Seimei no
Shuen.” “[]” in an elegant rock track sure to hit the hearts of fans
while “Sanctuary” is a pure metal blitz.

“Requiem D-moll” by Seileen is a massive collection of new original
tracks and various remixes from producers around the world. Seileen’s
unique operatic vocals drift over the dark electro beats and
atmospheric mist. The various remixes take it to the next level,
striving to get you on the dance floor and melt your face off.

HearJapan is particularly excited to announce the return of Kaya!
Since his old label went out of business, much of his past work has
been lost. It’s been over a year, but now HearJapan is happy to
provide the world with his newest single “Awilda.” This time, Kaya
takes the role of a female pirate, Alfhild (Awilda). He sings about
her exploits in life and love in this symphonic trance track!

GLACIER takes things in an entirely different direction with the
upbeat rock single “Kariyushi.” Kariyushi is an Okinawan word for
joyous and this song is the perfect backdrop for any joyous trip to
the beach.

Also of note: the LIX. and Seileen releases are on the Starwave and
Darkest Labyrinth labels respectively. You can explore more from these
labels on the two compilations listed below.

All of these release are available now at HearJapan. Enjoy the heat!

======

Links:

LIX. – Seimei no Shuen
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/Seimei_no_Shuen

Seileen – Requiem Dmoll
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/Requiem_Dmoll

Kaya – Awilda
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/Awilda

GLACIER – Kariyushi
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/Kariyushi

Darkest Labyrinth Vol2 Compilation
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/Darkest_Labyrinth_Vol2

Starwave Records Compilation
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/Starwave_Records

All HearJapan Visual-kei releases
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/genre/1/3/Visual%20kei

SuG Challenging a New Form of USTREAM with V-kei

- SuG will be presenting a new side of themselves in a new variety talk
program!-

This year in January SuG released their long awaited first major single “gr8
story” and with the energetic requests from their overseas fans, the USTREAM
program “SuG TV” has now been decided!

The program is a special version of “MJP TV”, produced by online music
magazine MJP (musicJAPANplus), directed at an overseas audience and will be
aired on July 23rd (Friday) at night at 10:00 o’clock. It will be ON AIR via
USTREAM for one night only world wide.

During the program, the band members will report on their current state in a
free talk session and amongst a present corner, there will also be a real-time
Q&A session, where the SuG members will be answering questions from their fans
in Japan and all over the world. Also, they will be challenging a “True or
False” QUIZ corner in an hour full of variety!

Certainly a thing to notice will be the costumes of the band members that day.
All of them will be taking part in the program with their private clothes and
MJP will engage them in a fashion talk upon their appearance. Until now vocalist
Takeru has already collaborated with a fashion brand and with their fashionable
reputation, they will not only be drawing attention with the contents of their
talk.

It is unusual for Visual-kei bands to take part in variety programs in Japan,
and as the artists will certainly be showing a new side of themselves during the
live broadcast, please expect a lot to come!

[Program Information]
* Program Name：SuG TV
* Airing Time：July 23rd 10:00 o’clock at night (Japanese Standard Time)
* Airing Place：MJP top page

http://www.musicjapanplus.jp/

* MJP is currently looking for Questions towards the band members concerning the
Q&A section as well as for the Quiz corner! Find more information here:

http://www.musicjapanplus.jp/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=52

A Dark Star Delivers Over 30 New Visual-Kei Releases To HearJapan

Yokohama, Japan – June 29th, 2010 – Two new visual-kei labels have
been drawn into HearJapan’s warm embrace. Over 30 releases will emerge
over the next week!

Two new compilations that come out on June 30th may best sum-up
the artists and sounds of the Darkest Labyrinth and Starwave Records labels.
Darkest Labyrinth’s “Darkest Labyrinth Vol 2” collects 13 artist into one solid package
dripping with dark electro beats and massive synths. Featuring an
impressive roster including GPKISM, Seileen, Blam Honey, BESPA
KUMAMERO, Takuya Angel, 2 Bullet and many more, this is the perfect
album for both the seasoned goth-electro fan and newcomer interested
in taking a bigger bite.

Starwave Records is a fresh new label exploding with rock and grinding
metal. Their compilation “Starwave Records” features loud and raw rock
tracks from Luzmelt, SUICIDE ALI, Calmando Qual and more. Oh, and it
includes a crazy Christmas song direct from Hell thanks to SaTaN
whom are also releasing a new album 13 I SCREAM on June 30th! This
collection is not for the faint of heart, but will nevertheless get
people grinning and shouting along.

And that’s just the beginning! You can find extended discographies
from most of the above mentioned artists as well as many more, like
BLOOD and Variable Messiah. This gathering of instant classics as well
as never before heard tracks is sure to make adoring fans happy all
over and expose a new sound to the rest of the world.

======

Links:

Darkest Labyrinth

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/label/1/1079/darkest-labyrinth

Starwave Records

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/label/1/1053/starwave-records

Starwave Records Compilation

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/Starwave_Records

Darkest Labyrinth Vol 2

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/Darkest_Labyrinth_Vol2

GPKISM

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/GPKISM

SaTaN

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/SaTaN

BLOOD

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/BLOOD_2

BLAMHONEY

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/BLAMHONEY

2 BULLET

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/2_BULLET

HimemaniK

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/HimemaniK

Vanished Empire

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/Vanished_Empire

SUICIDE ALI

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/SUICIDE_ALI

Luzmelt

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/Luzmelt

Variable Messiah

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/Variable_Messiah

the fool

http://www.hearjapan.com/store/group/the_fool

======

HearJapan is the largest and fastest-growing place on the web to
purchase Japanese music of all genres. Featuring over 3000 artist
profiles in English with 40-second samples of all songs. Over 100
releases are added every week to the currently-available 30,000+ 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.

Rising Visual-Kei Band ViViD to Air Live Program

Popular Visual-Kei band ViViD will be taking part in their live program “ViViD
TV” on musicJAPANplus from on June 27th at 7am (JST), viewable for fans from
all over the world in celebration of their first overseas performance at JAPAN
EXPO 2010 in France.

Break through Visual-kei band “ViViD”, who will be performing at JAPAN EXPO
2010 announced that they will be airing their live program “ViViD TV” via
USTREAM on musicJAPANplus on June 27th from 7am (Japanese Standard Time).

ViViD is a Visual-Kei band consisting of the five members Shin(Vo）,
Reno(Gu）, Ryoga（Gu）, Iv(B) and Ko-ki（Dr）. Having formed in April 2009,
they have shaken the Visual-Kei scene with their wide range of sound, making
their name well known and rapidly expanding their popularity.
The band will be appearing in their live program “ViViD TV” directed at a
worldwide audience. This program can be viewed via the Japanese promotion site
“musicJAPANplus”, which portrays the appeal of Japanese pop-culture with a
focus on Japanese music information to an international readership.
musicJAPANplus is part of coolJAPAN inc.

The program will feature a variety of contents including an interview, and is
meant to celebrate ViViD’s very first performance at JAPAN EXPO 2010 in
France. Moreover, unseen video footage will be broadcasted worldwide for the
first time.

Program Name: ViViD TV
Airing date:
June 27th (Sun) 7:00am (JST)
[June 26th (Sat) 3:00pm (Los Angeles),
June 26th (Sat) 6:00pm (New York) ,
June 26th (Sat) 11:00pm (London) ,
June 27th (Sun) 02:00am (Moscow)]
Airing place: musicJAPANplus top page

http://www.musicjapanplus.jp/

ViViD Official Site：http://www.indie-psc.com/vivid/
ViViD Official MySpace：http://jp.myspace.com/vividjp

D – Day by Day (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single)

A fantastic CD single with two solid vocal tracks from the visual kei band D!

BAND: D

CD SINGLE: Day by Day

LABEL: avex trax

CATALOG #: AVCD-31761/B

DURATION: 11:56

RELEASE DATE: December 2, 2009

BUY THIS CD SINGLE from cdjapan.com:

Visual kei band known as “D” have been around since 2003 but after five years of being an indie band, the band was signed to major label avex trax in 2008. The band which consists of vocalist ASAGI, guitarist Ruiza and Hide-Zou, bass guitarist Tsunehito and drummer HIROKI have been capturing the attention of rock fans through their single “Yami no Kuni no Alice” used for the film “Twilight Syndrome: Dead-go-round” and “Hamon” being used for the theme of the Nintenodo DS video game “Twilight Syndrome”.

In December 2009, D released their fifth major label single titled “Day by Day”, a song which would become a theme song for the dating simulation mobile phone game “Love Summit”.  Overall, both vocal tracks from this single are awesome.  Great musical arrangement, awesome guitars and both are upbeat tracks especially the coupling track “妖奇譚” which is a more darker track, heavy hitting track with deep churning guitars.  Both tracks are different in style but are awesome.

As for the DVD, the DVD features each band member jamming with their instruments and ASAGI singing the song in an empty room or typing the lyrics of the song on his MacBook Pro.   CD insert features lyrics and production credits but also comes with a collectible card featuring an image of a member of the band and the rear of the card featuring an image from “Love Summit”.

Overall, a wonderful CD single from D and both vocal tracks are definitely recommended if purchasing via digital.

BUY THIS CD SINGLE from cdjapan.com:

the GazettE and GACKT Rank High on Hottest Visual-kei Artist Vote!

In Japan, girls give chocolates to the boys they like to show their feeling on
the sweetest day in a year – Valentine’s Day, and it becomes a popular
culture phenomenon of Japanese society.

On the occasion of the Valentine’s Day, musicJAPANplus is proud to announce
the ranking of “Visual-kei Artist to whom I want to give chocolate”.

The band the GazettE won the 1st place with more than 10% of all votes. As the
leading band in Japanese visual-kei music industry, the GazettE has already
become one of the hottest Japanese bands in the world. There also enthusiastic
comment from overseas fans, such as “If I can give them chocolates for
Valentine’s (even though some members aren’t big fans of sweets) I’d be really
happy. They deserve all the love they can get for their wonderful
work/music”.

On the other hand, GACKT, as an influential solo artist, had a good fight as
well. Having won the 2nd place in the vote, he received a lot of radical hot
comments, for instance, “He’s sexy, beautiful, and inhumanly charming, a
gorgeous personality as well as a gorgeous face”, “If he allows me to feed
the chocolate to him, I could feel his soft lips barely caress my fingers. I
want to hear him say ‘Thank you.’ to me in Japanese and to see him smile at
my gift.”

Other bands, such as AN CAFE who announced the band break the other day, and
Alice Nine who has no experience of touring overseas at all are both ranked in
Top10. It is cleared that young band has won the love from visual-kei fans.

Furthermore, other than visual-kei artists, Tohoshinki and Acid Black Cherry
appeared in the ranking as well.

This ranking is designed by musicJAPANplus （http://musicjapanplus.jp/）, the
multiple language web magazine providing Japanese culture to overseas readers.

The voting project is set during a certain period on the site and asks readers
to vote for the artists to whom they are willing to give chocolates on
Valentine’s Day. As the result, more than 3000 votes has been received, to
chosen out the most popular boys in the visual-kei scene. Besides the top 10
artists, the site also revealed the final ranking of popular chocolate design,
J-music people want to listen to on Valentine’s Day and sweet comments of
readers.
（source：http://musicjapanplus.jp/articles/?action=article_data_list&articles_id=2243）

Last but not least, hand-written messages from artists to fans on Valentine’s
Day are released on the site, to create a chance for communicating between
Japanese artist and visual-kei fans in the world. The original manuscripts of
hand-written messages are being distributed to readers through the contest
(prize for readers) corner (http://musicjapanplus.jp/contests/) on the site.

musicJAPANplus: http://musicjapanplus.jp/
Valentine’s day voting project:

http://musicjapanplus.jp/articles/?action=article_data_list&articles_id=2243

Contest: http://musicjapanplus.jp/contests/

Next Page »