Through the night, hidden basement clubs in Tokyo keep the sound alive until dawn, where small crowds build a scene far bigger than their numbers suggest. Among them is Banshimoku, the Tokyo-based two-piece formed by vocalist and guitarist Shion Chiga and drummer Yamato Iohara, making music so good it makes you want to pack your…
Tag: Japanese Artist
Reira Ushio Release Her Second EP “HB2U”, and it’s Wonderful
Tokyo-born singer-songwriter Reira Ushio has quickly become one of Japan’s most interesting new voices. She is known for not only crystal-clear vocals but also for articulated lyrics. As a teenager, she first stepped into music simply to confront her fear of performing, joining her school band almost by accident, but that small step gradually revealed…
YD of Crystal Lake on the New Album, “The Weight of Sound”, Metalcore and the Upcoming Tour
Crystal Lake have long proven that metalcore can be brutal and precise, and that balance is on full display as they prepare to release their sixth studio album, The Weight of Sound, on January 23. When I interviewed YD (Yudai Miyamoto) – the band’s founder and last remaining original member – he spoke less about…
FOCUS Art Fair London 2025 – FiNGAiSM: The Art of Kento Senga – Exclusive Interview
Best known as a member of Kis-My-Ft2, Kento Senga has spent over twenty years entertaining audiences through music, dancing, and acting. But behind the pop idol image is a thoughtful artist whose work, as well as creativity, goes beyond one’s imagination. Born in Nagoya, Senga began dancing at the age of three, inspired by the…
HANABIE. Releases New Single, “Karu Garu Everyday!! and Annouces UK/IR Tour
When Tokyo’s underground metal scene first caught wind of HANABIE., few could have predicted how far the self-proclaimed “Harajuku-core” band would go. What started as a high school club activity in 2015 has since exploded into one of the most exciting acts in Japan’s heavy music sphere — and now, the world. Combining metalcore, hardcore,…
Hyper Japan 2025 – Ai Higuchi on Unfinished Journeys, Global Voices, and the Songs That Move Us – Exclusive Interview
Ai Higuchi’s journey into music began with classical piano at just two years old, but her artistic evolution has been far from traditional. Over the years, she added violin, drums, guitar, and vocals to her toolkit, building a rich, multi-instrumental foundation. “Since my roots are in classical piano, I think my sense of tempo is…
JO1 Celebrates 5 Years with Groundbreaking “Best Of” Album
If JO1 hasn’t made it onto your playlist yet, this is your sign to hit play. The 11-member Japanese boy group – Sho, Ren, Ruki, Junki, Keigo, Takumi, Syoya, Shosei, Sky, Shion, and Issei – was born out of PRODUCE 101 JAPAN in 2020. With an eye-watering 65 million votes cast by fans (known as…
Mei Ehara: Collaborations, Inspirations, and North American Tour – Exclusive Interview
Mei Ehara is not only a singer-songwriter but also a talented photographer and designer. Born in Japan, Mei started making films while still in school, leading her to record her music at home. After self-releasing several recordings in the early 2010s, she launched her debut full-length album, Sway, under the Japanese independent label KAKUBARHYTHM. This…
The Artistic Evolution of RIKIMARU: Exclusive Interview
Dance holds a deep and versatile significance for many – it can be a display of cultural and artistic expressions as well as a means to create an emotional, spiritual, and social connection with others. Many artists effortlessly bridge all of these aspects through powerful choreography, whether it’s ballet, contemporary dance, Hip-hop, or ballroom dance,…
SiM, Pioneers of Fusion Metal from Kanagawa, Japan, at LA’s Shrine Expo Hall
SiM has been setting fires to global stages since their inception in 2004. SiM, short for Silence iz Mine, hails from the Kanagawa Prefecture. Comprising MAH (vocals), SHOW-HATE (guitar), SIN (bass), and GODRi (drums), SiM’s music is an amalgamation of Heavy Metal, Punk, and Nu Metal to name a few, and paired with rebellious lyrics…
Discover RIKIMARU’s Newest Hit – “TALKING ‘BOUT”
From being a young boy with a passion for dance to becoming a singer, dancer, and choreographer, RIKIMARU‘s journey to success is nothing short of inspiring. RIKIMARU’s artistic roots can be traced back to his family. His mother, a jazz dancer, likely sparked his early interest in the art form. On the other hand, his…
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