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Shawn Despres

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Shawn Despres
Shawn Despres has been contributing to the Japan Times’ music page since 2005, and he has a passion for writing about the independent music scene in East Asia. He spent several years living in Yokohama and currently resides in Seoul.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Sep 15, 2006
No Use For A Name
Formed in California by guitarist Tony Sly and drummer Rory Koff, No Use For A Name have been entertaining punks old and new with their infectious, fast-paced anthems since 1987. After releasing two albums on New Red Archives, the band inked a deal with punk heavyweight Fat Wreck Chords in 1993. Owned...
CULTURE / Music
Sep 8, 2006
The Dears "Gang of Losers"
Before Arcade Fire made Montreal's indie scene famous a couple of years ago, The Dears were already attracting attention with their dark, cinematic art-pop. Since debuting in 2000 and achieving moderate success, they have also made fans out of artists -- such as Morrissey -- who had influenced them in...
CULTURE / Music
Sep 1, 2006
Metalchicks "St. Wonder"
Formed in 2000, Metalchicks are comprised of Sugar Yoshinaga from Buffalo Daughter and Yuka Yoshimura, formerly of DMBQ and OOIOO. Their sophomore disc, "St. Wonder," is the soundtrack for the film "Warau Michael."
CULTURE / Music
Aug 25, 2006
Raising the Fawn "The Maginot Line"
Originally a bedroom project for guitarist John Crossingham in the late 1990s, Canada's Raising The Fawn morphed into a full band to match his growing ambitions. Associations with Toronto's Broken Social Scene have brought the trio increased exposure, but their lack of a distinctive pop edge has seen...
CULTURE / Music
Jul 28, 2006
Jurassic 5 "Feedback"
"I refuse to bust gats and water down my raps," rhymes Akil on "Where We At," addressing Jurassic 5's detractors. His words will likely fall on deaf ears. Those disappointed by the lack of tired references to cash, drugs and violence of J5's past work won't be embracing their third full-length "Feedback."...
CULTURE / Music
Jul 21, 2006
Greg Graffin "Cold As The Clay"
Having spent 26 years (and counting) fronting California punk act Bad Religion, Greg Graffin has earned the right to branch out. "Cold As The Clay" marks his second solo recording, and the first to be credited to his own name. A mix of time-honored and modern Americana, on "Cold As," Graffin, like many...
CULTURE / Music
Jul 7, 2006
Amy Millan "Honey From The Tombs"
Her full-time gig with Canada's Stars and contributions to Broken Social Scene have seen singer/guitarist Amy Millan's popularity rise, making it the perfect time to release a solo album.
CULTURE / Music
Jun 16, 2006
Gnarls Barkley "St. Elsewhere"
"But it wasn't because I didn't know enough. I just knew too much," croons Cee-Lo on "Crazy," the lead single from "St. Elsewhere." The statement speaks volumes about Gnarls Barkley's canny debut. Vocalist Cee-Lo, formerly of Goodie Mob, has penned hits for the likes of P. Diddy. DJ/Producer Dangermouse...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 2, 2006
Former Archer's crooked path
"I'm going be a strange hybrid of Mick Jagger and Johnny Cash, with a touch of Steve Forbert [singer-songwriter best known for his 1980 hit "Romeo's Tune"] and some animated bear whose name I can't remember. Oh yeah, and some hip-hop too -- the kids love that sh*t," jokes Eric Bachmann when asked what...
CULTURE / Music
May 26, 2006
ROMZ Record 4th Anniversary Tour
Computer geeks, grab your MacBooks and rejoice -- your passion for processors and software will place you among the hippest of the hip next week.
CULTURE / Music
May 12, 2006
Dilated Peoples "20/20"
P. Diddy once rapped "Don't worry if I write rhymes, I write checks." Dilated Peoples' fourth full-length album, "20/20," opens with rapper Evidence countering with the tongue-in-cheek "Don't worry if I write checks, I write rhymes." And like Diddy, Dilated have the means to back up their proclamation....
CULTURE / Music
Apr 28, 2006
Daisuke Kashiwa "April.#02"
Originally a member of postrock act Yodaka, Hiroshima's Daisuke Kashiwa decided in 2004 to set out on a solo career. After putting out a few limited issue CD-Rs, the 28-year-old musician has now released his first official album, "April.#02."
CULTURE / Music
Apr 21, 2006
Pretty Girls Make Graves "Elan Vital"
Overflowing with fast-paced, addictive post-hardcore anthems, Pretty Girls Make Graves' debut, 2002's "Good Health," had indie rock hipsters frothing at the mouth. The Seattle act followed with 2003's equally impressive "The New Romance." A line-up change saw the band losing a guitarist and adding a...
CULTURE / Music
Apr 14, 2006
Josh Rouse "Subtitulo" (Nettwerk)
The beauty of Josh Rouse's music is its simplicity. Replete with catchy hooks and melodies, his straightforward arrangements and soft, soulful vocals combine to make some of the most intelligent, adult pop to come out of the United States in recent years.
CULTURE / Music
Mar 31, 2006
Kanye West
Well-known for his production work with Jay-Z, Ludacris and Alicia Keys, Kanye West became a household name with the release of his debut album, 2004's "The College Dropout." The multi-platinum recording exploded out of the gates and the massive cross-over appeal of West's rap anthems netted him 10 Grammy...
CULTURE / Music
Mar 17, 2006
Neko Case "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood"
"Everything's so easy for Pauline," croons Neko Case on the opener of her new album, and the same could be easily said about Case. Since her 1990s debut with Canadian pop-punks Maow, the talented American chanteuse has had little trouble garnering praise for her work with The Corn Sisters, The New Pornographers,...
Japan Times
Events / Events Outside Tokyo
Mar 17, 2006
Bellydance partywith feast of sound
Tokyo band Tabla Kwaiesa will be injecting the plush Club Heights in Shinjuku with a whole lot of Arabic soul for "Tokyo Ihtifaal," an event taking place March 21. Some of Japan's top bellydancers, including Suran Negishi -- competition winner at Armani's Oriental Festival in Lebanon last year -- and...
CULTURE / Music
Feb 24, 2006
Likkle Mai "Roots Candy"
As a member of Dry & Heavy, one of Japan's best-known dub-reggae outfits, Likkle Mai shared stages with the likes of Lee "Scratch" Perry and Horace Andy and wowed crowds at festivals such as Britain's WOMAD festival and Fuji Rock. "Roots Candy" -- the Japanese singer's first solo outing -- sees Mai creating...
CULTURE / Music
Feb 10, 2006
Richard Ashcroft "Keys To The World"
After years of toiling on the edge of the mainstream, The Verve finally achieved commercial success in 1997. Unfortunately, their "Bittersweet Symphony" was not meant to last and the British group parted ways in 1999.
CULTURE / Music
Feb 3, 2006
Robert Pollard "From A Compound Eye"
During two decades with Guided By Voices, Robert Pollard became one of the strongest songwriters on the American underground rock scene. With his uncanny knack of turning out pieces of pop perfection, Pollard and his roving cast of backing musicians were lauded by critics and fans who remain baffled...
Two of America’s biggest debt holders are dumping Treasurys
The U.S. Treasury building in Washington. Investors in Japan and China sold a pile of U.S. debt in the last quarter, just before the U.S. presidential election.
Ishiba aggravates his own political failures with diplomatic faux pas
Prime Minster Shigeru Ishiba is greeted at the APEC summit in Lima by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday. The Japanese leader was criticized for remaining seated while meeting several world leaders at the event.
Japan's 3.31 million visitors in October set monthly record
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto in December 2023. Famous autumn leaf colors contributed to increased tourism demand last month from many markets across Asia, Europe and North America, the Japan National Tourism Organization has said.
Japan ranks last in romance satisfaction for second straight year
In a survey of 31 countries, Japan ranked last in terms of those who felt loved, with just 51% of respondents saying so.
Ruling coalition and DPP strike last-minute deal over economic policy
DPP policy chief Makoto Mahaguchi speaks at the party's policy gathering in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Japan, U.K. and Italy discuss inviting more countries to joint fighter project
A new concept model of a next-generation fighter jet to be jointly developed by Japan, Britain and Italy is on display in Farnborough, Hampshire, in July.
Haruki Murakami's 'The City and Its Uncertain Walls' gives deep deja vu
For “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” translated into English by Philip Gabriel, Haruki Murakami confronts the ghosts who won't leave him alone.
Japanese expats in Asia find community through rugby
The Taiwan Fivewoods celebrate their victory at the 2023 Asian Japanese Rugby Cup in December of last year.
In Fukushima, a weekend of prose, poetry and translation
Aomori-based writer JJ Carter presented on tabletop gaming as creative inspiration for building characters and narratives.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?
By Kathryn Wortley

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