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July 16, 2024
 

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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
Apr 2, 2010
Punkspring
The fifth Punkspring music festival takes place at the beginning of April. Usually held alongside its urban music cousin Springroove, this year only Punkspring has been scheduled and, in an interesting twist, despite selling out its last three editions in Tokyo, tickets prices for the high energy, fist-pumping...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 26, 2010
Japanese bands go big in Texas at SXSW festival
AUSTIN, Texas — 'We want to conquer the world," says Okamoto's vocalist Shou Okamoto after their well-received gig at the 24th annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 19, 2010
Mudy on the Sakuban "Pavilion"
Mudy on the Sakuban turned out an awesome showcase of their energetic instrumental rock during their 2008 appearance on Fuji Rock's newcomer stage, Rookie A Go-Go. And while that year's "Voi" EP was a good disc, it paled in comparison to how powerful the Nagoya quintet sounded in a live setting.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Mar 5, 2010
Moools "Weather Sketch Modified"
Much has been made of the strong ties Tokyo's Moools have forged with U.S. indie imprint K Records. And while the relationship has helped the underground rock trio tour overseas and earn slots supporting the seminal label's visiting bands and other acclaimed U.S. acts such as Modest Mouse and recently...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Feb 12, 2010
Kinoco Hotel "Marianne No Yuutsu"
With their first album proper, "Marianne No Yuutsu," Tokyo's Kinoco Hotel join the continuously growing legion of entertaining Japanese revivalist pop acts. Showcasing a similar fashion sense as Sendai throwback band The Captains, the attractive all-gal 1960s Group Sounds-inspired quartet sport matching...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 29, 2010
Math rockers Toe take it slow
Toe have their own record label, Machupicchu Industrias. It's not so much to flaunt a punklike DIY ethic, they're basically just slow.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 22, 2010
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Pegged by a handful of blogs as a "band to watch" after their 2007 eponymous EP, there was a small buzz circulating at the start of 2009 about New York's The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and their pending self-titled full-length. Three days after its February release, the disc was branded with a "best...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 15, 2010
Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro "Uhuru Peak"
A mere few weeks old, 2010 is already shaping up to be a hell of a year for Mountain Mocha Kilimanjaro. To get primed for the release of their new "Uhuru Peak" sophomore full-length, the Saitama sextet started off January with a three-week live jaunt of Australian clubs and summer festivals. Familiar...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jan 8, 2010
Ghent's Das Pop goes overground
His upbringing pretty much ensured that the thought of being in a band was the farthest thing from Bent Van Looy's young mind.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 25, 2009
BBQ Chickens "Good Bye To Your Punk Rock"
I was new to the country and eager to experience some Japanese bands back in 2002. Following an entertainment rag's recommendation, I went to see BBQ Chickens at Shinjuku ACB. After four hours of searching I finally found the punk dive, but disappointingly discovered the gig was sold-out.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 11, 2009
Mono
Considered one of Asia's top postrock acts since their 2001 "Under the Pipal Tree" debut and now a decade into their career, Tokyo's Mono are listed alongside the global leaders in their genre. Taking full advantage of their continually growing stature, the instrumental quartet invited a 28-member chamber...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 4, 2009
PanicSmile "A Girl Supernova"
Girl Supernova" is the seventh full-length studio effort from Tokyo-based underground stalwarts PanicSmile. Founded in Fukuoka in the early 1990s, the seminal quartet share 14 new tracks filled with the off-kilter art punk that has established them a small global following and earned them opening slots...
CULTURE / Music
Nov 20, 2009
Superchunk
Dubbed the 19th best single of the 1990s by American mainstream rock rag Spin, the fuzzed-out, power pop anthem "Slack Motherf*cker" from Superchunk's 1990 eponymous debut helped push them to the forefront of the U.S. underground music scene. With A&R reps scrambling to unearth alt-rock superstars...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 20, 2009
Superchunk
Dubbed the 19th best single of the 1990s by American mainstream rock rag Spin, the fuzzed-out, power pop anthem "Slack Motherf*cker" from Superchunk's 1990 eponymous debut helped push them to the forefront of the U.S. underground music scene. With A&R reps scrambling to unearth alt-rock superstars...
CULTURE / Music
Nov 13, 2009
Yukie Sato
An active player in Japan's underground rock scene from his teens (he performed alongside Yellow Magic Orchestra's Ryuichi Sakamoto on TV while in high school), Tokyo-born guitarist Yukie Sato began to tire of his beloved genre in his 30s. His passion was renewed in 1995 after discovering Korean classic...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 13, 2009
Yukie Sato
An active player in Japan's underground rock scene from his teens (he performed alongside Yellow Magic Orchestra's Ryuichi Sakamoto on TV while in high school), Tokyo-born guitarist Yukie Sato began to tire of his beloved genre in his 30s. His passion was renewed in 1995 after discovering Korean classic...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Nov 6, 2009
The Shapeshifters
One of the world's premier house-music labels, the U.K.-based Defected Records, brings its famed global "Defected In The House" shindig to Tokyo on Nov. 6. Headlining the event are The Shapeshifters.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 30, 2009
Ling Tosite Sigure
After selling out seven of their 11 "Just a Moment" CD release gigs in May and June, it came as little surprise that posthardcore act Ling Tosite Sigure's upcoming "Tornado Z" solo trek would be an anticipated affair. Performing at Japan's six Zepp music halls in November, all 2,700 Tokyo tickets and...
CULTURE / Music
Oct 23, 2009
Parms "Parms"
Formed in February 2008, in the short span of eight months Tokyo trio Parms penned their debut eponymous effort and traveled to Louisville, Ky., to record its 13 tracks with producer Kevin Ratterman, the ex-drummer for American emo act Elliot. The album was issued earlier this year in the United States...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 16, 2009
Ogre embrace their inner nerds
"I'm not sure. I guess it is because of our name."
Bloodied Trump survives assassination attempt at political rally
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded and evacuated by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday. Trump was rushed off stage at the rally after shots rang out.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
Amid same-sex marriage ban, LGBTQ couples opt for 'photo weddings'
A lesbian couple, consisting of a 35-year-old woman (left) and 40-year-old woman, cover their faces with bouquets as they pose for wedding photos in Yokohama on Nov. 1.
China and Russia conduct joint Pacific military patrol
The Russian corvette Gromkiy enters the Chinese port of Zhanjiang as part of a joint China-Russia naval exercise on Saturday.
How to beat Japan’s summer heat in ways better for the planet
Tenugui towels hang up to dry at a dyeing company in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, on May 8. The durable and versatile tenugui, which many people have in their homes, can be used in many ways to cool one’s body.
After Trump shooting, U.S. presidential race might take a violent turn
United States Secret Service Counter Snipers stand guard on a rooftop during a campaign rally for U.S. President Donald Trump in Avoca, Pennsylvania, in 2020.
No AC this summer? No problem (for me).
Think air conditioning is a requirement for a Tokyo summer? Think again.
She’s paying ¥1 million to help behind the scenes at the Paris Olympics
Mai Tarumi, who previously volunteered at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a travel budget of ¥1 million for her trip to volunteer at the Paris Games.
How to tweak your diet when temperatures spike
Most people think of hydration as a strictly liquid-based concept, but eating foods with high water content is an essential part of making it through a Japanese summer unscathed.

Podcast

You can often see generations of families enjoying performances together at Fuji Rock Festival.
Japan’s summer music festivals are feeling the heat in more ways than one

Longform

Akiko Trush says her experience with the neurological disorder dystonia left her feeling like she wanted to chop her own hand off.
The neurological disorder that 'kills culture'
By Tomoko Otake

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