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July 16, 2024
 

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Ian Martin
Ian Martin is a freelance writer covering music and pop culture. He has been active in the Tokyo music scene as an indie event organiser, DJ and label owner since 2004 and has been contributing to The Japan Times music page for almost as long.
CULTURE / Music
Sep 8, 2006
Various Artists "Peace Not War Japan"
Charity music has a rich tradition in Western countries, from 1985's "Live Aid" extravaganza to War Child's benchmark album of indie philanthropy, the 1996 "Help" compilation. Given the size and wealth of Japan's music industry, it might be expected to chip in where poverty and strife raise their ugly...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 25, 2006
Graham Coxon
...
CULTURE / Music
Jul 28, 2006
Peaches "Impeach My Bush"
The title is an eye-catcher, promising all manner of saucy-yet-savvy postfeminist fun, but be warned: Far from the liberal alien sex-prophetess of your dreams, Peaches is actually your embarrassing uncle who visits every Christmas. You chuckle at his "leg or breast" gag while dad's carving the turkey,...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 14, 2006
A little Fukuoka in Akihabara
'It's too easy for bands to play [in Tokyo] really. There are so many places to play, and everything is divided into convenient categories," says Hajime Yoshida of the Japanese punk band Panic Smile. "Bands from outlying cities have a tougher attitude than Tokyo bands."
CULTURE / Music
Jun 2, 2006
The Futureheads "News and Tributes"
The Futureheads made a name for themselves in 2004 with a fierce and spiky self-titled debut album characterized by a strong resemblance to XTC, but tempered by a unique way with four-part vocal harmonies. This sophomore effort cuts down on the spikiness, the harmonies and the fierceness (although not...
CULTURE / Music
May 19, 2006
Nisennenmondai "Rokuon"
Instrumental bands so often have audiences stampeding for the bar, but three-piece female band Nisennenmondai's performances manage to be both uncompromising and accessible. And very, very loud.
CULTURE / Music
May 5, 2006
Squadcar "Squadcar"
The axiom has it that you should "write what you know," or else end up with shallow, superficial art, which is why being an expatriate musician living and playing in Tokyo must be difficult. How to pitch yourself? Play on the gimmick of your foreignness and run the risk of coming across like one of those...
CULTURE / Music
Apr 28, 2006
Music Day Japan 2006
The concept of Music Day Japan was borrowed from Fe^te de la Musique, a vast free music festival held in France on the summer solstice. Founding the festival in 1982, the French cultural ministry has made sure that the wide range of music on offer consistently crosses generational boundaries.
CULTURE / Music
Mar 24, 2006
Asian Kung-Fu Generation "Fanclub"
Asian Kung-Fu Generation are a phenomenon in Japanese alternative rock. With their regular, well-received festival appearances and skyrocketing record sales (2004's "Solfa" shifted over half a million) they are a role model for any indie rock band looking for life beyond the Tokyo "toilet circuit."
CULTURE / Music
Mar 17, 2006
Kaela Kimura "Circle"
Columbia Records want you to think that Kaela Kimura is different from other idols, which is why they've manufactured her image out of the most adorably kooky component parts -- take the endearingly under-rehearsed dance routines of Tommy February6, quirky costumes stolen from Yuki's wardrobe, and then...
CULTURE / Music
Mar 10, 2006
Coldcut "Sound Mirrors"
Coldcut have such an illustrious history of pushing music forward -- as a pioneering influence bringing acid house into the mainstream and through their work on the Ninja Tune label -- that any new release comes with great expectations. The fact that "Sound Mirrors" comes so close to realizing them is...
CULTURE / Music
Feb 24, 2006
Independence-D
Everyone has to start somewhere. That's the concept behind Independence-D, a three-day festival with the noble-sounding aim of bringing together the very finest bands from the very best independent labels to give us lucky people a glimpse of the future. Under the ambitious slogan, "From the world to...
CULTURE / Music
Feb 17, 2006
The High-Lows "Flash -- Best"
The High-Lows are one of those bands that you have to at least know about. Formed 10 years ago, the band includes Hiroto Komoto (vocals), Masatoshi Mashima (guitar), and Mikio Shirai (keyboards), all former members of those architects of modern Japanese punk-pop, The Blue Hearts -- who took over the...
CULTURE / Music
Feb 3, 2006
Zazen Boys "Zazen Boys III"
Exploding out of Fukuoka in the late 1990s, Shutoku Mukai's previous band, Number Girl, never compromised their lo-fi sound, but caught the zeitgeist by tapping into feelings of directionless teen angst. As Bob Dylan would probably tell you, though, being the voice of a generation is a tiring job, especially...
CULTURE / Music
Jan 13, 2006
Ai Otsuka "Love Cook"
Good bubblegum pop is a bridge between childhood and teenagerdom. Based in a synthetic, brightly colored pre-teen world of nursery rhymes and cotton candy, it's also a metaphor for its audience's growing sexual maturity. When Ohio Express sang, "Yummy yummy yummy, I've got love in my tummy" we all knew...
CULTURE / Music
Dec 23, 2005
Yebisu 06 New Year's Party
For those of you looking to usher in the new year to a homegrown sound, Yebisu 06 New Year's Party at Ebisu Garden Hall might be your thing. Playing live will be Pe'z, who may or may not explain where their superfluous apostrophe comes from, but who will certainly be rocking some pop-jazz chic embellished...
CULTURE / Music
Dec 2, 2005
Quruli: "Nikki"
Quruli? An indie band? It's just not true. While at their creative peak they made mind-blowing J-pop (2002's "The World Is Mine"), at their worst, they are MOR J-popsters with bad hair.
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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Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals
Exploring Japanese culturevia Tohoku’s festivals

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