Blog - February 2017 Archives

February 2017 Archives

Index

.26 Weekly revue: 2017 week #8 (February 18 to 24)
.19 Weekly revue: 2017 week #7 (February 11 to 17)
.12 Weekly revue: 2017 week #6 (February 4 to 10)
.05 Weekly revue: 2017 week #5 (January 28 to February 3)

February 26, 2017

Weekly revue: 2017 week #8 (February 18 to 24)

Food: - Gyoza at Rengetsu, Nogizaka. Owner-chef Shinagawa Yuji was the champion of the 7th World Championship of Chinese Cuisine held in Singapore in 2012!
- Lemon squash and iced green tea at The Open Book, Golden-gai, Shinjuku
- Mac & cheese and iced chocolate cake on a stick at Good Meals Shop, Shibuya

Music event: - I went to Comoesta Yaegashi's regular event "wamono Meeting", usually featuring himself, DJ Fukutake and others, but this time Comoesta invited only girl DJs to fill the bill. This included Nosa Reina and Sumire (Twee Grrrls Club), and the special guest was Nomiya Maki! With the help of DJ Comoesta, she sang karaoke-style to many of her own songs, and of course some Pizzicato Five classics! This was a wonderful time dancing to those loved songs in the cozy venue that is Kissa SMiLE in Shibuya. I even had the chance to get autographed Maki's new 7" set! :D

Nomiya Maki set list: Un homme et une femme (Japanese ver.) / Oh! Honey (Scooters cover) / Chanson des jumelles (Japanese ver.) / La douce vie (Towa Tei) (Live ver.) / Blue Light Yokohama (English ver.) / Fortune Cookie / Maki no Rekishi / Twiggy Twiggy (1981 original) / Shibuya de 5ji / Airplane / If I Were A Groupie w/ MATSUO Remi (Glim Spanky)

Exhibitions: - "Digital Choc 2017" à l'Institut Français du Japon. There's a great new installation by UJINO in the entrance until March 19! Check out this short video I posted. The installation can only be enjoyed in full by going there and seeing it in action. There are also headphones to hear music being created from it. I love Ujino! :)

There were also other fun installations, including one of a robot that can draw your portrait... if you can sit still for 30 minutes. :)

- Dropped by the "Chiyoda Cat Festival 2017" at Chiyoda city ward. There were many stalls selling or promoting various things for cat owners or cat lovers. Notably there was an opportunity to wear the "real cat heads" made by Sato Housetu and his Japan Felt Art School. I didn't wear the real cat head this time (though I have before), but many of their other felt cat creations were also on display.

Music release news: "manatsu no Innocence ~ Urino Masao Works Covers", "DJ HASEBE Butter Smooth - Tokyo 90's Groove -", Konishi Yasuharu

This week's videos:

Ice Choir "Amourous In Your Absence"

dahlia "ai wa kūki"

February 19, 2017

Weekly revue: 2017 week #7 (February 11 to 17)

Food: - Tonkatsu at Narikura, Takasanobaba
- Cheeseburger at Weekend Garage Tokyo, Shibuya
- Roasted pork and fondant au chocolat w/ yuzu at Gastro Pub Augustus, Shibuya
- Dal bhat and momo at Nepalico, Shibuya

Music event: - I went to Wakita Monari's in-store event at HMV record shop Shinjuku Alta, promoting her 2nd single "Boy Friend" being released on the same day. It was my second time seeing her since she went solo, the first having been just before her solo debut when she appeared as the opening act for Hoshino Michiru. The new single is written and produced by the two of Microstar! Both songs are very good and catchy. Check out the video below for "Boy Friend", directed by Sally Kubota. I had my 7" autographed! :)

Set list: akai skirt / anone,,, / Boy Friend (extended version)

Music release news: dahlia, Konishi Yasuharu selected compilation "Ace", Pizzicato Five (remastered reissue & 7"'s), Nomiya Maki, "The Legend of Zelda 30th Anniversary Concert"

This week's videos:

Wakita Monari "Boy Friend"

Denki Groove "Tropical Love (Video Edit)"

February 12, 2017

Weekly revue: 2017 week #6 (February 4 to 10)

At the cat café... :)

Food: - Pâté de campagne, Kinoshita-gyū steak & frites, and desserts at Matsuki, Nakano
- Couscous royal at Le cabaret, Yoyogi-Uehara

Music event: I went to see YMCK's "Family Swing Show", the release party for new album "Family Swing" that was just released last month. The show was very special in that it was the first time that YMCK were backed by a real band (a jazz trio with woodbass, saxophone and drums — with one of my favorite drummers: Suzuki Kaoru), and also the show consisted of the whole album performed in a musical-like style with even story bits between some of the songs. There were even two stages, a mini side-stage which YMCK hopped to a few times. It was a completely new, rich and fun experience!

As you know YMCK's new album's limited edition comes with a board game! This time they even made a car chase video game that can be played on their site, and clearing it beforehand got you a free sticker at the show! All these details somehow reminded me of the long way YMCK has come. I realized I've been a fan for 13 years! I'm really glad I could see this awesome show, and I love YMCK more than ever. Go YMCK, Go!

Music release news: Negicco, Wednesday Campanella, Mother Tereco, Wakita Monari

Playlist: Rodion, Agata Morio, Mark Robinson, Maika Loubté, ...

This week's video: YMCK "kagayaki yo watashi no te ni (Glory in my hands)"

YMCK "Thrill Me"

Mother Tereco "Echo Love"

February 5, 2017

Weekly revue: 2017 week #5 (January 28 to February 3)

Outing: On Saturday was a fun morning walk around Tsukiji, eating some delicious food on the way (coffee at Turret Coffee, tamagoyaki, chikupote (chikuwa + potato salad), dango, salmon sandwich, coffee at Aiyō, ...), and ending with kaisendon (sashimi on rice) at Itadori (Uramise)! I chose the luxury maguro (tuna), which had akami, chūtoro and ōtoro. Delicious! :)

Food: - Chicken lever pâté and chocolate mint parfait at Neue, Shimokitazawa
- Brownie at Sunday Bake Shop, Hatsudai. Happy 8th Anniversary!!! :)
- Salmon curry, etc. at Shake Stand, Daitabashi
- Japanese dinner at Miharashi Ryōriten, Nishi-Ogikubo

Music event: Went to event "City Camp" at fu-chi-ku-chi in Shimokitazawa, to see Vacation Three, SCOF4 (Small Circle of Friends) and DSK O (Oshima Daisuke of Port of Notes). That was a very pleasant show! I had been wanting to see Vacation Three for some time. It's the new unit of Nakamura Dai (BANK, ex-Arch) with saxophonist Nakamoto Koichiro (Elekibass, Wack Wack Rhythm Band, etc.) and percussionist Okyon (recently also in WWRB). Very nice sounds (listen here)! I also enjoyed seeing SCOF for the first time, and also DSK O (previously known as DSK, whose real family name turns out being Oshima not Kojima).

Music release news: Learners, Vanilla Beans

This week's video: Perfume "Tokyo Girl"

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