13 posts tagged “news”

キタ━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━！!!
Amid dreading the horrible impending doom and busyness that awaits me in my last stretch of presentations, papers and finals for the next two weeks, this announcement was like a ray of divine light in my life!  I cannot express how incredibly happy this makes me...I plan on pre-ordering it as soon as possible!  I can't wait to hear what they've been up to all these past months!

I just have to say I'm really excited about カラス, the new self-proclaimed neo-visual kei super unit made up of Tatsurou from MUCC, Hiroto from Alice Nine, Mizuki from Sadie, dunch from jealkb, and Kenzo from Ayabie.  They first got together at this year's JACK IN THE BOX event, but now they're going to record a studio version of an original song they made together!  I wonder if the unit will stick around and put out a few significant releases or just fade away like S.K.I.N. did, but for the time being I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the song, which is called 'LASTICA'.  It sounds very interesting from the preview clip on their myspace (the last few seconds sorta remind me of the British band Muse's work in a way...a little futuristic but more industrial).  I think the whole group and the sound is refreshing in the midst of the current v-kei scene...I always love it when artists collaborate and mix things up because it's just a great opportunity for new creativity.  I also find it very interesting that they're actively using the term "neo-visual kei"...perhaps this represents a move among artists to really take hold of that term and clearly define it for themselves, since it's been more of a word used by the media and attached to bands thus far, so the meaning of it has been relatively vague.

Also, shifting over to fashion again...though there's no way in hell I could ever afford these (or rather, permit myself to spend so much on one pair of shoes), I can't help ogling and admiring this absolutely amazing-looking pair of Fifre 120 Christian Louboutin ankle boots. *_* They're so pretty....but so, so outrageously expensive. T_T  Just looking at the price makes me want to curl up in a ball (let's just say I could feed myself for half a semester with the money it would take to buy these).  But they are lovely to look at...Louboutin always makes such gorgeous, classic designs. <3

So apparently the DVD of the GazettE's DIM SCENE tour final at Saitama Super Arena will be released December 16th, and I'm thinking of getting it despite the probably fairly high cost and the fact that I currently have no way to play it due to region coding (oh, how I hate the coding system) but I've been wanting to get a multi-region player for years so maybe this can be my motivation to finally invest in one since I really want to see the live and it supports the band, of course.  So I guess I ought to start saving up for it now. ^^;  (Btw, I absolutely LOVE their new looks, especially Aoi, Ruki, and Kai! <3)

Anyway, I've finished my first full week of class and all is going well...they're very interesting, though the assignments are already piling up.  I'm trying to get three of my short 1-3 page papers (all from my art classes) out of the way this weekend before the bigger papers come up and also so the following weekends will be freed up and I can actually do other things besides just work.  My Japanese sensei said she wants us to make blogs and post about stuff in Japanese every week throughout the semester, which is an idea I like and look forward to, but also somewhat worry about since it means I'll then have to maintain three blogs, which I'd like to keep posting in regularly but I don't know how successfully I'll manage that with all my other work.  まあ、とりあえず頑張ります！

We also have a stupid p.e. requirement so I'm taking pilates, which is nice since it's less intensive than doing a "real" sport or something that involves exercise machines.  I'm relatively flexible and fit, and can walk all day without getting tired so I figured it wouldn't be too hard on me, but we had our first class a few days ago and I have to say, my "core" (basically all the internal muscles of the torso that are the main focus for this exercise routine) were unexpectedly sore afterward. ^^lll  When you're doing the exercise it doesn't seem strenuous at all or like it's working your body too much, but you really feel it later! >_<  Well, I suppose by the end of it I'll have better abs and upper body strength (we had to do push-ups!  I freakin' hate push-ups...).

Also, this is rather random, but I've recently discovered what a delicious combination pomegranate flavour Chobani greek yogurt and cinnamon Kashi Heart to Heart cereal make.  It's great, I seriously recommend it!  I was very happy to discover the new expanded store in the dining hall sells Chobani yogurt, it's all natural greek yogurt...good stuff.  Before all they had was one crappy brand that didn't taste very good and only stocked three flavors. -_-;  It was utterly pathetic.

This is kinda late on my part since the news came out in the spring, but I just found out Murakami Haruki's famous novel Norwegian Wood (a favourite of mine) is being made into a movie!  Aaand Toru, the lead role, will be played by Matsuyama Kenichi~! <3  UWAAAAAAHHHH, I'M SO EXCITED! XD  I can't wait to see it when it's released fall 2010!

Norwegian Wood is one of Murakami's best novels and I think Matsuyama Kenichi is absolutely perfect to play the shy, serious character of Toru.  He's brilliant at expressing that kind of emotional role with deep issues hanging over the character and lots of inner struggle.  I believe of any young actor, he is ideal for this piece and will certainly be able to do the story justice.

Aaah, first the awful news about Jasmine You, and now this announcement has been released by X JAPAN saying that Yoshiki will soon be undergoing some pretty serious sounding surgery! >_<  He's had physical health problems for a long time, but they say his condition recently worsened and has interfered with his music creation so he's decided to get this operation done to hopefully try and fix it. 

I really hope Yoshiki gets through it ok...I don't even want to contemplate the possiblity that he might not be able to recover fully or something worse happening.  I mean, I can't imagine him not being able to make music, it's just so integral to him personally, and he'd probably be crushed. :'(  Plus, if anything happened to Yoshiki, probably THE most important and famous figure in visual kei, it would be a horribly hard hit for all the fans, especially at this time when the shock of the loss of Jasmine You is still so fresh and rippling through the community.  Then again, I don't want to get ahead of things and invite bad occurences or make things even more depressing, so I'd just like to wish Yoshiki all the best for his sugery and the road to recovery ahead.  I hope he gets well soon and can make a happy, less painful return to music aided by the support of fans.

Today a very shocking, terrible, and truly saddening announcement was made by Versailles.  Though he'd just recently taken time off to rest due to bad physical condition, it appears bassist Jasmine You has passed away.  He died on August 9th in the early morning, but the cause has not yet been stated.  On the OHP they wrote that this was very sudden for everyone including the other band members and their staff, and for the time being they will be postponing activity.  They say once Jasmine's family grants their permission more information surrounding this situation will be reported.

I'm sure all Versailles' fans are nervous about the future of the band, but I think they deserve to take as much time as they need to decide how they will deal with this tragic occurrence and move forward.  This is so unbelievably unfortunate and sad...I don't even have the words to express it.  He was so young and there wasn't any indication that he was fatally ill or unwell despite his pause of activity...it's such an awful loss.  I give my condolences to Versailles and his family and hope Jasmine You is always remembered fondly.  From all that I saw and learned of him via band interviews and video footage, he always seemed to have an upbeat attitude and was a funny, beautiful person with or without the exuberant costume and makeup.

Here is the original message from the OHP:

２００９．８．９ 更新 「Versailles」より緊急のお知らせ

兼ねてより体調不良にてお休みをいただいておりましたJasmine Youですが、８月９日未明に永眠いたしました事をまずここにご報告させていただきます。あまりに突然な出来事に、メンバー・スタッフ共に今はまだ茫然と現実を受け入れることで精一杯です。

詳しい事がわかり次第、ご遺族様の了解を得たうえでご報告をさせていただきますが、ファンの皆様もどうか冷静に受け止めて頂きたく存じます。

また、現在発表されております活動に関しましては、当分見合わせていただきます。

Various wonderful news in the v-kei scene lately...for one, Miyavi's baby (a girl) was born a few days ago!  It's still a bit strange to think he's a father now, since he has such a youthful spirit himself, but he loves kids and seems really ecstatic about it so you can't help feeling happy for him. ^_^
Also, DELUHI just announced they'll be releasing a new mini-album on November 4th!  It's just been single after single for quite a while now, but finally we have something fresh and substantial to look forward to from them!  Next, Merry's dvd of their under-world tour comes out mid-August, which I personally am excited to see because I attended the live at Namba Hatch in Osaka and apparently the dvd will feature documentary footage of the whole tour, so I'm curious to see if they included any part of the show I went to.  For the many fans who weren't able to experience the 'Under-world' album's songs performed live, I think this dvd might sway some toward a more positive opinion of the album when they see how much better it is live.  I seriously believe 'Under-world' is just one of those albums that's far better listened to live than on recording.

By the way, a friend linked to this hilarious Japanese commercial on facebook the other day so I thought I'd share the lulz.  My first thought when the girl spoke was うわ〜、おじさんの声みたい！（笑） >_<  I've actually heard people talk exactly like that!

Most have probably already heard the sad news that Michael Jackson passed away from cardiac arrest at the age of 50 on June 25th.  Despite all the scandals and weirdness that surrounded him over the years, he is truly an inspirational legend whose contributions undoubtedly changed the face of music and impacted people all over the world.  Like many others I couldn't believe the news when I first heard it...it's always a great shame to see such an iconic cultural figure pass, and especially unfortunate in Jackson's case since he was just about to embark on a three year world tour this July.  I really think no matter what you thought of Michael Jackson or his music, you cannot deny the greatness of his work...he will surely be forever remembered as the King of Pop!

Okaaay, so it's been announced that SUGIZO is now the sixth member of X JAPAN.  *pause*  Oh, where to start...I still haven't quite gotten my head around the idea.  I mean, I understand how much he's contributed to X JAPAN lately, and he certainly has appropriate skill, but the idea of mixing a former LUNA SEA member with X JAPAN is just really weird...I wouldn't go as far as to say it's wrong, but it doesn't feel quite right either. o_0;  I kind of liked the two legendary bands as seperate entities, if that makes sense.   Also I've never been a big fan of too many line-up changes, which happens quite often in Western rock bands, but usually not as much among Japanese groups.  I like the Japanese tradition of placing importance on the individuals in the band as if they're unique parts that fit together to form a whole. 
Then again, I can understand if SUGIZO's been composing material and stuff that he'd want credit for it, rather than just being a "support guitarist" for however long they'll be active.  Meh, at the end of the day I don't really have a serious problem with the addition, and I guess we'll just have to see how it goes...but really, さすがX JAPAN for always coming out with most random things and keeping everyone on their toes...or just totally confused. ^_^;

WHYYYYYYY?!!! TToTT *sob*  I can't believe Sugar is disbanding!!!  They say the reason is "musical differences", which is understandable, but still...they made such amazing, unique music, it's such an unbelievable shame!!! >_<  Sugar's last live will be at Shibuya O-EAST on July 4th, and they'll be releasing a final single called 'letter' on May 5th.  You can see more details on the band's ohp.

*sigh* I just got into them last year and they've quickly become one of my favourite groups...I love their jazzy sound and elegance, and they always made such consistently good, interesting music.  I totally didn't see this coming...I thought their last mini-album '[Re：261156] addere' was great and some of the best work they've put out.  I really hope the members stay in the music business though, even if they form/join other bands.  I also feel so incredibly grateful and lucky to have just seen them live in January. 

All the disbanding and member departures and other unfortunate news recently makes me even more aware of the fact that bands have very fleeting existences...something unexpected might happen or they might break-up at any time.  You never know when even the most stable, successful ones could disappear...it's so sad.  It makes me realize that if you don't actively take advantage of things in the present, like going to lives and stuff, you might be missing that last chance...
Though Sugar was still at a fairly low level of recognition/popularity, they had so much going for them and I think they had a promising future ahead of them...but I suppose if the members can't agree and work together, there's no foundation for the band, so there's no helping it. : (