海を渡る者~ 生きゆく街に海を見る DVD Release~ Special Acoustic Live Report

All I could think about before coming to Japan this time were finding a place to live, yesterday acoustic live and Umi wo Miru DVD. I didn't worry about any annoying thing such as openning a bank account or registering for a mobile plan here ( I really miss the quick and super easy services at home). But, it's not something that can suddenly change in the near future. Oh well, I had such a good time at the live so all good!

海を渡る者~ Acoustic Live~

Ken-chan said, as well as the title suggested, 海を渡る者 (Those crossing the sea), is a continuation of 生きゆく街に海を見る (Looking at the sea from where you live). I'm pretty sure my interpretation of the concept is correct but I guess it'll be clearer when I have time to translate the concept story.  The live took place at a small bar with live music performance in Shimokitazawa. Thanks to Google maps I got to the live house where Hitosukui live took place. I went in, gave the ticket, bought my drink ticket, then to the stage where many people were smoking and drinking. Lucky I realized it was a different venue and took another 10 minutes to find the correct bar. Why does Shimokitazawa need to have that many concert venues? I missed only Umi wo Wataru so yay to me who was spinning around holding my phone while trying to figure out the direction (^^;). 

This was my first time to an acoustic live so I was a little surprised at how simple the setting was. Ken-chan with his guitar and mic, Kaoru-kun with two pianos, and Koji-san with his cello-ish bass plus a mic. But the sound turned out to be extremely good. In the past 1.5 years listening to Ken-chan's acoustic version on Niconico and Fresh, I have only ONE problem, the poor sound quality. Leaving that aside, Ken-chan's voice was powerful as always. Most songs were arranged and gave a different feeling. I love アイニイキル (Ai ni Ikiru) and 上昇 (Joushou) soooooooo much. The moment 上昇 was played, I went completely numb. Everything else was blocked except for 上昇. That's how much I love yesterday version of this song. As usual, Ken-chan missed some lyrics of a few song. And, his awkward pose, gesture and hand position when singing without his guitar. I personally thought all those were really cute. I could feel that he was very excited (and perhaps, nervous) so that is why he made more mistakes than other times. He smiled a lot more, he told the story behindメグレ MV making, he joked around with Koji-san and Kaoru-kun. When he came back for the encore and we stopped the chant, he was like "Is that all???" I've never seen him this normal and relax before! The live ended with Diary. For a moment I wondered why he didn't sing 心根・心音 but the reason is that it wasn't a 僕と君が、前を向くための歌 live~ 

After the performance was a quick autograph session. I reserved my copy online to get Umi wo Wataru, so I didn't line up. But instead, I was standing less than 10 steps away from him and was able to watch Ken-chan while waiting for my fellow Ken-chan's fan. 

I was really really really happy, that's all I can say whenever coming back from Ken-chan's live. 

For 90 minutes, I was able to forget all my worries, though my back was killing me from a long day at work orzzz. 

There will be a collaboration live between Ken-chan and Shindou Takatoshi (pianist) in November, but it's all the way in Nagoya so I'm not sure if I can go or not *cry*.

P/s: I'll definitely remember 404 Venue 

As always, please support the artist by purchasing original copy on KK's official Shop, CdJapan, AmazonJapan, or Itunes.

Visit KK's official site and Youtube channel for more information.

Kamikita Ken's Official Fanclub & DVD Release & Live Announcement!!!! (I'm supper excited at the moment)

I haven't been updating the blog for so long and suddenly, all these big news came out so I couldn't just sit back and write nothing!

ココロツドイ～Kamikita Ken's Official Fanclub

Ken-chan has finally created an official fanclub! I'm really happy that now this fandom has a name! ココロツドイ (Kokoro Tsudoi), which can be translated into "Where the hearts gather". 

Sounds just like Ken-chan <3 

ココロツドイWhere the hearts gather

Kokoro Tsudoi's member will have access to special news, presents and Ken-chan's novel! I'm sure it's gonna take me ages before I can actually understand everything he writes though! The member will also have priority for live ticket as well! 

Haven't applied yet so I don't know the process very well but I'll do it soon and might do a tutorial just in case anyone want to know. 

Head over here to join the fanclub 

生きゆく街に海をみる LIVE DVD Release

There is a DVD for April's concert!!!!!!

I was seriously shock when saw this on twitter! I've been complaining so much about how his voice sounds amazingly better singing live in comparison to recorded songs. All I wished for was a CD of his live performance, and now, we're going to have the DVD!!!!

Ken-chan barely reveals his face in front of the public. Except some occasions during live streaming, he made sure to cover his face somehow. However, this time, he's going to release a live DVD. To be honest, I'm not sure how he feels about this, but obviously this and the fanclub, are good signs for his career! 

There will be autograph sessions and mini-live for the DVD as well! 

生きゆく街に海を見る～Ikiyuku Machi ni Umi wo Miru～ 

Release date: 6th September 2017 

You can order it from Ken-chan's official Shop (international shipping is also available) or CdJapan

For the time being, I'm gonna replay the teaser over and over again! 

海を渡る者～Acoustic Live in September

海を渡る者～Umi wo Wataru Mono～A special acoustic live will be held on 1st September to celebrate the release of Ken-chan's first live DVD. 

And, finally...I'll be living in Japan once again pretty soon, and I'll be able to attend all these events so let's me know if any of you want to go to any of them, we can probably go together~

As always, please support the artist by purchasing original copy on KK's official Shop, CdJapan, AmazonJapan, or Itunes.

Visit KK's official site and Youtube channel for more information.

僕と君が、前を向くための歌～生きゆく街に海を見る。上北健 HALL LIVE IN TOKYO 2017~ Report

Just realised I havent been updating this blog for so long already. Cant remember how many times I told myself to write one about KK's new mini album Layered, which was released on the 12th April. I'll put the link to his new album and stuffs like that at of this article. But first, let's have a quick report of his live at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall last night!*

                                     

                               "僕と君が、前を向くための歌"
　                                                                  生きゆく街に海を見る。

I have to say, it was totally worth it, spending money, time and effort to fly all the way to Japan, just to see KK's live this year. As I thought, my parents did complain a bit when I told them I'd go to Japan to see KK''s live. But in the end, it was my money and my hobby so they respected it! I guess as I grow older, they start to understand more about my decision in life, although this decision was simply spontaneous~ So yea, I booked a flight in late Feb and came to Japan the day before the live. 

Done with background information, now let's move to the real deal~~~~
My seat was right in the middle in the first row of the fixed seats, so I could see the stage without any obstruction! I think I prefer it than siting in the areana area. 

If I counted the 2016's live that I watched on Nico Nico, this would be the 3rd time I watched KK's live. Amazing? Fantastic? Wonderful? My English vocab doesnt allow me to describe it correctly. The live was, as always, not perfect but perfect! 

Ken-chan's voice was beautiful as ever. I'm glad they didnt make the BGM too loud so we could listen to his voice in such a big hall. He started with the concept song of this live, followed by Yuragi and Cross street, and it was too much for my heart! I have talked about my personal obsession with Yuragi so finding out he included it in this time, I was just filled with happiness. Together with the concept song, he also wrote a concept story especially for yesterday's live (I'll try to translate it later on), and actually read it out loud! Anyone who follows him would know he doesnt talk alot. Even on namahousou, Ken-chan usually sings and only tells important information. However yesterday, he stepped out his comfort zone and told us the story in his beautiful voice. Each phrase was read with emotion and wonderful acting skill, as if he wasnt a singer, but a story-teller. In some sense, Ken-chan is a story-teller, isnt he! Through music, he conveys the story of what he has been encountered in life, the story that portrays his feeling, thought and emotion. It's not always a pretty story, it's not always a happy story, but they are all real, and that's what draw me to his music. 

Talking about comfort zone, it was a rare sight seeing Ken-chan sings without his guitar. In this 1.5 years, I have never saw him without it, regardless using it or not. But yesterday, in front of everyone, he did it! To be honest, it was awk af!!!! But at the same time, seeing him trying his best, I almost bursted into tears. The awk movement and position he placed his hands were just too cute <3. 

What amazed me the most is that the audiences were speechless during the first 3 songs. No one was able to clap or whatsoever, like the hall was frozen by his voice. That feeling when you want to clap hands and show how great the performance was, but couldn't because you dont want to disturb the flow of it. It was simply amazing!

Thank you all the staffs, band members and the two dancers who played an irreplaceable role in creating such beautiful performance last night.
And Ken-chan, thanks so much for being there, for singing with your heart.
スタッフの皆さん、バンドメンバーの皆さん、ダンサーのお二人、本当にありがとうございます。
健さん、いつもいつもありがとうございます。
これからもずっと応援します。
いつまでも健さんの素敵な音楽を続けますように、
いつか世界中に広げますように。

I still havent listened to Layered since I dont have a cd driver atm, but I got to listen to the songs in yesterday's live so all good! 

I'm really really glad I came all the way to watch it. 

Can we just have DVDs of the lives? CDs would be good as well though! Just give us something plsss.

Kamikita Ken's 2nd Mini Album~ Layered
Cross-fade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHWjvxlVYXM

For those who want a hard copy no matter what (like me ^^) CdJapan or AmazonJapan

Those who don't have a cd driver and hate waiting for the physical copy to be shipped, you can now buy it on Itunes
I was able to access it from overseas so shouldn't have any problem on buying outside of Japan.

Visit KK's official site and Youtube channel for more information

*I wrote this on 17th though didnt have time to publish it and cbs fixing the date now lol

Kamikita Ken's 1st Mini-Album TIDE!!!!

OMG Yessssssss, finally YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

I have been waiting for the info on his upcoming album since April! It totally worth the wait!
I was going to do a live report for the April live but well, things happened and I got so tired with assignments and final exams so yea....
Anw, except for his beautiful and powerful voice, and all the meaningful songs from Scoop, there were 3 important news in the live.

1. Three new songs were performed
上昇 (Joushou)
ブルータウン (Blue town)
フラワーパズル (Flower puzzle)

Personally I love the first two new songs so much. As usual, the songs Ken-chan wrote are full of messages. Listening to his music isn't just about listening to a song, as once you understand the lyrics, all of them will turn into a somewhat painful memory, or a story about one's life. And like I said before with Sekaowa's music, anyone who can't seem to understand Ken-chan and Sekaowa's music should be happy. There is no need to be ashamed, because your life is much brighter than ppl who get the messages behind those words. Although these 3 songs have a much happier vibe compared to the previous one.

2. Release tour in summer (in Japan, ofc ToT)
I hope he will broadcast it on nico nico again, because I'm pretty sure he already knew that there is a number of overseas fans. The Korean fan base seems to be quite strong~

3. 1st mini-album release!!!!!!
He told us the date, time and venues for live tour but nothing about the album back in April. But finally this morning, it has been announced that the album, called TIDE, will be released on 3rd August 2016 *clap clap clap*

The moment I saw his twitter, I rushed to cdjapan to order mine (although there is no reason for that lol).
The album consists of 7 tracks, which you can find more information on (and perhaps get your copies because I'm sure you'd fall in love with his music) cdjapan, amazon japan or Ken-chan's official site.
For now, you can listen to Blue town on youtube or nico nico
Can't wait for full lyrics of these songs to be published.

Oh btw, Ken-chan created a facebook account at last! I think Japanese netizens are slowly adapting to facebook. So many good news today!

Please support the artist by purchasing original copy on Amazon Japan or CdJapan
Visit KK's official site and Youtube channel for more information

Wagakki Band live report!

I had a chance to attend Wagakki Band's live at Nippon Budokan a few days ago and it was amazing. (Sorry for my limited vocabulary as I'm sure I have used the same word for all the live reports)

New Year Party in Nippon Budokan

~Akatsuki no Utage ~

Many vocaloid and J-rock fans might have heard of Wagakki Band before. First of all, they have a great visual. Wagakki is means Japanese traditional musical instrument but guess what, they are a rock band! That's what make them unique. I knew Wagakki Band before knowing vocaloid and was in love with their verson of the famous Senbonzakura. At that time I actually thought Wagakki Band's one was the original until I found out about vocaloid. As I have said before, I don't like rock. I'm more on the ballad side of music but oh well, there are always certain exceptions, right? The main reason for me to like Wagakki Band is because of they combine the tradition and modern smoothly together. Japanese culture in general is something like that, so there is no way I wouldn't love a band who make use of both of Japan's traditional and modern culture. Beside, their music is very appealing. I love Yuko's voice so much I don't really care if they were playing rock or ballad or vocaloid.
Before attending the live, I love Wagakki Band as an artist, which means I only listen to their music.
I didn't know much about the member but

I love Yuko's voice (of course). If you had a chance to listen to any of their songs, you will know why many people fall in love with her beautiful voice. Her voice when singing live is a little soft, but only for rock songs which have pretty loud bgm. When singing a ballad or my favorite Yoshiwara Lament, my heart went doki doki so many time. Her choreography was also so charming for a moment I forgot that she is a singer.

 Wasabi's coolness. I have been following Wagakki Band for a year now and my reaction every single time watching their MVs is 'OMG Wasabi is soo cool. Such an ikemen <3 <3 <3'. While in the MVs, it is hard to see his drum techniques so I didn't really focus on that. But after the live, I know that Wasabi has wayyyy more than just his look!

Together with Kurona, who plays wadaiko (Japanese drum), these two drummers showed us the most passionate and hardcore (lol) drumming techniques  ever! I absolutely love their duet drum performance during the live.

Kurona may be the coolest man in the world while playing wadaiko but his characteristic is simply baka! And wayy tooo cute!

Asa-san's unique charms. For some reason I have been attracted to Asa-san since knowing the band. I think I finally know why after the live. He is amazing! His passion for music and the way he performs on the stage. And just recently I figured out he wrote Yoshiwara Lament, one of my favorite song on Niconico.

Wagakki Band isn't complete without Kiyoshi, playing the koto. He looked so different in hakama so I couldn't recognize him at first.

Shamisen, played by Beni Ninagawa.

Shakuhachi, performed by Daisuke Kaminaga (the fan and I call him Dai-san in short). My favorite Japanese musical instrument must be shakuhachi. And similar to what Dai-san said "I never thought playing shakuachi on stage in a rock band like this". But I strongly believe, without shakuhachi, Wagakki Band's music will sound very different. 

Machiya, the main guitar and second vocalist of Wagakki Band. The lyric of his solo song 郷愁の空 (Kyoshu no sora) is touching that I would have busted in tears if I didn't go to the concert with my friends. Beside he was the only one who goes on stage with bare feet. 

I love how the whole Budokan stadium turned into Wagakki Band's purple, and the encore chant that their fans known by heart. The last song, Senbonzakura was like a peak. A perfect way to finish such a wonderful live. I think many people know Wagakki Band through their version of Senbonzakura. That maybe why when that song was performed, the audience seemed to be a little more excited than other songs.

Thank you for such an unforgettable night! As Yuko-san said, 'Wagakki Band will always be this 8 people'. And please, don't forget that although the fan base might not be large enough, there are many fans waiting for Wagakki Band in Australia and Vietnam too!

P/s: I wish I could get the fan or keychain too but they were sold out so only got the must-have in all live in Japan, towel!

All stage photo is provided by CoFesta.

Kamikata Ken's Release tour ヒトスクイ ~Report~

I'm absolutely in love with Kamikita Ken's voice and music! (I'll call him either KK or Ken-chan in my post to make it short)
I know it's not a big deal to some people but for me, I don't usually buy singles or albums, I only buy them when I want to support the artist. Now everything is available on the internet (thanks to all the generosity of internet users <3), you don't need to pay but still get what you want. So the decision to buy live ticket, goods and two albums is equal to my tiny little support I can give him. As a token of my appreciation! I came across KK in the same way with other utaites. Maybe because I personally like this kind of voice so I immediately get attracted after a few songs. Then because I always focus more on the lyrics and most of his songs are extremely meaningful to me, I became his fan. Similar to Sekai no Owari's songs, I can relate to the music KK wrote (not all, ofc!). I'm planning to translate as many as I can of his songs.
Should get back on track, the Release tour!
It was unexpectedly amazing. The live was held at a small live house which approx 350~400ppl can get in. I never thought there were more than 300ppl coming for the live and yet, it was way more than that! I stood right in the middle at the back area (that is usually a little higher than the front). Thanks god the girls in front weren't too high to block my view, and yes, I got a full view of him. I love his voice so much when listening to the records and he even sounded better performing live. The problem with many utaites (from my friends' p.o.v) is that they don't always sound as good in real life. But KK's voice the other day was too powerful. I have been to quite a few live performances since coming to Japan so I know how noisy things can be. From the audio systems to the crowd's voice/cheer/scream, which make it hard to hear the singer's voice sometime. However, I think anyone who went the other day would agree that KK's voice was super clear. Ken-chan, how could you manage to sing much much better live??? The moment he sung Kokorone心根 my heart melted. Never imaged he would sing that 2.33 song (my fav) live, then continued with Yuragi ゆらぎ, the song that makes me fall in love with his music. Both my heart and ears melted by then! I think my tears busted out a little. The two songs that hurt me the most, the two most beautiful songs, the two that give me a lot of support were sung together! You have such amazing sense of music Ken-chan!
When I told mom that Ken-chan sounded not the same but even better than his Cd, mom was like 'He might lip-sync'. 'Lol no way, he messed up quite a lot'. A simple live house with very few setups, an unprofessional singer who sometime forgot the lyrics or unable to start a song properly. But more than anything was a man who went after his dream. A man who wrote powerful songs that have been supporting me since I knew about him. I'm sure I wrote this somewhere but I love people performing with the brightest smile! Well, when you sing emotional songs you can't really smile, but you can still feel if they enjoyed what they were doing or not through a live performance, somehow.
Thank you for writing songs with healing power. They are not super cheerful, but they are too realistic they hurt sometimes. At the moment all I can do is attempt to translate your songs into English with my poor language skill. It's suck that I prob unable to come to the next live because I'll go back to Melbourne and uni exam will be very close by then. But I'll always support you, in all the possible ways.

P/s: Ken-chan, you should know the phrase "I don't always write fun songs" is wrong...totally wrong, because it's more like "I write fun songs on rare occasions"

心根 by KK~ translation

It's my bad habit to start something only to leave them there like that. Well, I'm not the type to force myself in doing something. So glad I'm finally feel like translating again!
Here is another song by Kamikita. This song is only 2.33 mins but it took me quite long to translate, not that I didn't understand it, but it was just too hard to put into words and into English as well.
I'm not sure if this made any sense, but anyway, please enjoy!

Kokorone

Written and composed by Kamikita Ken (KK)

English translation by Makoto (with BIG help from jisho ^^)

Was the young boy, who has been granted a direction that day, smiling?
Trying his best not to be hated by anyone.
Those true feelings that have been swallowed deep inside,
It's time to hold them tightly.

The days wishing to be recognized were indeed miserable.
But they are the real past,
The only proof of the life one had been through,
Those that will support one from now on.

The fear when moving on without knowing what is right or wrong,
The attempt to deny the emptiness that can never be fulfilled.
I will make them into a song.

A song in order to save him, to reach him.

From this point onward, the painful days,
Where you feel like you can't keep on going, will continue for sure.

There will be time you feel like the world is moving around only to betray you,
And you just want to end everything as soon as possible.

Even so, that is the path you have trusted and chosen.
Can't you see how it's shinning with pride.

I have decided to continue searching for the meaning of the path that led you here.

Even if the surroundings had changed,
The beginning will always exist in your heart.

Kokorone is a song from KK's first album 心音 (Kokorone)

You can listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IVVGl8oIzA
Original lyric: http://j-lyric.net/artist/a05075b/l032a3d.html
Please support the artist by purchasing original copy: Amazon Japan

By this time tomorrow, my heart and ears would have been filled with by KK's voice! Got to go to his one-man live last minute! 

TIMM 2015 1st day～SEKAI NO OWARI～

(taken from my personal tumblr)

Went to Zepp DriverCity 3 nights in a row as I was given this wonderful chance to watch live performances of Sekai no Owari (sekaowa), Scandal/androp, and OLDCODEX. I’m sorry as I wont write any report on Scandal and androp bc tbh I wasnt really impressed, but more like I aint their fan so…sorry abt that.

Ok, so first day was sekaowa…….one word AMAZING. Cant remember how many times did I scream inside my head くそ、何これ?? すごい過ぎ、ヤベー
I know abt sekaowa a while ago while watching music station. My honest opinion was ‘weirdo’ but their music isnt bad tho its not my style. That was around 2012～2013, when my Japanese was pretty bad (it still is now). Later on when I listened to their songs once again earlier this year….and yup I understood bits and pieces of the lyrics so obviously I fell for their music. I will write more abt their music in the next post so that this one wont end up too long to read.

Back to the story, their live at TIMM 2015. Sekaowa is famous for their unique visual. They turned the live house at Zepp into a haunted house, in which Love kept referred as ‘their mansion’. They also had 2 stage concepts, the western vs Japanese Halloween decoration. The visual alone was enough to showed you how much effort they put into making their fans happy. Fukase’s voice was….idk how to describe it but it isn’t much diff from how he sounds like in their recordings. But more than that, what ryl filled my heart were their warm and bright smile. Saori-chan, Nakaji, Fukase…well not too sure abt Love bc of that freakin MASK (lol), but maa, I believe his smile was as bright as other members. Only people who love what they are doing can smile like that. I have noticed myself saying ‘When people enjoy themselves, they have the power to empower others. And those people have the brightest smile!’ The way they enjoyed themselves up on that stage shouted out ‘hey you guys, we are doing what we like so damn much, and we want to give you at least just a little courage to keep on trying until you can find what you truly enjoy!’ Idk how others interpret it but seriously I was abt to cry. If i went to the live alone, I would have cried so bad for sure. 

And the fans…wtf was that encore chant huh???? Guys dont make me burst into tears pls. 

I just found out that they were doing a live in Taiwan that afternoon before TIMM…お疲れ様でした。 

Also, happy belated birthday Nakaji! 

I wish for you guys' success and pls pls step out of Japan…and Asia too since…yea im in Australia (;o;)