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

緑閃光 by KK～Transaltion

Not long to go until the release of Tide *clap clap*. But I'll have to wait quite a bit for my copies to arrive. I decided to grab both the cd (w/ bonus disc from Tower records) and the concept book so double the excitment! Well, in the meantime, there are heap of stuffs need to be done, for example, tranlsating songs from Scoop~ 

Ryokusenkou wasn't my favorite when I first listened to the album. But the moment I was able to hear the 5th part of this song (and the 8th), ryokusenkou jumped all the way to the top of my playlist! 

Ryokusenkou

(Green flash) 

Written and composed by Kamikita Ken (KK)

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

‘If it’s too painful, stop these fingers’

There was a voice whispering that, in the classroom at the end of the day.

As if wanting to invite people with its light, the sun poured down incessantly.

In that very moment, I realized I’d be the only one left behind.

A new day began.

There is no limit to the problem that one faces in life.

Day by day, those problems just keep on increasing.

Despite how much people suffer every day, this town still looks the same.

There must be a lot more things that I could do.

And it feels like this world would become a much more beautiful place, when I’m able to change.

You know, even someone like me have tried to become a better person.

I wonder if you’d smile, seeing the way things are now.

If you have wounds that could never be healed

Never think of the scars left behind as something ugly or shameful.

The scars, which remain forever in your heart 

Are the proof that you’ve been fighting until today

And one day, they may become the reason for your existence.

Time moves in an endless circle by its momentum.

The only thing that changes from yesterday is how the sky looks today.

Though the wind is strong, doesn’t look like it’s gonna rain.

If all you do is taking one step forward, then back

You’ll just go through the same-old everyday

Without achieving anything

And end up thinking that every moment goes by is meaningless.

How are our values and believes shaped? 

Based on appearances, impressions; or how good we are at hiding ugly parts of ourselves? 

However, I could never be able to say these things out-loud 

Instead, I'm here, just waiting for the day to finish.

The reason we feel regret about those days we could no longer return to,

Is because we still carry the passions we used to have with us.

Please don't leave behind the pains, grieves, and all that you have been through,

I hope one day, these emotions would reach your heart. 

When the sky turns into a deep blue colour,

A flock of birds flies towards the west.

You guys can go wherever you want to 

Because I'm sure one day, I'll reach your place.

To be able to see the scenery you wish for,

You must accept and cherish your past 

No matter how much you want to hide it.

Things that remain in you heart

The proofs that you've been fighting

I hope one day, they could become the reason for your existence.

And one day, turn into the direction to your tomorrow. 

7th song from KK's latest album, SCOOP

Cross-fade: https://youtu.be/qi_OZmkGUKI 

Please support the artist by purchasing original copy on Amazon Japan or CdJapan

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

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

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"

ゆらぎ by KK ~translation~

   Just found out abt KK (けけ in Japanese) 1~2wks ago and...his music is so touching. Different from most ppl, I prefer lyrics of a song more than the rhythm itself so as long as the lyrics are meaningful, no matter if it's hip-hop or rock, electro (or even enka somtime) bring it on!

   Although both the rhythm and lyrics of this song are perfect. 

                                 Yuragi 

Written and composed by Kamikita Ken (KK)

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

How can you smile like that when your voice is trembling?

"I wonder if anyone received happiness today?" 

You said, smiling while your tears are falling.

People greedily steal what they crave for

And eventually lost sight of the truth.

But have they thought about who decided the values of those things

Or they are simply meaningless?

In this world, there are neither friends of foes.

That is why you are crying, all alone, right?

You always say "help me" is such an useless phrase.

Please notice my feelings. 

The 'everyday' that you hate, your wish to be acknowledged

I know them all, I understand them all.

I want to affirm them

Don't forget there is someone nearby who receive happiness from you.

Although your voice is still trembling

There hasn't been a single drop of tears on your face.

Was happiness thrown away somewhere again today?

Eyes close, as if trying to keep the light away.

People are too caught up in chasing after the 'happiness' someone else has decided, they no longer look around them.

If so, even the so call 'live for somebody' no longer means anything.

No wonder you are fed up with this empty life. 

I wonder if my voice is still trembling.

I already know it won't reach you

Therefore, I'll leave this song here for you when you reach my time (age).

The 'everyday' that you hate, your wish to be acknowledged

I know them all, I understand them all.

And I have affirmed them.

I just want to tell you there is someone nearby who receive happiness form you.

I want you to know and understand that

The 'everyday' that is fighting against you, is what keeping me alive, even now.

That is an unchangeable truth.

Don't forget that somewhere in this world, I'm wishing for your happiness.

Please never forget that. 

5th song from KK's latest album, SCOOP

Cross-fade: https://youtu.be/qi_OZmkGUKI 

Please support the artist by purchasing original copy Amazon Japan

Visit KK's official site for more information http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/kenkamikita/ 

p/s: idk should I also post the romajij and orignal lyrics?