In fact, I started learning Japanese after taking 6 years of French as a purely scholarly "thing". The Franco-Japanese relationship has always been cordial so that was a good enough jumping-off point right? Plus, learning a non-latin based language teaches you so much about your own. But I also started to learn it so I could understand whether I was buying おむすび のり or おすし のり in the Asian market.
And whats more, Japanese music is incredible. Ok, so not all of it is great. But I do dig Shugo Tokumaru, Kiiiiii, NICO touches the walls, SPECIAL OTHERS, etc. Like American music its wise not to listen to a lot of the overtly mainstream stuff. I don't want to be a total douche and say that only underground is best, but Jpop really is not their most valuable export. When I took Japanese, I can tell you that most of those kids in that class (typical mangamongers and goth kids into shitty VK) really miss out because a lot of the great, great bands in Japan, like in the US, just don't have as large of a fanbase. And I'm not saying my taste is too indie either because honestly its tremendously hard to get my hands on nice indie Japan imports. However, to almost all of the above, there is one standout exception in Japanese music. His name is Miyavi.
You could wikipedia him but it won't tell you anything that his fans know. Miyavi is a virtuoso, now a major label artist with Universal and one of the most prominent figures in the younger Visual Kei music bracket. But he's so far advanced beyond this bracket and he knows it. Unfortunately, he only seems to tour the west coast so I haven't been able to check out his incredible live show, but his popularity in the US is impressive, its not huge like Coldplay huge, but it is sizeable and rabidly dedicated. Which is a testament to the potency of JPN appeal. People aren't just fans, they're beasts of fans. He's Visual but it doesn't detract from his music, it adds to it. He's insane, but it works. And he's a Major artist but it didn't sacrifice his musicality.
I'm writing this because I love his whole vibe, and I've followed his work for the past few years because its a lot of what music should be. Culturally relevant, constantly evolving, visual and visceral. Too bad for you if you can't get past the image, in fact you have to embrace it rather than get past it or repulsed by it.
He's a great talent and I hope that one day if my band is still making music, I'll be able to be have as much virtuosity as he does. Go go go, Miyavi.
totally sick contemporary crew & beautiful body art
To me I think he should be lauded, he's practically iconic in his circle and I wish Americans were more accepting of what they are unfamiliar with. Just because you haven't seen it before doesn't mean you should fear it. It's true originality, yes.
