Wednesday Campanella made its first appearance on the 254th episode of THE FIRST TAKE, a YouTube channel that captures one-shot musical performances, on October 14, 2022.The group performed the song Edison, and the video currently has over 3.9 million views. Following this incredible success, the band has once again appeared on the channel. 

 

 Buckingham – Wednesday Campanella / THE FIRST TAKE

 

The second song performed by the group on THE FIRST TAKE is Buckingham from the digital EP Neon, released in May 2022. Utaha’s rap skills are even more incredible live, and despite the nonsensical lyrics, it’s impossible not to groove along. Be sure to watch Utaha’s unique facial expressions and check out her one-of-a-kind fashion. 

  

■THE FIRST TAKE YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9zY_E8mcAo_Oq772LEZq8Q

 

Comment from Utaha, Wednesday Campanella’s Vocalist

“This song focuses a lot on Kyuden, a district of Setagaya in Tokyo. It also references the spelling by pointing out that Kyuden is spelled with a kanji found in the word for ‘school lunch’ and ‘rice paddy.’ It’s nonsensical, and Kenmochi Hidefumi, who writes the lyrics for our songs, came up with this weird track. There are so many words crammed into such a short song, and honestly, my mouth gets a workout every time I sing it. It switches between really cute and really cool throughout, so I made sure to really focus on each and every facial expression this time!” 

Vogue Japan has launched a special collaboration between actor Mugi Kadowaki and ballet dancer Shoko Nakamura for its YouTube channel. The video is now available to watch and shows how dance is bringing new life and light to the stillness caused by two years of the pandemic. This project is also linked to the April issue of Vogue Japan released on March 2 which features newly-shot photos of the performers that can only be seen in the magazine.

 

The first collaboration featured Mitsuki Takahata and RIEHATA. Kadowaki, who once dreamed of becoming a professional ballet dancer, later gave up on that dream. In this collab, she challenges that part of herself again as a form of self-expression. The video shows pro dancer Shoko Nakamura meeting with the actress to warm up and practice. Check out the full video on the Vogue Japan YouTube channel, complete with performances, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage.

 

The choreography theme is ‘the past and the future,’ with the first half of the dance inspired by two people meeting in the past and crossing paths again. In the second half, the artists try to express themselves using paint.

 

“I made it a priority to move freely,” Nakamura said. Drenched in colorful paints, the two danced playfully. “I feel so refreshed,” Kadowaki said after filming ended. “If you’re stressed  or in a situation where you’re having a hard time being around people, just to the park and dance.”

 

Nakamura reflected on the collaboration with a smile. “I think each of us went into this with our own thoughts and goals, but the second the music started, we just let it move us.”

Earth Day Tokyo 2021 is set to run from April 17 to April 25 both online and offline. Messages of eco-friendliness, organic products, sustainability, ethics, and inclusiveness will be at the core of various events held as part of the festival and it will bring together environmental NPOs, charities, and locals.

 

As part of this year’s Earth Day Tokyo, sustainability and fashion are set to interweave with the SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK 2020+1 event which is running on April 24 and 25.

With less than nine years to go until the world must achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Earth Day Tokyo believes individuals need to be doing more to change their lifestyles and the way they do certain things. Fashion is an area that enrichens people’s lives—but it’s also one that can call for environmental action by changing our consumption habits.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK 2020+1 will bring together various teams and organisations to hold booths and talk sessions online and offline where people can learn about these issues. It’s a collaboration between Fashion Revolution Japan, the Japanese branch of the global Fashion Revolution campaign to reform the fashion industry by enabling a greater transparency in the fashion supply chain amongst other problems. Fashion Revolution Week takes place every year on April 24, the same date as the 2013 Dhaka garment factory collapse where 1,134 people died and more than 2,500 people were injured.

The main visual for SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK 2020+1 features Japanese singer and artist KOM_I who is best known as a member of the Japanese music group WEDNESDAY CAMPANELA. It was created by HYPE FREE WATER, an artist collective headed by KOM_I and art director Minori Murata. KOM_I will participate in a planned talk program at MIYASHITA PARK on April 24 and 25.

A Message From KOM_I

“HYPE FREE WATER will be taking part in Sustainable Fashion Week at Earth Day this year. Our organisation focuses on the future of water. We want to be able to wear something beautiful without having to make sacrifices like selling out the future or destroying the environment. I’m looking forward to new people getting involved with us as this discussion takes off.”

VOGUE GIRL is a leading new-generation web magazine picking up the latest in international trends for women. Its most popular feature is Girl of the Month which offers a close-up of a different girl every month where they serve their own fashion stories.

 

Donning the February 2021 issue is Japanese singer-songwriter milet. The J-pop and indie pop artist made her major debut in 2019 and is known for her deep, husky voice and global song writing. She released her first studio album in 2020 and went on to perform on the Japanese New Year’s Eve special Kōhaku Uta Gassen. Now, the successful singer makes her first front cover appearance in VOGUE GIRL where she is serving a modern look with monochrome stripes and a chicness reminiscent of the kabuki industry. Her eye-catching scarlet cape is lined with feathers while her floral dress gives us romantic vibes. It’s a seamless combination of striking red, black, and white.

 

“I wore clothes, makeup, and a hairstyle I never usually wear,” explains milet speaking about her feature in the magazine. “But I discovered a side of myself I never knew before. I had a lot of fun. It made me want to challenge myself to express in other ways too.”

 

An editor at VOGUE GIRL said: “milet’s well-polished beauty and combination of white, black, and red, which are strong, powerful colours, created this magical chemistry that resulted in the finished photoshoot. I want people to experience her unique charm in the photos and video for themselves. She wears the clothes; the clothes don’t wear her, no matter what they are.”

 

milet featured in VOGUE GIRL‘s “90 Second Challenge” video series where she talks about the songs she likes to listen to in the morning to give her energy, introduces her favourite spots in Tokyo, what she would like to eat as her final meal, and more.”

 

Fans can watch a special performance by milet over on VOGUE GIRL + Live! here.

Vogue Japanーthe Japanese edition of the world’s most influential fashion magazine Vogueーhas teamed up with Hiroshi Fujiwara-led brand fragment design and his concept store THE CONVENI to create two T-shirts and hoodies. This is the first time Vogue Japan has collaborated to release an item with its logo branding.

 

VOGUE MAGAZINE TEE: ¥8,500 (Before Tax) / COLOR: BLACK, WHITE / SIZE: S, M, L, XL

This is Vogue Japan’s first ever triple-collaboration and celebrates the 20th anniversary since it launched. THE CONVENI is known for its creative packaging, which has spilled into this collaboration too with the hoodie being packaged in a cereal box and the t-shirt in a milk carton.

VOGUE MAGAZINE HOODIE: ¥18,000 (Before Tax) / COLOR: BLACK, WHITE / SIZE: S, M, L, XL

Both the T-shirts and hoodies are available in black or white. The front reads “VOGUE JAPAN,” the back features the 20th anniversary logo, and the sleeves read “FRAGMENT.” The release dates for the items will be announced on THE CONVENI’s social media, so follow them on Instagram to keep up to date.

Wednesday Campanella has just released their new music video for Kiiro no Uta (“Yellow Song”).

 

The song is included on the group’s EP Galapagos which was released in June last year. It is also the same song that frontwoman KOM_I sang as Kiiro in the film Neko wa Daku Mono which was released around the same time last year.

The new music video was directed by photography unit TOKI who shot the above-pictured image for the Galapagos EP. It was produced by Takayuki Moriya of film production company NION.

 

This marked TOKI’s first time directing a video where they played with light and made it meld into the world of the song itself. See the video here.

 

TOKI released the following statement regarding the music video: “Moving towards a point. The space between the end and the beginning. The recollections of the person that you strongly recall as you’re made to stand in that abyss. Though it feels as if your very existence is about to vanish, it is those memories alone that remain. Your spirit then begins to absorb into those memories. You are sent to a new life as you’re wrapped in impervious tenderness. The colour you observe when you get there is yellow.”

 

KOM_I also commented: “This is an important song. It’s written based on the cats in the movie [Neko wa Dakumono] but I wanted it to be revived as a song for humans. The album it features on had already been released, and I was said that it had become a song of the past. So I had TOKI shoot a video for it. I feel yearning as well as safety and security in their work as a married couple.”

 

She continues: “A year has passed since the album was released, but with TOKI shooting a video for it now, it still feels like now. Unearth the flower of eternity. Let it be spring, let it be summer.”

WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA released their new digital EP YAKUSHIMA TREASURE on April 3.

 

In addition to the new record, the group also released an 8-part documentary series entitled “Re:SET” on YouTube Originals. It was shot at Yakushima which inspired the EP’s lead track Yaku no Jitsugetsubushi and shows the recording process of the track’s music video. It features appearances from WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA’s KOM_I and Oorutaichi and the music video’s director Sojiro Kamatani. The first two episodes are available to watch for free and include English subtitles.

 

EP 1 The Origin of KOM_I | Re:SET:

Episode one covers the origin of the group’s vocalist and sole performer KOM_I including her childhood and turning points in her life. It also shows the arrival to Yakushima. In 7 episodes, fan can gain an insight into KOM_I’s story with Yakushima which has been a pivotal influence in her life. The final episode is the music video for Yaku no Jitsugetsubushi.

Comment: KOM_I

“I played sumo with Yakushima while being watched over two aliens, Oorutaichi and Sojiro Kamatani. I originally wanted to simply name [the EP] ‘YAKUSHIMA,’ but right during production Oorutaichi’s child was born. The Kanji [in their name] is different but you read it ‘Takara’ [‘treasure’] which I thought was wonderful so I added ‘TREASURE’ into the title. It makes me thankful for being born, for being able to sing with celebratory feelings, for being able to experience life and death.”

 

Comment: Oorutaichi

“She let her voice out in the vast natural environment of Yakushima. We recorded lots of sounds: rivers, the ocean, wind and rain. We added hints of conversations we had with people we met on the island. We created something that imagines being saved by KOM_I’s singing and inspirational power where time is lost and you give yourself up to the island’s nature which never ceases to bud and rot. I would be overjoyed if people can feel this new relationship with humans, nature and music.”

 

Comment: Sojiro Kamatani

“You’ve come back with a real treasure, haven’t ya!”

The theme of Vogue Japan’s May 2019 issue is “Asia Rising” in which it covers all you need to know about fashion, entertainment and culture in Asia, including the lifestyles of women across the continent, a full guide to cities and more.

 

Look forward to seeing a new interpretation of silhouettes made bold by Japanese designers in the 70s and 80s, the latest fashion reports of countries throughout Asia, brand introductions by internationally-recognised designer―the list goes on. If you’re searching for the latest in Asian fashion then look no further.

 

 

VOGUE JAPAN May 2019 © 2019 Condé Nast Japan. All rights reserved. (Photo: Giampaolo Sgura)

The issue’s front cover features a shot of Japanese models Miki and UTA. Combining western and eastern beauty, the refined look was forged by leading stylist Paul Cavaco and shot by and by photographer Giampaolo Sgura.

 

Check out a special behind-the-scenes video of the shoot here.

With March almost at an end, the number of Japanese artists announcing performances overseas continues to rise. This is a list of 7 Japanese artists performing outside Japan in the first half of 2019.

・TK from Ling Tosite Sigure

TK from Ling Tosite Sigure has received huge international attention for his collaborations with Tokyo Ghoul which have been enjoyed by countless non-Japanese fans on music streaming services. This includes unravel which was used as Tokyo Ghoul’s first opening theme, and katharsis, the second opening theme for season two of Tokyo Ghoul:re. The singer is set to take his ‘katharsis Tour’ to Asia this April.

 

More Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/183546

 

◼︎Information Tour 2019 in Asia 2019/4/5 @ CLAPPER STUDIO, Taipei 2019/4/7 @ Music Zone@E-Max, Hong Kong 2019/4/9 @ Modern Sky Lab, Shanghai Enquiries: info@free-planet.net (Japanese/Chinese/English)   TK from Ling Tosite Sigure Official Website: http://tkofficial.jp/

 

・Kana Hanazawa

Kana Hanazawa is lauded for her immense work in voice acting. She is also hugely successful as an artist and singer.

Hanazawa is set to become the first Japanese female solo artist to perform at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai on April 14, 2019. She boasts overwhelming popularity in China for her work in anime as well as her hit songs. Her Chinese fans’ dreams are about to be realised as she performs for them a long-awaited show.

 

◼︎Information KANA HANAZAWA Concert 2019 in SHANGHAI Date: April 14, 2019 Venue: Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai   Kana Hanazawa Official Website: http://www.hanazawakana-music.net/

 

 

・Radwimps

RADWIMPS dropped their recent album ANTI ANTI GENERATION in December last year and recently announced a live tour which includes their first ever solo stadium show. The band are also set to perform two dates at the 2019 Strawberry Music Festival in China.

 

◼︎Information 2019 Strawberry Music Festival Radwimps Performance Dates: 2019/4/26 @ INTERNATIONAL INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE PARK, Chengdu 2019/4/28 @ SHANGHAI COMMUNITY SPORTS CLUB, Shangai   RADWIMPS Official Website: https://radwimps.jp

 

・ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK has become one of the most popular Japanese rock bands overseas. They recently released their first album in nearly two years Eye of the Storm on February 13, 2019 and have announced a 10-date UK & European tour set to take place throughout May.

 

More Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/171983

 

◼︎Information EYE OF THE STORM UK & EUROPEAN TOUR 2019 5/8 – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz Manchester 5/10 – London, UK – The Roundhouse 5/12 – Tilburg, NL – 013 Poppodium 5/13 – Cologne, Germany – Carlswerk Victoria 5/14 – Berlin, Germany – Huxleys Neue Welt 5/15 – Warsaw, Poland – Hala Kolo 5/17 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer 5/19 – Budapest, Hungary – Dürer Kert 5/20 – Prague, Czech Republic – Lucerna Velky Sal 5/22 – Munich, Germany – Tonhalle 5/23 – Milan, Italhy – Fabrique 5/24 – Zurich, Switzerland – X-TRA 5/26 – Boulogne-Billancourt, France – La Seine Musicale   ONE OK ROCK Official Website：http://www.oneokrock.com

 

・Aimer

Aimer recently announced that she will head to Asia in June on a 5-date tour entitled Aimer “soleil et pluie” Asia Tour. She previously performed in Asia last year alongside amazarashi, but this marks her first ever solo tour thhere. The theme of the tour is “sun and rain” which ties in with the concepts behind her forthcoming albums Sun Dance and Penny Rain.

 

More Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/185602

 

◼︎Information Aimer “soleil et pluie” Asia Tour in Taipei Date: June 8, 2019 (18:30 OPEN / 19:30 START) Venue: Taipei International Convention Center (TICC) Price: 3400 / 2800 / 2200 / 1800 TWD *The date on which tickets will be released has yet to be announced.   Aimer “soleil et pluie” Asia Tour in Hong Kong Date: June 14, 2019 Venue: MacPherson Stadium Price: 980 / 780 HKD *The date on which tickets will be released has yet to be announced.   Aimer “soleil et pluie” Asia Tour in Guangzhou Date: June 16, 2019 Venue: Guangzhou Beilei Theatre *The date on which tickets will be released has yet to be announced.   Aimer “soleil et pluie” Asia Tour in Shanghai Date: June 22, 2019 Venue: National Convention & Exhibition Center (Shanghai) *The date on which tickets will be released has yet to be announced.   Aimer “soleil et pluie” Asia Tour in Tokyo Date: June 29, 2019 (17:00 OPEN / 18:00 START) Venue: TOYKO DOME CITY HALL Organisers: agehaspring, aspr Support: Sony Music Labels Inc. Price: ¥7,500 (Tax Included) + ¥500 drink fee Ticket Release Date: May 25, 2019 (*2 tickets max per order) Enquiries: DISK GARAGE (050-5533-0888)   Fan Club Pre-Sale Tickets for Tokyo Concert Ticket Window: April 17, 2019 at 12:00 – April 24, 2019 at 23:59 Payment Window: April 26, 2019 at 18:00 – May 7, 2019 at 23:00   Tour Details (Japanese): http://www.aimer-web.jp/news/archive/?504960

 

・suchmos

Suchmos will release their 3^rd studio album THE ANYMAL on March 27, 2019. The rock group are currently knee deep in their 2019 arena tour and are set to perform alongside HYUKOH in Seoul, South Korea in June. Tickets go on sale on April 2 at 12:00 (South Korea time).

 

◼︎Information THE LIVE Vol.2:Suchmos & HYUKOH Date: June 9, 2019 Venue: Yes24 Live Hall (South Korea) Ticket Vendor: http://ticket.yes24.com Suchmos Official Website: https://www.suchmos.com

 

・Wednesday Campanella

It has been announced that Wednesday Campanella will perform at the Second Sky Music Festival at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland, California on June 15. This marks Wednesday Campanella’s second time performing at a festival in the US following her appearance at Camp Flog Gnaw in October 2017.

 

More Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/184064

 

◼︎Information Second Sky Music Festival Date: June 6, 2019 Festival Website: https://secondskyfest.com/ Wednesday Campanella Official Website: http://www.wed-camp.com/

 

WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA have revealed they will release a new digital EP entitled YAKUSHIMA TREASURE on April 3, 2019.

The EP will be released alongside a 7-part YouTube Originals documentary series entitled Re:SET which covers KOM_I’s trip to Yakushima. It is there that she made several trips and stayed there, talking with locals and carrying out field recordings while creating the EP. This release was originally supposed to be a single song, but as she blended in with the nature and people of the island more and more ideas sprouted to mind, resulting in the release of a full EP. The entire record is produced by Oorutaichi, who has worked with WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA before and who accompanied KOM_I on her trips.

 

Check out the trailer for the documentary below.

The trailer features the EP’s lead track Yaku no Jitsugetsubushi as well as a sneak peek at its music video. The documentary will premiere on YouTube Originals on April 3, 2019 at 6:00pm (JST).

 

KOM_I will talk about the EP and documentary in an upcoming YouTube live stream on the day of release. She will be joined by Oorutaichi as well as the music video director Sojiro Kamatani, the CG creator, documentary producer and others. Find the link and details below.

 

KOM_I made the following brief comment regarding the upcoming releases: “I played sumo with Yakushima while being watched over two aliens, Sojiro Kamatani and Oorutaichi. Hakkeyoi, nokotta!”

*Hakkeyoi and nokotta are sumo terms.

It has been announced that Wednesday Campanella will perform at the Second Sky Music Festival at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland, California on June 15.

The first Second Sky Music Festival to ever be held, the event line-up is being chosen by American DJ Porter Robinson.

 

This marks Wednesday Campanella’s second time performing at a festival in the US following her appearance at Camp Flog Gnaw in October 2017.

As we make headway into the new year, information on Japanese artists performing outside of Japan continues to roll out. This first article covers Japanese artists set to perform concerts overseas in the first half of 2019.

・Perfume

The global popularity of multi-platinum electro J-pop group Perfume is clear for all to see, with their latest album Future Pop released back in August charting in at No.1 in 20 countries across the world. And now, international fans in the US and Asia will be excited to hear that the trio are set to hit a city near them in March and April this year.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/138536

 

 

・SID

SID announced at their 15th anniversary tour Ichiban Suki na Basho 2018 that they are set to perform four dates in Asia.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/144270

 

 

 

・Kenshi Yonezu

Kenshi Yonezu took the charts by storm in 2018 breaking many records with a string of singles. While riding this wave of success, it has been announced that Yonezu will embark on his first ever arena tour which begins today on January 19. Two dates in Shanghai and Taipei have been added to the tour.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/158468

 

 

・Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, and what better way to kick off it off than performing at Lollapalooza Chilie in March. Before they do however they will first perform at PA’L NORTE 2019, a 2-day music and art festival in Monterrey, Mexico. They are part of a line-up consisting of big names such as Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon and Santana.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/146658

 

 

・Taichi Mukai

Taichi Mukai is in the midst of his 2018-2019 “Pure Tour” to promote his newest album PURE. The artist is gaining much attention not just in Japan but across Asia too. Mukai is set to perform in Asia for the first time beginning on March 22.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/155274

 

 

・HYDE

HYDE started his solo music career up again last year and has various planned for 2019. He performed at L’Arc-en-Ciel’s 2018 Christmas live show “L’ArChristmas” and will embark on an Asia tour in March.

 

 

・GARNiDELiA

GARNiDELiA released Kyoki Ranbu on September 26 this year, an album compiling every song from their internationally acclaimed online dance series including their hit song Gokuraku Jodo. The pop rock duo have announced that they will embark on their biggest Asia tour to date including shows in Hong Kong and Singapore.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/150236

 

 

・Wednesday Campanella

Wednesday Campanella is no stranger to performing solo concerts and at festivals outside Japan. The next place to be graced by KOM_I’s incredible performance is Barcelona for the Primavera Sound music festival.

 

Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/150817

 

 

 

To all lovers of J-pop, J-rock and any kind of Japanese artist or band living outside Japan – if an artist is coming to a place near you, show your support and don’t miss the opportunity to see them live.

 

Writer: Heir