MIGHTY POP X TOKYO INDIE (June 25th 2010)

Can't wait for this one! Make sure you are there, the two best Indie-rock-electro-misfit nights in Tokyo go head to head! full details on www.tokyoindie.com or out facebook page!

Sunday NEON Sunday

So, Roxy Music at Fuji Rock? Possibly like watching a car crash, potentially one of the highlights of the weekend! Lets hope Bryan an the rest of the band pull it out of the bag, If they are anything like they used to be, it could be bloody fantastic!



Here is a nice little tinker of the classic Angel Eyes by Kaos...Perfect summer festival vibe!

Roxy Music - Angel Eyes (Kaos Remix) by Lovebox Official

This week has also seen me discover two of the best records that i have plucked from the blogosphere this year. First up is the phenomenal and unclassifiable Klaus and Kinski. I can't find much info on this Spanish Indie-synth-dream-electro-pop band, but what i have heard speaks volumes. Personal favourite is the euphoric 'Eres un Singvurguenza' which fires along like Asobi Seksu on speed. I the intro and chorus send a summer shiver down my spine and can't wait to drop it at the next event!

Kaus and Kinski - Eres un Singvurguenza

In the same vein is the excellent Swimmer One. Swimmer One first appeared on the radar around seven years ago with the release of two excellent EPs entitled We Just Make Music For Ourselves and Come On, Let’s Go!. However it is on 'This Club is for Everyone, Even You' (great title by the way!) that they really fulfil their promise. Records like this prove that electro-pop does not have to be a slight thing, but a thing of real beauty. Is it a warm-up track, a peak-time floorfiller, an early morning sunrise track? I can't make my mind up, probably all three!

Swimmer One - This Club Is For Everybody, Even You by Biphonic Records

Close Call...

Well, last night's game didn't quite go to plan did it? However, thanks to Tulio and Nakazawa our blushes in front of our Japanese friends (and the overwhelming Japanese crowd!). It is exciting to think that the World cup will be in full swing when the next Tokyo Indie rolls around on June 25th. Chances of world in Motion being played at that event? Bookmakers have stopped taking bets.

Current fave tracks:

The Willowz are a band I am liking at the moment, great retro sound but are not adverse to a cheeky remix...

The Willowz - Repetition

And check out the Jamie Fanatic rework...killer. Wait for the storming drop around the 3 minute mark!

The Willowz - Repitition (Jamie Fanatic Mix)

Also, Here is a grimey Dim Mak infused rework....

The Willowz - I Know (Mustard Pimp Mix)

P.E.S.T.’s latest remix pour la nocturne autobus, aka London’s pastel-band Night Bus. mmm.

Night Bus - Be You (P.E.S.T. Mix)

Finally, a mash-up which, speaking as a man who detests most mash-ups, is pretty bangin! Song 2 goes all jungle rave...

N.ER.D Vs. Blur - Spaz Vs. Song 2

TULIO! x

Tokyo Indie Mixes

Alright guys, here are a couple of choice mixes from recent events we hope you like...Next event is June 25th at Seco Bar in Shibuya where we will be teaming up with the fantastic Mighty Pop night for a DJ battle! Hope to see you there....

Tokyo Indie April by mjbirtles

Tokyo Indie Mix by mjbirtles

Tokyo Indie is BACK!

THE SUNSHINE UNDERGROUND (DJ Set) @ Tokyo Indie

Start Time:	Saturday, 24 April 2010 at 23:30
End Time:	Sunday, 25 April 2010 at 17:00
Location:	Under Deer Lounge, Shibuya

Description

POW!

After a month off, Tokyo Indie is BACK and we are doing it in style! Joining us for this very special event will be none other the The Sunshine Underground for an exclusive Tokyo DJ set.

The Sunshine Underground emerged from the vibrant Leeds music scene and have gone on to become a top act internationally, recently releasing their second album; "Nobody's Coming to Save You". They were part of the infamous "NME Rave" tour in the UK alongside The Klaxons, CSS and New Pony Club which was famed for it's riotous gigs.

The boys will be taking time of from their busy Tokyo concert schedule to join is for a special DJ set and will be bringing their raw energy to the dance floor!

This one is going to be big so arrive early to avoid disappointment! See you down the front...

DETAILS:

Date: Saturday 24th April 2010 (11.30pm - 5.00am)

DJs:

THE SUNSHINE UNDERGROUND (DJ set)

Mark Birtles AKA Newblackvinyl (BBC 6 Music)
KYDJ (The Hawley Arms)
Jessrotul (Jesse Sharer)
DJ Ichika (Paradigm)
Housecat Jack (Housecat Records)
Bobak (PMT)

Entry: 2000 Yen (INCLUDES 1 free drink)

Computer Love.

Spike Jonze is riding a crest of a wave after the success of his film adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, but the director du jour isn’t going to let the wild rumpus end anytime soon. Jonze’s next short film, I’m Here, a 30-minute “robot love story” features “a male robot liv[ing] a solitary and methodical life — devoid of creativity, joy and passion - until he meets an adventurous and free spirited female robot.”

Sounds awfully trite, but this is more than an Electroma-esque love story. Jonze's direction makes what could be a twee idea into something truely magical. You want to know the best thing? The film can be viewed for free at the website;

Spike Jonze - I'm Here (full movie)

As you would expect, the musical score is great too. The lead song, “There Are Many of Us,” which is written/sung by Aska Matsumiya, a member of LA-based bands Moonrats and The Sads, and also features the YYYs’ Nick Zinner and the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea.

ASKA - There Are Many of Us

Don't say you never get anything for free.

Can you feel rain?

Well, It is a damp day here in Tokyo, the hanami weekend has been decidedly cold and drizzly. I was planning to get out on my bike and do a bit of training for our epic Golden Week Tokyo to Osaka trip, but the gods are against me. So, it is a perfect time to share our latest discovery, City Rain, with you.

City Rain is the project of Charles Benjamin Runyan (cool name btw) who hails from Philadelphia and appears to be a multimedia jack of all trades; music, blogging, fashion videos etc. City Rain takes Radiohead's Nude and dresses it up with some crisp synth stabs and wet city atmospherics:

Radiohead - Nude (City Rain mix)

His take on Body Language's Work This City is also a sharp remix. I love the acoustic pluking twinned with the gravelly electronics. Reminds me of bands like Styrofoam, Colder and Dntel :

Body Language - Work This City (City Rain's Kept Raining mix)

Also, the Yes Giantess rework of this track is worth a mention. The track builds from a slow start to an express train, a little like Chemical Brothers' Star Guitar. Great stuff.

Body Language - Work This City (Yes Giantess mix)

Finally, the next Tokyo Indie party is confirmed for the 24th April in Shibuya. Some very exciting details to be announced in the next couple of days. Hope to see you all ther, this is the big one!

Mark.x