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Events Music Web

Sorry to Go

Nice to see that the Shobo Shobo boys really enjoyed their time in Japan, and are already missing it immensely (from Domo-san’s latest post at Shobus Diary):

it breaks my heart to look at those pictures. i wish i was still there.i stand on the left lane in the metro’s escalators.
i say “hai” to say “oui”,
i say “ikimacho” to say “on y va”,
i miss lozi and yoyo

i came back from geneva this morning and the train was full of japanese tourists, i wanted to talk to them in japanese, i wanted to share their bentos, i wanted to drink their tea.

I’m also really sorry I missed out on the Placard event at Claska this past weekend (pics here).

Categories
Design

The NCM Refresh

My brothers at Next Century Modern have just launched a new version of their website. And wait till you get a load of the things we’re cooking up for Swedish Style — oh boy…

Categories
General TB.Movel

The Japan Times

41331492_da1b26c78bWhat could I be doing at the Japan Times offices…

Categories
Photography

Vote for Lil

One of Lil‘s pics (the above shot of Phillippe Starck’s La Flamme D’Or building in Asakusa) is nominated for a Gridskipper photo contest. Go vote!

Update (16/09/04): The photo is no longer available.

Categories
Books

Kuhaku Is Such a Slut

For those who still haven’t picked up a copy of Chin Music Press’ KUHAKU, the following review from Bookslut might convince you.

Categories
Music

Polypunk 002

In case you missed it the last time, Digiki has a new episode of his Polypunk podcast out. Download it while it’s hot (or subscribe to the feed)!

Categories
Games Technology Tokyo Walking

Xbox in Harajuku

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Xbox in Harajuku? Microsoft, face facts, no one in Japan is interested in the Xbox, and I doubt that even something like this could possibly turn things around.

Microsoft is in the midst of constructing a $400,000+ building in Tokyo for its upcoming next-generation hardware. It’s currently draped in a huge sheet emblazoned with the circular Xbox 360 logo on the front and side. If you recall, there were similar rumors swirling about a Times Square location being considered for New York, but you can’t get any more blatant (or secretive, by hiding what’s inside) than a giant logo for your console covering a 3-story office space in Japan. (Joystiq)

But you know, I’d love to be proven wrong. Oh, and for the first time in years, I’d actually like to go the Tokyo Game Show (happening next week) for a chance to try out some PS3 and Xbox 360 games.

Categories
Art Events

Global Players

Another good chance to catch some of the “German Year” festivities.

Here’s an event that should perfectly suit all those who still don’t know what the “German year” is all about. The “Global Players” project incorporates exhibitions by German artists at 13 galleries located in the greater Ginza area, as wel as symposiums and performances staged at BankART 1929 and other venues in Yokohama. So all you need to do in order to become an expert in contemporary art, performing arts, photography, installation, and other energetic work made in Germany is to commute between Ginza and Yokohama. Could there be a better opportunity to get in direct touch with German art(ists) here in Japan? (REALTOKYO)

Click here for more details, including a list of all the galleries involved. And here’s the Global Players site.

Categories
Music Technology

Sony Joins the iTunes Party

Looks like Sony finally gave in!

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc plans to provide songs to the iTunes Music Store in Japan managed by Apple Computer Inc, a rival of its parent company over portable digital music players, Sony Music officials said.

Sony Music and Apple are working out the details of a possible deal, including commission charges. They have yet to decide on when the iTunes Music Store will start offering its download services for Sony Music’s songs, said the officials. (Kyodo)

I wonder if it was because of pressure from their artists.

Categories
Art Events

Geisai #8

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The next Geisai event is coming up, on 9/11 of all days! The image included in this post is the cover of a booklet you can pick up in most bookstores (I spotted it at Junkudo the other day).

Geisa is an art festival that aims for more communication in the art world. At the same time, it is also meant to be a place to discover artists and help them debut as professionals, as well as an upbeat flea market for displaying and selling art, or can also be viewed as a starting place for a more open art world, and a meeting place for anybody related to art. (TAB)

It takes place at Tokyo Big Sight, from 10:00 to 18:00. Entry is 1500 yen.