Midori Hirano is finally getting ready to release her first full-length album. LUSHRUSH, on Noble, will be out September 25. Fans of OK FRED will notice that the cover is by our dear Ay2. Patrick has more info on his Agenda, including a complete track listing.
Month: July 2006
Kiiiiiii DVD Through PayPal
Kiiiiiii are now taking international orders of their DVD through PayPal!
Update: Here’s a trailer for the DVD on YouTube.
PauseTalk Mailing List
The US Apple site has put up a rather nice video profile of multimedia artist Masakatsu Takagi. They’re also hosting a few of his video works. I reviewed his new album in the latest issue of OK FRED.
This Week in Magazines
- As mentioned the other day, the new issue of PAPER SKY (18) goes bilingual with its guide to Tokyo’s Akihabara district. It’s a rather nice selection, which also includes some themed walking routes. Also, the goods section includes the new collaborative tee with PMKFA‘s “It’s Our Thing” line, which we recently exhibited at Cafe Pause.
- This month’s MAC POWER (200) joins the book selection party (a favorite topic of Japanese magazines this year), by offering its own guide, which they’ve done by asking various creators to list their favorites. I must say I’m quite jealous of art director Yasushi Fujimoto’s (CAP) private library. The issue also includes a guide to podcasts.
- TITLE (78) helps you find a “Good Company, Good Job,” with a feature filled with attractive work spaces. They also take a look at some classic Japanese brands (Shiseido, Onitsuka Tiger, and Meiji Seika), and include an insert (of course) on “How to Make a Good Company.”
- DESIGN NOTE (8) offers up a look at the world of graphic design, but it mostly focuses on book design. I liked the bit that showed the thinking behind the design of a manga volume.
- DESIGNERS’ WORKSHOP (148) is again filled with lots and lots of Japanese design eye candy, and it’s a joy to leaf through, and take in all of the latest creations. The magazine itself is aimed at professionals, but serves up inspiration for one and all.
You’ve probably noticed me using the term LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) often in my “This Week in Magazines” posts, since it’s become a favorite topic of quite a few magazines. If you’re not really quite sure what the term represents and how it got started, last week’s issue of METROPOLIS had an informative cover feature on the LOHAS concept, which should clear things up.
Also, in that same issue, Andrew Conti does a good job of covering (if the link has expired, look in the sidebar for the new link) the newly re-opened ICC — more detailed than the short post I wrote for Gridskipper a while back.
AtoZ Cafe
The AtoZ Cafe in Aoyama.
One of the frustrating things for anyone living here who’s into foreign films but who can’t read Japanese subtitles is that you’re pretty limited in what you can watch. I was just sent a link to this site, Expat Video, which is a Japanese DVD rental-by-mail service specializing in Japanese films (and other foreign films) with English subs. Looks like a nice way to keep up with the latest art-house offerings.
Paper Sky 18
The new issue of PAPER SKY (18), featuring a bilingual cover story and guide to Akihabara, is now out. I love that Lego cover!