I can almost hear the buzz of cicadas above the rumble of the yamanote line – Yes, I do believe the summer is upon us! We’ve got so many brilliant events coming up it feels like we’re on a tour of the capital. Hope you can join us for some of them:

• 6.17 (Fri) - This and That Cafe - @Super Deluxe, Nishi Azabu,  Start 20:00, FREE (+drink)
• 6.18 (Sat) – The Portbell Market present Awesome Lane – @Basement Bar, Shimokitazawa, Start 18:30, ¥2000 +drink
• 6.24 (Fri) - Sideways here we come – Supporting New Zealand band DIE! DIE! DIE! on their Japan tour @Shinjuku JAM, Shinjuku, Start 18:30, ADV ¥2500 DOOR ¥3000
• 6.29 (Wed) – Wonder Jungle Vol. 3 Cheer Up Tohoku – @Chelsea Hotel, Shibuya, Start 18:00, FREE + ¥500 drink
• 7.2 (Sat) – THE WATANABES present “SPOILED AND NOSTALGIC” with METRO ONGEN, MOTHERCOAT and Comedian Ken Suzuki – @青山 月見ル君想フ, Aoyama, Open 18:30 Start 19:00, ADV ¥1500 (+drink) DOOR ¥2000
• 7.4 (Mon) – KING SIZE 06 – @Club Asia, Shibuya, Open 18:00 Start 18:30, ¥2000 (Watanabes – 21:15)
• 7.17 (Sun) – Gamuso Festival – @Gamuso, Asagaya (TBA)
• 8.27 (Sat) - Musicians for Earthquake and Tsunami relief Vol.2 – @What the Dickens, Ebisu, Start 16:00, FREE
• 9.10 (Sat) – Remedys Library presents ‘Iro Iro’ Vol.12′ – @Crawfish, Akasaka, Start 19:00 FREE
• 9.15 (Thu) - 10 years plus one – @MARZ, Shinjuku, Start: 18:30, ADV ¥2000 DOOR ¥2500

Supporting Die! Die! Die! will be a highlight of course, but to be honest, it would be difficult to big up any one of these events more than the other. Great venues, great causes, great bands, great prices … Take your pick!

We would however like to draw your attention to one particularly special night for us, Saturday 2nd July. For the first time we’ll be hosting our very own event – “SPOILED AND NOSTALGIC” .  At one of the coolest live houses in town – Tsukimiri Kimi Omou – with two of the coolest bands in town – Mothercoat and Metro Ongen - I suppose you could call it the Release Party we never had. Perhaps more importantly though, it will also represent 6 years to the day of our debut performance in a lovable but sweaty bar in Matsuyama. With music and comedy between 7 and 10, and the bar open late, they’ll be plenty of time afterwards to celebrate with beer and banter.

We’re absolutely honoured and extremely fortunate to have two hugely popular Japanese bands joining us. Don’t be fooled by the sweetly sick J-Pop you often see on TV, Japan is home to some truly outstanding music and these two provide the solid evidence. We are very, VERY excited about playing alongside these gifted folks, and friends.

METRO ONGEN:

Metro Ongen have literally just released their brilliant new album, EDEN. Produced by our very own beloved Glaswegian David Naughton (Belle and Sebastian, Teenage Fan Club, Mojave 3), it is an absolute pop gem of a record. Stunning melodies, soaring harmonies, sweet guitar lines, it will have you purring with satisfaction. For a taste of their dynamic vivid pop sound check out a couple of our favourite numbers:

Metro Ongen – EDEN PV

Metro Ongen – Silent Orange

Metro Ongen – Scalar

MOTHERCOAT:

Mothercoat are arguably one of Japan’s most successful indie acts. They’ve developed a cult following across the UK, and America, where they have toured extensively and played two showcase gigs at the SXSW festival; one of the largest and most highly respected festivals in the world. In regular demand at big venues across Japan, they are quirky, innovative and exhilarating. If you haven’t already seen them, you undoubtedly should. Mothercoat have technically just released their fifth album, Egobag, but with new members and a new sound, it is being touted as their first. With the final night of their EgoBag tour, and a “One Man Live” on July 17th, we are incredibly lucky to have them with us.

Mothercoat have just been interviewed and received a glowing endorsement in Metropolis Magazine. Allow us to leave you with one of our favourite tracks: Mothercoat – Galileo (Live)

More info on Spoiled and Nostalgic TBA.

Over and out.

What a Nabe! Zzzzzzz

First of all, our new album You’re dancing I’m absorbed is now available at major record stores across Japan including HMV, Tower Records,  and Disk Union. For those of you outside Japan it is of course available to download from iTunes.

I’m pleased to say we’ve already had some positive feedback. Sound and Recording Magazine reviewed it in their March edition, and compared us to cult 1980’s Liverpudian band, The Pale Fountains. Have you heard of them? No, neither had we. Sound like an interesting bunch though. Time Out Tokyo kindly gave us a coffee, a curry and an interview, before proudly declaring us as “the least dangerous band in Tokyo.” Um … we’ll see about that. I’m pretty sure they meant that to be a good thing, but our macho masuline sides tell us otherwise! In addition to an interview, we had a full photoshoot, with our very best jumpers on. Meanwhile Metropolis, Japan’s number one English speaking magazine, have also reviewed the album. Take a look for yourself here.

Other news, Whales Can Sing is proving to be one of our most popular tracks. We recently received a comment from Oscar winner and celebrity Dolphin activist Ric O Barry. Apparantly the song has now also caught the attention of academy award winning composer J. Ralph. Much obliged Ric!

Before I forget, we’ve also recently unveiled two very cool new remixes by David Naughton. Both are tracks from our new album – Hot Water Hills and Ice Age - and both are now downloadable on iTunes. Well worth a listen if you haven’t already.

The excitement continues. We’re holding not one but TWO Album Release parties this Saturday night – March 12th. The opening party kicks off at 8pm at Time Out Cafe in Ebisu. We’re delighted to have Metro Ongen and Comedian Ken Suzuki as special guests. Metro Ongen have just released a stunning new EP Extra Eden, also produced by our dearly beloved Mr David Naughton. And if that’s not enough fun for one night, we’ll also be having an after party in Shibuya @ 喫茶Smile with our favourite Tokyo DJs playing indie rock, electro, and guitar pop. Tim McSherry of popular Shinjuku Loft event ‘Alternative Current’ will be among those spinning the tunes.

Well, best wishes to all of you.

The Watanabes

The album was produced by David Naughton. We owe Dave a whole bucket load of gratitude for all of his hard work, support and expertise, and for helping us put together a record to be proud of.  We’d also like to thank Kate Sikora for her beautiful duet on Hot Water Hills, Brent Betters – Trumpeter extraordinaire, Tom Hiskey for some on the spot glockenspiel magic, Ryoga Kobata for making a violin soar like an Axl Rose solo, and Nick Duffy on pretty much anything you can think of. Finally we’d like to thank Hitomi Tsuchiya for another great album cover and BabyBoom Records for helping us to officially release it in Japan.

You’re dancing I’m absorbed

1. Love Princess

2. Concerned with You

3. Hot Water Hills

4. True Romantics

5. Guilt

6. Whales Can Sing

7. London 2009

8. Superstar of the Surrounding Area

9. Ice Age

10. Rooftops

11. People are Different

12. Katsudon

. Dave hails from Glasgow and has worked with the likes of Belle n Sebastian, Robbie Williams, Teenage Fan Club and Suede among others, but perhaps most excitingly of all – Kylie Minogue! His career in music has taken him to Glasgow, London, Los Angeles, and now to Tokyo, where he has been working for the last 18 months, alongside several Japanese indie acts including Metro Ongen and The New House. His recent work with The New House made Single of the Week on iTunes Japan in October.

We consider ourselves very lucky to be working with him, and look forward to revealing the fruits of our labour!

Since October we’ve been working on 4 new tracks, but the possibiilty of a full album is already becoming a distinct possiblity.

Watch this space.

Wata N Beeeez.

Just a quick note about our January gig schedule. We`ve got 3 Tokyo shows, and for each we`ve been entrusted with the responsibility of playing on Saturday night. That`s tough, but we will do our best.

January 9 – We`re playing from 7.20 at Club Kinoto in Shibuya. ¥1800, with Manager Giant throwing in a free drink as a late Christmas present.

January 23 – With 2 or 3 other Gaijin bands in a little bar/restaurant called Doobies, in a crowded Ueno shopping street. Not sure about times, but I think it only costs ¥500 to get in.

January 30 – At the clean but grotty LA-styled livehouse, Wild Side, in Shinjuku. Cool stage, cheap drinks.

We`re hoping to give birth to a new song or two at these gigs too.

Bye Bye for now.

Ash

On Thursday I went and watched Yo La Tengo play here in Tokyo. If you are not familiar with these dudes (and duddette), you can get a taste of their jive side (as opposed to their many other sides) here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT8t6Pm5WWQ). The Tengo and I have happily crossed paths before, so this was the 4th time I`d gone to see them. During the gig, which I thought was another great success (though my companion, Chris, had slightly different thoughts), it came to my attention that there were a few differences between a Yo La Tengo live show and a Watanabes one. Here were the 14 differences that stood out most.

1. Yo La Tengo use feedback intentionally, while ours is usually unintentional.

2. Yo La Tengo treat their roadies kindly and politely, while we are yet to secure any roadies (although if we were, we would definitely treat you kindly and politely. Any takers?)

3. The Yo La Tengo drummer looks ginger in some light, while the Watanabes bassist looks ginger in most lights.

4. Yo La Tengo try to keep a straight face but it`s perfectly fine to smile, while the Watanabes try to smile but it`s perfectly fine to keep a straight face.

5. Yo La Tengo like to warm up with a track approaching 20 minutes, while the Watanabes are usually 80% through their set at the 20 minute mark.

6. Yo La Tengo`s vocals were a little rough during the first 30 minutes, after which they really hit there stride, while Watanabes vocals are sweet from the get-go, but we don`t really know what happens after 30 minutes as as alluded to in point five, we have usually hit the showers by then.

7. Yo La Tengo`s members are in their 40s and don`t seem tired after a 2 hour set, while the Watanabes members are mostly in their 20s (except Stefan) and are often exhausted after 30 minutes.

8. Yo La Tengo change the dynamics drastically from song to song, but keep it pretty steady within the song, while the Watanabes keep it pretty steady from song to song, but try to mix up the dynamics within the songs.

9. Yo La Tengo gave the second best live show in Tokyo of 2009 at the Stellar Hall in December, while the Watanabes gave the best live show in Tokyo of 2009 at Kinoto, to farewell everyones favorite Belgian drummer, Flavio Jerome (pronounced in a sexy French accent of course).

10. Yo La Tengo have a lot of fans who wear glasses, while our fans generally have excellent eye sight, or else use contact lenses.

11. Yo La Tengo`s family element is provided by husband and wife, Ira and Georgia, while the Watanabes is provided by siblings Selwyn and Duncan.

12. Yo La Tengo seem to appreciate the respectful silence the Japanese crowd gives them, while the Watanabes are still trying to become comfortable with it.

13. Yo La Tengo seem to be wearing the exact same clothes they were wearing at the other shows I saw them play, stretching back 10 years, while in five years the Watanabes have gone through numerous outfits.

13. Yo La Tengo seem to have been listening to US college indie rock, noise rock, punk, 50s pop, motown, jazz and Simon and Garfunkal, while the Watanabes seem to have been listening to Mersey beat, Brit pop, Swedish Eurovision entries, Jangle pop and Simon and Garfunkal.

While there is no question we have our differences, our similarities are also many, which suggests to me we will hopefully be able to build a respectful, even friendly relationship between us in the future. I`m still a little miffed they didn`t ask us to open for them though, but all going to plan we`ll be opening for Pavement in April, so that will be some consolation.

In other news, our latest EP, there are ghosts around here is now available to buy in MP3 format on the excellent Japanese indie music site, monstar.fm. It is also available in hard copy from our favourite little music shop, More Music in Matsuyama, with delivery available throughout Japan at least, and maybe further afield if you ask nicely.

Watched School of Rock last night. Good clean fun and close to the bone. Nice.

Hope you have a great holiday period, full of both the giving and receiving of joy, and continue that on throughout next year, and all the years to come. Cheesy but sincere!

Cheers,

Ash Watanabe

In addition to this, we have just released our new EP There are ghosts around here on Monstar.  Monstar is a great source of information for anyone with an interest in the Japanese music scene and in particular, Japanese indie. Chin Up and Katsudon are presently available for free download from the main page, and our whole catalogue is available to buy here.

First of all, thanks to everyone who came to our Gaijin Sounds gig and made it such a great success. Your presence was not only appreciated by us, but also by the other bands who took part – not to mention the venue itself who must have made a small fortune at 900 Yen a beer!

News from the band. We are very pleased to announce that Independent Social Power has found it’s way in to top Japanese indie mag Cookie Scene and Stick it in a Novel is currently being streamed from their website along with other tracks from bands such as Idlewild, Jukebox the Ghost, and fellow Babyboomers – Yupitalk. If you have an interest in Japanese indie, then be sure to check out her album, and many of the other bands on our Japanese label – Babyboom Records Japan.

As far as gigs go, we have been invited to perform at a Japan Music Week event this Sunday at Rock West in Shibuya. (7:30 kick off.) Our good friends Sunset Drive will also be playing although the other acts are yet to be announced. Japan Music Week is a huge event across Tokyo showcasing the best emerging artists and music in every genre from hip hop to heavy metal, techno to neofolk rock!  Performers from all over the globe have been encouraged to take part in an international festival of music. If you buy a wrist band you can watch any gig, anywhere in Tokyo for a week. It’s good to be part of it. Click on the link above to find out more.

Another exciting live coming up is in Ebisu at Live Gate, playing alongside Japanese girl rock band – Iseijinkaitai or 異星人解体 as they are known in Japanese. These guys … I mean girls, are great, and it will be a huge thrill for us to play with them – and not just because they are all girls.

Other news. Hot water Hills, taken from our EP There are Ghosts around here, is now available to download from ITunes. It has been included in a compilation CD released in America called “Indie Underground”. It is particularly nice for us to be included in this compilation because the CD aims to raise awareness of Global warming, and promote and raise funds for the Arbor Foundation – an NPO inspiring people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. I can’t think of any charity more appropriate for a Favourite Tree Records band! The CD, printed on recycled paper, is available at all major online stores and for any interested parties, should be available to buy at our next gig.

On a lighter note, someone’s been covering Watanabes songs … and rather nicely too!

Trees, lots of them.

The Watanabes

Upcoming Gigs:

Sunday 15th November – Rock West – Shibuya – 7:30

Friday 20th November – Live Gate – Ebisu – 6:30 (Watanabes on at 8:10)

Friday 30th January – Tokyo Wildside – Shinjuku – 6:30

As a result of these successes we’ve had quite a bit of media attention recently. Hot Water Hills was song of the week on Radio Sweden in September and Love Princess has been amusing Japanese listeners on Nankaihousou Radio （南海放送）in Western Japan.

In the same week that The Cribs, Marilyn Manson and The Artic Monkeys are playing in Tokyo, we have also managed to get our Gaijin Sounds gig at the top spot of the music agenda section in Japan’s number 1 English speaking magazine – Metropolis – and you can enjoy a full interview with the band here in Japanzine Magazine.

The Gaijin Sounds Event will be kicking off at 7pm in Ebisu at popular watering hole “What the Dickens”. In addition to The Watanabes, award winning bands such as The Clockwork Flowers, Kev Gray and the Gravy Train and Nanbanjin from Fukuoka will also be playing. It should be a night of international fun and great music. Not to be missed.

宜しくね！ワタナベズ

Directed by Aaron Jenkin, 20 Percent Chance features on The Watanabes debut album Independent Social Power which is now available on ITunes (worldwide) and at stores across Japan such as HMV, Tower Records and Disk Union.

Aaron Jenkin is professional video editor and film director who has been involved with commercials, movies and of course music videos for bands such as Chicago based  Track a Tiger. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Aaron for all of his hard work, expertise and generosity, and we feel extremely fortunate to have been able to work with him: Not only is Mr. Jenkin an incredibly talented chap, but also a gentlemen in the truest sense!

A lot of other people helped us with this video, not least Hayase Yamagishi who was always on hand for translation and cultural advice. Our thanks to everyone involved!

Hope you  enjoy it!

The Watanabes