Interview: STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION

STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION is the sound making project of songwriter/music producer and former rock band OLDCODEX member R·O·N who produces various sound contents and music for varieties of popular Japanese artists and Anime series.

To celebrate the latest release of his single ‘PEACEKEEPER’ which is the opening theme song for “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” Season 3 which you are able to listen to here! We were able to interview R·O·N at Hawaii’s anime convention Kawaii Kon!

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Ken: First of all thank you so much for letting us do this interview, we are fans of what you bring to the Japanese music industry. And congratulations on passing your tenth year in the industry!

RON: Nice to meet you Ken and thank you so much for having me!

K: As this is your first Hawaii convention, are you having fun and is there anything you would like to do while you are here?

RON: Yeah, I’m having a lot of fun so far! I wanted to eat Poke (Raw fish with sauce) and I did!

K: Where did you go to eat Poke, might I ask?

RON: Oh just UberEats haha

K: Honestly, one of my favorite places to eat Poke is nearby at Foodland Farms and I would highly recommend it.  Be sure to have the legendary Poke Bowl which is like Danburi style (Fish and Rice) and is very delish.

RON: The Poke I had was very good, however it was also very spicy.

K: Ah I see, yes, they probably gave you the Spicy Tuna which is a local favorite.

RON: I see!

photo credit by jus. management

K: For your upcoming release ‘PEACEKEEPER’, where did you have the idea to talk about a theme of handling the difficulty of communication.

RON: In regard to the lyrics, I first receive a basic overview of the anime and then I think about how I should express the idea for the song. So it ended up not being so difficult to handle a theme like that.

K: Oh I see, so for a majority of the anisong that you have done, is that the usual thought process?

RON: Yeah, yeah it’s almost exactly like that!

K: Oh I see! Since you have done so many anisong in the past, What would you say is your favorite anisong that you have written/composed?
RON: That is such a difficult question haha. In terms of only STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION songs, I would have to say ‘STORYSEEKER’. It is one of my favorites.

K: I see. How do you curate your set list?

RON: So specifically over the last two or three years. I had done about 10 shows or so, and during those shows I developed about 4 patterns of a specific setlist that I built around.

K: Do you take a different approach when making a setlist Japan versus overseas?

RON: Actually as of right now I’ve only performed once in Japan about three years ago, when I was a part of a band setlist. While overseas it’s usually just me as a one-man, so I would say that is the biggest difference.

…my most cherished memory would have to be when I was able to perform in Germany last year…

K: What would you say is your most Cherished memory in the 10 years you have been active?

RON: Oh my most cherished memory would have to be when I was able to perform in Germany last year, mostly due to the fact that I had lived in Germany when I was in grade school and it was a very memorable experience for me.

photo credit by jus. management

K: When performing, how do you prepare?

RON: I usually try to get into the mindset that I hope that the audience would enjoy the setlist that I’m doing. That is the most important thing for me.

K: Is there a venue that you performed at that you’ll never forget? Also is there a dream venue that you would like to perform at?

RON: It would have to be the Mercury Lounge in New York, as it was the first venue that I had done a solo one-man show at.

I hope to perform in Los Angeles and Torrance, California as I used to live there as well haha.

K: Who is the one artist you would love to work with in the future?

RON: Yoshi the vocalist from the rock band SSTP (Survive Said The Prophet), I really want to make a song with him!

…making music feels natural to me.

K: Do you have a process or certain mind set when creating your songs, if so would you like to share that process?

RON: Not really, making music feels natural to me. So there isn’t really a special mind set that I have to be in when composing songs.

K: Which was your favorite song to write/ compose?

RON: I can’t just pick one, I usually compose and write about 200-250 songs a year so to be able to pick just one, is really difficult. I would have to say every song haha .

photo credit by jus. management

K: Which artist would you say is your biggest inspiration?

RON: The rock band Korn ahaha.

K: For international fans, how they usually find out about J-pop is through anime. First do you watch anime, and if so which would you say is your favorite?

RON: Unfortunately, not the recent anime but I used to watch ones like Gundam, Evangelion, Sazae-san, Chibi Mariko-chan. Maybe you might not know the last two haha, but I used to watch Anime.

K: Thank you so much for joining and I look forward to the concert tomorrow (at the time of interview) and enjoy your time in Hawaii!

RON: Yes, Thank you very much, and thank you for having me!

BE:FIRST Unveil Music Video for New Single ‘Masterplan’ – a Fusion of Hip-Hop with a Distinctive ‘Made in Japan’ Flair!

Seven-member dance and vocal ensemble, BE:FIRST, announced the release of their latest single, 'Masterplan' across all digital music streaming platforms

The electrifying track 'Masterplan' saw its initial performance during BE:FIRST's inaugural Tokyo Dome concert, titled BE:FIRST LIVE in DOME 2024 ‘Mainstream – Masterplan’. Serving as a sequel to their earlier hits 'Boom Boom Back' and 'Mainstream', the single features compelling Eastern rhythms crafted by producer Ryosuke "Dr.R" Sakai, the creator behind previous challenging numbers for BE:FIRST, such as 'Gifted.', 'BF is...', and 'Mainstream'.

This hip-hop anthem maintains the group's unique musical trajectory, showcasing their impressive artistry and solidifying their signature sound.

 The music video encapsulates the idea that BE:FIRST's astronomical rise since their debut has been anything but coincidental, but instead part of a well-orchestrated "masterplan". Paying homage to the group's past works, the video references the success of their track 'Mainstream', which topped 116 different charts, and the significant achievement of their Tokyo Dome concert.

The result is a thoughtfully curated visual narrative, marking each milestone as a preconceived chapter in BE:FIRST's journey.

The video's concluding image of a massive cherry blossom tree aptly embodies the song's spirit and the quintessential "Made in Japan" aesthetic characteristic of BE:FIRST. A grand cherry tree piercing through concrete symbolizes the band's resilience, with seven sturdy branches representing each member, all adorned with flourishing cherry blossoms. It's a visual masterpiece that merges hip-hop with a distinctive Japanese essence, declaring an impassioned musical statement to offer the world.

Be sure to check out the ‘Masterplan’ on all streaming platforms here, along with the dance performance video for the track below!

 ‘Masterplan’

Lyrics by SKY-HI

Music by Ryosuke “Dr.R” Sakai, Daisuke Nakamura, and SKY-HI

Produced by SKY-HI, Ryosuke “Dr.R” Sakai

Choreography by SOTA (BE:FIRST) and ReiNa

Total production by SKY-HI (BMSG)

Concert Review: STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION

Photo credits by JUS Management

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As the lights dimmed and the anticipation in the air reached its peak, the stage came alive with a kaleidoscope of colors and pulsating beats. The venue at Kawaii Kon was buzzing with excitement as fans eagerly awaited the start of STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION concert. As a fervent enthusiast of his work, I couldn't have been more thrilled to be part of this electrifying event. STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION is a sound-making project by R.O.N., who is mostly known for his songwriting/composition/arrangement for many anime sound tracks.

From the moment the first track ‘#02’ began to reverberate through the speakers, it was evident that this concert would be a feast for both the ears and the eyes for new-comers and fans alike. The seamless fusion of high energy compositions and anime visuals created an immersive experience that transported the audience into a world of vibrant energy and felt like they were part of the series itself. The track list, consisting of fifteen carefully curated songs, was a testament to the diverse range of musical styles throughout various genre. Each track brought its own unique flavor to the mix, keeping the energy levels soaring throughout the night.

One of the standout moments for me of the concert was the performance of “SPARKLES”, a track that focused a lot more R.O.N’s vocals in a ballad like composition. I had found myself completely lost in the music, swept away by its emotional intensity of his vocal range. Another highlight was the inclusion of a cover of ‘Guilty Night, Guilty Kiss!’ from the popular Love Live! Series, which R.O.N worked on as the main composer and arrangement for the sub group Guilty Kiss. I was blown was by the way it was covered and absolutely love every minute of it.

Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the concert was the atmosphere of pure joy and camaraderie that permeated the venue. As strangers danced side by side, united by their shared love of music and anime, there was a sense of community that transcended language and cultural barriers. It was a testament to the universal power of music to bring people together and create moments of genuine connection.

As the concert drew to a close with a euphoric finale, R.O.N brought on one more surprise guest, Brittney Karbowski, the voice actress of Rimuru of the series That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime to introduce his last song  ‘PEACEKEEPER’. The opening theme song for the upcoming Third Season.   

STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION concert was a dazzling spectacle that exceeded all expectations. From the eclectic tracklist to the stunning visuals and R.O.N out of this world’s vocals, every aspect of the event was meticulously crafted to delight the senses and ignite the imagination. But beyond the technical prowess and R.O.N brilliance, it was the sense of unity and shared passion that made this concert truly unforgettable. If given the chance, I would gladly relive this experience again and again, as it was a testament to the transformative power of music and the enduring magic of anime.

Boyband Da-iCE release new song ‘I wonder’ on April 17, along with YouTube Premiere of performance video!

‘I wonder’ Digital Jacket Cover

Popular boyband Da-iCE released their latest song ‘I wonder’ on Wednesday, April 17.

The lyrics to this new song were written by members Taiki Kudo and Sota Hanamura, with Hanamura also composing. The song incorporates the vibe of a drama series, focusing on the dual themes of “love” and “finding yourself” and comparing them to colors, from vivid ones to black and white, and all the layered combinations in between.

The performance video for ‘I wonder’ was also released as a YouTube Premiere. The choreography was devised by Hanamura in collaboration with Sungo (avex ROYALBRATS). The video’s simple and stylish composition shows the members of Da-iCE dancing gracefully in a space with no decoration except for the lighting, allowing you to truly focus on the group’s incredible dance performance.

Be sure to check out ‘I wonder’ on all streaming platforms here, along with the music video for the track below!

Kumi Koda releases 19th full-length album ‘UNICORN’! Best singles tour starts soon, ahead of Koda’s 25th anniversary!

UNICORN CD-only cover

Superstar Kumi Koda released her 19th full-length album ‘UNICORN’ on April 17, celebrating the 23rd anniversary of her debut. The album’s lead song ‘Silence’ was recently used as the theme song for the movie ‘Gold Boy’. The album also features original songs such as the TOKYO AUTO SALON 2024 tie-up song ‘Vroom’, covers of songs that have influenced Koda, and a solo version of ‘Trust · Last’, the theme song from Kamen Rider Geats, making for a varied selection of tracks.

Furthermore, from April 20, Koda will embark on a live tour of Japan titled KODA KUMI LIVE TOUR 2024 ~BEST SINGLE KNIGHT~, which kicks off ahead of her upcoming 25th anniversary.

This unmissable series of concerts will be packed to bursting with performances of Kumi Koda’s countless hit singles. Be sure to pre-load UNICORN here, and be sure to purchase the album here!