MIYAVI’s Long-Awaited First New Album in Three Years, “Lost In Love, Found In Pain,” To Release in Two Parts! Part 1 Arrives on April 3!

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“Broken Fantasy / Tragedy Of Us” Jacket Cover

At his year-end live performance, MIYAVI announced his first album release in three years to the enthusiastic cheers of the audience. This album, titled “Lost In Love, Found In Pain,” will be a two part series with the theme of “duality.” The release date of the first part, “Lost In Love,” has been set for April 3.

In terms of sound production, it will be crafted in collaboration with Lenny Skolnik, a longtime partner in music creation, and involve various producers and collaborators in Los Angeles. On the visual front, Darren Craig, known for his work with A$AP Ferg and Justin Timberlake, was enlisted to explore new expressions. Please look forward to the upcoming release of the music and visuals.

In addition, the first pre-release single from the album, titled “Broken Fantasy / Tragedy Of Us,” is available for streaming starting from February 4, 2024. “Broken Fantasy” features a solid, up-tempo rock sound, showcasing not only MIYAVI’s distinctive guitar play but also a captivating vocal style that reveals a new aspect of his artistry. In contrast, “Tragedy Of Us” is a medium-tempo tune that incorporates scattered guitar phrases, dramatic developments throughout the song, and a narrative-like vocal delivery.

More information about the album and its songs will be gradually revealed. There are also more releases planned for 2024, so please stay tuned for further updates, in the meantime be sure to check out his latest digital release “Broken Fantasy / Tragedy Of Us” here!

Da-iCE celebrate 10th anniversary of major-label debut with first digital single ‘A2Z’, out now!

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A2Z Jacket Cover

Popular boyband Da-iCE celebrated their 10th anniversary of their major-label debut with the release of new song ‘A2Z’, their first ever digital single, on Wednesday, February 14. The song was written by Da-iCE member Sota Hanamura, with lyrics cowritten by his bandmate Taiki Kudo.

The lyrics are filled with wit, with memorable phrases throughout, making it a song to listen to closely. The track also features as the new opening theme song for Teikou Penguin, a YouTube anime channel with 1.43 million subscribers. Following the digital single release, on Friday, February 16, the group also released an ‘Official Dance Practice’ video for ‘A2Z’ as a YouTube Premiere.

For the song’s choreography, Da-iCE member Hayao Wada collaborated with KAZtheFIRE(Rht.), following their previous work together on ‘Naimononedari’. The dance moves are based on hip-hop steps while expressing the letters of the alphabet, in reference to the song’s lyrics, which you can check out below along with streaming links for the track here!

Survive Said The Prophet Announce “MAKE / BREAK YOURSELF The West Coast Tour”!

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Four-member rock band Survive Said The Prophet have announced their first American Tour, “MAKE / BREAK YOURSELF The West Coast Tour”. The live performance will take place in 5 major cities, kicking off on April 2nd from Seattle to San Diego.

Many of the group’s songs have reached international audiences by being featured as the opening numbers of various anime series and movies. The band, called “SABAPURO” by fans, has steadily built a following outside of Japan where it’s based. The band’s latest single “Paradox” has been featured as the opening theme for the second season of the popular TV anime “VINLAND SAGA”. Their biggest hit single “MUKANJYO” was also the opening theme for the first season.

Tickets are now on sale from today which you can purchase here!

MAKE / BREAK YOURSELF The West Coast Tour

April 2, 2024 – NEUMO’s, Seattle WA

April 3, 2024 – Hawthorne Theatre, Portland OR

April 5, 2024 – Cornerstone, Berkeley CA

April 8, 2024 – The Echoplex, Los Angeles CA

April 9, 2024 – Brick by Brick, San Diego, CA



WACK in the UK Vol. 2: Tickets on Sale from Saturday

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Japan's notorious WACK agency returns to the UK for another dose of unadulterated alternative pop music for Japan featuring three of its acts! WACK In The UK Vol.2 will feature GANG PARADE, ASP and KiSS KiSS at The Underworld in Camden, London on 27 March 2024, and be warned, it's a full on day if you want to get the most out of it! Even including lunch with the idols! The full schedule of events are below, along with all the details. Tickets go on sale from Saturday 17 February from 12-noon UK time via this link.

GANG PARADE

This chart-topping fun group from Japan consists of 13 members and has the concept みんなの遊び場, “playground for all”. Latest album OUR PARADE was released from Warner Music’s FUELED BY MENTAIKO and shot to #1 in the Oricon album chart. It includes anime theme ‘lol’ from ME & ROBOCO, as well as the energetic ‘SIGNAL’ and joyous ‘SUPER PARTY PEOPLE’ amongst others.

ASP

These anti-idol idol punks are exploding right now. Since making their overseas debut at WACK In The UK Vol. 1 in London last year, ASP have gone on to sell out their first outdoor headline show, produced a number one single with the help of Sam Matlock (WARGASM), and have booked their own show at the mighty Nippon Budokan arena later this year. Check out tracks TOXiC iNVASiON and I HATE U.

KiSS KiSS

This recently formed electronic group mark their first anniversary by performing in London for WACK In The UK Vol. 2! Expect high energy, bright colors and thumping basslines if their music video KiSS KiSS KiSS is anything to go by.

Artist SANTA follows success across Asia with first single of 2024, ‘Voyage’, in collaboration with singer-songwriter Daiki Ueno!

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Voyage/ Futari no Sekai jacket Cover

Up and coming vocalist SANTA, who has found phenomenal success across Asia, has released his first single of 2024 across all digital streaming platforms. The two songs included on the single, ‘Voyage’ and ‘Futari no Sekai’, both share the theme of “distance”. The songs are filled with gentle kindness that guides the way, a source of inspiration as we navigate our lives amid complicated relationships and measures of closeness.

SANTA has previously danced on stage to a backing of ‘Love Song’ by singer-songwriter Daiki Ueno, an artist he deeply respects. Now, at SANTA’s request, Ueno has written the music for this special collaboration single. Be sure to check out the single across a streaming platforms here!

About the songs

‘Voyage’

“In the gap between the stage and the audience, between one street and the next, in the moment as the lights turn from off to on, distance seems to extend forever – and the more you want to see that special someone, the further away they seem to be. Like a call and response, an exchange of hearts, a trading of worries and anxieties... With differences that nonetheless bear similarities, this song is a signpost that guides us to coexist in this era and face the future. SANTA’s gentle, reassuring voice can help us to overcome the sadness, and we feel sure he will remain by our side forever.

“Like everyone else, SANTA has times when he feels powerless and struggles with the feeling of distance, and so we created this song along with an interpretation that only he could bring to the lyrics. Through this song, I hope we can share the voice of his heart and express hope and love to everyone who hears it.”

‘FUTARI NO SEKAI’

“This song is about the sense of distance between lovers, and it asks questions that probably have no answer. Two people, each in their own world, try to pretend that everything is coincidence and fate. It’s a song about the place that can be broken when we offer one another confirmation, yet can exist if we do not. The closer we get, the further apart we become, so we try to maintain an appropriate distance. Until two people are able to shine only upon each other, the shining light unites them as one, so as not to forget.”