Mon, April 30, 2007 (8:27pm EDT)
Singer Mika Nakashima will release a "fairy tale photobook" this June. The collection is made of three 48-page stories, all written by Nakashima. She will appear as six different characters throughout the stories, including a mermaid, a witch, and a princess. The set also includes a DVD of the stories, narrated by Mari Natsuki.
Mon, April 30, 2007 (7:36pm EDT)
Several more artists have been announced for the 2007 Fuji Rock Festival: A-Trak, akiko / Moreno Domenico Kassin +2, The Bird and the Bee, THA BLUE HERB, DACHAMBO, Deerhoof, Fishbone, FRICTION, Groove Armada, Kings of Leon, Motion City Soundtrack, The Pigeon Detectives, RRIICCEE, Sambomaster, SCAFULL KING, Tim Deluxe, toe, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Hiromi's Sonicbloom (Hiromi Uehara), and The Whip.
The lineup for each day is now listed on the official website.
The lineup for each day is now listed on the official website.
Mon, April 30, 2007 (7:12pm EDT)
Popular singer MISIA is leaving avex and returning to her previous label, BMG Japan. She debuted under that label in 1998 and switched to avex's sublabel Rhythmedia Tribe in 2002.
MISIA's first new single with BMG is scheduled to go on sale on July 4. She will once again be working with producer Satoshi Shimano, who was in charge of several of her songs, including her debut single "Tsutsumikomu You ni."
MISIA will also embark on her first hall tour in eight years, starting on July 2. After the tour, MISIA is hoping to take a step into the overseas market, and it is very likely that she will hold performances abroad.
MISIA's first new single with BMG is scheduled to go on sale on July 4. She will once again be working with producer Satoshi Shimano, who was in charge of several of her songs, including her debut single "Tsutsumikomu You ni."
MISIA will also embark on her first hall tour in eight years, starting on July 2. After the tour, MISIA is hoping to take a step into the overseas market, and it is very likely that she will hold performances abroad.
Mon, April 30, 2007 (5:26pm EDT)
Talento and former ozeki Konishiki has now taken on the role of music producer and will release his first compilation album this summer under his newly created record label.
At the end of last year, Konishiki took a break from show business and returned to his native Hawaii. While there, he secretly started working as a music producer and eventually founded the label H-POP in late March. He already has experience as a singer in Hawaii, and he also helped create songs for his wife's singing debut last June.
Konishiki's first production is a compilation album titled "H-POP Vol. 1 ~Jawaiian Cruise~," featuring a combination of Hawaiian music and reggae. It includes 16 tracks by artists such as Ekolu, Taimane, and Laga Savea (who is Konishiki's nephew). The album will be released in Japan on July 18.
At the end of last year, Konishiki took a break from show business and returned to his native Hawaii. While there, he secretly started working as a music producer and eventually founded the label H-POP in late March. He already has experience as a singer in Hawaii, and he also helped create songs for his wife's singing debut last June.
Konishiki's first production is a compilation album titled "H-POP Vol. 1 ~Jawaiian Cruise~," featuring a combination of Hawaiian music and reggae. It includes 16 tracks by artists such as Ekolu, Taimane, and Laga Savea (who is Konishiki's nephew). The album will be released in Japan on July 18.
Mon, April 30, 2007 (4:48pm EDT)
Morning Musume's new single, "Kanashimi Twilight," came in second this week on the Oricon singles chart, selling approximately 54,000 copies. This brings their total single sales to 11,085,000 copies, setting the record for a female group. The previous record was 48,000 copies fewer, set by the '70s and '80s duo Pink Lady.
Morning Musume holds four other records among female groups: most #1 singles (10), most Top 10 singles (33), most consecutive years with a #1 single (6), and most consecutive years with a Top 10 single (10).
The #1 single this week was KinKi Kids' "BRAND NEW SONG." This extends their current Guinness World Record for most consecutive #1 singles since their debut to a total of 25.
Morning Musume holds four other records among female groups: most #1 singles (10), most Top 10 singles (33), most consecutive years with a #1 single (6), and most consecutive years with a Top 10 single (10).
The #1 single this week was KinKi Kids' "BRAND NEW SONG." This extends their current Guinness World Record for most consecutive #1 singles since their debut to a total of 25.
Mon, April 30, 2007 (4:21pm EDT)
Jin Akanishi, who recently rejoined idol group KAT-TUN, will also make his return to television on the group's variety show, "Cartoon KAT-TUN." His last TV appearance was on the October 29 broadcast of "Utawara."
Akanishi will first appear on "Cartoon KAT-TUN" on May 9, with mihimaru GT as a talk guest and George Tokoro as the darts guest. The episode was taped on April 27, only a week after Akanishi's return was publicly announced.
Akanishi will first appear on "Cartoon KAT-TUN" on May 9, with mihimaru GT as a talk guest and George Tokoro as the darts guest. The episode was taped on April 27, only a week after Akanishi's return was publicly announced.
