Tag Archives: Music
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URBANGARDE unguarded with Authorized Biography!

13 Apr

URBANGARDE Book CoverPolkadot Autobiography – URBANGARDE Chronicle will arrive at the end of the month to uncover the the early years of the band’s formation by band leader/vocalist Temma Matsunaga and vocalist Yoko Hamasaki. Ever since their debut in 2008, they have released over 20 albums, singles, DVDs and books. Their loyal following is to be noted. They are known for their outrageous visual performances. In this book, they reveal stories behind the band’s most outrageous and controversial songs and music videos, behind-the-scenes friction between the members, and private photos from URBANGARDE’s 12-year career. This authorized look is set to release April 27th!

This collection will also feature a new biography of keyboardist Kei Ohkubo and extensive notes about this band’s connection to Japanese subculture and national issues, including earthquakes, nuclear power, mental health, lolita culture, and pop idols.

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[Victoria Film Festival 2020] What Lurks Behind the Men’s Room is Music

7 Feb

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Feb 7 | 6:30 PM | Capitol 6
Feb 14 | 12:15 PM | The Vic

For Vi er Gutta (original title) or The Men’s Room is a sombre documentary about a men’s choir who don’t have much of a future for themselves. This movie length work by Petter Sommer and Jo Vemund Svendsen follows “The Male Choir,” a band of merry men who should be burdened with uncertainly. They are 40 somethings by my reckoning. Every Tuesday, they get together and sing the blues. It’s laced with references about women, whisky and wine one day, or that desire for rockstar fame in another. Ivar is their conductor. He helps the team fine tune their singing voice and honestly, they’re quite good. The music is therapy for them.

When they learn their lead has cancer, the plot is simple. Just how long does he have? They’ve been asked to open for Black Sabbath–no easy feat–and they better be on top of their game.

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It’s The Vintage Tempest’s Hard Rock Christmas Countdown!

16 Dec

Image result for trans siberian orchestraBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

When the malls are flooded with traditional music to get shoppers into the Christmas mood, I find I need heavy metal or grunge instead to start rocking it. When considering it’s not always going to be about hearing those sleigh bells jingling, ring tingle tingling, and the lovely weather is colder than you like, it’s time to get the body moving to stay warm! When it’s time, I’m sure the last track is cozy enough to fall asleep to.

With only ten days left for that day (instead of counting down from twelve), I offer my picks to listen down to (the order is intentional) as that annual holiday draws near:

Manic Street Preachers
Ghost of Christmas

Not everyone will know of this Welsh rock band, but when I discovered them, I was hooked! Their sound brings a touch of Roy Orbison, The Clash and perhaps Sex Pistols together in a harmony which simply caught my attention. Ghost of Christmas is simply punk at its best.

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Say よし to Yoshiki! Coming to YouTube Originals March 2020!

20 Nov

RMMS-Yoshiki-YouTube-Original-announce-1.jpgA new documentary series detailing YOSHIKI -Life of a Japanese Rock Star is slated to premiere on YouTube Originals in March 2020.

It was hand-picked by this service as part of a select group of internationally-renowned artists to be profiled. He’s likened to such powerhouses such as Paul McCartney, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, BTS, Robert Downey Jr., Will Smith, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Mark Ronson, Dwayne Johnson, and Taylor Swift. The six-episode series marks the first documentary program from a Japanese artist to be featured.

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