On Christmas Eve, capsule’s “Live in Tokyo” EP went on sale on both the Japan and US iTunes Stores. In 2008, iTunes passed Walmart in music sales, making it the number 1 music retailer in the US. This makes the trendsetting electronic Japanese duo now widely available to the American music market. All that’s left is for America to give them a listen.
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Tags: capsule, chiptek, electronic, japan, jpop, music

Right now, I am currently addicted to the main theme from the film Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence composed by Sakamoto Ryuichi. To me, it’s one of those songs I hear all the time, and I know I have heard this somewhere . . . but regardless, this song is so pretty. I just discovered the composer and the title of this song mere few weeks ago, and I’m glad I did. Just in time for the end of the year. This song has this hopeful and optimistic feel to it that it actually lifts up my spirit. Right now, the world’s all suffering from the financial troubles. I hope by the end of next year, it will be somewhat stabilized.

Anyway, I hope 2009 will be a great year for everyone! To the world and to us at Ningin!
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Tags: film, music, sakamoto ryuichi

Pony Canyon, one of the biggest Japanese names in music, movie and anime, has signed electronica artist she to debut in 2009. With this exclusive interview, we unmask the man/woman/people behind the mysterious she…

Spoiler: Proceed only if you want to see the real face of she!
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Tags: chiptune, electronic, jpop, music, pony canyon, she

When Jerry posted this, it reminded me of Nick and Sam Henline. These two performed a Nintendo Medley duet on the piano at their talent show and won first place. The medley consisted of songs from Mario, Zelda, and Kirby. Later, they also did a Legend of Zelda Medley. A copy of their sheet music can be found here and click on the cut to see their performances.

I’m thoroughly impressed by their talent. Makes me want to find someone to play video game music duet on the piano now!
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Tags: kirby, mario, music, nick henline, nintendo, piano, sam henline, video game, zelda

For Asian artists, 2008 seems to be the year of comebacks, newcomers, and tenth anniversaries. Here I’ve created a list ranking my top ten songs of 2008.
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Tags: ami suzuki, arashi, Ayumi Hamasaki, big bang, dbsk, epik high, j-pop, k-pop, lee hyori, music, shinee, son dambi, wonder girls, Youtube

Last month, when I admitted my love for Dong Bang Shin Gi, I mentioned how I was “won over with its prettiness and its awesome vocals” for a particular song. That song is “Love in the Ice”, and even a month later, I am still obsessing over this song. Someone shoot me now.

Then again, it doesn’t help that I watched these two Youtube videos of them singing this, and after I’ve seen their emotional performance, I love it more. Damn you, DBSG, for your beautiful singing! Now I want all of you to come serenade me for the rest of my life. Either that or perform another one of those “stay away from porno” radio skit and make me laugh until I’m breathless!

Anyway, here are the two videos that I keep watching to listen to this song. Just, guh. Words cannot define how much I love this song. Seriously, once my sinuses are healed, I will drag a friend with me to the nearest no rae bang and sing this song! Hell will be unleashed if the no rae bang doesn’t have this song!
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Tags: dong bang shin gi, jpop, korea, kpop, love in the ice, music, no rae bang

Last month, I had used H.O.T.’s “Candy” as my “classics” series. This time, I shall bring back their “rivals”, the six-members group called Sechs Kies. Even though they were “rivals”, I liked both for different reasons. Well, more for the same reasons since they were awesome, cute, great music, and etcetera.

To get to the point of this entry, this song’s pretty neat. It’s catchy, fun to dance to, and come on, six guys singing and dancing? That’s fun to watch! Anyway, this song’s the first Sechs Kies song I have listened to and thus became a fan of them. It’s a shame, though, that they disbanded so quickly. Three years? Man. Ah, well. At least I got to seem them at a free concert, at a park in Dongdaemun Stadium area, Jongno-gu, before they quit!
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Tags: dongdaemun stadium, hot, jongno-gu, korea, kpop, music, pump it up, sechs kies

BoA has worked with many artists throughout her career, with each single being a hit. Though she is in the states now, we can only hope that she continues her collaborative collection.
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Tags: boa kwon, collaborations, music, singles

Like many obedient Asian kids, I grew up learning an instrument - piano, in my case. I learned my scales, I did my dozen-a-days, learned a couple songs and eventually did a few recitals. But then, some time in middle school, I just stopped. It’s not that I didn’t like doing it, but there was just no passion. Playing piano was only mindless fun for me - the same as playing soccer during summers, the same as drinking ramune at the night markets - fun to do and fun to reminisce about, but I wouldn’t miss it. Still, a strange yearning egged at me whenever I passed by a piano store at the mall, or heard piano music being played while taking a piss at the local fancy restaurant (hey, details matter). Or whenever I was in Taiwan and it was trash day - those damn trash trucks always blast a butchered midi version of Fur Elise to let the aunties know they’re coming, kind of like how the neighborhood kids start jumping around like rabid snowmen when the ice cream truck rolls around.
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Tags: anime, final fantasy, game, music, piano, sheet music

This article is what led me to discover this new Amerasian (1/2 Korean and 1/2 Caucasian I assume) singer. Born Priscilla Natalie Hartranft, she decided to change her last name to her Korean mother’s native name to reflect her Asian heritage. Born in Georgia and after a stint in Korea, she grew up in Pennsylvania. After high school, she was encouraged to expand her musical skills, so she went to Los Angeles, California.

She independently made an album, Priscilla Ahn, and Blue Note Records discovered her talents and took her in to their company. Her next album, A Good Day was released earlier this year, along with her first single, “Dream”. That song’s received more attention when it was used for season four finale of Grey’s Anatomy.

Amazingly, enough, she will actually be on a tour in Seoul, at Hongik University (Hongdae) on December 4, 2008. I actually took the time to listen to a few of her songs and discovered that I like her style. She’s like Norah Jones on the guitar, but better. I like her voice. It’s really pretty. It’s a darn shame that I can’t go to the performance, though. Something called work is my first priority.
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Tags: amerasian, california, georgia, grey's anatomy, hongdae, korea, los angeles, mapo-gu, music, new york, pennsylvania, priscilla ahn