OK so I hit Osaka to Launch the new album at the Kansai Music Conference.
However I discover my festival is not the only one going on. This traditional (And Totally mantal festival is also in town)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uihvpi7qFG8
Fortunatly I keep well out the way of dodge and get down to some intense gigging. Again I meet a few familier faces along the way and owe thanks to Ceri of Shinsaibashi Socio for putting on such a great night for working around my crazy time table.
The Festival goes for 3 days and players from all over the world are there to showcase there talents.
My main set was in the Museam of Japanese History and I literally played as hard and loud as I could to not get lost in the massive auditorium space. Loops are in overdrive. I was joined by guests including drummer Usk who is just one of the most incredible drummers I`ve ever met. So fluent yet striking and unpredictable in his style we played `You Know the Score` in a way I`ve never imagined.
Then came the show that I had been anticipating for sometime. My Good friend Wax (The Ventz) toured in the UK last year and I helped him to get some shows and a place to stay (Thanks Mum). To return the favour he not only got me a show at my favourite Live house in Japan (Bar Varit). But he also got me a show with my favourite Japanese artist. A lady called `Haco`.
http://www.japanimprov.com/haco/index.html
Her music is a very unique blend of avant guard and original pop. One of her songs is the most played track on my Ipod by quite a long way and I had a period of about 2 years where I couldn`t stop listening to her album `Riska`. In short, I think she is a true artist.
So I stepped off stage from my soundcheck to find her waiting to take to the stage. She is a very petite and well mannered lady who was polite and gracious to me as I struggled to overcome the fact that I was meeting the creator of the music I had grown to love so much.
As the evening progressed we both played our sets and I came to a point where my sickofantic ways had been tamed a little and we were conversing on a more mutual level. She was a little taken aback I think to discover how much of her music I knew, and when I gave her my three records as a gift she offered me a trade only to discover I owned everything already. At which point I reminded her `I really am a big fan`. She responded with, “Yes you must be my biggest fan in the world.” However she then reached into her bag and gave me a promo CD that had never been released. “This is a gift for you that you will never find anywhere. I hope you enjoy.”
We then (With members of the Ventz – Who Rocked!!!) had post show sake and sushi. A wonderful evening I will never forget.
Thank you Wax 🙂
I now have my first day off where I will relax and be a tourist.
I love this country.
Stoo
Stuart O'Connor 
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