1 Japan tour Blog (Part 2)

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

2 Japan Tour Blog (Part 1)

OK so after a crazy final few gig filled days in the UK, I step off the flight alarmingly refreshed for my 3rd tour in Japan.

30 shows in all over 5 weeks.

Priorities set in – and I head straight for sushi.

Then onto my first show the same night at Anga in Chiba. A nervy but wonderful start to the evening and return faces are keen for the new record. Which is the most awesome reaction I can hope to meet.

Next day is my only day off so far and I stock up on essentials (pics, strings, leads, Rare Vinyl of Supergrass and Radiohead ((must have been in an oxford mood)) before hitting the sake.

Then comes my return to the fold with a show at Chiba. At this point a guy who bought the record on the first night (Eiji) turns up with a Keyboard under his arm and the infomation that he has learnt to play 3 songs from the new record. So we rock it Duo style for `Cage is Rattling`, `Map of Shibuya` and `Watching paint`. Before being joined by a great English tenor Sax player (Graham)for improntu versions of `You know the Score` and `Sleep Tight`

Then I head to Tokyo where I play a show everynight before taking the overnight bus to Kobe where the daily gigs continue.  At Cafe Mignon I had the surprise and pleasure to discover that one of my audience members is the daughter to Japanese Film Score Composer `Ryuichi Sakamoto`. He is most famous for his work on the David Bowie/Takeshi Kitano Film `Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence`. She was real cool as were all the staff. If a show a day wasn`t enough then the addition of 3 shows in Osaka in one day add massively to the pace. No time for being tired in Japan. Just ask the locals.

The Japanese audiences have been simply amazing to play to so far with 12 shows in 10 days to say things have been mental doesn`t quite cut it.

Thanks must go to Folks who have housed me. Hiroto and his family and to Daisuke. Also to Naomi Hirata who has been moral and language support throughout this whole start.

More to follow……

Stoo

🙂