Here it is, my final video:
Mojaco: A story of a band in Tokyo from Keith McCreary on Vimeo.
While there are some sound issues and I don't particularly like my own voice over and I think I could do better, it's something I'm a bit proud of. I hope I can go back and fix some of the problems I commented on and make it even better.
So, everyone, what do you think?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Music in Japan (part 7)
After a while, it became quite routine for me to join Mojaco at their shows. I would see them almost every time they played, and often we would go for drinks afterward. One time, we stayed at a club until first train, and another time we met for yakiniku in Asakusa and went to karaoke after dining. It was quite an evening as all of us, including one of my friends and about 3 or 4 of their friends, went stumbling drunkenly around the famous temple in Asakusa, much to the confusion of some German tourists.
When I was asked to make a story about something involving Tokyo, I almost instantly thought about this band which I fostered an odd relationship. At one show, I asked them if they would be interested in helping me out. The guitarist and the drummer/singer were very enthusiastic, but the bass player took some convincing. It's my opinion that she is a bit shy.
I started filming with my friend who is Japanese and speaks fluent English. I was hoping to capture some of the dynamics of me interacting with a band in broken languages, however this didn't end up getting captured on film. Any time I had a camera in my hands, conversation was almost killed, as I couldn't be close enough to them for a good, relaxing conversation.
What I did get was a couple really good live performances captured on tape. I wanted to show their energy on stage, as it doesn't totally come across in the recordings of theirs that I've heard.
I also got a chance to sit down and interview them. This was a bit odd, because first off, it was at a dark, noisy izakaya. It was also odd because my friend took over due to the language barrier. She did a good job, but I felt a little odd not knowing what was being said.
After recording, editing was quite fun, but a little rough in spots. Throughout the interview, I felt it was too dark and when I went to go lighten it, it got too grainy. I got what was I hope a good balance between grain and brightness. The live performances came out better than I expected and sounded really good for what I was working wish. I wanted to include the whole performances in the video, but that would have made it much too long and woud have probably bored anyone who didn't know the band beforehand. Maybe later I'll put them online.
When I was asked to make a story about something involving Tokyo, I almost instantly thought about this band which I fostered an odd relationship. At one show, I asked them if they would be interested in helping me out. The guitarist and the drummer/singer were very enthusiastic, but the bass player took some convincing. It's my opinion that she is a bit shy.
I started filming with my friend who is Japanese and speaks fluent English. I was hoping to capture some of the dynamics of me interacting with a band in broken languages, however this didn't end up getting captured on film. Any time I had a camera in my hands, conversation was almost killed, as I couldn't be close enough to them for a good, relaxing conversation.
What I did get was a couple really good live performances captured on tape. I wanted to show their energy on stage, as it doesn't totally come across in the recordings of theirs that I've heard.
I also got a chance to sit down and interview them. This was a bit odd, because first off, it was at a dark, noisy izakaya. It was also odd because my friend took over due to the language barrier. She did a good job, but I felt a little odd not knowing what was being said.
After recording, editing was quite fun, but a little rough in spots. Throughout the interview, I felt it was too dark and when I went to go lighten it, it got too grainy. I got what was I hope a good balance between grain and brightness. The live performances came out better than I expected and sounded really good for what I was working wish. I wanted to include the whole performances in the video, but that would have made it much too long and woud have probably bored anyone who didn't know the band beforehand. Maybe later I'll put them online.
Music in Japan (part 6)
Upon entering the club, I paid my money and was asked "Who did you come to see?" I was surprised by the question, as I've never been asked that question. I was also charged more than I expected, as I was forced to buy a drink ticket, which is apparently normal here.
Being the only white guy in a place is something that I've become accustomed to, as it happens quite often. Being alone in a club is an awkward experience, but I've become familiar with that feeling too. Both at the same time is a tad odd, but even more strange when there are about 8 people and they all seem to know eachother. Also, I arrived on time, which was close to half an hour before the first band played, so I'm alone in a basement club by myself surrounded by people I can't talk to. I was fidgeting with my phone, but my phone didn't get any reception underground.
After hanging out for a bit, Mojaco arrived and they recognized me before I recognized them. They seemed quite honored and pleased to see me and I was terrifically happy to see that they remembered me and desired my company.
After the show, they invited me to join them in a "New Years" party (as it was mid January) at an Izakaya. I met a bunch of their friends and we drank copious amounts of Sake and had a generally great time. Some of their friends could speak some English and I had my translation dictionary handy, which proved essential.
When it came time to go, they absolutely refused to let me pay, and treated me way better than they should have. I was quite greatful, and I told them I'd check out their next show that I could.
Being the only white guy in a place is something that I've become accustomed to, as it happens quite often. Being alone in a club is an awkward experience, but I've become familiar with that feeling too. Both at the same time is a tad odd, but even more strange when there are about 8 people and they all seem to know eachother. Also, I arrived on time, which was close to half an hour before the first band played, so I'm alone in a basement club by myself surrounded by people I can't talk to. I was fidgeting with my phone, but my phone didn't get any reception underground.
After hanging out for a bit, Mojaco arrived and they recognized me before I recognized them. They seemed quite honored and pleased to see me and I was terrifically happy to see that they remembered me and desired my company.
After the show, they invited me to join them in a "New Years" party (as it was mid January) at an Izakaya. I met a bunch of their friends and we drank copious amounts of Sake and had a generally great time. Some of their friends could speak some English and I had my translation dictionary handy, which proved essential.
When it came time to go, they absolutely refused to let me pay, and treated me way better than they should have. I was quite greatful, and I told them I'd check out their next show that I could.
Music in Japan (part 5)
The show with my roommate was the first time I went to an indie show in Japan. I had a lot of fun and I saw something like 5 bands that ranged from forgettable to quite good. Two of my favorites being Highered-Girl and B.B. Mojaco.
Mojaco was a 3-piece band with a drummer that doubled as a lead singer. They were really entertaining to watch as all of them, especially the drummer/singer, seemed almost overjoyed to be on stage. The lead singer's voice was so amazingly high-pitched, it didn't sound real. If I heard them recorded, I would have sworn someone altered the voice. But, seeing them live, and hearing her talk between songs, I knew it actually sounded like that. I can clearly understand why some people wouldn't like it, but I do.
After the show, I talked to them a bit with my broken Japanese and their broken English. I got their website, email, and phone number. When I got home I looked them up and found out about their next shows.
The first show of theirs I went to solo was quite an odd experience. First off, finding the club was a bit rough. They had a website, but it was all in Japanese. I checked other English websites and few were of any help, as it was a small club and not a place famous at all. I finally found a website made by an English-speaking fan of Japanese metal bands. He'd been to that club and had rather detailed instructions to get there. It told me to go out of Shinjuku south exit, turn right and walk for what seemed like too far. It really is an odd walk, as there's nothing but corporate offices for a while, then suddenly there is a major interstate hovering above your left shoulder while you walk. It doesn't seem right. Like, why would someone start a club HERE? It's the logical equivalent to putting an office for a stock trading company in the smack middle of Harajuku or some other illogical place.
But, as the instructions said, I kept walking until I saw a sex shop, which much like the club itself, seemed to have no business in this neighborhood. Right after that, I took an immedate right and saw the club. I felt really nervous and awkward.
Mojaco was a 3-piece band with a drummer that doubled as a lead singer. They were really entertaining to watch as all of them, especially the drummer/singer, seemed almost overjoyed to be on stage. The lead singer's voice was so amazingly high-pitched, it didn't sound real. If I heard them recorded, I would have sworn someone altered the voice. But, seeing them live, and hearing her talk between songs, I knew it actually sounded like that. I can clearly understand why some people wouldn't like it, but I do.
After the show, I talked to them a bit with my broken Japanese and their broken English. I got their website, email, and phone number. When I got home I looked them up and found out about their next shows.
The first show of theirs I went to solo was quite an odd experience. First off, finding the club was a bit rough. They had a website, but it was all in Japanese. I checked other English websites and few were of any help, as it was a small club and not a place famous at all. I finally found a website made by an English-speaking fan of Japanese metal bands. He'd been to that club and had rather detailed instructions to get there. It told me to go out of Shinjuku south exit, turn right and walk for what seemed like too far. It really is an odd walk, as there's nothing but corporate offices for a while, then suddenly there is a major interstate hovering above your left shoulder while you walk. It doesn't seem right. Like, why would someone start a club HERE? It's the logical equivalent to putting an office for a stock trading company in the smack middle of Harajuku or some other illogical place.
But, as the instructions said, I kept walking until I saw a sex shop, which much like the club itself, seemed to have no business in this neighborhood. Right after that, I took an immedate right and saw the club. I felt really nervous and awkward.
Music in Japan (part 4)
When I first got here, I found going to shows a lot more difficult than I imagined. First off, I don't like going to shows alone. I will, but it's not as much fun. I didn't know many people right off that were interested in joining me.
More than lack of company, my biggest problem was the language barrier. Finding Japanese bands is not that easy if you can't read Japanese. Even once I found a band I wanted to see, without knowledge of Kanji, I couldn't easily (if at all) find where they were playing. Sure, there are English resources like Metropolis magazine and Tokyo gig guide, but they focus primarily on mainstream artists and foreign acts in Japan. As for mainstream acts, I found ticket costs to be quite overwhelming, but this wasn't the root of the problem. The real problem was that I didn't want to see top 20 artists, I wanted to see the best of the independent bands. Since there are so many indie shows and so few English speaking audience members, there is very little information in English about them.
After I moved out of the dorms, I ended up living with a bass player. He had a band, and a few weeks after living here, he was playing a show and invited me and my other roommate along.
More than lack of company, my biggest problem was the language barrier. Finding Japanese bands is not that easy if you can't read Japanese. Even once I found a band I wanted to see, without knowledge of Kanji, I couldn't easily (if at all) find where they were playing. Sure, there are English resources like Metropolis magazine and Tokyo gig guide, but they focus primarily on mainstream artists and foreign acts in Japan. As for mainstream acts, I found ticket costs to be quite overwhelming, but this wasn't the root of the problem. The real problem was that I didn't want to see top 20 artists, I wanted to see the best of the independent bands. Since there are so many indie shows and so few English speaking audience members, there is very little information in English about them.
After I moved out of the dorms, I ended up living with a bass player. He had a band, and a few weeks after living here, he was playing a show and invited me and my other roommate along.
Music in Japan (part 3)
After the collection phase of Japanese music, I still kept listening to Japanese music. The soundtrack of my life was no longer exclusively in English. I got to see the Polysics play live in San Francisco, and Puffy play twice. While the Puffy show was interesting but not great, the Polysics put on a fantastic performance.
Some people I knew had a hard time understanding why I liked music in a language I didn't know, but considering that Japanese people (and many others) listen to a lot of American or British music, it's not really that bizarre of a concept.
When someone asks me "Why did you move to Japan?", my response usually is something generic about wanting to live in another country and hoping to explore the world and see something new. The truth is, like most people, my reasons for moving here are not simple, nor can they be stated in a sentience or two.
I won't deny that one of the reasons I came here was due to music.
Some people I knew had a hard time understanding why I liked music in a language I didn't know, but considering that Japanese people (and many others) listen to a lot of American or British music, it's not really that bizarre of a concept.
When someone asks me "Why did you move to Japan?", my response usually is something generic about wanting to live in another country and hoping to explore the world and see something new. The truth is, like most people, my reasons for moving here are not simple, nor can they be stated in a sentience or two.
I won't deny that one of the reasons I came here was due to music.
Music in Japan (part 2)
After my friend found the goldmine of Japanese music, we started collecting videos at an amazing rate. We weren't picky at all, and essentially anything that came from Japan, we got the video and watched it. This included a lot of really terrible music videos, and since J-pop was the easiest to acquire, the majority of the collection was made out of that. Some of it was truly terrible and some was half decent.
After a while, we sort of hit a wall. Everything we heard of, we got. At one point, we had well over 300 Japanese music videos and estimated that we probably had one of the largest, if not THE largest, collection of J-Pop DVD quality videos in North America. At this time, my friend was my roommate, and we built a computer to store the videos, among other things.
When it was difficult to find videos, hunting for new videos or songs was a challenge, but when we realized we can get anything we want with almost no effort, it got less exciting. Once the novelty of collecting wore off, we sorta gathered a few artists worth remembering and tracked them, their side projects, recommended similar bands, and perused Japanese music that way. It was this point I started listening to Shiina Ringo, Pe'z, Polysics, RIP Slyme, the Brilliant Green, The Pillows, Bump of Chicken, Mr. Children, Blankey Jet City, and several others.
After a while, we sort of hit a wall. Everything we heard of, we got. At one point, we had well over 300 Japanese music videos and estimated that we probably had one of the largest, if not THE largest, collection of J-Pop DVD quality videos in North America. At this time, my friend was my roommate, and we built a computer to store the videos, among other things.
When it was difficult to find videos, hunting for new videos or songs was a challenge, but when we realized we can get anything we want with almost no effort, it got less exciting. Once the novelty of collecting wore off, we sorta gathered a few artists worth remembering and tracked them, their side projects, recommended similar bands, and perused Japanese music that way. It was this point I started listening to Shiina Ringo, Pe'z, Polysics, RIP Slyme, the Brilliant Green, The Pillows, Bump of Chicken, Mr. Children, Blankey Jet City, and several others.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Music in Japan (part 1)
Several years ago, I was wandering around San Francisco with my girlfriend at the time, and we stumbled upon a music video demo machine from Japan. There was a little menu and you could choose which video you wanted to watch. My girlfriend at the time saw a cute music video and liked it. While it was quite cheezy and bad, I was amazed at the production quality of it all.
Later on, I was visiting Japantown and on a fluke, I saw the CD with that song on it so I picked it up. The whole album was pretty lame pop, but the over-the-top production quality really drew me in.
Later on, a friend and I started to research Japanese music. It was kind of a game to see who could find out most information. This lead me to some terrible Japanese bands. What kept us going is both our love of really stupid music videos and the occasional good band that would slip out. Also, I felt the American music scene was becoming somewhat of a bland wasteland of generic songs by boring singers. Even though a lot of the Japanese music was bad, it was at least interesting and different.
After a while, my friend hit the jackpot. He stumbled upon an English speaking community based upon sharing Japanese music and videos. We went almost overnight from trying to get anything we could to having our choice of DVD-quality music videos right at our fingertips. Besides the quality difference between the previous stuff we could get recorded off of TV, the selection was amazing. This added much fuel to the all-raging fire of interest I had towards modern Japanese music.
Later on, I was visiting Japantown and on a fluke, I saw the CD with that song on it so I picked it up. The whole album was pretty lame pop, but the over-the-top production quality really drew me in.
Later on, a friend and I started to research Japanese music. It was kind of a game to see who could find out most information. This lead me to some terrible Japanese bands. What kept us going is both our love of really stupid music videos and the occasional good band that would slip out. Also, I felt the American music scene was becoming somewhat of a bland wasteland of generic songs by boring singers. Even though a lot of the Japanese music was bad, it was at least interesting and different.
After a while, my friend hit the jackpot. He stumbled upon an English speaking community based upon sharing Japanese music and videos. We went almost overnight from trying to get anything we could to having our choice of DVD-quality music videos right at our fingertips. Besides the quality difference between the previous stuff we could get recorded off of TV, the selection was amazing. This added much fuel to the all-raging fire of interest I had towards modern Japanese music.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Artist Statement
Of the many reasons I came to Japan, one was because of Japanese music. A few years back, I recall listening to a modern Japanese rock CD and being quite blown away. Everything seemed much more creative, interesting, and original than anything found in the mainstream American world. Even Japanese pop, while often times generic fluff or outright bad, is generally produced far better than American pop.
Shortly after I came to Tokyo, I became friends with a small-scale local band. Over the last six months, I have been to the majority of their shows and have hung out with them for hours afterwards. Despite the obvious communications problems, as their poor English is much better than my very poor Japanese, we have become friends and always look forward to seeing eachother.
Being in a band before in America and helping friends in other bands extensively, I understand what it's like to play shows, practice, record, and live the life of an independent musician in a country where everyone has their own equipment, a place to practice, and a vehicle to haul gear around with. In Japan, but especially Tokyo, I'm learning that the situation is quite different. It is my intent to follow this band around and create a mini documentary about their lives and how they preform in the city. Hopefully their experiences and music can create a snapshot of a band in the largest metropolis in the world.
Shortly after I came to Tokyo, I became friends with a small-scale local band. Over the last six months, I have been to the majority of their shows and have hung out with them for hours afterwards. Despite the obvious communications problems, as their poor English is much better than my very poor Japanese, we have become friends and always look forward to seeing eachother.
Being in a band before in America and helping friends in other bands extensively, I understand what it's like to play shows, practice, record, and live the life of an independent musician in a country where everyone has their own equipment, a place to practice, and a vehicle to haul gear around with. In Japan, but especially Tokyo, I'm learning that the situation is quite different. It is my intent to follow this band around and create a mini documentary about their lives and how they preform in the city. Hopefully their experiences and music can create a snapshot of a band in the largest metropolis in the world.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Three day project 3
On the third day of my project, it was a weekday afternoon and slightly raining. Unlike the other two times, the park was almost completely deserted. I was hoping to talk to someone, however most people didn't seem interested in talking or didn't know English. There was an old man who was practicing sword-fighting with an umbrella.
I did get a chance to walk around the track a few times It was quiet and relaxing. I took some pictures from inside the loop.
I took a close up of the "Dogs must be kept on leashes" sign. I liked how the leash was looped around the circle and slash, yet everything else was in front of it.
It was almost a different place from the original site I had visited over the weekend, as it was empty and practically deserted. It was interesting how thick the grass was in the center, something I didn't notice from afar.
I took a close up of the "Dogs must be kept on leashes" sign. I liked how the leash was looped around the circle and slash, yet everything else was in front of it.
It was almost a different place from the original site I had visited over the weekend, as it was empty and practically deserted. It was interesting how thick the grass was in the center, something I didn't notice from afar.
Three day project 2
On the second day of my three day project, I revisited Inokashira park's running track on a weekday after 5. Unlike the first day, there were a lot fewer runners, but there were a ton of people with dogs. The atmosphere was very relaxed and people were just enjoying themselves.
Three day project 1.
For my three day project, I decided to go to Inokashira park. This park is near my house and normally, when I get free time, I go to the lake by Kichijoji station. There is another part of the park where there is a big track for running that I rarely ever visit. For this project, I thought I would explore this area.
On my first day, it was a sunny weekend and I saw all sorts of people running around the track and just relaxing in the middle. There was a large group of high school aged kids playing games and after a while, a baseball team appeared and started just doing stretches and hanging out.
What really struck me was the rage of ages of people running around. There were old and young people, men and women, some dressed in full running gear and some dressed in just shorts and t-shirts.
Friday, May 30, 2008
3 ideas/dead internet.
For some reason, my internet has been completely dead for the last 3 days. I sent my company an email, but there hasn't been a response yet. I can leech from a local unsecured wireless, but the connection is quite unreliable and incredibly slow. Uploading pictures for my 3 day assignment is not possible and taking the video I shot and putting it online is unthinkable.
I have three ideas for my final project. First, and most likely the one I'm going to work on, is mainly about independent bands in Tokyo, and specifically about a band that I have become friends with. I know a lot about shows and bands in America, but in Japan and especially Tokyo, it seems to be a whole different story. I would like to follow the members of a band around and find out how and where they practice, record, set up shows, etc. I spoke with the members of this band on Tuesday and the drummer/singer and guitar player were very happy with the idea, but the bass player was skeptical. She finally agreed, but didn't seen excited. Of the three, she is the one who speaks English the best, as the other two really don't speak any English at all. Communicating with them is always a fun challenge for me, but for this project, I might need some outside help.
The second idea for a project is based on an English cafe I started working at. It's a conversational cafe where people come in and pay to hang out and speak in English. Apparently some people have been going there for over twenty years. The owner/manager seems friendly enough, but I'm just curious on the cafe's history and outlook for the future.
My third idea is the yakitori stand across the street from me. My neighborhood is for the most part, quite modern. There are very few old buildings and one of them contains an aging yakitori stand. From what I have seen, they get enough foot traffic to keep them in business but I'm not sure for how long. With a supermarket selling yakitori next door and a convenience store down the street that also sells yakitori 24 hours a day along with a really nice place inside my train station that opened at the beginning of the year, the dedicated yakitori stand seems very dated. Also, the building itself is quite run down and I just wonder how they can survive in today's world.
Of the three, I'm pretty sure I'm doing #1, but I am interested in the other two.
Hopefully if I'm lucky, I'll be able to post this. When my internet comes back to life, or Tuesday at the latest, I'll post my 3 day project.
I have three ideas for my final project. First, and most likely the one I'm going to work on, is mainly about independent bands in Tokyo, and specifically about a band that I have become friends with. I know a lot about shows and bands in America, but in Japan and especially Tokyo, it seems to be a whole different story. I would like to follow the members of a band around and find out how and where they practice, record, set up shows, etc. I spoke with the members of this band on Tuesday and the drummer/singer and guitar player were very happy with the idea, but the bass player was skeptical. She finally agreed, but didn't seen excited. Of the three, she is the one who speaks English the best, as the other two really don't speak any English at all. Communicating with them is always a fun challenge for me, but for this project, I might need some outside help.
The second idea for a project is based on an English cafe I started working at. It's a conversational cafe where people come in and pay to hang out and speak in English. Apparently some people have been going there for over twenty years. The owner/manager seems friendly enough, but I'm just curious on the cafe's history and outlook for the future.
My third idea is the yakitori stand across the street from me. My neighborhood is for the most part, quite modern. There are very few old buildings and one of them contains an aging yakitori stand. From what I have seen, they get enough foot traffic to keep them in business but I'm not sure for how long. With a supermarket selling yakitori next door and a convenience store down the street that also sells yakitori 24 hours a day along with a really nice place inside my train station that opened at the beginning of the year, the dedicated yakitori stand seems very dated. Also, the building itself is quite run down and I just wonder how they can survive in today's world.
Of the three, I'm pretty sure I'm doing #1, but I am interested in the other two.
Hopefully if I'm lucky, I'll be able to post this. When my internet comes back to life, or Tuesday at the latest, I'll post my 3 day project.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
First post.
Welcome. This is the site where I will be posting for my Tokyo Stories class. I also have a personal blog, which can be viewed by looking at my profile.
Our first assignment is to spend an hour or so at a location for 3 days. I'm planning on going to Inokashira park, as it's close to my house and a nice place. I'm quite familiar with the park near the station area with the lake, but I would like to go to the area of the park with the running track as I've only been there a few times and never spent more than a couple minutes at this location.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
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