Yoshida brothers

I went to Yoshida brothers' concert on Aug 1st.

 

Last time at Osaka was including other instruments like drums.
This time "only shamisen", no other sounds.

Shamisen has 3 strings, that means 2 shamisens have 6 strings equal one guitar.
It was very rich sound. (I don't know how to describe)

 

Stage set is like this.
Moon and clouds are made of Sekishu-Washi, which is Japanese traditional paper.
This concert is one of Japan Value Project, Sekishu-Washi is very durable paper, they promote this.
Cloud part, paper includes shamisen strings that brothers consumed for 35 years.

Needless to say their playing, light effect, screen were also awesome.

Honestly, I'm not big fun of Japanese traditional music at all.
What fascinates me is Tsugaru-shamisen powerful sound, and Yoshida Brothers attitude or action.
They are still young (around 40) as a shamisen player, but keep trying to explore.
Collaboration with current rock band, Spanish sound, animation music etc.
(Younger brother often goes to Spain, teaches shamisen at collage)
Their appearances are also not like orthodox style.  

I guess, in classic field, starting new thing is difficult to be accepted.
Sometimes people who stick to authentic way refuse and criticize.

They keep challenging.
That motivates and encourages me a lot.





 

LCD Soundsystem concert

On Dec 21th, we went to LCD Soundsystem concert at Brooklyn Steel.

This is opened last year, renovated old factory building.
A bit far from public transportation and city, inconvenient area.

They have serious security check like airport. Checking belonging, metal detector gate and body check. (Is that usual??)

I only know 3 albums and they played songs I don't know but all of them are very catchy, easy to get into the rhythm, swing, dance and jump.

To be frank, James (singer) is just middle age guy, not stylish, not cool appearance.
But once they started to play, their groove swallow us.
Music makes people look cool.(that's why many teens start band, like many of my friends(￣▽￣;))

He said that the day before he lost voice and couldn't utter high notes.
However this day somehow he could, it's miracle.
Still when they played "New York I love you but you're bringing me down", he couldn't sing in high voice but we chorused for him, for us. I almost cried. That atmosphere moved me a lot.

My fiancé's nieces also came to their concert, they are teenagers, they were not so excited...
This band may attract older more?

This is my 2nd day of NY stay.
Very glad to see them, thank you for getting my ticket!





 

Japanese traditional music concert

Yesterday I went to Yoshida Brothers concert!

They are famous Tsugaru Shamisen players.
Shamisen is like Japanese Banjo, it has 3 strings.
Tsugaru Shamisen has very strong attack sound when they play.
Whey they play, for me, almost rock music (and I love rock music)

A few years ago, I saw their older brother's another group named "wasabi", that was the first time to see them and listen to real Shamisen sound.
At the time, they'd been already famous.
After seeing them, I visited music school for Tsugaru Shamisen trial lesson.
(At that point, I already decided to study in NY soon, so it was really trial)

I like this instrument's sound, besides, they are young unlike other Japanese traditional musicians.
They wear casual clothes sometimes.
We don't have to dress up.
(And in my opinion, drummer is very stylish and cool guy, I'm fun of him)

In these years they play abroad like in US, Brazil, Spain, Taiwan etc.
This video, they collaborated with rock band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc4AkEC_UWU

Seeing them, I think what being Japanese means.
I'll start to live in different country from next year.
I'm Asian, Japanese.
Not Christian, not Jewish, not Muslim.
What do those mean for living in US?
As a Japanese?

I'm proud that we have such cool music.
If you have a chance, please visit and listen to their music!

 

Las Vegas shooting case

Late evening in Japan, I heard this news.
Las Vegas shooting

3 years ago, I visited this hotel

I didn't stay here, just visited because there was the biggest jewelry show in US.

 

I'm not going to write the detail of this terrible case.

I update today just because this place is kind of familiar to me and feel very sad.

And the target was music festival audiences.

 

I love music especially rock music, sometimes go to gig, concert, festival.

(Btw, yesterday's Marilyn Manson injure made me sad also. I like him for almost 20 years)

This incident is not something irrelevant to me.

If you go to concert, any event, always there is slightly possibility to be victim wherever you are.

It's a shame.

Japanese consulates tell us not to go to the place where a large unspecified number gathered.

To avoid to be involved.

 

We should stay home?

We cannot enjoy events?

We cannot go to concert?

 

We haven't known what motivated him yet so can't conclude anything.

However, this is terrible thing no matter what is motivation.

 

I'm not religious person but can't help praying for peace and,

I believe music can heal people.