TOMOKAWA!

[alex]

Looks like I'll be in Brussels on Nov 22 or in Rotterdam on Nov 29, then.

I need an introduction mix to Mikami before then, though, dammit. (<- a hint to someone who probably isn't even reading along right now)

[edison]

I should maybe look into the feasibility of Brussels myself, for a change (except if he happens to be playing in Strasbourg too, I guess, in which case you should just come here).

And yes, Campbell needs to come back urgently. I posted this only to make him jealous, after all!

[difficult]

Noted
But if you only want to make me jealous, there's no emotional incentive for me to come back is there?

Not saying it isnt working, mind.

Compilation - well, there's a fair degree of difficulty at the moment - no internet at home, my usual music computer has died completely and my other 2 are both very old and struggle with the software they have. At best, at home I can play one track at a time off hard drive.

Also, been busy planning new film, which is long overdue to get on with too. But thats not so much of an excuse

[edison]

I was kidding about the making you jealous part, of course. You are missed!

Great to hear about the new film, though - this is probably not the best of times to ask, then, but anyway, that project of making Little Bits of Light available again in some form - not on the agenda anymore?

[alex]

Hey Campbell!

Too bad to hear about the computer troubles, but it is at least good to be hearing from you once again! You have indeed been missed. Oh, and good luck with the film-making and all that!

As a (temporary) alternative to an introduction mix, which album would you recommend as a starting point for Mikami? I just received (and have not yet listened to) the International Sad Hits/i] compilation, but that's all I got.

[difficult]

Hey again -
Jean-Yves - Yes still working towards getting DVDs out by the end of the year, I'm sitting in an internet cafe having just sent some of the critical project-related emails about it - so thats definitely not left behind. 

To start with Mikami? Try Jazz and White Lines// Barking Practice from the PSF period, the Live in  Kouchi University 1972 for the early, and the recent Hoi compilation of all kinds of crazy stuff from all over the place.

[edison]

Hey again -
Jean-Yves - Yes still working towards getting DVDs out by the end of the year, I'm sitting in an internet cafe having just sent some of the critical project-related emails about it - so thats definitely not left behind. 

Excellent!

[edison]

BUMP! with some exciting news from Alan Cummings:

"There's a new Tomokawa studio album due on PSF on June 10th, to be titled "Inakamono no karagenki" (A bumpkin's dutch courage). It's the first completely solo record he's released in 16 years."

This is not a very appropriate response to this "too much great music to deal with in 2009" problem that I currently have, but I think I'll try to handle this.

[edison]

In case anyone's interested, the album (now retitled in translation "A bumpkin's empty bravado") is now available from PSF:

http://www.psfmm.com/product/11484

(That's the Japanese page, but it's $23 including shipping - just ordered my copy and cannot wait!)

[ellaguru]

I'll have to order that soon, but I need to put it off for a few weeks, as I've exhausted my discretionary funds. I'll have to reread this thread before then, I'm pretty sure there are a ton of Mikami recommendations here and I want to pick one of those as well.

[ellaguru]

Just begun the intricate p.s.f. ordering process for this new one, plus Mikami's Barking Practice. I just hope Jean-Yves' link above is correct, or gods know what I'm gonna end up with.

[edison]

Hmm, I might have confused you with that link - just to make sure you do know that the procedure for non-Japanese orders is to send an email to PSF who will then notify you of the amount of money that you have to send them, right? Although come to think of it it also probably works if you order straight from the Japanese site, I don't know.

*edited impatience about receiving new album*

[alex]

Damn, sorry to hear. At least the mail seems to be arriving fast at the moment? Hopefully the new one will get there just as quickly!

I hope this for you, but also to some extent for myself, because I think I need to hear your (likely) reaction of "ALBUM OF THE YEAR!" until I finally pull myself together and put in an order for this.

[ellaguru]

Oh, that's a drag.

I did email them and asked for the Tomokawa by title, and only linked because I didn't know the release number (couldn't find it on their English site, their new releases page hasn't been updated recently I don't think) and their English is a little bit sketch. They'll confirm by email, so it should be all sorted before they mail it out. I hope. Ah, my other orders from them have been fine, I have confidence.

Good luck on getting the album, yourself, though!

[deebog]

Sorry if this is old news, it's new to me, but it appears that Vincent Moon of La Blogotheque fame is making a Tomokawa film. He mentions it in passing on his newest blog post:

http://fiumenights.com/

"In the almost middle of the summer, swamped in a long edit on my Tomokawa movie (to be done in, november…)"


 

[edison]

Thanks deebog - I saw that, yes, pretty exciting! Still waiting for my copy of the new album, one month and a half after my order. I am trying to pretend to myself that I am not impatient, but it's really not working.

[edison]

Quite a lot of exciting developments on the Tomokawa front lately, not least this announcement on Michel Henritzi's blog:

"From the 28 April to 9 May Kazuki TOMOKAWA will on tour : France, Belgie, Holland, Danemark, Sweden & Norway."

The movie about him has apparently won a prize at the festival where it was premiered in Copenhagen, and there's a new website with, among other things, links to awesome new live videos: www.kazukitomokawa.com

[Good Intentions]

Man, if Tomokawa comes round this way you'd better believe I'd be there.

[alex]

Wow!

[Trousers and Pat]

 Yessss. With any luck, I will be there.

[ellaguru]

Heads Up that PSF Records is having a 4 for the price of 3 sale until the 15th.

[alex]

Oh, thanks! Might take advantage of that to finally get myself a copy of A Bumpkin's Empty Bravado. Does one of you happen to have some input on what else to get while I'm at it? I was thinking of some Mikami (don't have any albums by him), and specifically probably Yakichi and/or Barking Practice. And probably some more Tomokawa, too - looking through the list, I guess Sky Fish, Elise No Me and Kenshin no Ichigeki might be candidates, but I know nothing about any of them; has anyone heard those? Or any other insider tips?

[ellaguru]

Yeah, I'm taking suggestions, too. I'm thinking the recent Kim Doo Soo (the re-recordings of stuff I don't have one), some Tomokawa (don't know what), maybe give Keiji Haino a try?

I'm not that keen on Barking Practice. I think it was too harsh sounding, maybe? I'd give Mikami another go, though, if there's something prettier by him. What is Yakichi supposed to be like?

Also, A Bumpkin's Empty Bravado is really good.

[alex]

Man, I ended up totally forgetting about this deal! Just woke up today thinking of it, rushed to the computer to see when the deadline was, only to find that it was yesterday. Too bad!

[edison]

I feel partly responsible, because I kept meaning to reply to this and also forgot. But if I blame myself I suppose I should also congratulate myself for contributing to saving you money! Although it's really high time you get A Bumpkin's Empty Bravado.

Re: Mikami and Barking Practice, I don't think there's much Mikami that's significantly less harsh sounding - Campbell would have to confirm this though. Haven't heard Yakichi!