Tammy’s J-Rock Resolutions for 2010

I heard my first Japanese rock song about 10 years ago. Since then, I’ve had an “on-again, off-again” love affair with Asian music. The following is my list of resolutions for 2010 that involve listening to, purchasing from, and exploring the J-Rock and J-Pop worlds.

1. Learn more of the classics. I already listen to many of the originators, innovators, and pioneers like BUCK-TICK, Malice Mizer, X JAPAN, GLAY, and T.M.Revolution, but I really need to familiarize with more than “just what I like.” I need to branch out from the standards in my collection and really dig deep into the catalogs of bands like Shonen Knife, The Alfee, and BOOWY.

2. Collect the entire catalog from at least one band. I have several discs from many bands, but not a complete discography from any one band or artist. I’m talking actual physical releases, not just bootlegs imported from the streets of Tokyo. I want the real deal. Who should I pick though? Some of my favorites (BUCK-TICK) have a mindbloggling number of albums, singles, mini-discs, special issues, limited editions, re-releases and represses, import versions, and whatnot because they’ve been around for 25+ years. So maybe I should pick a more recent band. I could go with Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet- since I already have 70% of what they’ve released, but that hardly posses a challenge. Maybe I’ll just see what the Fates have in store for me whilst browsing eBay.

3. Attend as many live events as possible. Supporting bands in the U.S. is a big deal to me. Whether they be American, Japanese, Australian, or Israeli, I’m a big fan of encouraging attendance and promotion of live music. Last year I was too busy in my personal life to make it to any Japanese music events despite having more to choose from than ever. I wont let that happen again this year because 2010 is shaping up to be a big year for J-Rock in the U.S. I told myself that I could only make it to one event in 2009, and so I skipped VAMPS, Dir en grey, GLAY, Miyavi, Versailles -PQ-, Moi dix Mois, and Sigh because I was holding out for “promised” U.S. appearances from T.M.Revolution, abingdon boys school, and X JAPAN. Of course, none of the three I wanted to see ever came to pass and all the others did, effectively leaving my holding my “One Free Pass” card well into 2010. That will have to change. I’m sure I’ll have to travel a great distance for any of these shows but the goal has been set!

4. Do more to support the growing J-Rock movement in the U.S. It’s incredibly important to me to continue pushing the J-Rock movement and continually making people aware of the scene here in the States. Whether it be buying shirts and CDs of Japanese bands at Hot Topic, attending the music concerts at anime conventions (that’s two goals in one there!), writing reviews of new releases, loaning music to friends, listening to U.S.-based online Japanese rock radio stations, buying from iTunes and Amazon when available, and sneaking some songs into the playlist at work, it all contributes to the greater cause.

5. Find more outlets to write about J-Rock/J-Pop. So far, I have 4 unique places I can put reviews, editorials, or promotional pieces about Japanese music, but only 2 of them are actual publications. I’d like to get involved with more print media and web blogging groups (like Rekuru!!) in a more “official” way. Posting blogs on my own blogspot or LiveJournal isn’t the same as providing content for a printed magazine or popular website. I guess this ties in with resolution #4 to help support and grow the J-Rock scene in the U.S.

6. Pray for BUCK-TICK to come to the U.S. Okay, so this one is obviously a joke for two reasons. 1 - Who prays for a band to tour? 2 - BUCK-TICK will never tour the U.S. because one of them has a fear of flying….. I won’t give up hope!

7. Learn the dance moves to the next popular J-Pop video. Whatever it is, I will learn it. Even if it’s totally ridiculous and a song I really dislike, I will learn it. I guess this is a challenge more than a resolution, but the hidden motivation is my “real life” resolution to get into (a better) shape.

8. Cosplay as a J-Rocker at Anime D-Tour. I know how to sew, but not very well, so I’d like to brush up on my skills in order to make an awesome costume for the only good anime con in the Twin Cities. Who should I pick?

9. Buy a J-Rock calendar. Every year I say I’m going to buy one of the popular J-Rock calendars, and I never do. I should start with this one, but will probably get this also. It will happen in 2010!

10. Support musician side-projects. Many artists have more than venture that fans can appreciate. For instance, Takanori Nishikawa (T.M.Revolution) is also a popular actor, television personality, and radio host and Mana (Moi dix Mois) has, of course, his amazing fashion line, Moi-même-Moitié.

Okay that’s enough for now. If I think of anything else really pressing that I should include, I’ll make a part 2. Hopefully I can get all this done and have something to write about at the end of the year. Wish me luck!