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The Internet Subculture That Created Japan’s Biggest Singers
read more >>>: The Internet Subculture That Created Japan’s Biggest SingersBefore Japanese artists dominated YouTube, thousands of anonymous creators gathered on Niconico. Singers, illustrators, musicians, and Vocaloid producers built an entire creative ecosystem through karaoke covers, livestreams, and late-night collaborations.
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“Music Is The Only Thing I Have”: The Depression That Nearly Ended Sakanaction
read more >>>: “Music Is The Only Thing I Have”: The Depression That Nearly Ended SakanactionFollow Sakanaction vocalist Ichiro Yamaguchi’s battle with depression, from his rise to the struggles that nearly ended one of Japan’s most influential bands.
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Inside the Mind of a Rising Japanese Photographer – Capturing Live Music and Finding Beauty in Everyday Life
read more >>>: Inside the Mind of a Rising Japanese Photographer – Capturing Live Music and Finding Beauty in Everyday LifeIn Japan, photography can feel less like content creation and more like obsession. Rising photographer Meiya discusses Japanese sensibility, live music, and the quiet humanity behind the lens.
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What I’m Listening to in Tokyo Right Now (Best Songs of 2026 So Far)
read more >>>: What I’m Listening to in Tokyo Right Now (Best Songs of 2026 So Far)Hello again OFGF fam, how is the year treating you? I won’t say some cliche about how fast time goes, but it’s, uhh, going. Hope you all have had some good music to accompany you this year! Looking for something new as spring wraps up? Here’s what I’ve actually been playing while in Tokyo lately,…
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How to Play Live Shows in Tokyo (5 Foreign-Friendly Venues)
read more >>>: How to Play Live Shows in Tokyo (5 Foreign-Friendly Venues)Wondering how to play live shows in Tokyo? This post lists five foreign-friendly venues make it easy to get on stage, meet musicians, and start performing.
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5 Nights, 20+ Bands, Zero Gatekeeping: Inside Tokyo’s Music Bridge Showcase
read more >>>: 5 Nights, 20+ Bands, Zero Gatekeeping: Inside Tokyo’s Music Bridge ShowcaseTokyo’s live music scene can feel a little closed off at first; especially if you’re not bilingual, or don’t already know someone in the room. Music Bridge Tokyo is busting down the door with their international indies artist showcase. It is a rare opportunity to experience Tokyo’s global music scene from the inside! Keep reading…
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SXSW 2026 Day 1: Inside Tokyo Calling
read more >>>: SXSW 2026 Day 1: Inside Tokyo CallingSXSW 2026 Day 1 revealed a shift in the Japanese music showcases, from changing crowds at Tokyo Calling to surprising use of AI on stage. Come with me to explore the artists, recommendations, and my feelings about SXSW’s global stage.
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5 Japanese Bassists You Should Know
read more >>>: 5 Japanese Bassists You Should KnowJapan has produced some incredible bass players, from insane jazz technicians to wild punk rockers. As a mid bassist myself, these are the players I keep coming back to while practicing and trying to get better. Here are my picks for five of the best bassists shaping the music scene today. 1. Masanori Seki My…
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The Website That Solved My “What Show Is Tonight?” Problem – LiveTribe
read more >>>: The Website That Solved My “What Show Is Tonight?” Problem – LiveTribeFinding live music in Japan can feel like detective work.You hear a rumor about a great band, track down a venue’s website, scroll through Instagram posts from six weeks ago, and maybe figure out what’s playing tonight. That’s why I was genuinely excited to discover LiveTribe, a new website that makes finding live shows in…
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The Meaning Behind Shinunoga E-wa and How Fujii Kaze Wrote His Breakout Song
read more >>>: The Meaning Behind Shinunoga E-wa and How Fujii Kaze Wrote His Breakout SongWhat made Shinunoga E-wa hit so hard, even across languages, is Fujii Kaze’s creativity – mixing a US style trap beat with playfully deep bilingual lyrics. But what does Shinunoga E-wa even mean? Today, we’re breaking down Kaze’s writing process behind the song, from the meaning of the lyrics to the inspirations that took a…