A week ago I paid a visit to live music venue NEGA・POSI. It's been quite a while since I was last there, but my visit confirmed that it is still a great spot to tap into the local music scene here in Kyoto. For 1,200 yen I got to see three acts; one I knew and two I didn't. All were charming, talented and quirky in their own special way. I'll let the music speak for itself. … [Read more...]
Kris Roche Solo Show @ Jittoku
Our friend, the singer/songwriter Kris Roche, is back in town and playing a solo show at the legendary live house Jittoku this Wednesday (17th August). Kris says, "Jittoku is going to be solo acoustic show with some banter about my travels. I'm planning on two shorter sets so that people can socialize and just hang out." Here are the details: Date: Wednesday 17th … [Read more...]
The Legend of UrBANGUILD
Let me tell you a story, about a place called UrBANGUILD... It's a kind of fairytale, but that doesn't mean it isn't true. And it all began in another place. A place that I like to call cafe underpants. Once upon a time there was an honest carpenter named Jiro. One day, Jiro was hired by a man of property to design and build a cafe. Jiro was a very fine carpenter and … [Read more...]
“Children of Water” & Morphic Jukebox @ Jittoku
Last Friday I attended the Kyoto premiere of Roger Walch's new movie "Children of Water" at Jittoku. The venue was a legendary live house in Kyoto (Japan's oldest in fact) that has been open since 1973. Like the equally famous TakuTaku the building is a converted saka-gura - a kind of traditional sake warehouse. This was my first time to visit this fine old venue. Folk … [Read more...]
The Wild Cards at Tadg’s
Just a taste of Friday night at Tadg's. I don't know a lot about these guys, other than that they play fairly regularly at Tadg's (and what I've read here), but they do play some sweet strings - and I want to hear them again. … [Read more...]
Tadg’s Irish Bar and Restaurant
The Home of Craft Beer in Kyoto Four years since it first opened, the Irish pub formerly known as Mc Loughlin's has been renamed as Tadg's. Not a big change really, as I think everyone was calling it that anyway. I've written previously about this pub; its friendly hospitality and the fantastic views over the river and city. And Tadg's cooking is also justifiably renowned; … [Read more...]
Blue Note
A couple of weeks ago, jazz singer Allison Adams Tucker invited me to Blue Note to see her live performance there. It was a great show but also an excellent opportunity to check out this legendary live music venue. I spoke to the current master Ohigashi-san. A mild-mannered chap, he goes by the nickname of Chooper-san (after blues musician Al Kooper), and is as Allison put it … [Read more...]
Folk Music Workshop @ Irish Pub Gnome
Last weekend's traditional music workshop at Gnome was a great success and so it looks like there will be many more in the future. Felicity Greenland writes: Japanese and foreigners all singing together in a cool atmosphere... It's hard to explain without sounding crass, but really, it's a very special bonding thing to sing together - everyone has had hard times with … [Read more...]
Donal Lunny @ TakuTaku
I'm back online at home and so the comments are back on as well. I'll be adding more locations soon but until then here's a video of Donal Lunny and The Flying Dugong Band at TakuTaku last night. I filmed a few songs but I think this one is the nicest. Thanks due to Mewby for pointing out the info about this show to me when we were in Field a couple of weeks … [Read more...]
Metro
19 years old this year Metro is a popular location for dance events in all genres. Take a look at their schedule and you're bound to find something to suit you: rock, reggae, hip-hop, techno, house, electronica and live music too. Last Wednesday I went to Club '80s night. So much fun! And such a bargain too! For ￥600 you get a free drink, a mix-CD of classic '80s tunes and a … [Read more...]
TakuTaku
磔磔 is a live house I've been meaning to check out for donkey's. This converted brewhouse opened as a coffee shop in 1974. In those days the master would spin a few discs for the clientele and there would be one or two live performances a week, but gradually the performances increased and it became the famous live house we know today. I was impressed to see the names of those … [Read more...]
Japanese Folk & Shakuhachi
I know I said the next post would be about Omuraya, but I thought you might like to see this music video from Sunday night at Zac Baran. Local folk musician Udonya Mentei was accompanied by Yoshida Koichi on the shakuhachi to very powerful effect. A great night and so many good songs, I felt pained I only had enough memory on my camera for the one. I don't know what this song … [Read more...]
Zac Baran
I first met Yoshida Koichi in the music bar Hawkwind. A shakuhachi player, he told me he plays in many styles, not just traditional, but jazz, folk, avant garde, new age, pretty much anything. In Hawkwind we were listening to some hip-hop. "How about this then?" I challenged him with a grin. And do you know, he stood up immediately, he played, and it was wonderful. I was very … [Read more...]
In Search of… the Craic
In December 2008 my friend David Ewen and I (that's us on the left) decided to go on an Irish pub crawl and see exactly what each place had to offer in terms of food, drink, music and the elusive craic. What follows is a list of the five pubs we visited, a summary of what we found there and a map to each location. For a fuller article, more pictures and directions click on … [Read more...]
