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...]
Satoko Okuda Solo & Curtains @ Urbanguild (Video)
On June 28th Gary Bloom and I went to see my old friend, Satoko Okuda, play a solo spot at Urbanguild. These days Satoko is mostly focused on playing keyboards with Aya Oto World, so it's not so often you get a chance to hear her sing. And as she's got a great voice, and quite a few nice tunes up her sleeves that's a pity. As expected, at this event she did not disappoint, … [Read more...]
Satoko Okuda & Aya Oto World – Upcoming Shows!
Our old friend, Satoko Okuda, has a number of shows coming up, both as the keyboard player for Aya Oto World and in her own right as a singer/songwriter. In either incarnation she is highly recommended! Here's the list: June 14th (Thursday) - Aya Oto World @ Vox Hall Also playing: モルグモルマルモ, シモムラソウシとくもくらげ and more… Opens: 18:30 / Starts: 19:00 Tickets in advance: 1,800 yen … [Read more...]
Aya Oto World – First Tuesday @ The Weller’s Club
On Tuesday night Gary Bloom and I paid a visit to the Weller's Club to check out Aya Oto World's free show with DJ Takanori Hirano. It's been just over a year since I last saw Aya Oto World play at club Collage, and since then they have slimmed down from a five piece big band to a trio, but to tell you the truth - as a group they have actually gotten better. The interaction … [Read more...]
Aya Oto World @ Collage
Here's a lively tune from Aya Oto World at the S.T.E.W. event on Friday night: And here are some pictures: … [Read more...]
S.T.E.W. ～Sound Traveler’s Ethnic Waves～
Just in case you're still feeling too guilty to go out and have fun, here's something I read today... ...one of the difficult but absolutely crucial tasks now is to go back to life's diversity, rather than shying away from it. We need a healthy entertainment industry. The restaurant sector has to flourish. Books need to be sold and read, hotels rooms have to be filled with … [Read more...]
Three Singers @ Slow Hand
Slow Hand is a tiny little basement bar/live house situated on the south-east corner of Marutamachi and Karasuma. When they don't have live music the bar is dedicated to '70s music. But they have a lot of live music. Last Thursday, I went to see our old friend Okuda Satoko and two other singer/songwriters play there. Some of you may remember Satoko from her wonderful … [Read more...]
