The Official Shiina Ringo Thread

[kayokyokufan]

Originally Posted by Ryoko

Thank you!

I plan on buying the special edition I saw now.... the dvd is all-region, right?

Ok, sorry it took me a while to sort through all my junk. It's called "Gekokujyo Xstasy," and I believe it is all region. The one I have plays on my computer's dvd drive, so I'm pretty sure it's not region 2 like yesasia says. Sometimes they have typos, so I'd ignore what they're labeling it as. I thoroughly enjoyed this concert, and the black and white portion at the end was really cool. I hope you like it too!

[Ryoko]

Thanks! I'll make sure I'll order it!

[sxesven]

Got Muzai Moratorium in the mail today. At last, now my Shiina album collection is complete.

[bulmasman]

Originally Posted by Ryoko

I think it's the singer from the band Spitz, I remember seeing who it was on a website....

I'm pretty sure it wasn't Kusano Masamune on that track, but i can't be 100% certain sadly. I personally believe it's one of the other Tokyo Jihen members.

[~K+]

Does sxesven have most of Shiina's singles? Or are you just talking about the albums?

[sxesven]

Albums; I'm gonna go after the singles right now, and the DVDs after that. Albums had priority, because I'm not really into singles (I have exactly 0, that's zero, singles in my collection). However, they have incredibly great b-sides, so they're definitely worth it.

[js_surrealism]

The guy voice on Kao is Miki, their lead guitarist. He also composed the song.

[sxesven]

Was just reading this somewhat old yet very interesting article on Shiina - it's from TIME ASIA, a 2003 issue.

Rinngo's a Star

On the cookie-cutter pop scene, one singer goes for the unique

By Jim Frederick Tokyo

Hiroko Katsuragi knew that Rinngo Sheena was special the second she laid eyes on her. The co-editor-in-chief of Oricon, Japan's weekly music-industry bible, Katsuragi sees or hears hundreds of new pop-star hopefuls every year. Most fail to make a lasting impression. Yet Katsuragi still remembers the day in 1998 when she watched Sheena's first-look videotape. Though the demo was short and shoddily made, Katsuragi was mesmerized by the then 19-year-old prodigy's presence. "I was instantly drawn into her world," she says.

Five years later, many more have been drawn into Rinngo Sheena's world. Though Japan's music industry has long been the world's second largest, it has also been something of an artistic wasteland. Barring significant exceptions, the most popular acts over the past few decades have been indistinguishable pretty faces warbling cookie-cutter tunes produced by a handful of Svengalis. That's been changing recently, however, as more rock acts are taking advantage of the recent slump in the Japanese music business (and the teetering faith in old formulas that decline has caused) to assume greater control of their careers. They're taking more risks and are recording some of the most personal, vital and creative pop music the country has ever heard.

The trend's most striking manifestation may be Rinngo Sheena, a singer-songwriter who has, over the past five years, become a leader in pushing the boundaries of Japanese rock and, in doing so, has achieved mass-market success. Though only 24, Sheena has developed into an artist with surprising maturity and depth, one who manages, like Björk (the Western musician to whom she is often compared) to retain her hipster alternative cred while still being a bona fide mainstream hit.

Growing up in what she describes as a strict household in the city of Fukuoka on Japan's southern Kyushu island, Sheena started taking piano lessons at age 4. "I wanted to start lessons even earlier than that," she says, "but my mother decided that four was plenty early enough." By high school, she had played in several bands and was writing and singing her own songs. The diverse list of influences she names off the top of her head includes Ella Fitzgerald, Kurt Cobain, Edith Piaf and Japanese balladeer Eiko Shuri. In 1998 she signed with Toshiba EMI records. That's when Oricon editor Katsuragi met her. "She carried around business cards from the record label with her name on it," Katsuragi recalls, "which is odd, because artists usually don't do that, not even new ones. It was funny and sweet."

With the release of Sheena's first singles and her 1999 debut album Muzai Moratorium, listeners discovered her music was anything but funny and sweet. Most fresh-faced singers are still expected to be prim and practically virginal, but Sheena's songs demonstrated an often controversial, darkly sexual edge from the beginning. Like Liz Phair, a U.S. phenom of the early 1990s, Sheena pointedly contrasted her clean-scrubbed good looks with the raunchiness of her lyrics. In her breakout hit Queen of Kabukicho, for example, Sheena sang as the daughter of a prostitute following her mother's descent into Tokyo's most notorious red-light district. Not long after, she followed up with the hard-edged Honno. The video to that song caused a sensation due to its raw, sexual imagery: dressed in a tarty nurse's outfit, Sheena tears up a doctor's office, smashing panes of glass with her fist, elbow and heel and gets intimate with a female patient. In interviews at the time, she said Honno (the word means instinct) was intended to show that women had as much right to erotic fantasies as men.

Though her melodies managed to stay just within the boundaries of mainstream pop, she brought a hard-core, grungy pique to many of her songs, from her frequently rough-hewn vocals to unconventional arrangements. "Pop in Japan means conformity, being the same as everyone else," says Atsushi Shikano, managing editor of Rockin' On Japan, one of the country's most popular music magazines. "But Sheena did exactly the opposite. Her way of singing, word choices, extreme sound, radical visual images, the *****y way she sang—no one thought of doing that before. But she showed that people wanted something different." Indeed, fans snapped up nearly 1.5 million copies of her debut album.

Since then, however, Sheena has proved that there is more to her act than raucous yet catchy melodies and an impressive vocal range combined with shocking images. An accomplished pianist, guitarist and drummer, Sheena writes all of her own material. And though it is fashionable among new-era J-pop divas such as Ayumi Hamasaki and Hikaru Utada to write much of their own stuff, Sheena's musical development and emotional growth—as demonstrated by her latest album—have been astonishing, and astonishingly rapid.

After releasing Shoso Strip, an impressive (and even more popular) sophomore effort in 2000, and a collection of cover songs in 2002, this year's Karuki, Zamen, Kuri no Hana (KZK)—which translates as Chlorine, Semen, Chestnut Flower—is a quantum leap forward, something akin to Radiohead's jump from their well-received 1995 album The Bends, to their jarring, enigmatic, universally acclaimed classic OK Computer two years later. A varied and hypnotizing collection of 11 linked songs, KZK swings between ethereal yet densely layered ballads to all-out hard-rock anthems with screaming refrains that sometimes just fade away and at other times jangle to an awkward, syncopated halt. Through its 45-minute running time, KZK contracts and expands like the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's album; it's a bursting yet impressively seamless pastiche of influences including (but not limited to) '40s Big Band and swing, Indian sitar, avant-garde atonal music, trance-house psychedelia, church-organ fugues, electronic multiprocessed voice-overs and traditional Japanese koto, shamisen and flute music. The album is also a showcase of Sheena's voice, which alternates from Marilyn Monroe baby-doll lullabies to rich, velvety crooning. Like OK Computer before it, KZK baffles at first and then, after a few listens, becomes addictive. "Her first two albums were pop, very easy to understand," says Oricon's Katsuragi. "This one is harder to approach. It is something you keep chewing on and taste for a long time."

For Sheena, this album (which she also produced) marked the first time she had the budget and the artistic control to create exactly the kind of music she wanted. Here in Toshiba EMI's Tokyo headquarters, she is wearing slim, blue jeans, a sweater and a flowered silk scarf. This is a significant wrinkle in the Sheena mystique: in person she's the exact opposite of the dangerous and eccentric image she projects to the media. She brings the snacks to her own interview, speaks in flawlessly polite Japanese and asks if anybody minds if she smokes. Speaking with an easy charm and almost girlish enthusiasm, she chats brightly about shopping, American slang and her favorite European cities. Turning to music, however, she becomes more passionate, discussing over a two-hour, wide-ranging conversation everything from the finer points of orchestral arrangement, to the derivative nature of most Japanese hip-hop, to the importance of playing live shows at small, intimate venues. KZK, she says, "has been the realization of a dream." She thinks that her efforts and those of others have reflected a slow change in the industry. "For a long time I thought J-pop was weird and really artificial sounding. I have always tried to create something more genuine."

For all its heavy processing and high production values, KZK manages to deliver a deeply personal message. Rockin' On Japan editor Shikano sees it as a young musician's full flowering as an artist. "This album is pure musical pursuit," he says. Though the album is far from the smash hit her first two original efforts were, it has sold a respectable 400,000 copies, proving there is a significant audience willing to follow risk-taking artists. That's an encouraging sign for an industry looking for examples of what can work in a persistently depressed market. Seiji Kameda, an arranger and producer who has worked with Sheena since she was 17, says, "She always wanted to be a musical pioneer." At just 24, Rinngo Sheena has proved that she already is.

With reporting by Yuki Oda and Michiko Toyama/Tokyo

source: TIME.com

[sxesven]

Originally Posted by ~K+

The GIBISU picture was a knife cutting into a wrist (no blood), with the other hand holding an apple.

The Tsumi to batsu one was her in the red suit sitting in the sliced open car with her hands covering her mouth.

I think I've finally figured this out; they're promotional pics, used on posters and the like to promote the singles. I think I have some pics somewhere, but I'll have to search for a bit.

/edit

Found the pics for Gibs. The single version is well-known, the promotional picture shows the knife being stuck in the apple - it's not cutting a wrist, but I can see how it'd look like it. And of course, in a philosophical kind of way, Ringo is in fact cutting herself in the picture (ringo = apple), lol. I'll upload the pics later on, but my server's being a pain atm.

/edit

Finally got it to work. Here they are:



First one's the single cover, second one's from the promotional poster.

[sxesven]

(Dynamite 'in') 2005 Release Schedule 1:

(on sale 13th July) Approx 50 minutes. Price 1980 yen.

From the concert at Nagoya Century Hall.

- New song 「透明人間」 (transparent human (?))
- Cover song 「恋の売り込み」 (sale of love (?))
- Complete tour documentary

Proposed recorded contents:
- 「透明人間」 (transparent human)
- 「恋の売り込み」 (sale of love)
- 「Dynamite」 (dynamite)
- 「Σ～クロール」 (Enigma~Crawl)
- Dynamite Tour documentary
- Other (service, etc)
- Bonus track - Gunjou Hiyori
_____

(Dynamite 'out') 2005 Release Schedule 2:

(on sale 17th August)

From the concert at Nagoya Century Hall (TJ's current progression as 25 recorded songs)

credit: Moccona at Ringo Jihen

I know I can't wait!

[ayumin]

http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt20...005050908.html

According to this article,
One special TV program about Tokyo Jihen will be broadcast on June 24.
The name is Pop jam pure side Tokyo Jihen on NHK.
As for the content, the members answer the interview,traveling around the showplace in Tokyo,and some live videos are included.
It is the first interview of ground wave broadcasting through her career.

I guess more Japanese will know her and the band.
Probably someone will upload it.

[sxesven]

Ooh! Thanks a lot for the update! Highly appreciated! Sounds like an interesting show.

[Halla]

i'm curious , to what companies has she been a spokesperson for or been included in an advertisiment campaing for ? or is she currently involved in an ad campaing for some company?

I think she used to promote Suntory?

anyway , I haven't heard that much of her music yet to really tell if i'm a fan of her work or not.

[sxesven]

I know she endorsed Gilette at one point (that was one freaky commercial), and I'm sure she promoted some kind of juice drink - I just don't know which. I'll try and find out. Other than that I'm not sure, although there's a couple of Ringo pics floating around on the net on which she's posing aside a Mercedes - they look classy enough to be adds, but I'm pretty sure they're not.

/edit

I just checked, and I'm pretty sure it's not Suntory. Not sure what it is at all to be honest. The voice-over goes like:

"No more violence. No more lie. (seriously) No more alcohol. Get healthy! To you blahblah."

Can anyone enlighten me?

And to add to my own post from a couple of days ago:

I think I've finally figured this out; they're promotional pics, used on posters and the like to promote the singles. I think I have some pics somewhere, but I'll have to search for a bit.

The picture with Ringo sitting inside of the car is on the inside of the sleeve of the Tsumi To Batsu single!

Originally Posted by Halla

anyway , I haven't heard that much of her music yet to really tell if i'm a fan of her work or not.

It's worth checking out, I can assure you. Although it can slightly depend on your musical preferences how much you actually love it.

[ayumin]

Well...there were 5 series of the Suntory stuff.
And the alcohol density is only 5%.

Kouhukuron/Akane sasu kiro terasaredo
http://www.suntory.co.jp/enjoy/cm/log/lk02.html
Rinne Highlight
http://www.suntory.co.jp/enjoy/cm/log/lk03.html
Keikoku
http://www.suntory.co.jp/enjoy/cm/log/lk04.html
Kabukicho no joou
http://www.suntory.co.jp/enjoy/cm/log/lk05.html
Aozora
http://www.suntory.co.jp/enjoy/cm/log/lk07.html

I remember I thought these CMs were cool then though I didn't have interest in such a alcohol much.

[sxesven]

Never seen those, but they look amazing, haha. So she did endorse Suntory after all!

Not much of a person for alcohol either myself, don't drink it at all actually.

[~K+]

Oh dear...

Originally Posted by jeepers@Jpopmusic Forum

*NEWS*

Hirama and Hiizumi announced that they are quitting the band. Dang, they couldn't even last a year. But as they say in their announcements, they are impulsive guys. Mikio is striving to continue his solo career. Likely they quit the band because of a lack of creative freedom.

Its going to very difficult to find someone to replace Hiizumi.

http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/tokyoji...ws/index_j.htm

An unpleasant surprise.

By the way, could someone post up the member names of TJ along with their photos so I can identify whom is whom?

And here's an awesome photo from the official site which I just felt everyone should see.


I suddenly decided to listen to Kyouku again after hearing this news, and this time I like it, and feel compelled to buy it. (When I have the money)

[PSYCHEDELICOdust]

I went insane when I heard that.

Hiizumi is the piano dude and the other dude is the guitar dude with the long hair.

HZM was my fave member next to Shiina T_T

[sxesven]

=/ Damn.

Official statements:

First off here is my translation from the official website:

Tokyo Jihen - Towards their 2nd Season -

Thank you so much for supporting Tokyo Jihen.

Did you enjoy the special NHK 'Tokyo Jihen - Outing' broadcast?
It is likely that many people were impressed by the fiery live performance and first look around Tokyo's famous spots.

Also, as mentioned in our previous report, you can enjoy this month and next month's two-month successive DVD release. On July 13th, 4 live songs (+ bonus track) and tour documentary fully-loaded 'Dynamite in', continued on August 17th with the impressive 25 recorded song masterpiece 'Dynamite out'- which can also be said to be the first completed Tokyo Jihen compilation.

At present Tokyo Jihen is heading towards their second term of activities, and here we have news for everyone.

Keyboardist H Zed M, and 6-string guitarist Hirama Mikio, are now concentrating on each of their own activities. From now on H Zed M, known as PE'Z's Hiizumi Masayuki, and Hirama Mikio will proceed with their activities.
__________________________________________________ __________________

Second, here is the translation of H Zed M and Hirama's comments via thetokyoincidents.com

H Zed M:

Music is not fixed, it does not stop.
Once you let it go, that¡¯s when it becomes real.
The music becomes part of the environment and then that whole becomes something limitless.
I was very happy to play a part here. I will continue to support everyone.
Tokyo Jihen, thank you. H Zed M freaks, thank you.
I am sure this is one part of a beautiful process. Banzai!
Hiizumi Masayuki

Hirama:

I am a person who is mostly driven by impulse.
Right now, this is something that I cannot get away from.
How well can I express what I feel as Hirama Mikio¡*It may be selfish, but more than anything I want to focus on my solo efforts.
Thanks to Tokyo Jihen and all of the fans, I was able to keep my spirts up as an artist.
Thank you so much! I will continue to support the band!
Hirama Mikio has left the building!!
__________________________________________________ __________________

Finally here is the rest of the comments from the official website I have roughly translated:

By all means please look forward to their future activities.

Shiina Ringo, Kameda Seiji and Hata Toshiki are already quickly proceeding with preparation for a new Tokyo Jihen.

Tokyo Jihen kindly ask for your support from now on.

July 1 2005

Kuroneko Staff.
__________________________________________________ __________________

Everyone is very surprised. 'i wish it will always be those five (members)' is the kind of feeling many people most likely have. However, the intriguing aspect of Tokyo Jihen is their 'dynamism'. In other words, while undergoing a big change they have a policy to keep growing musically. And so, while the two ringleaders are concentrating on each of their own activities, we should perceive this rather posivitively. If you think about it, there was probably an aspect with the Dynamite! tour where energy was integrated before undergoing a big change.

Again, before long we will be bringing you the latest news on Tokyo Jihen.
From now on I what kind of change will we be shown? We can't help but hope for Tokyo Jihen's further activities.

SR ***** Willow Main Line (direct translation of SRèÁø±¾¾€)
__________________________________________________ __________________
__________________________________________________ __________________

credit: Moccona @ Ringo Jihen

[PSYCHEDELICOdust]

Well, whatever those 3 have in store for us I can't wait. Thank you very much for bringing the translation here, sven!