 BILLIE IDLE, one of the best rebel idol groups out there, is back at it again! This time around they've done an EP or mini-album they're calling "4-in-1: THE OFFICIAL BOOTLEG". Each of the 4 tracks on "4-in-1" is focused solely on one member of the group. I was super excited when this was first announced, realizing it would be the first time Nozomi Hirano has ever sang solo in her entire idol career. Her song "どうせ消えてしまう命なら..." was actually the first to come out, with a really cute MV, and I knew the rest of this EP would be incredible based on that song alone. Unfortunately Nozomi's song is the only one here to feature ex-BiS members on backup vocals, but that doesn't make the other songs worse. It just makes them less cool in comparison.  Momose Momo The first track here is Momose Momo's song, "くわれそう". What strikes me immediately is how un-BILLIE IDLE-like this song is. It feels like a really standard idol song, especially considering Momo's voice. It's catchy though, I love the melody on the chorus. The production is pretty sweet, it's a cute song overall. Musically it does have a little bit of some of the group's signatures from their slower songs. Not what I expect from BILLIE IDLE, but not bad either.  First Summer Uika In contrast, First Summer Uika's song "恋のマジカルバイブレーション" is much harder and heavier on the power chords. I am absolutely in love with the little synth solo near the end too! Once again it's not really the sound we expect from BILLIE IDLE, but it's more the direction I was hoping for (especially from Uipon). It's super catchy too. It's so heavy that you can't help but headbang. I'm sure this one will translate really well live if they ever take these solo songs to the stage.  Yasui Yuuhi Yasui Yuuhi's song is another pretty basic idol song, unfortunately. Not that it's a BAD song though! The production is great and Yuuhi has an incredibly strong voice. I love her as a solo singer for sure. I was just hoping for a little more innovation from BILLIE IDLE after seeing what they could do on their albums up to this point. It has a lot of emotion but I don't get a sense of Yuuhi's personality. Her sheer vocal ability is what makes this song for me. She is really an amazing singer.  Hirano Nozomi Finally we get Nozoshan's song, which I've already said I adore beyond compare. This song is everything I wanted from a BILLIE IDLE release, as well as everything I wanted from a member of BiS. Everything about "どうせ消えてしまう命なら..." is perfect to the last detail. It's like a mini BiS reunion, with Saki, Tentenko, Uika, and Mitchel (the most surprising cameo of the year for sure!) I wish Lui was there, but she's probably too busy being a rockstar these days. I'm really torn on this release. REALLY, REALLY torn. I love BILLIE IDLE. As I've said, they're my favorite group out there right now. Nozomi's song is perfect, and Uika's song has the energy and power we've come to expect from BILLIE IDLE. The other two just fall kind of flat for me. I like the songs, I just don't like them as BILLIE IDLE songs. They're fine solo songs, which I suppose is what they actually are at the end of the day. I'm not sure any of the songs here are SUPPOSED to represent BILLIE IDLE; rather, they represent the individual members. In that way I love this EP. Looking at it as a BILLIE IDLE record though... it could have been better. All things considered, I'll still be listening to this a lot. Nozomi's song is honestly enough to push this up as one of my favorite releases of the year so far (it's THAT good). As far as idol music goes you can't go wrong with this release. If you want signature BILLIE IDLE though, just stick to the albums for now. Check out Nozoshan's song because it's pure perfection though. I would expect nothing less from writer and producer Kenta Matsukuma (BiS/BiSH).  L-R: Rio Michibayashi, First Summer Uika, Nozomi Hirano, Tentenko, Saki Kamiya, fashion designer NIGO I don't mean to sound harsh. This is NOT a bad EP by any stretch of the imagination. Every song is good, solidly produced and well-written. I love BILLIE IDLE to death and they really can do no wrong at this point. I just wish some of these songs had a little more personality to them. I don't feel like I know anything about Yuuhi or Momo after this. They are great singers for sure, but their songs didn't really allow their personalities to shine. Uika and Nozomi's did, and I can't help but wonder if it's because they're ex-BiS. Maybe the producers know who the popular ones are and put this thing together accordingly. It's a little unfortunate because I want to see Yuuhi and Momo shine the way I know they can. Especially with Yuuhi's incredible strong voice! I'll be following BILLIE IDLE closely, as always, and see where they go from here. I'm craving more of that punky synthpop they stole our hearts with from the beginning. -Justin BILLIE IDLE® IS: First Summer Uika Hirano Nozomi Momose Momo Yasui Yuuhi For More Information: Website: http://www.billieidle.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/b_idle_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG1VeRu87NHxaNuEt_a3jzw
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 ©UP-FRONT PROMOTION Co., Ltd. Recently, Morning Musume。'16 was able to come to Houston, Texas to participate in the popular Anime Matsuri convention as the guest of honor. The last time they were able to make it over to the United States for a convention (Anime Expo) was back in 2009 in LA. Since then, the lineup has completely changed and the direction of the group has evolved greatly. Lucky attendees of the convention were able to experience Morning Musume。'16 in all their glory throughout the weekend via a multitude of events. Their adventures at the convention began on the first day (February 26th, Friday). They attended the Opening Ceremonies, where they were introduced to a standing ovation. Miki Nonaka presented the group to the attendees using her English skills, which she acquired from her 8 year stay in Alabama as a young child. Before they were sent off-stage, a couple of hard-working fans were able to present a special welcome banner to the girls. This banner contained messages from various fans hailing from a multitude of locations. This gesture moved the girls and they were ecstatic to receive such a welcoming gift from their overseas fans. As they left the stage, they walked around the seats on the floor waving to everybody and proudly displaying the banner, before finally heading back to their seats.  ©UP-FRONT PROMOTION Co., Ltd. Directly following the Opening Ceremonies, there was a Q&A Panel with the group. The girls specifically requested that the fans be allowed to sit as close to the stage as possible, in order to afford a more personal interaction. As soon as the attendees were seated on the ground surrounding the stage, the session began immediately in order to not waste a minute. Keep in mind that the following transcript provided contains rough translations of the answers. Fan: Now that she’s (Riho Sayashi) gone, she has opened the position of center ace that is unfilled in the group. So I was wondering which one of you plans to take that spot and how do you plan to do it? -EVERYONE RAISES THEIR HAND- Haruna Iikubo: Everybody wants to be the ace! Fan: Hi. ALL: Hi! Fan: Um, when members graduate, how do you guys go about deciding lines? Does the management decide or is it between you guys? Maa-chan got lots of Reina’s lines. Is it because she likes her or is it because management decides to give it to them? Masaki Sato: The management actually decides it. They listen to the voices and find the one that fits the line the most. Fan: Maa-chan, do you have any funny episodes about your new hamster? Masaki Sato: My hamster only listens to my father. So when my father is not around it won’t listen to anyone, but when my dad is there it will actually listen and sit down. Fan: Ayumi-san, now that Sayashi Riho is gone, do you have a favorite person you like to dance with? Ayumi Ishida: We’re in the middle of rehearsal for our spring tour. I MIGHT be pairing up with one of them. I really loved dancing with Riho but after she graduated I had more of a chance to dance with other people. It’s a different experience but I really enjoy it too! Fan: For the girls that have been to America before, how are you finding Houston and for the girls who have not been to America before what are your favorite things about America so far? Haruna Ogata: I’m Ogata Haruna! It’s my first time coming here in America and I really enjoyed the bagel from the lunch buffet. It was really yummy. Kanon Suzuki: I’ve been to New York back in 2014 but I feel like it’s really different. When I landed in the airport I thought the air was really different. I really wish, even for one month, I really wish I can live here then I’ll feel better. Haruna Iikubo: When we did the New York concert Kanon’s cheer was the loudest back then. Even in Houston she gets the loudest cheer, I’m impressed! Fan: Zukki, I know you’re going to be leaving soon and of course your fans are sad, but I want to know what are some of your happiest memories being part of Morning Musume。? Kanon Suzuki: I have a really great memory from when I was 14. For my birthday I received a book with a lot of messages from fans all over the world. It is really surreal that people know me through the internet and through people and relationships people got to know me and I feel really surreal. It’s my most precious treasure in my life. Fan: I’ve been waiting 7 years to meet Morning Musume。, I’ve been a fan since I was 11 years old. My question is, would you support overseas idols? Erina Ikuta: Because I am an idol fan as well, I would really like to see and support foreign idols as well. Miki Nonaka: I can speak English too so…. I really want to talk with idols overseas. Yeah I want to do a lot of things with idols overseas. I want to see a combination of our group and other idol groups. Fan: Hi Zukki. I wanted to tell you that you are one of my favorites. My sons introduced me to Morning Musume。 music. We went to New York in 2014 to see you in Manhattan and we had a blast. We had so much fun and my question for you is, what are you going to do after you graduate? Are you going to school or what’s your future look like? Kanon Suzuki: After graduation I would like to be a social worker, like a counselor and helper. I really enjoyed helping people through singing and dancing and after I graduate I won’t be able to do that in front of people but in another way I’d still like to help people out. Fan: I’m a big fan of video games. I love Final Fantasy, it’s one of my favorite series. I was wondering, are any of you fans of Final Fantasy? Which one is your favorite? If not, what is your favorite video game if any of you play video games? -THEY ALL INDICATE THEY DON’T PLAY FINAL FANTASY- Haruna Iikubo: Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest Online, Monster Hunter, Biohazard (Resident Evil). Oh and also Zelda! Ayumi Ishida: I like dance…dance appear please. -FAN DANCES AND IS NOTICED-  Fan: HI ODA! I have a question. So my question is, you have a lot of songs. I was wondering if there was one that you really liked to perform that means a lot to you. Sakura Oda: It’s a song that I’m not originally in, but I love ‘Roman My Dear Boy.’ Ayumi Ishida: I AM SHOCK! (In response to the fan asking Sakura the question instead of Ayumi, since she’s the one who picked him.) Masaki Sato: Rock, scissor, paper! –FANS PLAY AGAINST HER- -LAST MATCH IS TWO FANS AGAINST EACH OTHER TO BE ABLE TO ASK THE QUESTION- Fan: I wanted to thank you guys for coming here since I didn’t get to see you in New York. I honestly didn’t think I would have another chance to see you. So I wanted to ask Mizuki what you find the hardest part of being leader. Mizuki Fukumura: The hardest thing to do…because there’s so many of them, is to get all 12 of them in one place! Fan: Some of you already have been to America. Where are some other places you’d like to travel in the world? Haruka Kudo: I want to go to Brazil and see the real soccer there. Fan (Same person who asked the previous question.): Sakura I love you! Haruka Kudo: I AM SHOCK! I am shock. Fan: First of all I got introduced to the play ‘LILIUM’ last year. My favorite play! What was your best memory of doing that? Sakura Oda: I played Sylvatica. One of my last scenes is me jumping off from the tower. I actually really jumped off from the top tower. It was really scary for me! Fan: Obviously you guys are my favorite female Jpop group. My favorite male Jpop group is Arashi. So I was wondering if you also like Arashi and who’s your favorite member from Arashi? Haruna Ogata: A little while back we were doing a fitting and someone told me that if you put Morning Musume。 in Arashi I’m like the Ohno position. So I’d really like to see him and meet him one day. -IT’S MIKI’S TURN TO PICK AND SHE NOTICES A SIGN AND PICKS THAT PERSON- Miki Nonaka: Welcome home Miki. Fan: First I would like to welcome you back home. –FANS CLAP- Now, being able to speak both English and Japanese, what was your initial feeling when you were chosen to be in Morning Musume。? Where do you want to take it in the future? Miki Nonaka: Yeah I can speak Japanese and English, both of them. So I really can speak Japanese more than English so I thought I had to study English too, but I really like doing concerts in my country Japan too. But I really really love to do concerts overseas, this time in Houston. I’m so excited so I couldn’t hardly wait for this event. So yeah I’m very happy to come overseas. Thank you very much! Maria Makino: I am Maria. Nice to meet you! I love baseball, and you? –NOTICES SOMEONE WEARING A FIGHTERS CAP- Fighters! I love Fighters! Fan: Are the Fighters going to win the Japanese series this year? Maria Makino: Of course! Number one! -FAN YELLS ‘ERIPON SMILE’ BECAUSE SHE HAD A SERIOUS FACE FOR A MOMENT. SHE SMILES WIDELY- Fan: My question is to the newest members. What’s been your favorite experience since joining the group? Akane Haga: I was in the play ‘Triangle’ last year and I was in drama club. So it was a really good experience for me to be in an actual musical. Maria Makino: Because I love Michishige Sayumi. For me to be able to be a member of Morning Musume。 and to be able to meet Sayumi was the biggest and nicest experience for me. Miki Nonaka: So the biggest…the biggest is right now!!! Haruna Ogata: If I wasn’t a member of Morning Musume。 I wouldn’t have been able to come abroad, so just being here is the biggest experience for me. Mizuki Fukumura: Thank you so much everyone for all the questions you asked us. So tomorrow we’re going to have a live concert and we have practiced the MC in English, so look forward to it…come and enjoy. -Q&A ENDS-  ©UP-FRONT PROMOTION Co., Ltd. Much later in the evening, A-To-J Connections hosted our Hello! Project panel (with a heavier focus on Morning Musume。, of course) which was a major success. We even had the pleasure of having Aika Mitsui (former 8th Generation member of Morning Musume。) attend a portion of our panel. There was also a fan-held party called Hello! Disco that was held partially during (and after) our panel. At this party, fans gathered together to have a great time celebrating their common interests in Morning Musume。'16 and Hello! Project as a whole. Aika actually made a surprise appearance at this party as well, much to the delight of all attending fans.
The next day of the convention was also quite busy for the group (February 27th, Saturday). The day kicked off with a Press Conference, where various news outlets were able to interview Morning Musume。'16. Following this was a special autograph session that was held specifically for Super Pass holders of the convention. Attendees were allowed to get any official Anime Matsuri or Morning Musume。'16 merchandise signed by the girls. This session was especially loved by fans because it granted time for some very fun and personal interactions with the members. At the end of the autograph session, the girls took a group photo with the fans in the back. This photo, we were told, would be featured on the official site for a time. The final event of the day, which was the event most people were waiting for, was the concert itself. The concert was an absolute success, with an extremely high attendance rate (of fans and newly interested attendees alike). A link to our full concert report will be provided below. On the final day of the convention (February 28th, Sunday), there was a final autograph session held specifically for general attendees. Like the Super Pass session, this provided fans with a wonderful opportunity to interact and have fun with the girls as everyone was able to get their beloved autographs. From here, Morning Musume。‘16 left the convention after an extremely exciting and eventful weekend. Fans were able to share in a special kind of experience with Morning Musume。'16 at Anime Matsuri, the kind of which you don't see normally even in Japan. There is no doubt that this will be long remembered as one of the most exciting Hello! Project events in the USA, and all fans who were able to attend will forever cherish it. For more coverage of Morning Musume。'16, check out our official concert report and our exciting interview (links provided below)! - Teepu Morning Musume。’16 Is: - Fukumura Mizuki (譜久村聖; 9th Generation) Leader - Ikuta Erina (生田衣梨奈; 9th Generation) Sub-Leader - Suzuki Kanon (鈴木香音; 9th Generation) - Iikubo Haruna (飯窪春奈; 10th Generation) Sub-Leader - Ishida Ayumi (石田亜佑美; 10th Generation) - Sato Masaki (佐藤優樹; 10th Generation) - Kudo Haruka (工藤遥; 10th Generation) - Oda Sakura (小田さくら; 11th Generation) - Ogata Haruna (尾形春水; 12th Generation) - Nonaka Miki (野中美希; 12th Generation) - Makino Maria (牧野真莉愛; 12th Generation) - Haga Akane (羽賀朱音; 12th Generation) A-To-J Concert Report: http://a-to-jconnections.com/idols/-take-off-is-now-morning-musume16-in-houston A-To-J Interview: Official Morning Musume。’16 Links Website: http://www.helloproject.com/morningmusume/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/+morningmusume/posts Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Morningmusume.Official/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MorningMusumeMg YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/morningmusumechannel UP-FRONT LINK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upfrontlink/ UP-FRONT LINK Twitter: https://twitter.com/UpFrontLink Anime Matsuri Link: http://www.animematsuri.com/ All pictures ©UP-FRONT PROMOTION Co., Ltd. Used with permission.  BRAND-NEW BRAND-NEW IDOL SHIT. BiSH is back yet again with their major label debut, and it goes hard as hell. The rebel idols debuted their new song "DEADMAN" live on their recent tour, but the PV has finally been released and it's beautiful. The group is like a cyberpunk girl gang, smashing shit with their sledgehammers and medieval flails and whatever else while crazy retro lights flash all around. It all culminates in Momokan falling in a hole on the beach. WATCH IT. BiSH - DEADMAN MV The song is the most punk thing you're gonna hear all year. Even as a group known to open shows with a Stalin song, this STILL comes as a surprise, but a very welcome one. After the pummeling hardcore verse we get one of the catchiest choruses BiSH has ever released, and then... it ends! No word yet on if this is the short version (video is credited as "official") but this is the same length as the song they played live. While I do hope there's a longer version coming up, this length perfectly suits the days of classic hardcore punk where bands would play their entire discography twice just to fill up their time slots.  I can't wait until BiSH has another album for us. This song is already killing me as it is, but a whole album of cyberpunk BiSH would probably give me a heart attack. The only question is, who's the sukeban if Chitti got demoted? Probably not Momokan. -Justin  BiSH Is:
Cent Chihiro Chitti (Captain.....?) Aina the End Hug Me Momoko Gumi Company Lingling Hashiyasume Atsuko For More Information: Website: http://www.bish.tokyo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BiSHidol |
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