  Visual Kei/Lolita group, Hysteric Lolita's new video "DISTRESS" was finally released in it's full version earlier in the month and both it and the song are set to stir up the world very soon! This new group from Union Music Japan has only one other single under their belts, but they do not fail to impress in their sophomore release. The song is both catchy and bears the distinct rocking visual kei style that is sure to attract listeners from around the world. Reminiscent of other all-girl rock bands like SCANDAL and Rick Rack, Hysteric Lolita adds style to the mix with fashions ripped straight from the pages of KERA. This comes as no surprise since it is fashion magazine KERA that sponsored the band's debut. Visually, the band looks great and each members bears a distinct look and style while still adhering to the same image. Musically, the girls are in perfect form. Noa's guitar drives the song forward and a blazing guitar solo keeps things from winding down too far. Meanwhile, Basil and Misa provide a driving beat that keeps everyone together and the dual vocals of Rani and Layra provide harmonies that add a dimension to this song that brings it to the top of the Indie music scene in Japan. The song itself is reminiscent of the visual kei stylings of bands like Dangan no Limit or ROYZ, but with a more pop/accessible feel. The video is beautifully shot and the locations are well used. Does anyone else get the MALICE MIZER feel in the scene in the church? I for one did. That being said, there is a uniqueness in the locations chosen as well as the addition of the occasional French word meant to accentuate the feel/meaning of the song. The central theme of the group being in a separate world within the mirror is a nice touch that adds another layer to this already amazing video. All the members get a good amount face time with the camera and while the video is mainly a night shoot, it is as colorful, if not more so, then their first single "Zetsubou no Spiral". "Vibrant" is one word that can be used to describe the video, but "Powerful" probably suits it better. The single releases on February 6, 2015 and if you have not heard much of Hysteric Lolita before this, be sure to check them out! Also be sure to check out their first single (the aforementioned "Zetsubou no Spiral") available from Itunes Japan and Amazon Japan as well as many online import shops. Hysteric Lolita Are: ●Vocal: Rani ●Keyboards & Chorus: Layra ●Bass: Basil ●Guitar: Noa ●Drums: Misa Official Site: www.hystericlolita.jp SNS links below  XENON in Little Tokyo will bring it's in-store live stream events into the new year on January 24, 2015! These events have featured bands like CELL, DIAURA and Royz. This upcoming event will feature the band DaizyStripper who will be broadcasting live from Japan into the store which will be full of their American fans. These events are unique in that they not only offer the Western fans to meet and interact with their favorite artists, but also allow the band themselves to interact with the fans too by way of their own Q&A. An interesting twist on the standard formula if there ever was one. This is a very special opportunity, fans in the US should clear their calendars and prepare those burning questions! DaizyStripper formed in 2007 and rose to stardom quickly with their unique brand of visual kei that varies from upbeat numbers to darker, more rocking, songs. Complete with sold out concerts and frequent indie chart-topping singles, DaizyStripper have also toured overseas in the US, Canada and Taiwan. Amongst some of their most well-known songs are "TRUTH" (Their first Indies Oricon chart-topper) and "Setsubou no Freesia" (Ending theme for the anime "Yu-Gi-Oh"). While the band has carried on as a four-piece since the 2013 departure of guitarist/leader Mayu, they have since announced their reunion with him in November 2014 and the five-piece DaizyStripper is together again with their original line-up. Their latest single "ARREST" drops on January 21st just days before the event at XENON. The PV preview and CM can be seen below. XENON is the official Cure Magazine shop, located in The Little Tokyo Mall in Los Angeles (319 E. 2nd St #119 Los Angeles, CA 90012). It has been open since August 1st, 2014 and has hosted several events and fairs in that relatively short time. The store carries various apparel brands from Shibuya 109, including Jury Black, as well as, CD’s, DVD’s, and official tour merchants of idols and visual kei bands straight from Japan. This event, like their past live stream events, is completely free. No cover will be charged. It will run between 8:00-9:30 PM on January 24, 2014. SNS and event page links below. DaizyStripper Are: ● Vocal: Yu-giri ● Guitar: Nao ● Guitar: Mayu ● Bass: Rei ● Drums: Kazami Official Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/799479846776156/ Official Website: www.xenon-la.com  Continuing their line of in-store live stream events, XENON in Little Toyko Los Angeles hosted a Q&A live stream event with visual kei band Lin ~the end of corruption world~ recently on December 13, 2014 and A-To-J Connections' alavic_222 was there to report. Xenon is a clothing store in the Little Tokyo Mall that offers unique fashion straight from the streets of Shibuya as well as releases from some of the biggest music acts Japan has to offer. They are also no stranger to hosting events for some of the hottest visual kei bands/artists whether it be live concerts (The Visual Kei Fest in July comes to mind.) or the many live stream events (Prior ones featured DIAURA, Royz and CELL) this store is the place to be if you are a fan of the Japanese fashion, visual kei music or the genre in general.  The Lin event did not fail to deliver as many fans came out to see Kisaki and crew both ask questions as well as answer them. Hosted by Ryo (ex. LF-laissez faire-) and DJ Meirlin, the event lasted over an hour and was completely free. Following some introductory clips featuring the new Lin line-up, the band was introduced and the session began. To start the show, Lin asked the crowd questions ranging from local hotspot recommendations to favorite anime characters. Answers varied and many laughs were had and more than a few surprises were revealed regarding the band's likes/dislikes as well as some of their eating habits! Not content to play things up with the standard Q&A questions, Kisaki shocked the attendees by requesting marriage proposals from the crowd! Some were lucky enough to be accepted, others were turned down and one fan, Felipe, was repeatedly singled out for special attention due to his knowledge of the members' previous work. Moving into the next segment, the band questions were followed by open questions from the attendees. The questions from the audience were as varied as the bands and ranged from inquiring about musical influences to worst nightmares. Unique answers were given and all were left wishing the session could have lasted longer still. Following the stream, exclusive Lin items direct from Japan were available for purchase.  On the verge of re-recording their former material with the new "Second Stage" line-up, Lin is set to take the visual kei world by storm and events like this can only ensure that their name and music spread throughout the world. We at A-To-J Connections, and all the fans in the US, can only hope that we can see more of the band stateside. Hopefully in concert form. A-To-J Connections will have exclusive video of the event that will be uploaded shortly complete with fan testimonials. Xenon's next in-store live stream event will be on January 24, 2015 and will feature the band DaizyStripper. |
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