JPHiP Interview: 1000say @ Japan Expo USA

Posted by Tris-chan on August 28th, 2013 in Event Reports, Interviews, J-Pop, Music

The members of 1000say (from left to right) keyboardist MICHELLE, bassist API, guitarist MAN, and drummer NON flash the JPHiP sign.

The Japanese indie band 1000say (A THOUSAND SAY) made their US debut at the first Japan Expo USA, held on August 23rd-25th in Santa Clara, California. Undoubtedly the coolest musical guests in attendance, 1000say has been featured at Japan Expo since 2011’s Japan Expo Paris. JPHiP’s Tris-chan and Slack caught up to the band on the last day of the convention to interview their members, vocalist/guitarist MAN, vocalist/bassist API, keyboardist MICHELLE, and drummer NON.

JPHiP Interview: Kikkawa You @ Japan Expo USA

Posted by Slack on August 27th, 2013 in Event Reports, Hello! Project, Interviews, J-Pop, Music

Solo idol and former member of Hello! Project Kikkawa You, a.k.a. Kikka, was chosen to be the official reporter for the very first Japan Expo USA held from August 23rd to 25th in Santa Clara, California. After JPHiP interviewed Kikka at Anime Weekend Atlanta andJapan Expo in Brussels last year, Tris-chan and Slack got another chance to catch up with the beautiful young songstress.

Introduction to Japan Expo USA 2013: The Festival Made for Us

Posted by Rayle on August 26th, 2013 in Event Reports, Hello! Project, J-Pop, JPHiP, Music, Reviews

This festival was made for us.

One only has to look at the guest and panel lineups for other larger cons in the San Francisco Bay Area to see that. Anime conventions are made for anime people. Guests are voice actors, writers, directors, etc., and panels are discussing various aspects of anime. Sometimes you’ll get a music act, but the trend is towards US-based acts, usually rock bands. The closest to idol culture you get are vocaloid, anisongs, and the occasional idol anime.

Japan Expo USA 2013 (August 23-25)

Posted by Slack on August 18th, 2013 in Event Reports, JPHiP, News

This weekend the JPHiP press team will be bringing you full coverage of Japan Expo USA, including event reports, photos, and more! Last year JPHiP got the chance to interview Kikkawa You before her trip to Europe for last year’s Japan Expo conventions in Orleans and Brussels. This time we will do our best to bring you JPHiP-exclusive interviews with as many of the guests as possible!

JPHiP Exclusive! Interview with Hidekazu Ohara!

Posted by Tris-chan on July 31st, 2013 in Event Reports, Interviews, J-Pop

JPHiP was fortunate enough to have an interview with Hidekazu Ohara, a popular animation director, during J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL 2013. Not only has Mr. Ohara worked as a key animator on such titles as Akira, Kogepan, and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, he also directed the music video for seiyuu idol group Sweety’s collaboration with Toyota and the PES project, “My Line.” Read on for our exclusive interview!

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s Press Conference at J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL!

Posted by Tris-chan on July 31st, 2013 in Event Reports, Interviews, J-Pop

JPHiP was lucky enough to score a seat at the press junket for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Sebastian Masuda, and the Harajuku Kawaii models at the opening of the Harajuku Kawaii pop-up shop in San Francisco. There were some pretty good questions and interesting answers – read on to see what the girls and Sebastian had to say about fashion, music, and what they’re into right now!

2013 J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL featuring Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Reina Tanaka & LoVendoR

Posted by daigong on July 16th, 2013 in Event Reports, J-Pop, News

J-POP SUMMIT FESTIVAL CELEBRATES JAPANESE POP CULTURE BY “MAKING KAWAII UNIVERSAL”

San Francisco’s 5^th Annual Celebration Of Japanese Pop Fashion, Art, Music, Film And Fun To Deliver A Colorful Array Of Special Events, Attractions, Film Premieres And Guest Of Honor Appearances

San Francisco, CA, July 15, 2013 [via OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE] The 2013 J-POP Summit Festival is only a few weeks away and marks its 5^thanniversary as San Francisco’s preeminent annual celebration of Japanese pop culture, art, music, fashion, and filmon Saturday and Sunday, July 27^th and 28^th.

GEEKS UNITE at Edmonton Comic & Entertainment Expo 2012

Posted by daigong on October 21st, 2012 in Comics, Event Reports, Film, Gaming, TV

A fresh new convention to celebrate all things pop culture! arrived with THE EDMONTON EXPO. The forces behind The ECTCS and the Calgary Expo landed at Edmonton Expo Centre October 20-21, 2012! Headlining vendors, artists, and guests that included the stars of Joss Whedon Universe also united to have an entertaining, side-splitting anecdote filled afternoon that only Jewel Staite and Charisma Carpenter can provide!!

First Year Convention Fires Kanons on Attendees

Posted by tenkei on July 7th, 2011 in Event Reports, J-Pop

This July 1st marked the inaugural year for convention Anime, Music, and Manga, otherwise known as AM². Though just starting out, the otakus in charge brought together a nice collection of musical guests to entertain fans. Kanon x Kanon is a musical collaboration between cellist extraordinaire Wakeshima Kanon and oshare-kei band Antic Cafe’s bassist Kanon. The two came together in late 2010 because they both had a strong affinity for anime, music, anime music…and, well, because they share the same name. Though I wasn’t really a fan of either Wakeshima Kanon (despite my love for classical instruments integrated into mainstream music) nor the duo of Kanon x Kanon, I can’t deny they were entertaining.