Shawn Despres - The Japan Times

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Shawn Despres

Shawn Despres has been contributing to the Japan Times’ music page since 2005, and he has a passion for writing about the independent music scene in East Asia. He spent several years living in Yokohama and currently resides in Seoul.

For Shawn Despres's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

CULTURE / Music

Nov 19, 2010

Envy take 'Recitation' out on the road again

Tokyo-based Envy issued their fifth full-length album, "Recitation," in September. To celebrate its release, the quintet embarked on their first North American tour in four years. On this, their longest international trek, the postrock and hardcore hybrid act played 25 shows in the span of a month.

CULTURE / Music

Nov 12, 2010

Indie breakout, 'kimchibilly' rockers bring Seoul to Japan

While K-pop continues to gain greater recognition worldwide, South Korea's prolific, small underground-music scene is still struggling to find audiences outside of Seoul.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 29, 2010

Ryo the Skywalker's new hope

Search the music section on social networking website Twitter and you'll see a long list of known global megastars, including Britney Spears and Kanye West. Directly under Justin Timberlake is Japan's only representative on the list — Ryo the Skywalker, the stage name of Ryo Yamaguchi.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 15, 2010

Ling tosite sigure seek virgin fans on the road

Preparing to hit the road to showcase their fourth long-player, "still a Sigure virgin?," Ling tosite sigure have only one thing on their minds: arousing new fans.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 15, 2010

The music industry is like high school in a way: You become cooler and life becomes more advantageous after you make some well-connected, older pals.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Sep 24, 2010

Band A to headline Fukuoka club crawl

Fukuoka recently ranked 14th in U.K. magazine Monocle's annual "Most Livable Cities Index." Alt-rock duo Band A are unsurprised their city fared so well.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Sep 24, 2010

Ling tosite sigure "still a Sigure virgin?"

Building themselves into one of the country's more successful indie acts, Saitama trio Ling tosite sigure graduated to the majors for 2009's "just A moment." Since then, they've sold over 60,000 units of the record, toured in Britain (their first international gigs) and drew 7,000 fans to the Saitama Super Arena in April for a hometown headlining concert. Although far from a household name, they acknowledge their growing popularity with their fourth full-length's title, "still a Sigure virgin?"

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Sep 3, 2010

Combining letters from the names of the instruments they play — piano and cajon (a South American box drum) — to create their handle, Pia-no-jaC's stripped-down keys and percussion setup has netted the Tokyo duo a fair amount of attention.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Aug 27, 2010

Neon Gravity ready to jack the party at Fukuoka's Sunset Live

Summer's end may be near, but music festival season is far from finished. Featuring 70 acts, the 18th edition of Fukuoka's Sunset Live will take place Sept. 3-5. Situated along the shore of Keya Beach, the event's picturesque surroundings boast plenty of greenery, sand and surf for the anticipated crowd of 15,500 to enjoy.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Aug 20, 2010

BXI is a collaborative effort between Tokyo's Boris and British vocalist Ian Astbury. The former are a prolific trio whose constantly evolving hybrid of heavy, avant-garde metal and psychedelic sounds has made them much revered abroad. The latter is best known as the frontman for The Cult and the former crooner for The Doors of the 21st Century (who later became Riders on the Storm), a rehashed version of Jim Morrison's legendary 1960s and early '70s act The Doors.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jul 30, 2010

Harp on Mouth Sextet "Kasane no Neiro"

Hailing from Kyoto, Harp on Mouth Sextet create their own contemporary groove-oriented version of gagaku, a centuries-old form of Japanese court music. Among the stronger performers on the up-and-comer stage at last year's Fuji Rock Festival, their matching attire, which includes traditional bamboo hats fitted with veils to mask their identities, made them one of the most visually exciting as well.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jul 23, 2010

Buffalo Daughter: "The Weapons of Math Destruction"

Benefiting from their Shibuya-kei affiliation in the early 1990s, Buffalo Daughter attracted international attention and established an overseas cult following through associations with the likes of the Beastie Boys' former Grand Royal imprint. "The Weapons of Math Destruction" retains the innovative, experimental edge that has played a major factor in the Tokyo trio's success during their 17-year career.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jul 9, 2010

Originally from Fukuoka, Tokyo-based trio Bo-Peep have impressed locals at the likes of Fuji Rock and garnered high praise overseas at renowned events such as South by Southwest in the United States and England's The Great Escape Festival. "Vibe" is the ladies' third album proper.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music / A SCORCHING SUMMER SCHEDULE

Jul 2, 2010

YUI: Rock In Japan

Fukuoka's Yui has been turning out chart-toppers since releasing her 2006 major-label debut, "From Me to You," while still in her teens. The Avril Lavigne-esque songwriter's new disc, "Holidays in the Sun," will drop July 14 and she'll showcase it at Rock in Japan. Making her third appearance in as many years, expect a sea of gals in their 20s eagerly crooning along to Yui's sweet, summery guitar pop.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jun 25, 2010

Te' "Aete, Rikai wo Nozomi Motsure Tsuku Onsei ya Moji no Wakugai de no 'Yakusoku' wo"

As one of the country's more popular instrumental rock acts, Tokyo's Te' have sold out large clubs in Japan and toured overseas in the United States and Taiwan. Signed to local indie imprint Zankyo Record since the act's 2004 inception, Te's fourth full-length is their first stab at working with a major.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jun 18, 2010

Whatever you do, don't call it 'chillwave'

An online buzz began circulating last summer about a new style of music being created by underground acts in the United States. Labels used to describe the hazy tunes included "hypnagogic pop," "glo-fi" and "chillwave."

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jun 4, 2010

Singer-songwriter Nozuka's 'train' picks up speed

In the fall of 2007 and 2008, the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA) hosted Asian Trade Missions in Tokyo to cement stronger footholds in Japan for Canuck music companies and acts.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

May 7, 2010

The Bawdies: "There's No Turning Back"

In the middle of The Bawdies' "There's No Turning Back," is "Sad Song," a lament of lost love that comes dangerously close to being a Matchbox 20-styled ballad better suited for a breakup scene in some cheesy romance flick than a rock 'n' roll record. And while by no means their best material, the credit for the Tokyo quartet managing to make the track work at all goes solely to frontman Ryo "Roy" Watanabe and his fantastic soulful singing. Emulating legendary U.S. crooners such as Sam Cooke with ease, Watanabe's remarkable, raspy vocals have played a major role in making The Bawdies one of the most popular act's in Japan's revivalist rock scene.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Apr 23, 2010

Inspector Cluzo mix rock, blues, funk — no bass

Last year, French rock group The Inspector Cluzo played 185 concerts in 23 countries. Despite linguistic and cultural differences between the guitar-and-drums duo and their audiences, they had little difficulty spreading their basic message: "F-ck the bass player."

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Apr 9, 2010

Kaikoo Popwave Festival '10

Eagerly anticipating the upcoming outdoor music festival season? Spread over the course of two days and boasting nearly 70 acts on four open-air stages, the Kaikoo Popwave Festival should easily tide you over until the summer months arrive.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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