Mark Jarnes - The Japan Times

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Mark Jarnes

For Mark Jarnes's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jun 28, 2012

DJ Kentaro set to scratch a new itch

Only a handful of artists can say they've reached the top of their trade, but Kentaro Okamoto is one of them. As DJ Kentaro, his record-scratching skills got him noticed by beat heads worldwide back in 2002, when he won the DMC World DJ Final in London. But, now this DJ wants an image change.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jun 14, 2012

Grassroots group forms to fight antidancing law

Around 200 people gathered on the dancefloor of Kyoto's Club World on Sunday — but they weren't dancing.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Apr 5, 2012

Ex-champ Sudo set for a second round

In a world saturated with celebrity culture, it's not hard to sometimes get a bit envious of some stars. It's understandable, because from a distance the fame, the sex appeal and seemingly endless amounts of cash can seem pretty alluring.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD

Mar 15, 2012

David Dicembre has been in Tokyo for the past nine years, and has been spinning records for just as long. He's the manager of the Japanese version of online music magazine Resident Advisor and on top of that he organizes a regular chill-out party called Sound Garden. This is what's in his record bag:

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Dec 29, 2011

Best of 2011: Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto "Summvs"

Pioneers in their own respective musical fields, Carsten Nicolai (aka Alva Noto) and Ryuichi Sakamoto began their exploration of sound and visual arts, evocatively titled the Virus Series, in 2002. Nine years on and the fifth and final installment of the collection, "Summvs," reaches the apex of their collaborative potential.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Dec 15, 2011

Make it a countdown to remember

In Japan, New Year's Eve is traditionally celebrated at home with the family. For many it is a somber — if not sober — experience. Yet over the years Japan has firmly placed itself on the world map as a major stop-off point for some of the biggest names in the electronic music scene, and looking at what's in store for beat lovers come the final weekend of 2011, there is no doubt many will be tempted to slip out of the house and usher in the new year with their friends on the dancefloor.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Dec 1, 2011

Producer Miyahara wants more J-pop on the world stage

Tucked away in a cozy corner of Tokyo's Setagaya Ward, million-selling singer and rapper Soulja twirls an unsmoked cigarillo in his fingers while nodding his head to a hip-hop beat. "Yeah, that's good. I like that," he says to the man beside him, who is seated in front of a sound board and a colossal computer monitor. They are in a studio putting together Soulja's latest single, a collaboration with J-pop superstar Issa, of Da Pump fame. And the man next to Soulja, sporting a shaved head and dressed all in black, is songwriter and producer Jeff Miyahara.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD

Nov 17, 2011

DJ P.O.L. Style (Paul Beveridge) moved to Tokyo from Glasgow in 2003. He created the Numbers Tokyo party series and produces his own beats under the T&A Records, Tiger Bass and Nightshifters imprints. Ahead of this week's Yume Fest, The Japan Times looks in his record bag.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Oct 27, 2011

Dutch-born DJ and producer Martyn is perhaps best known for his dub-heavy bass tunes, and the back catalog of his own 3024 label would appear to confirm that. However, four-to-the-floor house and techno beats actually make him feel more at home. "It's very much a physical thing," he explains in an interview with The Japan Times in the runup to his live sets in Tokyo and Osaka this weekend. "There's a theory that says tracks that are 125/130 beats per minute are so close to the human heartbeat while dancing, it makes you feel comfortable. And when a child is in the womb, that's the rhythm of the mother's body, so that beat feels very familiar. "

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD

Oct 20, 2011

Sapporo's Kuniyuki Takahashi, aka KOSS, has the ability to deliver an unmistakable fusion of culturally diverse and soulful soundscapes with his own organic take on deep house and techno. The Japan Times took a look inside his record bag.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD

Sep 22, 2011

DJ, producer and founder of Crue-L Records, Kenji Takimi has been a central figure in Japan's house and disco scene since the late 1980s. The Japan Times takes a flick through the big man's record bag.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD

Aug 25, 2011

DJ SO (Satoshi Aoyagi) is a central figure at Mindgames, the people behind The Labyrinth festival, where he plays a supporting role as resident with his delicate blend of ambient and techno. The Japan Times peeks into his record bag.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Aug 18, 2011

Dommune goes outside for summer

Naohiro Ukawa, creator of live-streaming microclub Dommune, is pulling out all the stops this weekend with Freedommune 0 (Zero) in aid of victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, when he takes the studio outdoors for a full day and night of dance music.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jul 21, 2011

Root & Branch Presents UBIK

Hiroshi Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the Japanese electronic-music scene since graduating in 1994 from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, producing beats under the monikers Nite System, Quadra, Tread, Crank and 32 Project just to name a few.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD

Jul 21, 2011

DJ Broken Haze is making big strides with his latest release, "Broken Haze vs. B. Bravo," as well as monthly podcasts cohosted by DJ XLII. The Japan Times takes a look inside his record bag.

Japan Times

JAPAN / Media

Jul 17, 2011

Charity show by Japanese artists streams live to the world

Gigs held by popular artists regularly sell out in Japan, especially in the J-pop scene. This month however, there will be one concert where music fans won't have to worry about missing their favorite artists perform live, even after the tickets have all gone.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jul 14, 2011

Website Nico Nico Douga goes live ... house

Online video-sharing website Nico Nico Douga has become a popular place for young Japanese to check out new music. Now imagine stepping inside the site to experience those tunes live.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jul 14, 2011

Fighting for change the Fuji Rock way

Faced with the nation's worst disaster since World War II, Fuji Rock Festival founder Masahiro Hidaka had to make a choice back in March — whether to hold Japan's biggest summer music festival this year or not. He decided that the show must go on.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jul 1, 2011

Festival season hits Japan

Summer in Japan is widely known to be two things: hot and humid. Fortunately, for those who'll be in the country during the sultry season, the nation's annual music festivals will be a well-deserved trade-off for any discomfort. With something to offer revelers of all ages and preferences, the festivals of Japan are sure to slake even the most critical music aficionado's thirst for quality. Whether you are into Mogwai or Mozart, this is your time to rock.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jun 23, 2011

A party taking place in Tokyo this weekend aims to support the disaster-stricken northeast of Japan through a night of club music ranging from organic and jazzy house to solid techno.

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

Rows of irises resemble a rice field at the Peter Walker-designed Toyota Municipal Museum of Art.

The 'outsiders' creating some of Japan's greenest spaces

By Stephen Mansfield

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

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