This thread is for the discussion of Japanese bands and artists who are not as well known in the west as say, Ayumi Hamasaki, The Pillows, and Gackt.
That is, not to put Gackt and the Pillows in the same boat. . .
Anyway, what are your favorite artists from Japan that are less known? I know mine. She's actually my favorite artist of all time. "Rurutia" (「ルルチア」、 ｓｏｍｅｔｉｍｅｓ 「ルルテイア」) is great. The thing is, I have only heard one album from her. Her "R" album. I actually listen to it on repeat over and over for days. I have a certain order for the songs on it, and if they are not played in that order it just doesn't sound right. Do you know Rurutia, and if her other work is good?
Other than Rurutia I like Rie Fu. She sings in both English and Japanese, so being bilingual, it is very fun listening to her music.
I have only heard one song from "Mai Kurai", called "Secret of my Heart". It is my girlfriends favorite song. I like it, but I haven't heard anymore of Mai Kurai. Is she good?
I also like Yumi, though I have only heard "New World" from her.
Akino is another good artist (perhaps a band?)
Last but not least, I have a single from Kotoko (sort of famous, I think? I'm not sure) called "Re-sublimity." I love it!
Do you have any other Japanese artists that are good?
>I have only heard one song from "Mai Kurai", called "Secret of my Heart". It is my girlfriends favorite song. I like it, but I haven't heard anymore of Mai Kurai. Is she good?
I think you mean "Mai Kuraki." She's rather famous, IMO.
And Rie Fu is really famous right now (or so I think.)
Having done and ending to both Bleach and Gundam Seed Destiny.
Japanese independent rap group katagi are good sometimes.
Akira Sudou; she's probably best known for doing some Bubblegum Crisis 2040 music years ago and released an album as As Sekiria. It looks like she's going to be releasing a new single soon. If it's prelude to releasing more stuff, I'll be happy.
YUI MAKINO （as ＳＡＫＵＲＡ）
http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/m-serve/yui/
click<start>→radio
http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/m-serve/yui/ram/a-00366.ram
SONG 14:36～,29:13～
http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/m-serve/yui/ram/a-00357.ram
SONG 12:05～
http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/m-serve/yui/ram/a-00350.ram
SONG 11:00～
http://fans.kuroudo.org/cherry/
I like this song
http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/m-serve/yui/ram/a-00350.ram
time 14:47～
Hmm... I like UA a lot, especially her album, "Turbo". She's a really trippy artist. :P
Here's a link : http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/originals.htm
Yum! Yum! ORANGE
Ska/Pop
http://yumyumorange.jp/news.html
I don't think there's any samples on the site, but there's on http://mullemeck.serveftp.org/jps_beta/
The-Stiff
Hardcore/Screamo - I think.
http://www.the-stiff.com/
They've got samples on the site.
katagi:
http://www.muzie.co.jp/cgi-bin/artist.cgi?id=a015442
That's pretty much all their discography availible for download.
I think Nagasawa-kun is amazing. He's still very unheard of, just breaking out in Fukuoka.
http://www.office-augusta.com/atsugua/nagasawa/
>The-Stiff
>Hardcore/Screamo - I think.
>http://www.the-stiff.com/
reminds me very much of Death By Stereo.
Does Zigzo count? I really liked them but I don't think they were very popular.
I live in California and found a little known female group from Japan called, "YELLOW MACHINEGUN". No one here knows of them, which I think is great! They get some air play on Osaka's FM 802. The almbum titled, SPOT REMOVER, is definitely a must if you like the sound of angry women screaming over heavy guitar and drums. Typical 3-piece punk group.
old school but still great
TUBE
X JAPAN
There is a guy who lives in my apartment block who sings in the morning with his window open. He is not very good but better than most of the stuff on the radio.
He is not as nasal and whiney as most Japanese singers get when they try to sound white (forcing L sounds into words where they don't belong: Olly Wakalanai...)
He is a lesser know Japanese singers, as he is unknown.
Also, despite that most Japanese music is not very good, and those westerners who listen to it as a 'culture' thing are not very in the know, there are a few bands I could recommend.
-Mute Beat. Japanese dub. Very good and no vocals!
-The Fishmans - now defunct, singer passed away...
and
-Guitar Wolf, whose bassist, Billy Wolf, passed away last year, RIP.
Anemone are good, but unfortunatly unknown. also, recently, i found a singer who, for, his name, i only know suzuki...there are other kanji in his name that i cannot read.
Anemone are very good, but very unknown...also someone named suzuki...can't read the rest of his name's kanji
sorry, didnt mean to type twice
PEZ - First heard them from the opening of Gad Gaurd. Jazzy band, very... hip?
Mad Capsule Markets - Metal, very mad at the world these people are.
Variouse works from Matsuo Hayato - A very mellow man with anything from light guitar jams to envigorating orcastrated ensambles.
I like GISM and also the Stalin. Two good and unknown Japanese hardcore bands.
i've heard of stalin. ive been meaning to listen to them for a while now...
I recommend YUI. Here in Japan, she is get more famous.
Sorry, my English not very good.
Actually it's Mai Kuraki (倉木麻衣) - she's almost as well known as the other well-known female pop stars like Ai Otsuka and Nami Tamaki.
A band I think is absolutely hilarious is "Nice Guy Jin" who are a bunch of white guys with afro-style hair who rap in Japanese about the most mundane topics.
My boyfriend is into GISM i think but he likes punk music.
Perfume <3
http://www.amuse.co.jp/perfume/
>>24
I like YUI too, but she is quite well known now.
I would recommend "K".
He's a Korean who sings in Japanese.
He sang the theme song in 1リットルの涙, a famous drama.
>>27
Wow, not all Japanese hate Koreans?
Astonishing.
me
>>26
I also recommend Perfume and their awkward dance.
YouTube - Perfume - Oishii Recipe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLWf8mkJogQ
>>27
only few
I like chata.(茶太)
あさやけぼーだーらいん "Morning glow horizon"
http://www.voltagenation.com/pprr/
samples
http://www.voltagenation.com/pprr/download/bokuseka.zip
http://www.voltagenation.com/pprr/download/pprr.zip
Perfume = <3
>>28
Japanese hate Koreans less than Koreans hate Japanese.
Incidentally,I'm Japanese.
>>35
ow.. i see
i just know this now.
Kiiiiiii's stuff is... different.
http://www.kiiiiiii.com/
AYA (a girl rocker), YUI, OLIVIA (she is half american).
The Yellow Monkey!
La'Cryma Christi!
Now I'm feeling nostalgic.
Arika Takarano of Ali Project
Gackt, Ayaka Hirahara, Otsuka Ai's Planetarium, Home made Home, Rythem... I like a lot of other not so famous singers.
Out of all of those artists, only RYTHEM may be considered as lesser known since they don't top the Oricon as much as the others.
egh? really I thought that they were lesser artist because all my friends in school and other people only know Hikaru Utada. Oh well my mistake then for thinking that the rest of the artist listed wasn't popular
∧＿∧
（´∀｀）
Marica. She sings for eroge companies for their OPs and EDs. =D
Probably because those artists are more popular in Japan than overseas. Kind of like how Japanese rock is more popular overseas than in Japan and how boy bands like KAT-TUN are vice versa.
Ataru Nakamura. She's awesome.
ALvino!!!
Some people don't even know Pierrot. it is so sad T_T
mellowhead
http://www.last.fm/music/Mellowhead
I recommend grabbing their 2004 untitled album. "Tragedy Ramp" and "MABATAKI Rewind" are some of their best songs imo.
as everyone said Mai Kuraki IS a very well-known singer in Japan. But actually the Pillows are not so famous here. I don't know any Japanese people who listen to them (many say they don't even know who they are) and I think they may be better known to gaijin and to people living overseas.
if gackt is not famous i dunno what alice nine. is.
ah well, how about vidoll?
Vidoll is band that's been there for a while and have enjoyed relative popularity. A say a while cause so many vk bands come and go. It's definitely a name known among vk fans.
Hajime chitose
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZHispkyMk4
I can't find a PV but it was the ending song to Ayakashi~(Japanese Classic Horror)~ . A traditional and very beautiful song. I recommend it!
She has a strange way of singing but I think it's cause it's a style that comes from a certain area of Japan.
I like KOKIA's Arigatou. Unfortunately the original version isn't available on iTunes, and the ones she re-recorded for her Greatest Hits albums just don't sound as goosebump-inducing. Can anyone tell me where to find an MP3?
I saw Rie Fu performing live at the University of London Union's J-pop event. (I think she studies, or used to study, at the Institute of Art there.) It was awesome.
Antic Cafe used to not be so well known, but recently I've been seeing them everywhere... I really like Eimy (えぃみ→☆), though.
Doujin stuffs for me. Or artists that started off as doujin.
Sound Horizon
片霧烈火 / Katakiri Rekka
霜月はるか / Shimotsuki Haruka
茶太 / Chata(rou) xD
Antic Cafe has an annoying new lineup now.
IOSYS and 403.
Oh yeah Antic Cafe's new members totally blow. I liked Bou so much.
Also, I'd recommend Shimatani Hitomi.
Yurayura Teikoku is very awesome. Check out this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikOUA-aB97s
And of course, Melt Banana is the ultimate for hard noise psychopunk with tiny screaming vocalist cute girl.
Would you say Danger Gang is not as known?
I like them
Na Izumiya staat Hosokin op het programma. Hier bekijken we enkel de tosai en bestellen er enkele honderden. ... Na Hosokin
What's Mitsuhiro Oikawa's status in Japan?
Na Izumiya staat Hosokin op het programma. Hier bekijken we enkel de tosai en bestellen er enkele honderden. Graag zouden we ook zijn tategoi tosai eens bekijken. Dit werd door hem toegestaan waarna we ons naar een ander koihuis begaven. Aankopen van Tategoi tosai was er niet bij wegens onverkoopbaar in Europa.
Boowy, Kishidan, Yutaka Ozaki , Kome kome club, Masahiko Kondo
Witchery SKANK, Yum!Yum!ORANGE, muramasa, midnightPumpkin, GOLLBETTY, D-Snick, SKULL CANDY
Salyu.
Merry Go Round, Tower and Landmark are my favourite of her songs.
X Japan!!!!!!!!!!!!
> Less Known
Jun Togawa?
Inugami Circus-dan and Onmyou-za.
Shift was very pleased with the recording with INNER EAR STUDIO.
If it likes yellow machinegun, this is recommended.
3 piece girls band in Okinawa "Bleach"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSjfm87X7oY&feature=related
It plays now and it talks about Vo and michirou of STALIN.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O26wxWpsUd4
Is it good when checking it because Inugami Circus-dan also participates in the tribute of STALIN?
GISM runs after with the gas burner, turns the spectator, and the anecdote is terrible. hahaha
Are STALIN and GISM any good? We've wanted to listen to them, but couldn't find the time.
We also like Guitar Wolf.
73-75 Those aren't singers!
Stalin and GISM are good.
By Stalin, get STALINISM (collection of early singles), STOP JAP (first major album) and TRASH (first independent released album). Michiro Endo's solo career is good too - his newer albums (I My Me Amami) are acoustic Kan Mikami type stuff, but his older 80s albums are more diverse. A bit like Fishbone or Primus, sometimes quite new wave or goth / deathrocky (on 1985 Sex Odyssey and Hasan / Bankruptcy) and sometimes straight punk stuff (on the album Vietnam Legend). Michiro also reformed the Stalin as "STALIN" without the "the" during the late 80s / early 90s. Haven't heard much of but it seems like a continuation of his funky bass Primus type solo things.
By GISM, get Detestation. Military Affairs Neurotic is good too, but more metal. As in, metal type riffs and solos and things. Good though. The latest GISM album, SoniCRIME TheRapy, is worth getting too, but Sakevi/SKV's last album was a crap noise thing called The War (has a sample of King Crimson in it though, which is funny).
>75
It retreats ..no.. and I think the sound source of GISM to be sold out.
Can it able to have dealings over large amount of money by the auction and listen only by boot?
An overseas GISM fan makes my space.
http://www.myspace.com/GUERRILLAINCINDIARYSABOTAGEMUTINEER
The Michirou of STALIN acts on many topics.
NOTALIN'S is anxious seem interesting, too.
There is Stalin when it is good in Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izp8HKXp774&feature=related
Guitar Wolf is glossed over ..the very interest...
The "ultra cross" their project series puts out the split with three artists that it is noisy hard core, avant, break beats
Because they are declaring the influence of The Damned, it a little far apart from hard core?
There is no change in source Hare paving band!
Lead is hella good.
They're originally a hip hop dance crew.
They're new album is like old american 90's hip hop, R&B with some japanese flavor, its awesome.
you should check it out.
you can also YT their "UPTURN 2007" tour.
It's really good
AYA HIRANO <333333333333333
She's more famous for being a seiyu, but recently within the last couple years started a music career, and it rocks. Sounds like if Ayumi Hamasaki was a bit more "happy and rocked more".
Toshiyuki Machida recently debuted. He's uber cute and plays a good piano...
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/tmachida">
Miyavi? =(^∆^)=
not exactly 'less known' but rocks all the same ^^
is Aoyama Thelma less known outside Japan??
or Shimizu Shota?
WANDS
Boris
Merzbow
Tenjo Chiki
Bright
Onitsuka Chihiro
Stephanie
the thread says "less known japanese singers" but i saw mostly popular ones here! Oh, please....................
Begin
Denki Candy!
Bi Kyo Ran
Arashi, Antic Cafe, Malice Mizer and Moi Dix Mois! Love them all (L)
Perfume!!!!
Hamasaki Ayumi sama.
For all my fellow Japanese (or Japanese lovers):
浜崎あゆみ様
>>72
Yes! She and her band Yapoos are genius. It's still pop music, but it's so odd. I love it.
Capsule <3. The album S.F. Sound Furniture is awesome pop with styles from moe/denpa to jazzy to techno-ish.
Susumu Hirasawa?
90% of the artists mentioned do not qualify as a "lesser known" japanese artist.
Listen to popular opinion, you'll get popular answers.
Ｉｆ ｙｏｕ ｗａｎｔ ｔｏ ｌｉｓｔｅｎ ｔｏ ｌｏｔｓ ｏｆ ｌｅｓｓｅｒ ｋｎｏｗｎ Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ ｍｕｓｉｃｉａｎｓ， ｔｈａｎ ｔｈｉｓ ｗｅｂｓｉｔｅ ｉｓ ｐｅｒｆｅｃｔ． http://www.audioleaf.com/
Ｏｎｅ ｏｆ ｍｙ ｆａｖｏｒｉｔｅ ａｒｔｉｓｔ ｒｉｇｈｔ ｎｏｗ ｗｏｕｌｄ ｂｅ ａｆｔｅｒｐｉｌｏｔ．
Inoue Joe?
You know, the artist on the recent opening episode of NARUTO?
..dont bash me if you dont like him.
Pipo Angels. They did one of the OPs on Tantei Gakuen Q, its an etremely happy song, I find it funny. Unfortunately I can't find any other songs by them.
Nana Mizuki DISCOTHEQUE
>>92
Not well-known fail.
>>90
>>94
Win, but quickly becoming fail in regards to "not well-known." Which I kind of have mixed feelings about. I followed Perfume ever since Monochrome Effect. I called it that they would grow in popularity. It's like finding this awesome-looking sapling that not too many other people are around and watching it for a while but then it starts getting huge and attracting more attention and suddenly it's not as special any more.
I don't listen to anything too mainstream for similar reasons.
Guys, has anybody mentioned Shimokawa Mikuni? If you like listening to japanese music, you should seriously consider her songs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikuni_Shimokawa
She has most of her works on anime OP and ED songs. Series like Full Metal Panic! (OP and ED), Gensomaden Saiyuki (ED), Grenadier (OP and ED), etc.
Her voice is just WOW, very easy on the ears.
Kokia, she has an awesome voice and is capable of holding a solid note for 29 seconds.
Sorry when someone else aready noted them(haven't read the whole thread yet..)
Not that really unknown, but very good anyway:
>>103
Wow, no offense, but you sound like a stuck-up prick. A musician becoming more popular doesn't instantly make their music less good. You should listen to music because you like it, and not to lord it over the heads of others that you're so special because they've never heard of any of your favorite bands.
Asakawa Maki.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e-mInaBkFQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU2eG1Zh6Hg
Also Guernica. I guess maybe they don't count, seeing as Togawa Jun is really well known, but I don't think Guernica as a unit is known so well, especially in the West.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEbh_BwEqOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS1n89-E9u0
>>106
When Shiina Ringo sings for the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, it's really awesome.
bo-peep
budo grape
i cant find anything on them and any songs
i don't know if he's less known but i want you guys to listen to Asai Kenichi's music.
his greatest album is "Sekilala" by sherbet(asai kenichi sings and plays some instruments).
if you like rock, listen to Blankey Jet City, they're really good.
Toyko Girls Style
Rumi Shishido
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk6gOGPrJek produced by Yasuhiko Fukuda, who also did music for a few Bomberman games
Dreams Come True
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkDKPZH93hk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayj5Vzuv-mU
Toshiki Kadomatsu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0g79mTyjE0
Akina Nakamori
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqVxvLCHX1E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKKVgT625b0
Morning Musume & All the artists from Hello! Project!!
I love Rolly Teranishi
ピニス
Minna Nakayosi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFKpL3yNMC0
Kansai International Airport
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7layRvp-EY
kokoni iruze
T-SQUARE TRUTH
Maji Desu ka Ska!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsp7uBjwJoc
I love a lot of the bands Yuki Kajiura has written music for or actually been a part of like Kalafina, See-Saw, and FictionJunction.
Recently I've been getting into a female duet called Yuimino
Japanese rock/post rock/shoegaze band!!
Check it !!! Plzzzzzzzz
http://www.myspace.com/akafuku
and this is our MAD video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B21oK8D0_oA
andymoriがとてもいいよ
avengers in sci-fi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-oM-7EJqkE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb_MQxVLCXs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-oM-7EJqkE
People In The Box
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsFohjWLKdI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcWw0fACVpc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cAOuWTuFEs
cinema staff
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXcTw710x28
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJrSs3cCEo4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SiNvDSi03Q
the cabs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qsXxKawUos
Shinsei Kamattechan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXT9rz8BErk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31zyPyrAkNQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqE3oaJmVS0
日本の芸能界もマイケルジャクソンの人生を共有して混乱してたり
日本のコメディアンが、マイケルの人気を取り合ったりと
混乱してたんだよね
the mirraz
this guys name is franke wapole. i'm not sure if he's great, but definately lesser known.
http://www.kindaikobo.com/staffblog/?p=239
Please comment.
I'm really on a Enjo-G kick right now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjEK0xOLAF0
Basically he teams up with Bubble-B, and they do some silly songs.
Remember Toyama Kōichi (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koichi_Toyama)? The crazy-awesome bald guy who first stood for election to the post of Tokyo Governor in 2007 and announced that his platform was to scrap the whole "horrible nation" and build a new one from scratch, and who then in 2008 made a video complaining that he wasn't eligible as a POTUS candidate even though the US government meddles all over the world as if it were their own territory?
Yeah, turns out he's a pretty good singer. Check out his cover of Sada Masashi's hit "Tsugunai": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlI19eDRDao
And here's his original theme song for Golgo 13: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEOTWk8VZAQ
Piko! He's not really well known but he's getting there.
Himeka too. She's a French-canadian who sings in Japanese.
Yohio is pretty new. He's Swedish and sings in Japanese.
Hmm.... who else...
Kaya, Sekihan, Mi-chan, Root 5, Satsuki(I think), Sayuri Sagawara,
Shikata Akiko, Yousei Teikoku, Plastic Tree, Supercell, Paradeis, Juka.....
I love Yuki! I don't believe her age!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60bhfYQn91M&feature=g-hist
This playlist is Nice!Many Japanese artists.
https://open.spotify.com/user/21oybnkfuk6x5x62i7y4ugo2q/playlist/5L6OzKlxsRZuSXRXNJcz1b?si=hWO_ird3SDy_Dc-EqPrRMg
I gotta rep my fav band ever, Die!!Die!!Color!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kFtOIsVgG4
These guys were the definition of J-core back in the day. Made 5 or 6 incredible albums before disbanding into the ether.
I heard of them through 4-ch and found their albums on rutracker back in the day.