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?
>>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.