I shit you not...

   This guy was at my local walmart :(

Seishun Collection :(

 
PVcheap, outfits are crap (unique but still crap), dance is predictable, and as I've said about the song since day 1: Nanchatte + Genki Pika Pika = Seishun Collection Which is horrible.

Only reason I'm buying this is cause the covers are actually not that bad. Type A & RE are just awesome.

Probably to sell as good as Mikan we're gonna need wota like this guy:

I remember a few pics like this appearing. Everyone' (a term I'm using loosely) did do that, it was either team Love Nanchatte or team Love Kimagure. Overall it seemed like team Hate OGMNI. Myself was none because I liked all, I say stick to whatever is selling. If Nanchatte got sales like that keep up the kind of work, but make it slightly different. (Which can be seen by Shouganai & Nanchatte, both doing records for Musume in the recent years.) Because in the end the idol scene isn't just to please us fans it's for the girls to make earnings. Sure, they could enjoy their work and have fun but the hard facts are it's about making a living for yourself.

Not like I expected much, but the covers kinda gave a false hope. The PV concept was great just putting it together made it cheap and not that great to watch. I've listened to the song 20 times on repeat, and remember nothing from it except the intro. Not exactly the most memorable...

I like quality, alot of people only have known Musume from 2005+ (there is of course people who have longer). When I think the online H!P boom started, myself started in 2003 just before Kei's graduation and I have to say what music is being put out compared to then (I'm never talking sales here, only quality) is nothing. Absolutely nothing, adding the 5th gen so early was the downfall. From there we lost 3 key members (Kei, Maki, Nacchi) not to mention between HSW-Hyokkori Hyoutanjima was the most childish (sans Do it! Now) songs ever. No one complains there, and consider those some of the "best". After Do It! Now, Maki's last, you can clearly see the downward slump after each release, Kaori & Hitomi leaving even made it worse. Only things to spike it were "Kananshimi Twilight" & "Nanchatte Renai".

The last song I ever listened to and loved on first listen was AFOD, pretty much the 1-4 gen suffered as 5-8 came in. The unbalanced age was a big factor, Yuko looked so awkward in HSW, and Niigaki looked out of place in Do it! Now. :/ I think Tsunku should drop all pre-notions on how to produce music and do something completely 100% different than anything they've done and do a huge restart. Which was what basically happened with LOVE Machine, compare that to Morning Coffee. AKB48 hasn't done anything extremely in your face sexy (Seifuku Jama wo Suru doesn't count) but if leaving the "idol fun" idea behind there could be somthing. MAX is attempting it but doesn't have any promotion.

If they dropped everything did something unlike any other idol group, there could be a huge jump again. Like LOVE Machine! I'm wanting something like these:

4minute / Hyun Ah / Noto Arisa / Earrings

First of all I LOVE 4MINUTE! and some other kpop I don't talk about.

But in the above MV (which you NEED to watch) you'll see this at about 0:48. Let me walk you through it!

Earring is in place at :48

It then proceeds to fall when she flings her head oh the "huh" 

(watch the video to see what I mean).

Supposed to say 0:48.4

This was supposed to say 0:48.6

Then in the next scene it's BACK, like magic!!

Hyun Ah's new style is pretty awesome, I'm likin the color <3. She reminds me of Noto Arisa, but sexier. Since Noto isn't really promoted to be sexy.... just look at the small overbite!

LINLIN

She's so awesome!


WATCH IT NAO

Shoko Aida

I've never heard such a beautiful song before.

From her 1992 album "Delphinium", enjoy. (I could not find a streaming video...)
Here's a small 1min LQ version - http://nega.jp/out/axgNJGyMt3I/a_001.3gp
I guess I could upload the song....

Lol if you look up "相田翔子 LOVE streaming" in Google, my Last.fm comes up. XD

For my own ref

After School - BANG!

T.R.Y. Do it now! Can you follow me? Yes!! Uh-ha~!!

T.R.Y. Pick it up! You’ll never catch me!! Oh~ No!!


눈부시게 빛나는 나를 따라 Oh! Oh! Oh!
가식적인 말들은 비웃어버려 Ha! Ha! Ha!
예쁘기만 한 너는 더 이상은 No! No! No!
짜릿한 음악 속에 던져버려 Bang! Bang! Bang!


우리는!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! 너흰 모두 비켜라!! Check it out!! 다 가져봐!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!
Right now!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! 모두 미쳐라!! 외쳐라!! 또 이렇게!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!


T.R.Y. Do it now! Can you follow me? Yes!! Uh-ha~!!
T.R.Y. Pick it up! You’ll never catch me!! Oh~ No!!


가슴 뛰는 이 밤을 내 맘은 Oh! Oh! Oh!
불타는 네 눈길은 내 몸을 타고 Ha! Ha! Ha!
거칠어진 숨소리 멈추진 마 No! No! No!
심장이 이 리듬을 따라가게 쿵! 쿵! 쿵!


우리는!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! 너흰 모두 비켜라!! Check it out!! 다 가져봐!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!
Right now!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! 모두 미쳐라!! 외쳐라!! 또 이렇게!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!


Bringin’ it to you daily It’s only from the best
After School Playgirlz know how to get fresh
So cool, So right, just so tasty
We bring it fast forward the fellows go crazy


좀더 과감하게 보여 주는 거야 너~ (To be raised for my life)
좀더 특별하게 춤을 추는 거야 너~ (To be raised for my life)
음악에 널 맡겨 주문을 걸어봐 Yeah~ (To be raised for my life)


Crisp clean original new quality is what we give to you.
(Check it out) a new generation and a whole new start 
(Check it out) collaboration with a brand new heart


조금 더 다가와 이순간을 Catch Up!! Oh~


On your mark set ready to go, can you feel it in your body this A.S. flow..
Hey hey what you want ! Let’s go…!!


우리는!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! 너흰 모두 비켜라!! Check it out!! 다 가져봐!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!
Right now!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! 모두 미쳐라!! 외쳐라!! 또 이렇게!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!


T.R.Y. Do it now! Can you follow me? Yes!! Uh-ha~!!
T.R.Y. Pick it up! You’ll never catch me!! Oh~ No!!
A-ha! A-ha! A-ha! T.R.Y. Do it now!!.
A-ha! A-ha! A-ha! Can you follow me? Yes!! Uh-ha~!!


A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!
A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!

MY OWN ROMAJI 
T.R.Y. Do it now! Can you follow me? Yes!! Uh-ha~!!
T.R.Y. Pick it up! You’ll never catch me!! Oh~ No!!


nun bu sige bic na neun na reur tta ra Oh! Oh! Oh!
gasik jeog in mal deur eun bi useo beo ryeo Ha! Ha! Ha!
yeppeu gi man han neo neun deo i sang eun No! No! No!
jjarit han eumag sog e deon jyeo be ryeo Bang! Bang! Bang!


uri neun!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! neo huin mo du bi kyeo ra!! Check it out!! da ga jyeo bwa!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!
Right now!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! mo du ni chyeo ra!! oe chyeo ra!! tto i reoh ge!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!


T.R.Y. Do it now! Can you follow me? Yes!! Uh-ha~!!
T.R.Y. Pick it up! You’ll never catch me!! Oh~ No!!


ga seum ttwi neun i bam eir nae mameun Oh! Oh! Oh!
bul ta neun ne nun gireun nae mom eur ta go Ha! Ha! Ha!
geo chir eo jin sum sori meom chu jin ma No! No! No!
sim jang iiri deum eur tta ra ga ge kung! kung! kung!


uri neun!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! neo huin modu bi kyeo ra!! Check it out!! da ga jyeo bwa!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!
Right now!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! modu mi chyeo ra!! oe chyeo ra!! tto i roh ge!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!


Bringin’ it to you daily It’s only from the best
After School Playgirlz know how to get fresh
So cool, So right, just so tasty
We bring it fast forward the fellows go crazy


jom deo gwa gam hage bo yeo ju neun geo ya neo~ (To be raised for my life)
jom deoo teuk byeol hage chumeur chu neun geo ya neo~ (To be raised for my life)
eum age neor mat gyeo ju mun eur geor eo bwa Yeah~ (To be raised for my life)


[Crisp clean original new quality is what we give to you.
(Check it out) a new generation and a whole new start
(Check it out) collaboration with a brand new heart]


jo geum deo da ga wa isun gan eur Catch Up!! Oh~


[On your mark set ready to go, can you feel it in your body this A.S. flow..
Hey hey what you want ! Let’s go…!!]


uri neun!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! neo huin modu bi kyeo ra!! Check it out!! da ga jyeo bwa!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!
Right now!! Oh~ After!! School Up!! modu mi chyeo ra!! oe chyeo ra!! tto i reoh ge!! A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!

T.R.Y. Do it now! Can you follow me? Yes!! Uh-ha~!!
T.R.Y. Pick it up! You’ll never catch me!! Oh~ No!!
A-ha! A-ha! A-ha! T.R.Y. Do it now!!.
A-ha! A-ha! A-ha! Can you follow me? Yes!! Uh-ha~!!


A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!
A-ha! A-ha! A-ha!

Elder Club

Are there girls going to do anything release wise? Maeda is the only one, and probably the least expected. I figured Nacchi or Yuko would be the first. Her sales are lower than theirs, not that I don't love her but I just don't understand. Melon Kinenbi was very active and then went *BOOM*. Suddenly, they were doing decent but I guess they were sick of being the bottom of the barrel. Yaguchi (no suprise) and Miki have been appearing in many many TV shows and figured they'd do something. Yaguchi did some boring anime work but that I don't consider a real solo work release. Tsuji did a CM song, again doesn't count in my book. The other girls never appear unless with each other, like in Utaban or special TV shows. Their careers are just rotting away. I know Aya said she wants a break from touring, but she's done small dinner stuff since them. Nacchi released a live DVD. Ongaku Gatas did a indies release that I barely remember, but still tour. How the hell they do that off like three singles and an album I don't know. The set lists are just a bunch of other H!P songs. Yuko and Iida are complete mysteries, especially Iida. She's barely done anything since back off maturnity leave, only concerts/TV. Yuko is a complete WTF. I know she does small dinner stuff. Keichan is sticking to what she's always done - nothing.... but small lives with other members. Makoto is doing theater/plays, which is next to nothing interesting.

tl;dr - WHERE ARE YOU ELDERS?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I was browing through the Pika Pika goods at H!SUSA after they announced more visual books about 15 minutes ago and caught the Mircofiber Towels being put up. I saw Aika's!!!! YAY I want them so bad along with the bunny pictures (which are GONE) I then went back and it's gone too. I guess a slip up? They'll have them available soon I'm guessing, since the pre-orders ship Saturday.

Edit: THEY ARE AVAILABLE AS SPECIAL ORDER NOW. *DIES*
Edit2: I'm calm now XD Anyway I bought Sayu & Linlin's <3

Ishii Rika - French November Interview

Just a quick short translation, sorry for mistakes!

Credits: Hannah (LianaiGeming21)

Ishii Rika is an independent artist who was at one time was under the spotlight as Peachy, then in the famous Hello! Project known for its Japanese idols. For six years she has given new meaning to her career. By taking risks it has built a new musical world much more true to her personality and what she wants to share it now with the public. The year 2009 was a busy year for the artist with the release of the single "Blue" and participation in the project "Such a Beautiful Girl Like You", intertwined with numerous concerts in Japan.

 
How did you get started in the world of music and what attracted you to this?
It was under the influence of my sister who was aged 10 years older than me and she listened all the time music. So there was plenty of time to listen to the music in my situation. Although I didn't understand the meaning of the words in my childhood, I listened to the melody and sang the music that flooded the house and I felt really happy. I had a deeply instilled desire to become a singer in the future since I heard the voice of Yoshida Miwa of "Dreams come true". I really fell in love with her singing powerfully while having a smile each time and then I also had a desire to help people with my songs. I started by going to a music school in my neighborhood during my years in high school and I released a CD through an independent label of Hiroshima. 

Much of the public became acquainted with you with your first single as "Peachy" and then following through your work with Hello! Project. What impact have these experiences on your career and what do you remember of those years?
I learned many important things from the artist Kaori Okui, singer of the former group Princess Princess, whom produced me as "Peachy" and I also learned from musicians who have supported me through the recordings and live performances. The records in a very limited timing and promotional activities across the country were very hard. However, going through such an experience, now any kind of situation is possible for me to continue my journey.   

Additionally, the experience of "Hello! Project" reminded me what I really want to show and what I really want to express. My friends of Hello! Project shined when they were with me on stage, even in the most difficult situations. Sometimes we go shopping and drank tea together during our breaks. Most of the activity as a member of Hello! Project seemed to be time spent in school but the being with all those wonderful friends is now a treasure for me.
 

How did you make the decision to terminate your career as an idol and what were the reactions of the public and music professionals?
As an idol in Hello! Project, I did some concerts on big stages, I also spent time on television programs. These experiences were very pleasant. However, when I spent all these days as an idol, a thought came to my heart; "I want to convey my words in my songs with everyone and directly" and it became stronger every day. When I discussed my desire to end my career as an idol, my family, my friends and of course the music industry teams of course objected to this idea. I was really sorry to my fans and the team who supported my career and I was keeping this to myself about this idea. I was imagining my future. Two years after what did I want to be? Ten years after what did I want to be? The answer to that  was very clear to me. I have only one life, I wanted to be myself and I still continue to question myself today.

You're now an independent artist and listening to songs we can feel in a very intimate environment. How would you define your musical style and what are the main differences with what you did before?
Thank you for that wonderful expression! I loved the world pictured like *Nabi by Bonnard and Vuillard.
The big difference compared to my old job is done because I'm writing the lyrics and the songs by myself. The musical production is done by singing with a musical instrument, mainly the piano. I began by establishing the lyrics or sound, depending on the song. Regarding the arrangements, I have established a music stand with other musicians who do the arrangements. I'm aiming for a sound that does not fade, even after 30 years. During the recordings, I try to have a direct, basic sound. 

Your new single "Blue" was presented to the public this year. What is the spirit of this song and how did you work on it?
This was the first stage of life. In it were more moments where I laughed as much as when I cried. This song reflects all these thoughts. One afternoon during a pleasant day, I was in the train. When I looked at the people who went in and the scenes that paraded through the train windows, the melody and lyrics of the main part of the songs were being born. I returned home immediately and I composed the entire music playing the piano. The song is a music that I composed for a plain heart. I will certainly continue to sing this song with the heart that I felt then.
 
You do a lot of live concerts in particular in places like the friendly livespace Mona Favorite Records and Cafe. What kind of atmosphere can you bring this kind of place with your music and what is your best memory of your live shows? The lives in warm places like livespace is like having a party at home. In entertaining the people who come to hear my songs with music and good food and making lives in these places brings nostalgia to my music. Everyone does their best every day at each location. If the music brings a sound to a place that allows people to feel better and that place makes you want to go back through my song, I am very happy to have done that.

You seem to have a bond with the MySpace community site especially with your latest project: "Such a beautiful girl like you."Can you tell us a little about this album and how the idea came?
"Such a beautiful girl like you" was produced as a project of MySpace Japan. It is a compilation that Mona Records and MySpace Japan co-produced to showcase new artists and women who were registered with MySpace Japan. MySpace supports the production and promotion of several independent artists now. I am one of those artists. I joined a collaborative project that MySpace will do to promote new independent artists.

Do you think that an artist can exist without an independent internet and what your vision of the potential impact of the internet through culture and music?
As an artist, I make a song, I sing and I play. You can still express yourself without internet. But I think the internet is an effective tool for more people can listen to music and in return they send us some "sympathy".
To survive as an artist, I think the most important thing is that artists can express their music while keeping their passion. To change the world, it depends on how artists can use materials or tools like the internet. I think the current situations are that CD sales continue to decline including dissemination via the internet and it's really unfortunate. However, I will continue to use sites such as MySpace in the future. And I want to increase opportunities for people to listen to my music, not only in Japan but also abroad. 

Many people on the internet just love your music but do not know how to get your CDs. How can they and in order to expand your music do you plan to make concerts outside of Japan?
Fans can buy my CDs Japans on a local website, but for those who live outside of Japan it is not possible since it's only for Japanese users. Next year, fans will be able to buy my music through download sites like iTunes. [You can now, I believe] Sometimes I get offers to do live performances outside of Japan, but I have no plan yet to make concerts abroad. I would do lives in France if given the opportunity.

What are your future projects and what can you hope for the continuation of your career?
I will release a mini album in spring 2010. Through this release, I will wish to expand my activities across the country and around the world.  And as the next stage of my musical career, I'd like to produce artists one day. I learned many wonderful things from artists that I respect and I would like to convey these things to the next generation.

Note: 

*This references to French art from 1890, the year in which Edouard Vuillard met Pierre Bonnard he had joined the Nabis, a group of art students inspired by the synthetism of Gauguin. I think it was joke since the article was in French.

So interesting,  I really like what she had to say! A mini album in spring 2010, that's now!?

:)

I changed my lastest HSUSA order around some and ended up with one order of OG/Elders and this one with recent stuff, I also ended up with the last Sayumi Phone Strap XD

Koharu - Sugar Doll
Sayumi - 20's July 13
Saki - NACKY
Sayumi - Pika Pika Fan
Sayumi - Pika Pika Shirt
Sayumi - Pika Pika 2L Photo A
Sayumi - Pika Pika Phone Strap
Linlin - Pika Pika 2L Photo A
Linlin - Pika Pika Phone Strap
MM - Mobekimasu Offshot Photo A
MM - Mobekimasu Towel

= ~$268.00

I'll show the OG/EC order later, I have to leave now!

:)

Male Wota VS Female Wota

I'm using the term wota to mean any H!P fan for this. After the chat came up on H!O on this picture post, I had to use my math skills to show how many female fans there is per male.
One example I wrote at H!O:
Judging by the registered member list there is 138 pages of female members, with 20 on each, except the last one (with 2) it would equal 2,742 girls here. And 4,640 male. Lol, and 71,589 (3580 pages) members only 7,382 have specified their gender. So males are double to females registered here, with their gender set. So I can totally see why people think the female fans are almost non existent.
For every ~1.70 (yeah 3/4 a person) male fan there is one female at H!O. So if you take the Nine Smile concert final day hall seating capacity (imagine if I used the EC graduation numbers) which is 2,062. So if 2,062 gender set H!Onliners went to the Nine Smile concert only only about ~1,212 of those attendees would be female. (Coincidentally when divided equal out to 1.70, I think?) So males have a upperhand but females are around just not as many.

But if you factor in minors (as in age) I'm not sure the numbers will stay the same

Member lists from the top 3 H!P forums:
Hello! Online
Musume-Central
MM-BBS

Affecting variables: Age limits depending on venue rules

Stats:
H!O - Male 4,640
        - Female 2,742
        - Unspecified 64,207
Ratio -  ~1.70 males per female
M-C - Male 280
        - Female 179
        - Unspecified  2,021
Ratio -  ~1.50 males per female
BBS - Male 80
        - Female 122
        - Unspecified  2,206
Ratio - ~0.65 males per female

Totals - Male 5,000
           - Female 3,043
           - Unspecified 68,434
           - All M&F 8,043
Average Ratio - ~1.28 males per female

Females seem to be out numbered with the exception of MM-BBS. So many leechers!

Now to compare that to the Elder Club graduation at Yokohama arena, much like I did with Nine Smile. The capacity is 17,000, which is nothing to the 8,043 people. I will pretend I have 17k. Let's say the arena was sold out, looked like it was anyway. :P I divided by the 1.28 ratio = 13,281 males would have attended. Making it 3,719 females at that concert. Quite a huge gap!! Ratio - ~3.57 males per female.

Summary:
-It's seems males generally dominate, idols are projected to them purposely. Which can explain this.
-What can't be explained is what draws females to idols.
-The variable of children/minors can affect this.
-For every 3 and 1/2 males that attended equaled 1 female.

Hmmmmm......TBC