The Back Horn will release a new single, “Kizuna Song”, on Jan. 26, 2005. A limited edition pressing of the two-track single includes a video clip of the song as a CD-Extra. In the spring, The Back Horn will contribute the theme song to the omnibus film Zoo, titled “Kiseki”. In the past year, the band has been a regular fixture at various festivals, performing at Fuji Rock, Rock in Japan and Ezo Rock. The group tops off the festival-heavy year with an appearance at Countdown Japan 04/05.
Following the success of her remixed first single, Utada Hikaru teams up with remixer Richard “Humpty” Vission on her next single, “Exodus ’04”. Vission’s remix of Utada’s “Devil Inside” topped the Billboard Hot Dance Tracks chart in October 2004, and the new single scheduled for a January 2005 release includes a remix by the Madonna producer. No release date for Japan has been scheduled. Utada released her US debut album, Exodus, in September.
Remioromen has booked a concert at Budokan Hall to coincide with the March 9 release of its second album. Tickets for the concert go on sale Feb. 12 through Disk Garage. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert starting at 7 p.m. The still untitled album follows a succession of monthly releases, starting in January with the single “Moratorium” and continuing with another single, “Minamikaze”, in February. Remioromen is also scheduled to perform at the end-of-year event Countdown Japan 04/05.
m-flo will release a new single and DVD on March 23, 2004. The DVD contains a myriad of content, ranging from promotion clips from the group’s latest studio albums, Astromantic and Astromantic Charm School, plus live footage from the “m-flo Live 2004 ‘Astromantic'” tour.
On the other hand, the still-untitled new single features Emily going by the name Sister E and Diggy Mo’ from Soul’d Out. m-flo’s previous single included a cover of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “The Other Side of Love” and featured Yoshika on vocals.
Bonnie Pink, Shonen Knife, DMBQ and the Pillows are among the 16 artists applying for showcases at the SXSW 2005 music festival in Texas, the festival’s Asian office announced. Scheduled for March 16-19, SXSW hosts a number of Asian-themed events, including the ever-popular Japan Nite. Past performers include Number Girl, Love Psychedelico, Lolita 18, FOE and Romz Record Crew. A full festival schedule will be announced in February.
L’Arc~en~Ciel will release a new single, “Killing Me”, on Jan. 19, 2005. The band’s first release since “Jiyuu e no Shootai” in June, the new single finds L’Arc~en~Ciel scaling up the speed of its sound. The coupling song is a recording of “Jiyuu e no Shootai” billed under Punk~en~Ciel, in which the band members switch parts.
Yuki will release a new single on Jan. 19, 2005, followed by a pair of videos on March 2. The new single, titled “Joy”, was written by Tsutaya Yoshimi, who also wrote “Hello Goodbye”, and arranged by Tanaka Yuusuke, who worked on “Home Sweet Home”. The single’s coupling tracks features remixes by Mutiny, Eric Kappa and Kouboku Masayoshi.
In March, the former Judy and Mary singer releases a live video, Sweet Home Rock ‘n’ Roll Tour, which features a selection of best performances from her Sept. 30 show at Zepp Tokyo. A promotional video collection, Yuki Video, covers her solo debut single, “the end of shite”, through the new single, “Joy”. The collection also includes making-of features and TV spots.
Drummer Ahito Inazawa is leaving Zazen Boys, the band’s official web site announced. Tension between Inazawa and the band led to his departure, according to a statement by band leader Mukai Shuutoku. Inazawa will still perform with Zazen Boys in Kyoto Park on Dec. 4 and at Countdown Japan 04/05 on Dec. 31.
Love Psychedelico will release a “concept best album” on Feb. 9, 2005. Following the theme consistent with the band’s three albums — “Love and Peace” — the duo hand-picked the track selection to include such songs as “Lady Madonna ~Yuutsu Naru Spider~”, “Your Song”, “Last Smile”, “Free World” and “Everybody needs somebody”. Love Psychedelico’s new single, “fantastic world”, will also be included among the album’s 15 tracks.
Quruli’s year-end concert on Dec. 28 at Nakano Sampler has a special guest — Cocco. The concert, dubbed “Quruli, Umi e Kaeru”, finds singer-guitarist Kishida Shigeru and bassist Satoo Seiji joined by drummer Dai Taroo (FEED), guitarist Hirohisa Horie (Neil & Irizia) and Cocco performing under the name Singer Songer. Cocco’s collaboration with Kishida on a remake of her song “Sing a Song ~No Music, No Life” made way for the new band. Tickets for the concert go on sale Dec. 11.