File Index

L’Arc-en-Ciel

The Back Horn

Bonnie Pink

The Brilliant Green

B'z

Chara

Cocco

CORE OF SOUL

Dir en grey

fra-foa

Gackt

GLAY

globe

GO!GO!7188

GOING UNDER GROUND

hide

Judy and Mary

Malice Mizer

Mr. Children

Onitsuka Chihiro

Penicillin

The Pillows

Shiina Ringo

T.M.Revolution

Thee Michelle Gun Elephant

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra

X Japan

Yaida Hitomi

The Yellow Monkey


                                                             Project J

 

Why do you categorize this band as J-Pop even though they clearly play J-Rock, J-Techno, J-Rap, etc...?

I personally use the term "J-Pop" to define any music of Japanese origin. I would rather not try to classify every possible genre, as it seems pointless to me.

Why do you say "Onitsuka Chihiro", for example, when I have always heard "Chihiro Onitsuka"?

The Japanese language uses reverse naming order. Many roman-based languages tend to switch them around to avoid confusion but I try to keep the names in their original order.

Why isn’t this and that artist profiled on your site?

It could be three things: I either have not had the chance of hearing enough of their repertoire, they are on my extensive to-do list; or I was not personally impressed with what I have heard so far.

There are thousands of great Japanese bands out there. Do you realize you only have a tiny fraction of them on your site?

Yeah. I’m working on that, though.

Why isn’t this song on your "Top 10" list?

I do try to hear as many songs of a profiled artist as possible but I do not own every single J-Pop record ever created. Plus, taste is, like all things, highly relative.

Why do you refer to this artist as "he" when, based on the picture, it is obviously a "she"?

You better sit down for this one: It is not uncommon for Japanese male artists to be in touch with their feminine side.

Can I link your site on mine?

Sure, that’d be swell.

Does that mean you will link mine on yours?

Artist-specific links are underway so drop me a line if you have a website dedicated to any of the current Project J artists.

What else in underway?

Official links, reviews, assorted editorials, lyric translations and forums are amongst the few projects I have in mind.

 

 

 J-Pop

 

Do the English titles mean the songs are in English?

English, being the lingua franca of the modern world, is very popular in Japan. English titles are used by many artists but do not necessarily reflect the language of the lyrics.

Where can I get Japanese music?

You would be surprised to see how many online retailers carry a large selection of J-Pop. Your local Asian market may also have a fair amount of them but keep your eyes open for bootleg copies. You can also sample artists by downloading songs off the internet but I strongly advise buying CDs of those you like best; Not only are they of better quality but you also encourage people who greatly deserve it.

How do I tell apart bootlegs?

It is getting harder and harder to spot bootlegs nowadays. When a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Why shouldn’t I get bootlegs, then?

Since they are copies of the original or of another copy, you pay shady organizations for a lesser quality product that is not theirs. Once again, I am all for sampling songs but it is important to officially buy what you like.

What is the best online retailer? 

It usually costs less to buy CDs from a Japanese store than to buy imports from a local online store. The cost of shipping is easily smoothed out by making orders of three or four albums. I personally buy all my albums from CDJapan. They have every CD you can think of, only sell official merchandise at the current Japanese street price and shipping never takes more than eight days.

What are the accepted payment methods and how do I go about placing an order there?

Everything is explained

here.

What is your favourite J-Pop band or artist?

It changes regularly.