Press Release: Hatsune Miku to Perform on The Late Show

International sensation Hatsune Miku, the virtual idol at the forefront of Crypton Future Media‘s vocaloid software, will make her American television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman on CBS on October 8.

Hatsune Miku’s appearance on the nationally televised show will give American audiences a preview of the MIKU EXPO performance awaiting fans at L.A.’s Nokia Theater and New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom later this month. Celebrating the music, imagery, and interactive excitement of Hatsune Miku with back-to-back events in October, MIKU EXPO is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for fans to immerse themselves in the Miku World!

MIKU EXPO recently revealed its Halloween Party Area Map for the L.A. event at Los Angeles Center Studios, including a guide to vendors and limited-edition Halloween-themed merchandise.

Buzz for the New York and L.A. events has continued to build this month, with several fan-based activities and announcements.

“Sharing The World” by BIGHEAD feat. Hatsune Miku was released this month as the official theme song for the event.
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Streaming anime website Crunchyroll announced a fan video contest and a 30-minute exclusive concert video from MIKU EXPO in Indonesia.

Hatsune Miku fans can keep up with the latest news on Facebook and Twitter using hashtag #MikuExpo.

ABOUT HATSUNE MIKU EXPO

HATSUNE MIKU EXPO presents multiple activities featuring Hatsune Miku, including an artwork exhibition focused on the virtual singer and the cultural movement she inspired, fan gathering activities, and — the ultimate highlight — the Hatsune Miku concert show using cutting-edge projection technology and a live band.

LOS ANGELES – The HATSUNE MIKU live concert is hosted in Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre, with the collaborative exhibition hosted by Miku and her friends at an early Halloween party at Los Angeles Center Studios. At the exhibition, you can enjoy artwork displays, a special Halloween-themed area, and a shop where you can buy exclusive goods, including special Halloween items!

HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2014 in Los Angeles
Live Concert Dates: October 11th & 12th
Live Concert Venue: NOKIA Theatre

NEW YORK – The HATSUNE MIKU live concert is held in New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, and the exhibition hosted in Lower East Side concept space Wallplay over a period of eleven days. The exhibition shows illustrations, videos, and more, revolving around Hatsune Miku and the theme of Universal Positivity.

HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2014 in New York
Live Concert Dates: October 17th & 18th
Concert Venue: Hammerstein Ballroom

HATSUNE MIKU PROFILE

Hatsune Miku is a singing voice synthesizer featured in over 100,000 songs released worldwide. Popular with millions of international fans, Hatsune Miku means “The first Sound from the Future”.

With over 2 million fans on Facebook, over 100,000 released songs, 170,000 uploaded YouTube videos, and 1,000,000 artwork creations, Hatsune Miku has performed sold-out 3D concerts worldwide with performances in L.A., Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo in addition to corporate collaborations with SEGA, Toyota USA, Google and more.

MC Frontalot Says to Question Bedtime

MC Frotalot  has released a new album called Question Bedtime.  This newest album is created for both children and parents.  Each song based on a different fairytale from around the globe.  He is currently touring in Europe to promote the album.

Considered the father of nerdcore hip-hop, after creating the term in 2000, MC Frontalot is one of the tops in the genre.  Appearing on TV, radio, other’s albums, and in the documentary Nerdcore Rising.  This is his sixth studio album.

He raps about some well known, at least to me, tales like Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, Emperor’s New Clothes, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and the Youth Who Went Forth to Learn Fear, plus some lesser know ones the Ruined Man Who Became Rich Again Through a Dream, the Mastermaid, the Ugle Son, the Stonecutter, and Wakjakaga Anus Guards the Ducks.  He gives each story his own little twist, like Goldilocks being the bear boogeyman being the most bizarre.  The album is also intersected with tracks of Frontalot acting as a babysitting trying to get comedians Kyle Kinane, P.F. Tompkins, Negin Farsad and Lisa Delarios to go to bed.

Guests on the album vary from nerdcore rappers Adam WarRock, Sole, Open Mike Eagle, and mc Chris to rapper Jean Grae, singer-song writer Marian Call, steampunk cellist Unwoman, Panter and Gambler of the Protomen, plus Busdriver, John Roderick, Parry Gripp, and producers Baddd Spellah and Kid Kola.

My favorite track off the album is Two Dreamers.  It just has a great beat and infectious chorus.

The artwork for  the album was done by comic book artist Bill Sienkiewicz of New Mutants and Elektra fame giving it his own special twist.

Pick up the album from Front’s store, iTunes, or Bandcamp for around $11.

Check out the first video from the album over at Entertainment Weekly.  It is Gold Locks starring Jean Grae and Gabrielle Sterbenz, directed by BroSis.

If you are a fan of Frontalots, then this is just another great album for your collection.  If you have not gotten into him yet, then this is a great album to start on.

Press Release: Anime USA Hosts the Debut U.S. Performance of Schwarz Stein

Anime USA is excited to host the performance of visual kei act, Schwarz Stein!

In 2002, vocalist, Kaya, and keyboardist and programmer, Hora, came together to form Schwarz Stein. Produced by Mana of Moi dix Mois and Malice Mizer fame, Schwarz Stein’s music draws influence from dark wave, industrial, and trance genres. In 2003, they released their debut single, “Perfect Garden” under Mana’s label, Midi:Nette. Soon after, they released their first full-length album, “Vogue Children”.

They quickly rose to popularity due to their signature gothic-inspired aesthetic, unique sound, and mesmerizing live performances. Schwarz Stein performed at various events and alongside other visual kei acts, such as Moi dix Mois. In 2004, they disbanded to focus on their solo careers. Even after their split-up, Schwarz Stein’s fan base grew as they continued to influence the Japanese visual kei and dark electronic music scenes through their solo acts. In March of 2014, Schwarz Stein officially reunited and released a new single, “Gebet”.

Anime USA is honored to host Schwarz Stein’s first public appearance since their initial reunion. In addition to their live performance, Schwarz Stein will participate in an autograph session and panel at the convention. All Anime USA attendees are invited to watch the performance, included with the purchase of a 2014 Anime USA membership. Attendees and fans alike are also invited to participate in the Schwarz Stein VIP Experience, complete with priority access to the Schwarz Stein concert on Saturday, October 4, a meet-and-greet before the concert, and a Polaroid photo with the duo.

About Anime USA: Anime USA began in 1999 as a 3-day Japanese animation convention in northern Virginia. It was started by fans and in 2004, Anime USA formed a non-profit educational organization to host the convention. Anime USA’s mission is to promote, as well as educate the public about Japanese animation, art, music, history, and popular culture.