Getting Bardcore with the Library Bards

The Library Bards, a comedy duo out of LA, have their first album out, Bardcore , and I felt like reviewing it.  It is a comedy parody album that covers many fandoms so everyone should find something to listen to.

Overall it is a fun album, music is bouncy and light, lyrics are humorous, and you can tell they are enjoying themselves.  Something to play for nerdy friends to party to.  The problem is some of the lyrics seem to feel a little forced and clunky.  Like they are trying to hard to rhyme like the original song instead of having the song make sense.  Now they are a newer act and will get better with time and experience, but right now this album just does not have the full polish of some other comedy musicians.  It is still a fun album to sing a long with, especially if you like the original songs they parody.

Enough with my nitpicking, the best songs on the album to me are: Pokéball (Pokémon p0arody of “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus) a sweet love song using Pokémon imagery and Black and Red (parody of “Zombie” by The Cranberries) which is about Deadpool and Harley Quinn cosplayers, it is both harsh on them and loving, which comes in two versions on the album.

You can buy the album from their site for $14.99.  Plus they have t-shirts for $20.  You can get their song Regeneration (a Doctor Who parody of “My Generation” by The Who) for free on The FuMP right if you hurry.

You can also check out their YouTube channel for music videos  and live performances.

The Library Bards are a nerd parody band consisting of Bonnie Gordon (ABC’s The Quest, R. Mika in Street Fighter V) and Xander Jeanneret (TBS’ King of the Nerds). They take Top 40 hits and transform them into the nerdy versions they should have been in the first place! With their catchy tunes and nerdy lyrics, the Library Bards will be bringing you into the Bard Life in no time!

Press Release: Anime Music Streaming Subscription Service “ANiUTa”

Anime music record companies cooperated and established a new company called “ANIUTA,INC.”  The new company announced and launched the worldʼs first anime music specialized paid subscription “ANiUTa” today.

ANiUTa will tap into a new market in music streaming subscription by creating a service specialized in anime music. With the rise of demand for anime and anime music concerts outside of Japan, this subscription service originating in Japan will take on the market worldwide.

The music lineup includes music from anime, game, superhero productions and vocaloid. The 100% pure content will definitely satisfy users from different generations.

ANiUTa plans to provide exclusive original services such as pre-release streaming during anime airing season and collaborations between voice actors/actresses. Services based on anime music, such as exclusive concert ticket application and exclusive merchandise online shopping will also be launched within the service.

The biggest feature of this subscription service is that users can search music from specific anime, which is an exclusive feature that can only be done through specialized anime music service. ANiUTa contains more than fifty thousand tracks while about twenty thousand tracks are released in subscription services for the first time. The service is expected to launch abroad in the end of 2017.

About ANiUTa
ANiUTa is established by the CEOs of the leading anime music makers – Shiro Sasaki from FlyingDog, Inc. and Shunji Inoue from Lantis Co., Ltd. Since the emergence of paid music subscription services such as “Apple Music,” “Google Play Music,” and “Amazon Prime Music” back in 2015, the market has grown rapidly. Witnessing anime music fans worldwide during anime music events held abroad, two companies believe that in order to satisfy anime fans, there should be a specialized service tailor made instead of having massive all-genre music platforms. The new project establishes a unique platform towards fans. This is the concept of ANiUTa – Anime music makers directly approaching fans worldwide and providing a service that satisfies their fans.

Main Anime Music (Starting with fifty thousand tracks)
Attack on Titan
Free!
Genesis of Aquarion
Girls und Panzer
K-ON!
Kantai Collection
Kira Kira☆ Pretty Cure A La Mode
Love Live!
Lucky Star
Macross Frontier
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Re:Zero ­ Starting Life in Another World
Yuri!!! on Ice

Participating Companies
FlyingDog, Inc.
Avex Pictures inc.
Frontier Works Inc.
Kadokawa Corporation
Lantis Co., Ltd
Marvelous Inc.
PONY CANYON INC.
Sunrise Music Publishing Co., Ltd.
TOEI ANIMATION MUSIC PUBLISHING CO., LTD.
TOHO CO., LTD

Press Release: NYC Orchestra Performs Action Anime Music

New York’s animation ensemble iconiQ The Soundtrack Orchestra opens it’s 2016-17 performing season with “Kick-@ss Music,” a tribute to shounen anime, Friday, October 7, 7:30pm at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music.

The first of 4 concerts celebrating shounen [“young boy”] and mahou shoujo [“magical girl”] soundtracks, iTSO’s rock-orchestral fusion concert “Kick-@ss Music” will feature musical works from popular action anime series such as Astro Boy, Lupin the Third, Dragon Ball Z, Naruto, One-Punch Man, and Saint Seiya. The 17-piece chamber ensemble will also honor the end of the Tite Kubo’s Bleach series with a special concerto composed of Shiro Sagisu’s latin-inspired “Arrancar/Hueco Mundo” score.

“Kick-@ss Music” will be held at Mary Flagler Cary Hall inside The DiMenna Center for Classical Music located at 450 W 37th St, New York, NY on Friday, October 7. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are $20 for general seating with discounts for students and 2016 New York Comic Con attendees and can be purchased online at: http://www.iconiquestra.org/kick-ass-music . No admission for guests under 18 years of age without an accompanying adult.

ABOUT ICONIQ THE SOUNDTRACK ORCHESTRA: iconiQ The Soundtrack Orchestra is a musical organization dedicated to preserving, appreciating, disseminating, and promoting the performance and study of music written for animated films and programs, cartoons, Japanese anime, and video games in New York and its surrounding communities. This is accomplished through free and affordable public concerts, music releases, and educational programs for audiences of all ages.

Kick-@ss Music: Action Anime in Concert
Presenter: iconiQ The Soundtrack Orchestra
Venue: Mary Flagler Cary Hall at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music
Address: 450 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
Start Time: 7:30pm
Ticket Price: $20
Buy Ticket Link: http://www.iconiquestra.org/kick-ass-music
Read more at http://www.iconiquestra.org/kick-ass-music

Retro Sherbet: 90s Themed Album by Geek Pop Artist

Meri Amber is an Australian geek pop singer songwriter with a new album of 90s inspired songs called Retro Sherbet.  The songs are less directly about video games or TV shows, but instead is more thematically inspired by them for something differently we get on here.

She wrote, recorded and produced all the songs. Plus she wrote, sketched, inked and colored an accompanying comic called Arcade Horrors.  After reading it I look forward to more of Meri’s music.

She will be touring around Australia (and New Zealand) promoting the album at conventions the next few months.
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Retro Sherbet is a 90s inspired album by geek pop songstress Meri Amber. The majority of the content was originally written as part of the FAWM (February Album Writing Month) challenge and then refined for over a year. The songs cover not only themes from the decade but themes from Meri’s personal experience of the decade, namely, childhood.

If you listen to the album from the beginning to the end then you’ll see there is an over-arching plotline that’s being run. You can almost follow the protagonist through their ups and downs as if they’re living out their lives in the 90s era. The musical arrangements and style are inspired by many famous 90s songs and the overall feel of the decade. The general sound of the album could be described as fun, bright and retro pop.

But, as you’d expect from Meri, there’s no lack of geeky or pop culture references. Songs are written inspired by everything from games like Tamagotchi, Minesweeper and Block Breaker, to TV shows like Pokemon, Dragonball Z and Xena, to cultural references like Walkie Talkies, Rom-Com films, Bubble Tape, filmstrip cameras and Tazos.

Whatever your experience of the 90s was and whatever your experience of childhood was, there are stories and songs in Retro Sherbet that are bound to make you reminisce, giggle and crazy-dance in the street.

Press Release: Sanketsu Shojo Sayuri Releases Two Singles Worldwide

Sayuri is an up-and-coming Japanese artist who made a brilliant major début on August in 2015 with her first single “Mikazuki” and then released her 2nd single “Sorewa Chiisana Hikarinoyouna” in Japan early this year.
Due to the overwhelming support and demand of her fans, her first two singles have been released worldwide today!
1st single “Mikazuki” is the ending theme song for the anime series “Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace”, ranked #1 in the rock genre on the iTunes Japan charts.
Her following single “Sorewa Chiisana Hikarinoyouna” is currently featured as the ending theme song for the hit anime series “ERASED”, in which songwriter Yuki Kajiura composed.
This song also reached #1 on the iTunes Japan rock genre charts, making it back to back chart topping singles for Sayuri.
Her music perfectly syncs with the anime’s world, expressing the “shadow” and “light (hope)”, creating a new style of alternative rock that you must listen to!

Mikazuki (1st single)
smartlink: http://smarturl.it/mikazuki_Sayuri

Sorewa Chiisana Hikarinoyouna (2nd Single)
smartlink: http://smarturl.it/Sorewa-Raisede

Sayuri (left): she is a mysterious character that changes herself to several kinds of “shapes” depending on her mental condition and situation.

Sayuri(right): She is a 14-year old junior high school student.
She is the origin of Sankestu Shoujo Sayuri who lives in loop of infinite repentance.

Sayuri (center): A 2.5 dimensional singer-song writer, Sankestu Shoujo Sayuri (Suffocating Girl Sayuri).

About Sayuri:

Sankestu Shoujo Sayuri, (Suffocating Girl Sayuri), is a 19-year old Japanese singer-song writer.
She divides herself into the 2D and 3D world, making her a new type called a 2.5 dimensional artist, as each character plays in each dimension with their unique characteristics and expresses her music by going in and out of the world of subculture, pop, and moratorium.
She interprets “light” and “shadow” in the suffocating modern society – borrowing the words from Sayuri, it is the “suffocating world”. With this unique point of view, she sings while strumming the acoustic guitar.
Visual artists YKBX, who worked on many projects worldwide, visually creates the unique world of Sayuri and brings them to life.
Sayuri made her debut with “Mikazuki” as the ending song of Fuji TV Animation Noitamina series , “Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace” on August 26th, 2015.
The music video of “Mikazuki” had over 1.6 million views on YouTube and her street performance in front of the music shop, TSUTAYA in Shibuya, Tokyo, drew more than 500 excited fans.
Sayuri is absolutely a new type of artist who will give fans a performance they have never experienced before!

Official website (Japanese): http://sayuri-web.com

Press Release: JAPANESE ROCK BAND SCANDAL ANNOUNCES 2015 “HELLO WORLD” WORLD TOUR

Epic Records Japan recording artist, SCANDAL, embarks next month on its most extensive world tour to-date in support of the release of the band’s 20^th single – “image” – from its latest album Hello World.

SCANDAL is one of Japan’s most popular rock acts, capturing millions fans with an astute mix of power driven pop-rock. The all-girl, four-piece band also has garnered substantial fan bases across North America, Europe and Asia. Mixing the melodic styles of pop, rock and alternative music with hip fashion sensibilities and unstoppable girl star power, SCANDAL is at the forefront of the burgeoning “J-Pop” and “Japan Cool” global pop culture phenomenon.

 The SCANDAL WORLD TOUR 2015 “HELLO WORLD” takes the band on its most extensive international tour to-date in support of their sixth studio album for Epic Records Japan, Hello World.

 Beginning in April, SCANDAL will perform concerts in major cities worldwide including in the U.S., Mexico, U.K, France, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In addition, a series of 31 live dates have already begun in major cities throughout Japan. Tickets for the North American shows are on-sale now. A select number of VIP tickets (including an artist meet & greet) are also available for each show.

SCANDAL North American Dates Include:

 ·        May 16^th Chicago, IL at the Rosemont Theatre

·         May 20^th Mexico City, Mexico at La Plaza Condeza

·         May 22^nd Los Angeles, CA at House of Blues Sunset Strip

·         May 23^rd Anaheim, CA at House of Blues Downtown Disney

Complete SCANDAL 2015 “Hello World” world tour information is available

SCANDAL has released six studio albums and twenty singles since signing with Epic Records Japan in 2008 and have become one of Japan’s most potent live rock acts. Each of the group’s albums have placed among the top five in Japan’s official album sales chart – Oricon – and 17 of the band’s 20 singles released to-date have also placed in the Top 20 on the Oricon Singles Charts. SCANDAL’s most recent full-length album, Hello World, was released on December 14, 2014.

SCANDAL formed in August, 2006 among four high school girls that attended the same vocal and dance school in Osaka, Japan. Taking their name from a shop sign that hung near the studio where they practiced in their early days, the band, which consists of Haruna (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mami (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tomomi (bass, lead vocals), and Rina(drums, keyboards, guitar, backing vocals), shared a mutual love of western rock bands and artists ranging from Green Day, Foo Fighters and Paramore to the pop styling of Taylor Swift and Pink. SCANDAL’s dynamic mix of frenetic melody-driven energy mixed with smooth, pop-styled vocals have become the band’s hallmark.

SCANDAL’s music also has been featured in a host of TV shows and movies and the band are enthusiastic fans of anime and have had several songs prominently featured in popular series. The group’s singles “Harukaze” and “Shunkan Sentimental” were featured as the opening theme songs for the anime series Bleach and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood and most recently SCANDAL contributed the song, “Daybreak Meteor Shower,” as the theme to the latest Pokémon feature film, Diance and the Cocoon of Destruction.

LeetStreet Boys Album #4 Kickstarter

The anime otaku band LeetStreet Boys are backing and looking to fund a fourth album.  After getting together to release their new Pocky Girl, they got excited to do another album.  They need to raise $9,001 for this album.  The band already has the gear and experience they need.  They just need the money to focus full-time on the album and have a back up in case of a disaster.  They can do this, they just need the money.  They have turned to Kickstarter for the first time to help them out.

By pledging $1 you get their new single “Pocky Girl” on MP3 (no immaterial “thank you” reward you actually get something for $1).  Other rewards are the digital album,  karaoke tracks, their other albums both digital and physical, thanked in the liner notes, access to song demos to give feed back on, get composer Matthew Myers to come to your con or event, they will write and produce a song of your design, the band will perform at your con, event, or private party.

The stretch goals for the project are an animated music video of one of the songs and physical CDs.

So far they have only been able to raise $2,873 (as of this writing).  The Kickstarter has only four more days to go.  The band has not gotten a chance to really tour or perform anywhere for a while and have started to wonder if anyone really cares about their music or at least willing to help them make it.  They is a good chance to help out a band for all the music they have given out over the years and get some stuff for yourself.  You have until Feburary 26th at 9:45AM EST.

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.

LeetStreet Boys Will Be Going On Hiatus

LeetStreet Boys is an otaku themed band that gained fans with their music and animated videos.  The “band” consists of singer, songwriter, and face of the band Matt with Frogs the producer, guitarist, and bassist.  They use the idea of a fictious version of their band in their videos, merch, and webcomic, but really they are the two who make all the music.  They first came to fame with  Yuri The Only One in 2008 and have released three albums and plenty more music videos.

Last week Matt made an announcement concerning the band’s future.  They are going to end the band after releasing one more song.

He cites the difficulties in booking at conventions even with their strong fan base.  He has mentioned in the past cons not realizing the difficulty in reproducing the music of the band live when booking.  They have not been able to play live in over a year.  Resulting in a lack of chances to mingle with fans and lost chances to sell their merchandize.

Matt has decided to focus on his career as a music composer and producer.  He has produced music for a number of games, commercials, and other projects.  You can find more info on his work at his website.

You will still be able to buy their CDs, posters, buttons, and games they worked on at their site.  At least till they run out.

If you would like to send your thoughts, comments, or questions to the band, contact them on their website or Facebook page and they will do their best to get back to you.

This looks like more of a temporary situation, well that is probably what they want it to be.  They will hopefully be back with more music in the future.  They just need a little down time.

 

Black Friday Deals

With today being Black Friday, which is not the biggest shopping day of the year, I decided to gather some links to various artists doing special deals.  Most are only good for today, but some go till Small Business Saturday or to Cyber Monday, so hurry and get what you can.

The Whomping Willows Black Friday sale has everything (CDs, t-shirts, hoodie) for just $5 + shipping.

All music at Gamechops is 50% with code “thankyou.”

All Mega Ran music, including pre-orders, is also 50%.

All Mikal kHill products are 50% off this week, plus t-shirts are reduced to $10 before the discount.  Also when you buy any one physical item get an exclusive kHillcast CD-R with special mix of music, unreleased demos, and music from the new group he is starting.  Just use the code ” FUCKWALMART2X”

Abney Park is doing their Black Friday sale this year.  CDs and novels for just $10, figurines for $5, and dog tags for $9.

Get brentalfloss music 55% with code “wishbones55.”

Get all three of the LeetStreet Boys albums for $30, including shipping.

The Black FuMPDay Sale has select items in the FuMP store 20% to 40% off.  Items include albums from Baldbox, Carrie Dahlby, Cirque du So What?, Devo Spice, great Luke Ski, Possible Oscar, Sudden Death, Worm Quartet, and all the Best of the FuMP albums.

Luke Ski also has all his CDs for $8 and DVDs for $12.

MC Lars is also doing a 50% off sell on everything.

Video Game Music Bundles has five albums for $1 or twenty-four albums for $10.

DFTBA is offering $3 shipping to anywhere in the world.  They have albums by Chameleon Circuit, Alex Day, ALL CAPS, Harry Potter Alliance, Epic Rap Battles of History, and more.

Draco and the Malfoys are offering free shipping in the US and half off shipping outside of the US.

Professor Shyguy is selling his two albums for $5 and his acoustic and instrumental albums for $2.50

The Megas have 50% off their digital downloads with the code “blackandblue”.  Plus the Robot Sketch t-shirts are off 50% at their store.