This week, Michael and I continue our conversation about Kumi Koda, an iconic pop star who pioneered ero-kakkoi with infectious bops and ballads. In this episode, we talk to Michael about his discovery of J-pop, general reflections about Kumi as an artist and what we like, and much more. 

The playlist for this episode can be found on Youtube Music.

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together.

You can follow the J-Café on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

If you are interested in being a part of the series and wish to talk about your favorite Japanese artist with JD, reach out via socials or email [email protected]. 

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)

This week, we welcome Michael to the J-Cafe to have a conversation about Kumi Koda, an iconic pop star who pioneered ero-kakkoi with infectious bops and ballads. In this episode, we talk to Michael about his discovery of J-pop, general reflections about Kumi as an artist and what we like, and much more. 

We also discuss this article by Yuki Watanabe in the Japan Studies Journal. Check this out if you want to read more about ero-kakkoi! The playlist for this episode can be found on Youtube Music.

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together. 

You can follow the J-Café on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

If you are interested in being a part of the series and wish to talk about your favorite Japanese artist with JD, reach out via socials or email [email protected]. 

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)

This week, Zach returns to the J-Cafe to have a conversation about Fujii Kaze, a (hot) contemporary pop singer and musician who blends pop sensibilities with city pop, jazz, and classical music. We discuss several of his biggest hits that are our favorite songs, Kaze's choices in cover songs, his eclectic style, and much more!

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together.

The playlist for this episode can be found on Youtube Music.

You can follow the J-Café on Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

If you are interested in being a part of the series and wish to talk about your favorite Japanese artist with JD, reach out via socials or email [email protected]. 

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)

JD and Zach continue their conversation about Japanese singer-songwriter TOMOO, a contemporary piano-driven pop-rock artist. In this episode, JD and Zach dig deeper into the specific songs they love by this amazing artist!

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together.

The playlist for this episode can be found on Youtube Music.
For last week's TOMOO episode playlist, you can find it there as well.

You can follow the J-Café on Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

If you are interested in being a part of the series and wish to talk about your favorite Japanese artist with JD, reach out via socials or email [email protected]. 

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)

This week, JD and Zach discuss Japanese singer-songwriter TOMOO, a piano-driven pop-rock artist. TOMOO currently has three indie EPs and one major label studio album, Two Moon, released in 2023. 

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together.

You can find a playlist of songs from this episode on Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL63Hu4pw-EllTp41RrT8bgI78T8dAR-wI&si=31tlUX8LaxgsCdTc

You can follow the J-Café on Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

If you are interested in being a part of the series and wish to talk about your favorite Japanese artist with JD, reach out via socials or email [email protected]. 

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together.

In this episode of the J-Café, JD and Jess have a conversation about Def Tech - a Japanese-Hawaii duo that incorporate reggae with elements of pop, rock, and hip-hop! Def Tech is an indie group formed in 2001, consisting of members Shen, a musician who grew up in Oahu, Hawaii and Micro, who was born and raised in Tokyo. Their breakthrough came in 2005 with the release of their self-titled debut album, which featured the hit song “My Way.” My Way was an instant success, blending English and Japanese lyrics and drawing listeners in with its catchy reggae rhythms and positive vibes. Their debut album sold over 2 million copies and became the third highest selling album of 2005, which is a rare feat for an indie label artist in Japan even to this day.

Shen being from Hawaii and Micro being from Japan, this fusion of cultures became the hallmark of their music, making reggae more accessible to mainstream audiences in Japan. Def Tech played a role in popularizing reggae culture in Japan in the mid-2000s, where reggae was still a relatively niche genre.

You can find a playlist of songs from this episode on Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL63Hu4pw-Eln__s7aOcPy2_xmtBKdSoot&si=Oy0AcpE-jYV-zQf2

You can follow the J-Café on Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together. 

In this second episode of the J-Café, JD and Jess  continue discussing Asian Kung Fu Generation's albums Sol-fa (2004) and FANCLUB (2005). 

Asian Kung Fu Generation (abbreviated to Ajikan or AKG) is an alternative rock band formed in Yokohama in 1996 and signed to Ki/oon Records. Ajikan is credited as one of the greatest rock groups to emerge from Japan and for contributing to Japanese rock’s cult following that began in the 2000’s. This iconic band, whose influence in Japanese rock is undeniable, is absolutely fitting for the first episode of the J-Café! 

Playlist of songs from this 2-part premiere, hosted on Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL63Hu4pw-ElkLDfyWQPuCtfTLUmsboKEN&si=yT5fHwPoSa2WlO2J

You can follow the J-Café on Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together. 

In this premiere episode of the J-Café, JD and Jess discuss Jess's discovery of Japanese music from his time living in Japan, his love of progressive rock music, and Asian Kung Fu Generation's first album, Kimi Tsunagi Five M (2003). 

Asian Kung Fu Generation (abbreviated to Ajikan or AKG) is an alternative rock band formed in Yokohama in 1996 and signed to Ki/oon Records. Ajikan is credited as one of the greatest rock groups to emerge from Japan and for contributing to Japanese rock’s cult following that began in the 2000’s. This iconic band, whose influence in Japanese rock is undeniable, is absolutely fitting for the first episode of the J-Café! 

Playlist of songs from this 2-part premiere, hosted on Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL63Hu4pw-ElkLDfyWQPuCtfTLUmsboKEN&si=yT5fHwPoSa2WlO2J

You can follow the J-Café on Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)