attitude of Japanese music fans

[nmskalmn]

This is from an article about some American soul musicians:

Excerpt:

Dexter notes that Japanese fans tend to support artists throughout their careers instead of judging whether a particular album meets a certain standard. "Both my second and third CDs [Dexterity and Conscious] were probably more successful over there than they have been in the States," she adds. "[My work] isn't scrutinized in the same way, like, oh, [this CD] isn't as good [as the last one]. It's like, they either like me or they don't. And when they embrace it, they embrace it wholeheartedly."

It's debatable how well American underground soul artists truly perform in Japan and Europe. Those regions have the same appetite for pop as anywhere else; in Japan, J-Pop stars such as Utada Hikaru rule the music charts. But they also tend to support cutting-edge African-American dance and soul music in a way that only happens for, say, indie-rock artists here in the United States. Simmons' 2005 album with Jiva, Sun & Moon, came out overseas, but has yet to get a domestic release.

Julie Dexter and Khari Simmons: Big in Japan
Soul artists embraced outside the States

[Keishi]

I see. That is a very interesting article about Japanese fans behavior. Now that kinda explains why they still buy singles no matter how expensive it costs.

[mannie]

I totally agree!!! I must admit that I'm quite liike that with most artists I like!
I really care not about the cost, I will buy the CD's because I like the artist

Interesting to hear another agree! Thank You for sharing!

[kayokyokufan]

I agree with the article. I'm more critical of the American music I listen to. I only listen to music that I think sounds good. I might not know who the artist is. On the other hand, with J-pop, I tend to base my decisions on what to listen to on the artist that I like.

[Halla]

RnB , hip-hop & rap and other urban music from the US is really popular in Japan. several US RnB singers like Monica & Mashonda have released some albums in only in japan.

[*Petit*]

^
Halla, I think this is due to many things, but not that they are "really popular". Really popular artists in japan are either japanese, backstreet boys, mariah carey or britney spears. However I think for artists who aren't in the spotlight all the time it's good for business to release more in Japan as the consumers are more consistent and it keep the interest. Also I would guess the japanese music consumer would demand more as they have been spoiled with remixes, spin off products and other things which explains the price difference for CDs. I know artists like madonna and kylie had more tracks on japan versions of certain singles.

The most popular artist making something hippty hoppy at the moment would be namie amuro and soul'd out.

[Halla]

I didn't mean popular like super mainstream popularity , but popular enough that it's worth it to release plenty of albums. Japan is an easier market for music than the US. in the US you can make a lot more money but it also means a lot more investing for promotion and stuff.

and yeah , Japanese releases often have bonus tracks to make up for the more expensive price.

[truehappiness]

I think that the underground indies scene is probably a lot more pronounced in Japan than in the U.S.

Then again, all I've seen are random popular rock concerts with independent bands, so I'm not sure about the exact situation..

[Raleigh]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

I think that the underground indies scene is probably a lot more pronounced in Japan than in the U.S.

Then again, all I've seen are random popular rock concerts with independent bands, so I'm not sure about the exact situation..

I'm not exactly into indies but I imagine it's a chance of luck and promotion. Like lately some indies artists in USA are getting some spotlight due to performing into American TV shows like "The OC" and "One Tree Hill". In other shows they are also using music as background music.

I suppose the same goes for Japan. Olivia is pretty much an underground artist but lately thanks to NANA, she's been getting some attention. Also many indies artists collaborate together to organise concerts to promote each other. Finally the case of Japan loving to collect artists' releases helps too I imagine.

[Peger]

if that were true, Ayu, Hikki, and Namie would still dominate the chart, among others.

[chibi_sunny]

That's very true.
I admit I found it very odd when I realized how well an artist was supported regardless of how he/she did with his/her latest work.
I also think that I'm starting to become that way too.

[Dustie]

Originally Posted by Peger

if that were true, Ayu, Hikki, and Namie would still dominate the chart, among others.

Well, it says "tend to", and doesn't say that it never fades away...

[Jayee19]

I guess I take the American route when judging music. I would never buy a bad product, even if it were from my favorite artist. I wouldn't be doing my duty as a fan if I just blindly excepted inferior music just to add 25 cents to the artist's paycheck.

I couldnt support an artist like that. Honestly, if the album sucks, I won't buy it. You can't blindly support someone like that.

[Joel]

Originally Posted by HybridTheory

You can't blindly support someone like that.

Yet People do anyway. For me, I 've been buying every limited edition singles and albums of Morning Musume since early 2005. J-pop, in my opinion, is like a drug addiction that you can't control. I don't know why I do this... I just do. Like their 'Aruiteru' single is utter crap, but I bought it anyway. Luckily, this is the only artist(well, group) I do this. With the other albums and singles that I have, I buy it based on quality.

I don't do the 'buy the 700 other editions of the same CD that only has 3-4 tracks' because I think that's a waste money. Although, if you have the money, why not? As long as you keep your priorities on how you spend your money, I wouldn't care. If I did have the extra money, I wouldn't do it anyway. I have 100's of other things I would love to buy.

[kayokyokufan]

Yeah, there is something about J-pop that instills a sense of loyalty. You grow to like an artist and then you always listen to that artist.