[article] Foreigners put in the hard yards to crack Japan music industry

[nmskalmn]

This article is about foreigners in Japan's music industry. They talk to the producer of LISA's new single 'Showtime'.

Excerpt:

Kozel arrived in Japan at the tail-end of 2002, having already spent many years in the United States producing music, including the first house release for Acute Recordings, the "Nacca EP." In Japan, however, his career is just beginning to take off, with his latest single, "Showtime" by Lisa, likely to top the charts.

When he first arrived in Japan, Kozel spent his time learning the language, before getting a job teaching English. He befriended another teacher at work who had a contact in the record industry.

"I had been producing hip hop while I was working and a colleague offered to introduce me to someone working for a hip-hop record label in Yokohama. I took down my music, and they decided to take me on as a freelance producer. My friend Togo and I then decided to set up a production team called Star Wax.

"While I was working for this label, I met a manager from Avex Entertainment and things took off from there."

Getting the freelance contract for Avex, however, did not mean that Kozel could relax. "I'm out of the house at least twice a week in clubs, where just showing my face helps my career, helps me to get contacts, bookings and get my records played.

"The curiosity I attract on the scene being a foreigner can help, but once it wears off it is both a gift and a curse."

Money is also an issue. "I still teach two days a week to make sure that I have a regular income. The money from the record deals is good, but it comes sporadically," he says.

"But the Lisa single looks as if its going to be big, it's played on the radio and MTV and there is a karaoke version, which means my music will be remembered.

"But if I want my reputation to continue to grow, I'm going to have to keep showing my face at clubs and keep making quality music. Hopefully though, I'll be able to make a living from solely from music in the future."

Read it: Foreigners make leap from classroom to club