How Ayumi can save Western Music

[explodingbird]

Oh, no, Miz is Japanese. She speaks English too, and she mainly does her music stuff (promo shoots, recording, and all) in Sweden.

I think she's cool though.

How bout we replace her with Tsukiko Amano? (May as well go with someone nobodys ever heard of. I can't even remember ho the girl sounds. Tsukiko, that is)

[*Petit*]

Get Anna Tsuchiya overseas Slappin' those naughty american bodies and at least she'd create a LOT of fuzz in the american media. She could do a duet with marylin manson next.

[Mad_Cactuar]

I like Tsukiko. But I only heard two of her songs, both from Fatal Frame. Both are godly. She makes this weird rock music so rich in atmosphere.

Ooh, Miz works in Sweden? She's very pretty but I never got to like Bittersweet.

[AyuGAME]

WOW...the article was really touching

[emaNresU]

Originally Posted by explodingbird

Am I the only one who thinks "good music" is completely subjective? What may be trash to one may not be to another. While you might not think someone knows good music, they may think otherwise (even if it baffles you).

You are right in saying this but don't forget, one's taste is easily influenced by others like the music trends (about violence, drugs, sex, etc.) of the country and the top of the charts, as well as peer influences.

So the writer feels that the American music needs saving, because violence drugs and sex is bad, but is influencing the people, who then wants more of such music, and profit driven companies would produce more of such music, which lead to more influence, and the people would want more of such music.......... well you get my point.

Originally Posted by explodingbird

Then again America has pretty much screwed up when it comes to incorporating Eastern influence into western animation so far (the Powerpuff Girls. Honestly...), but maybe I'm biased. Maybe they'll improve with time.

I dunno.

This article, my previous response, and everyone else's responses make me confused and blah blah I need to get back to sleep.

Maybe I get your point, (maybe I don't).

For example, I played Onimusha dawn of dreams. There's a four-year-old character inside called Minokichi, who would always call the main character 'Soki' in a whiny tone: Soki dono~~~~~~~. There's a english voiceover in the game but I daren't try. Just imagine someone did a " Master Soki~~~~~" in the same whiny tone.... ooooh my poor goosebumps....

The language is just different. So it'd be hard to 'incorporate Eastern influence into western animation' needless to say do a good job.

Back to the topic: I really dunno whether Ayu can make it into the western music industry... The writer want Ayu in cause she can make some impact on the music culture and people's taste (more mature and less vulgar?). But whether this can succeed or not...... well...... I just think Ayu made a wise choice in focusing on Asia's market first... Its easier and the more important reason is : I'm in Asia!!! haha

Okay I need some sleep too

[etheruraura]

Nice article. Glad to see another new fan of Ayu..

Although she wouldn't stand a chance.

I just wish someone like Shiina Ringo would appear in the US music scene. Sure, there's Bjork..but not even a lot of people like her (I mean she has a fanbase - but not huge) and even then, I think Ringo is more radical than she is, so yeah..people would just think she's an insane psycho woman.

There IS good stuff coming out of America - however no one has really got my attention that has just made me say: WOW.

[*Petit*]

To me one of the main attractions of jpop is the igh pitched voice. I'm one of the people who can actually enjoy a good "W" song (if the msic is good too) and liking the way they sing. For some people these girly voices are awful. In the west these voices have been in fashion from time to time. Last time was the super happy bubblegum dance craze with me&my and Aqua.

[Chibi_Venus]

Very interesting article.

Her music was used during the 2006 Winter Olympics ...

Really? What song may I ask if anyone can tell me?

[Piccolo]

There is no "problem" with Western Music. If there was a problem, why are the make millions and millions?

Besides, there is a lot of awesome music produced here, it's just not mainstream.

Like Dream Theater!

[stardusties]

a veerrry cute and inspiring article. I'm in looove with the last line xDD.

But! I totally agree with what emiko said; especially the parts about...just the WAY and STYLES or singing are so different between American idols(o_o;lol) and Japanese Idols. It would extremely hard, if not possible, to have that style generally accepted in America because of what most people's perceptions of "good and correct" singing is. Or how pop shouldn't get too radically "out of place" (My example of this is Utada Hikaru....however...I don't think she was advertised too well...I never saw a single ad for her out here, nor did local radio stations have her songs../hmm). So yea, even Hikki, in all her lyric writing and arranging skills, couldn't please, so to speak, the American culture.......then again..she DID debut w/ Easy Breezy...>>;;. But! Then again, as she said, is was only experimental.

And also, I don't even think Ayu WANTS to try to create a name for herself in America just because....maybe Japanese and Japan are just closer to heart than any country or language could ever be, and she'd wantto share that with ones who appreciate that and adore her for that.

So yea :3 there're my 2 cents~

[nodoka]

I wish it would happen but saddly I don't think that it will. It was interesting and touching to read though. Oh, and I didn't know that Ayu only weighed 88pounds!

[SunshineSlayer]

Originally Posted by explodingbird

Am I the only one who thinks "good music" is completely subjective? What may be trash to one may not be to another. While you might not think someone knows good music, they may think otherwise (even if it baffles you).

Of course it is subjective, but I don't think that most people in general look beyond what's "in" at the time - they apparently seem to be happy to take what the record companies spoon feed them instead of branching out on there own to expand their knowledge of what else is out there. So while they may like what they are listening to, they really don't have much to compare it to. That's how I see it anyways.

[Terri]

There is no salvation for American music.

[Mad_Cactuar]

Originally Posted by emaNresU

For example, I played Onimusha dawn of dreams. There's a four-year-old character inside called Minokichi, who would always call the main character 'Soki' in a whiny tone: Soki dono~~~~~~~. There's a english voiceover in the game but I daren't try. Just imagine someone did a " Master Soki~~~~~" in the same whiny tone.... ooooh my poor goosebumps....

I really get your point.

Originally Posted by Chibi_Venus

Really? What song may I ask if anyone can tell me?

Born To Be... was technically used for the Olympics. Technically because it was only featured on one TV channel while other channels had their own songs.

[truehappiness]

I think that Ayu would be a Cher or Madonna if she were to debut in the U.S., if you know what I mean LOL;

[immel]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

I think that Ayu would be a Cher or Madonna if she were to debut in the U.S., if you know what I mean LOL;

I don't think so... well, she wouldn't manage that breakthrough.

At all. Sadly.

[truehappiness]

Do you know what I meant? Look at Cher and Madonna's fanbases and get back to me. ;D

[immel]

Huge, diverse and loyal for a very very very long time... yeah, but would she be able to get that in the US?

She managed in Japan... but overseas?

Na.

It's kind already been discussed why, too much that's too different in her kind of music.

[Jayee19]

I don't believe that American music requires any saving, especially from Japanese artists. I feel that some people look upon the Japanese with rose colored glasses. The industry is filled with crappy, flavor of the month pop acts with some truly talented artists sprinkled in between, just like the American and European industry. I mean, take a look at the Asian Music section. Most of the artists in those threads are not popular, when you sit down and think about it. They don't sell like the Ayumi's or the Kumi's or the Hikaru's.

There are many fantastic American artists out right now, too many to count. Some are big sellers, some are pretty indy. You have to look for the good stuff. Take hip hop music for example. If you're going to judge a whole genre by whatever the next one-hit wonder is putting out, then you are just as ignorant as any American who would right off Japanese music based on listening to one crappy artist. I know of so many rappers with brilliant material that aren't recognized because there music isn't "radio-friendly".

So at the end of the day, American music does not need saving. People need to start buying the cds of lesser known artists so they can gain the sells of the more catchy, pop artists.

[truehappiness]

Originally Posted by immel

Huge, diverse and loyal for a very very very long time... yeah, but would she be able to get that in the US?

She managed in Japan... but overseas?

Na.

It's kind already been discussed why, too much that's too different in her kind of music.

MARTIN.

I am not talking about the size of their fanbases. :|
Think hard!