that foreign music blog🌎

So, I just got back from Shimokitazawa—which, let me just say, I find to be a hilariously perfect location for my first “2” concert.

I’m not sure I mentioned this, but Yutaro Furutachi’s solo album has a song titled “Under North Swamp“, which, when written in kanji, translates to “下北沢” “Shimo/kita/zawa”

….or so I read in a Youtube comment. By chance, it’s one of my favorite songs, and I was able to recognize some of the places from the video, so it was twice as amazing.

Anyway, when I get to the venue, it’s not long before I start seeing familiar faces. It gave me an idea of just how small this venue was, as I had watched “2” casually walk by with snacks from the convenience store. I saw a glimpse of Yutaro at the entrance and was so shocked that I thought I must’ve been mistaken. To be honest, I’m still not sure it was him, but that’s how casual of an atmosphere it was.

Within the venue, I immediately noticed the drummer of “2”, Yucco, sitting by the drink bar. Somehow, I was in her direct line of vision and I braved a shy wave. She didn’t notice me at first, but when she did, she seemed surprised—naturally. I mean, some foreign girl was waving at her! However, just as I began to lose courage, she offered a big, friendly smile, perhaps in the realization that yes, I indeed recognized her. I also noticed the bassist, Shinnosuke leaning against the wall adjacent to her, and then the guitarist, Ryota joined them. After that small wave, I felt like the band had become hyperaware of my presence—or rather, the presence of a foreigner.

It’s not just them, but every time I go to these small, punk concerts, it’s always surprising to see a non-Japanese person. Fans and artists alike react with that initial, “Huh?”. It’s not necessarily negative–at least, it never feels that way.

Anyway, the show started with the band, リーガルリリー. Now, first of all, when I want to introduce a “girl band”, I usually say “girl band”, and I realized that’s sexist. I shouldn’t assume that a rock band is male-only, despite that assumption being subconscious. The reason I bring this up is that these girls, with their straight haircuts and soft-spoken vocalist, somehow brought on memories of  The Salovers’ powerful sound. I’m not sure if it was because of Furutachi, formerly from The Salovers, being there that made me think of them, but it was something that crossed my mind throughout their performance. Perhaps リーガルリリーhas a rawness about them that’s similar to The Salovers. I really have no idea, but I guess you can say that this band really stood out to me.

In the end, I bought their 2nd mini album, the Radio—both because I wanted to and because I’d promised out loud. Haha! The vocalist announced “We’ve just released a new mini album. Please buy it…..—well you don’t HAVE to, but….” and under the influence of another fan who’d shouted, “I’ll buy it!”, I joined in. I was happy I did, though!

Although this is off their 1st mini album, here’s a popular song: リッケンバッカー

I’m a little sad that their videos focus so much on the vocals because the vocalist can really shred on the guitar! This is a band you definitely need to hear live!

Next up was 2, and while everyone was caught up in their own conversations or smartphone messages, my eyes were glued to the band members setting up their equipment. It was surreal to see someone I’d only seen on my computer screen–someone I thought I’d never have the chance to see in person.

Since there were only 3 bands, each band played about 45 minutes. “2”, given they’ve just released their FIRST album, played almost all 12 songs.  And with my rigorous study of their album, Virgin (which I had brought with me), I was able to sing along most of the time.  This is one of the songs that, although not popular, grew on me after hearing it live: 土砂降りの雨が降った街

After them came the headliner, Teto. I’d heard about Teto through “2”, when I’d gone to buy the concert ticket. I usually try to listen to every band listed before a concert, especially with such a manageable setlist. I ended up buying their album Dystopia at the beginning of October, particularly impressed by their song “Pain Pain Pain“, which I’d found on Youtube. The repetitiveness of their songs is their greatest strength. Even with a tune as fast as “Pain Pain Pain”, the band had made sure to provide the simplistic chorus of “Ah, aah, aah, aah. 明日からあなた無しで”, to which everyone INCLUDING ME, could manage.

For Teto’s entire set, fans were on the brink of moshing, and one person had tried by their encore song! The band had definitely done a good job of riling everyone up with their strong stage presence.  What really caught me about the band, though, was their nostalgic sound. They sound like a band you’d hear on some 60s psychedelic album. Many of their songs have a hypnotic effect, such as ９月になると

After seeing them live, I gave their album Dystopia a full listen. And had it on repeat for the duration of my train ride home.

By the end of the concert, running on 8 hours of continuously interrupted sleep, I was running on adrenaline. I followed everyone towards the exit and passed the cramped merch booths, where I reluctantly passed up Teto’s booth with my eye on 2’s booth.

And that’s when I saw them….Ryota and Yutaro. YES. RYOTA. AND. YU.FUCKING.TARO.  SUDDENLY THREE FEET AWAY. I couldn’t believe my luck! I’d brought my copy of the album with the hope that I’d meet them (well, all FOUR of them), but I hadn’t expected it to actually happen. As I slowly approached the booth, heart racing, I slowed behind a girl in front of me, who relayed heartfelt messages to the band. Part of me was hoping they’d talk longer to give me a chance to think of what to say, but just as one of the staff passed my CD to the band to sign, the girl bowed her head in farewell.

I was hoping to talk to all present members, telling them how much I’d liked their album and express how I’d followed Yutaro’s musical history, but I seemed to forget all of that as soon we made eye contact.

Yutaro then went on to tell me how he’d seen me cheering them on in the crowd, and how he was grateful for that. I don’t remember what I said, or if I said anything, but I remember choking up at his kind words (somehow expecting callousness at my presence). I immediately looked down at the shirts to break eye contact and ordered one. In the process, I’d suddenly remembered Japanese. It was a strange, automatic reaction, which ultimately encouraged me to talk to the band.  I stumbled a bit from the nerves and almost forget to GET the shirt once they returned my CD, but I managed to tell them that I was a big fan, and that received a “wow” from someone to the side. Perhaps Ryota, but I was too tense to investigate. We managed to end on a positive note of “Until we meet again!”, and I rushed up the stairs.

I ended the night with a stomach full of pasta, and my heart racing. Even now, I can’t shake my nerves. It still feels like a dream.