Playing clubs in Japan?

[thesku11s]

Hello people,

I am thinking of finishing some songs and going touring in the usual spots,

I want to avoid mainland USA, will prob go to canada, australia and of course japan.

This will be a kind of ameutirish one man project, basically turning up at gigs and bars and asking promoters etc if theres time for an extra support act.

Going to Jp is what I am most excited about, but I know nothing about the place, no language skills, not much money etc etc

Do you think a one man guitar indie-folk with a few electro beats dropped in kook will go down well in japan?

And any advice on places to go to find gigs and have a good time, and if id just be told to pi*s of by bars & clubs?

much thanks,

If anyone wants to hear my tunes your gonna have to wait a few weeks!

[maliciel]

To be honest, I doubt you could get a gig. As it is Japanese live-houses have more than enough bands.

[ebc]

hey man, umm I'm sure there's gotta be some people around the forum who can help you out but I've gotta move your thread to another place.
This section of the forum is kinda for Hello Project things so I'll move your thread over to general section cause I'm really not sure where else it best fits.

[Guchi_Jnr]

If you come to Osaka, there's a couple of places that are popular for busking, and I think they would be your best start.
The popular places are Dotonbori Bridge or on the riversides. Another popular place is in America Mura (not far from Dotonbori)
There's a couple of gaijin bars you could try too. One being "The Cellar" which is just down the block from Triangle Park, and they usually have Westerners playing. Another is "Bar, isn't it?" in Umeda. Had a buddy playing there like every Thursday night.

[StreakInTheSky]

I don't know if you'll get much opportunities in actual clubs and bars as I don't really know japan's local indie scene that well. I think you could try performing in the park. That's where quite a few acts got there start in japan.

Why are you avoiding mainland USA btw?

[boykun]

Yoyogi Park is the place to go. A lot of independent artists play there to try and get a start.

[thesku11s]

I don't know if you'll get much opportunities in actual clubs and bars as I don't really know japan's local indie scene that well. I think you could try performing in the park. That's where quite a few acts got there start in japan.

Why are you avoiding mainland USA btw?

Theres a lot  I like about the US, I think it has probably the best variety of land than any other country, and lots of cool stuff.

But in terms of the cities i dont think there is a good scene at the moment, I hear so much good new music coming out of Canada but not the USA.

Also I feel i will not be well recieved,

I dont think Id will find it as exciting as other places which are more "exotic" to me.

And also I dont want the hassle of trying to get cases of music equiptment into NY airport!!!

The two people I know that have lived their say it is extremely racist and hostile at the moment.

[THUNDERDUCK]

Austin, TX has a very eclectic musical environment and plays host to the South by Southwest Music Festival.

[StreakInTheSky]

SXSW is probably one of the best ways to get your name out if you're an upcoming artist. Bands, record labels, and music publications from all over the world come(and hopefully one day me >_>). But the bands/artists there usually already have atleast a solid underground following.

As for good music coming from local indie scenes, I know what you mean about most of it not being that good. The scene as been saturated with shitty bands and lots of bands that were pretty good are either on a major label now, or aren't releasing good records anymore.