Hello December

It was already December. I've been stumbled at this point. That's all right. I'm trying my hardest. But I know where the light comes from. I really love what I'm doing. Thank you 2014. Happy Holidays everyone. x

BLACK ANYTHING / IS TROPICAL

Finally I could pre-order the vinyl of Black Anything on Axis Mundi store. I’ve been following Is Tropical for over 2 years actually. Today I visited their website to see what’s new. And I just wanted to tell them I fall in love with the space they created all black. It’s beautiful, minimal and inspirational and so is Is Tropical.

Recently I’ve been thinking about the word ‘Support.’ Last year I did sing ’Dancing Anymore’ with them on the poolside stage in Tokyo. I still can’t believe that I was so lucky to have been there. That saved my life. I thought I’d return a favor. That’s why I’ve started my Tumblr 'BAD GIRLS DO CRY.' It is too personal thing kinda like One Direction Fan Girls’ scrapbook though. Anyway It’s easy to like or do favorite or send a message on their social network service. But basically I think that buying their music is a real support. If the whole package of the album art was their music, I would like to feel it.

Now I’m living in near Tokyo far away from them and can’t see their gig here so far. Tokyo is coolest city. But it must be hard for the bands like them to play. Because It’s costly. I know well. Yeah, actually the ticket is nearly 3 or 4 times  higher than the price of NY or London. My power is so tiny, I would like other fans to buy their new music legally. It may help that they give a concert in your country (my Japan too).

GROWING DARKNESS

Angel Olsen - White Fire

Yumi Zouma - The Brae

Arp - UHF1

Shocking Pinks - What's Up With That Girl?

Is Tropical - Crawl

Caribou - Our Love

Daniel Avery - All I Need (Roman Flügel Remix)

HTRK - Chinatown Style

Aphex Twin - Xtal

LUST FOR YOUTH - International (Dirty Beaches Shub Roy Remix)

i made this mix tape for the holiday.

but it's kind of my best tracks of 2014.

enjoy

 x

Timeless

I got the new UNION magazine. Everything is so beautiful. This is not so much a magazine as a photo book. So bad weather today, isn't it ? Let's stay in bed with this mag.

FYI: Model is Lara Mullen & Photo by Clare Shilland 

The End of Summer

Last week my friend & I visited Yume no Shima (Dream Island) consisting of an artificial island built using waste landfill. It includes the Yume no Shima Tropical Greenhouse Dome. Made up of three domes it features fern and forest in A Dome, an archetypal tropical village in B Dome, and the tropical plants of the Ogasawara islands in C dome. They were totally awesome. I have never seen such place in Tokyo! And also I noticed this area that my fave band Is Tropical had played near here♡ I start to like this place more.

Bitter Sweet

Summer Playlist

1. Aldous RH / Sensuality

2. Connan Mockasin / I'm The Man, That Will Find You

3. Gap Dream / Strong Love

4. IS TROPICAL / Dancing Anymore (DID - Bad Boys Remix) 

5. Portland / Deezy Daisy (Oxford Remix)

6. Hotlane / Whenever (James Curd Remix)

7. Moullinex / Love Magnetic

8. LINDSTRØM / Faar-i-kaal (12'' mix)

 9. Daniel Avery / All I Need

10. Lust For Youth / International (Silent Servant Remix)

 11.Laurel Halo / Chance Of Rain - LP 2013

Very recently I've not felt good due to some personal problems. Somebody might think It's rubbish. I really know my life isn't working out as I'd hoped..... I think when life is bitter, I say thank you and grow. So this mix tape is the cure for my long, exhausting week. Enjoy. x

The Vacationers

This jampsuit is from A.P.C 2014 SS collection. It's kind of 70's Jane Birkin vibe. I would like to wear it more and more before Autumn. Don't forget to bring your nice basket like Jane. Hopefully somebody can take me to Europe.

x

I Like London In The Rain

Next year I'm going to move to London. That will be a turning point in my life. I've heard that England is famous for having lots of rain like Japan. So I bought a pair of rain boots at Margaret Howell shop. It seemed easy to walk in. That was right. People are often complaining about rain. But I like people who smile when it's raining. We can do anything at home.
You know the book 'Very British Problems' ? That's too funny and v British irony.

Have a lovely rainy week. x

'Made Love That Summer' track for James Long SS15 by Is Tropical

Aw, this lyrics are pretty damn good too :) 

And also the coolest neon colour hair.

I'll Make It Like Your Birthday Everyday

My birthday party last weekend.

Probably I go on adventures from now.

Everything comes down on me.

I'll go with you.

x

Blood Orange - "You're Not Good Enough" by Gia Coppola

I never was in love 

You know that you were never good enough 

Fall asleep right next to me 

You know that you were never good enough 

Palo Alto by Gia Coppola

Finally i got the Palo Alto soundtrack. It includes songs from Blood Orange, Mac DeMarco, Tonstartssbandht, Robert Schwartzman and more. This film was based on the short stories by James Franco and directed by Gia Coppoala. They are my favourite. I've not read the original story and seen this film because it has not come out in Japan. However I can imagine this film will be dark, bitter and beautiful. Listening to the tracks, I remember that I alienated myself in high school. I was so different from other Japanese kids. Remembering that, now I think it's good for me. May fave woman Maya Angelou said, 'If you're trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be'. That's my fave quote.

 

Behind The Scenes of Palo Alto: A film by Jacqui Getty who is Gia's mother.

Gia Coppola's interview on Vice.

Behind the Scenes: Summer Blues from Urban Outfitters on Vimeo.

Before Watching 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'

'The Grand Budapest Hotel' will come out on June 6th, 2014 in Japan. I can't wait for the day. I saw the Japanese official web site, but sadly there was no mention of Stefan Zweig. Most Japanese are not familiar with this great Austrian writer. Wes Anderson said that the story was inspired by his two books 'Beware of Pity' and 'The Post Office Girl' on The Telegraph. A couple of months ago, Dominic of my fave UK band Is Tropical tweeted abt the book 'Chess (The Royal Game)' by Zweig. What a coincidence. I think he is super cool. If you have time, please check these books.
Then I found an interesting article Wes Anderson's Colour Palettes by Laura Havlin on Another Magazine. His retro pastel colours always fascinate me.

P.S. You can download some interesting things on the official web site.

May

The end of April through around May 5th is called "Golden Week" in Japan. There are many national holidays. But I don't like that. Because Tokyo is a crowded place, you know. But this season is more than that. My friends and I have hidden from crazy tourists. I only hung out with my friend for one day. I would like to share some.

We explored Roppongi's back streets. You can find the best place to take a pic of The Tokyo Tower.

If you want to buy some books, you should go to Tsutaya in Roppongi and Daikanayama. There are a lot of foreign magazines. I found my fave Twins Say Lou Lou in V magazine and also Violet by Leith Clark. Both shops have Starbucks, you can drink a cup of coffee while reading.

My friend and I had lunch at Homework's in Azabujuban. We ordered the vieggie burgers which were so good. Yum...Yum!!

There are bunch of good restaurants and shops around Azabujuban. We visited Hudson Market Bakers. I thought I felt like I was in New York. They served American baked goods. The next time I hope I will eat a pancake there.

SUNDAY an INLAB + Kitsuné short film

SUNDAY an INLAB + Kitsuné short film from thomas slack on Vimeo.

This video 'Sunday' was directed by Thomas Slack & Joshua Kang. It is also sponsored by Kitsuné and InLab. You notice that this song is 'Yellow Teeth' by my fave UK band Is Tropical ? Such a good vibe for Sunday.

Love Letters

Wow ... one of my fave UK bands Metronomy will come to Tokyo for Summer Sonic Festival. Probably it's gonna be my last summer fes in Tokyo. I can't wait for summer. The following track is a little bit old. But I like it best next to The Greeks of Is Tropical. Because both music videos were directed by talented MEGAFORCE.

Pink is The Warmest Colour

Cherry Blossom Girl

Finally Cherry Blossom time came to Japan. Every spring I can't stop thinking about the song 'Cherry Blossom Girl' by Air. Lots of people really like to do flower viewing parties called 'Hanami' in Japanese. Why I'm obsessed with them. Because this season is very short. If the weather is bad or rains, we will easily miss the beautiful season. It's kind of a ephemeral love.

Tokyo Winter by Teendaze

 This winter in Tokyo was super chilly. I've been stayed home all day. It was totally lame. But I know the warm weather is coming to Tokyo. There are a lot of the spring signs. I wanna explore Tokyo more and share new things here. Probably I won't miss this track, it's so beautiful tho.

PEONY

I was looking for a case for my new iPhone. But it's hard to find it here in Japan. I don't like too fancy design. I ordered a perfect one by Fieldguided on Society 6. It has arrived safely. Anabela is one of my fave bloggers. I'm always enjoy reading her blog posts. There are a lot of cutest cases. Please check it.
I also reccomend you the iPhone cases by Leah Reena Goren and Kitsuné. They are so good-looking right?

Les Eaux de Mars

1. Mutual Benefit's "Let's Play"

2. Is Tropical & Rose Elinor Dougall "When I'm With You (Sparks Cover)"

3. Blood Orange "You're Not Good Enough"

4. Tennis "Mean Streets"

5. Cut Copy "We Are Explorers" 

6. Lace Curtain "Falling (II)"

7. Connan Mockasin "Forever Dolphin Love" (Erol Alkan's Extended Rework Version 2)

8. Jaakko Eino Kalevi "No End"

9. Larry Gus "The Eternal and the Ephemeral"

10. Vår "The Boy or the Boot"

I made a mixtape for spring. Spring is just around the corner.

But it's still cold, isn't it?

February

Recently I've not bought some clothes due to moving to London. I want to save money for it. But it's not sad thing. I like to imagine my dream outfits with a few clothes. I met some coolest kids from Copenhagen last Saturday. My fashion inspiration is often based on that kind of coolest people on the streets, indie bands or some SF books. It has nothing to do with the current boring fashion. Especially I am inspired by boys fashion in North Europe.

My all time fave A.P.C. from Spring 2014 collection.

A dream unicorn shirt from Primark. Soooo cheap!

Some useful tips from Luella's Guide to English Style by Luella Bartley. Fashion is not spending all your money. You can create something special for yourself.

Silver Snow

Tokyo was hit with heavy snowfall yesterday. It was the heaviest snow in the Japanese capital since 1994. Normally I stay home in weather like that. But I had to go to the gig of the bands from Sacred Bones, Lust For Youth, PHARMAKON and Vår. It took about 3 hours to get to Tokyo due to heavy snow. I felt like my heart was breaking off.

However the gig was totally amazing! So I cried just a little. It was kind of a perfect contemporary art show. Their gig and my feeling blended in nicely with the scene covered with silver snow.

Big Love Records & Sacred Bones, Thank you for making my day, such a special day.

 Lust For Youth

 Pharmakon

Vår

Feb 8th, 2014 at Astro Hall Tokyo.