Japanese publication BARKS is presenting the Japan Night 2014 at Music Matters Live with HP. Featuring some of the best up and coming artists from Japan, this year's Japan Night promises an incredible evening of Japanese music discovery.
CREAM
CREAM is a new mainstream group, formed by singer-song writer, Minami and rapper/track-maker, Staxx T. Their sound is a fusion of POP, EDM, HIP-HOP also known as “NEW J-POP”. Prior to debut, they work individually writing lyrics and composing music for various artists including, m-flo, Namie Amuro, BoA, V6, JASMINE, etc. Their DIY YouTube channel “CREAM VISION”, has racked up over 70,000 subscribers and recorded a total of over 23 million views. Debut single, “Shooting Star”, from the album “DREAMIN” was ranked No.1 on the USEN HIT J-POP. This album was also ranked No.1 on the iTunes Top Song Chart.
The Oral Cigarettes
Originated from Nara prefecture in 2010, THE ORAL CIGARETTES have gain popularity in Kansai Region with their highly energized live performances. The soulful lyrics written by lead singer Takuya Yamanaka and the carefully detailed musical arrangements won the band a steady growing number of fans within a short time frame. Their first 2 singles “mist…” and “Sakaurami Kozō” music videos has exceeded 50,000 views on YouTube. The band gained national popularity when they emerged as grand champion of MASH A&R Audition and officially debut in 2013 Summer with a Japan national wide CD release.
Naoto Inti Raymi
Naoto Inti Raymi is a singer-songwriter born in Mie prefecture growing up in Chiba, Japan. Naoto has traveled alone to 28 countries in 515 days, performing live in each of the countries to absorb it’s the global culture and music."Inti Raymi" means "festival of the sun" in Quechuan (Incan language). Naoto made his major debut in Japan on April, 2010 from Universal Sigma and successfully performed at the Tokyo Budokan Hall that December. Naoto was featured in Kohaku Utaassen, one of the most viewed TV program and year-end concert, making him as one of the most influential male singers in Japan. Naoto will release a new track called "The World is Ours!" which will be featured as Coca-Cola's Japan World Cup Anthem song for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, coming this June.