Video Interviews, AMAZING GRACE TATTOO SHOW, Ginza (#8)

Tokyo Trawler Catch of the Day: Mark, USA

Artist: Metallica

Tune: Harvester of Sorrow

Record: ...And Justice for All (1988)

Mark's Message to the People: "Listen to this song, it can change your life"

The Interview:

The Tokyo Trawler’s Essential Review:

Category: A frowny-faced, head boppin' street strutter

Lyrics that speak of pain, beatings*, murder and infanticide* set the precedent* for quite an aggressive atmosphere here. Add to the mix a tantalisingly* short guitar solo, and vocals that would give a chorus of your dad's entire power tool collection, your mum's Hoover* and your sister's hairdryer a run for their money*, and we have quite a powerful song. By no means* overwhelming* and actually quite listenable, this kind of song is unlikely to ever become a mainstream hit, but there will always be those with which it makes a deep impression. Cover up the name of the band, and you can find some quality musicianship* and maybe even a meaningful message.

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: My Grandma ain't gonna like it.

To download or not to download?? 3/5 (WORTH A LISTEN)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: beating, infanticide, precendent, tantalising, Hoover (vacuum cleaner), a run for (one's) money (idiom), by no means, overwhelming, musicianship

Harvester of Sorrow URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhu22Iy8fGk

trawler//trash (#4)

This time, trawler//trash features Tokyo-based British illustrator Rob Kidney. His second appearance, Rob Kidney has an impressive CV of design and illustration work across a variety of media. Some great stuff is displayed on his Chopups blog (chopups.blogspot.com), which consists of innovative and thought-provoking pieces inspired by Tokyo and Tokyoites. Rob's illustration style is nothing short of totally unique, and his commentary has the ability to strike a chord with anyone who's had first-hand experience of 21st Century urban life.

Video Interviews, Shibuya (#7)

Tokyo Trawler Catch of the Day: www.madyour

notme.com, USA

Artist: Drake

Tune: Houstalantavegas

Record: So Far Gone (EP)

www.madurnotme.com's essential rating: 4/5

www.madurnotme.com's Message to the People: "www.madyournotme.com"

The Interview:

The Tokyo Trawler’s Essential Review:

Category: A hump 'n' grinder

On the surface*, it sounds the same as a shoal* of other songs that have come swimming out of the US 'R'n'B' scene in the last ten years, and whilst the façade* is about as engaging* as a can of sardines*, Houstalantavegas' interior does have more to offer the listener. Lyrically, the song focuses on a somewhat mysterious female character, offering a speculative*, yet intelligent and frankly sad commentary*. However, the broad, soothing* vocals don't quite compensate for the repetitive* chorus, and whilst the midway rap bridge is a welcome intermission*, you can't help wondering just how long this guy spent trying to perfect his Kanye impression*.

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: Don't tell Kanye, you never know what he might do.

To download or not to download?? 2/5 (IF YOU'RE BORED)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: surface, shoal, façade, engaging, sardine, speculative, commentary, soothing, intermission, impression

Houstalantavegas URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd7n8bjLnOM

Tokyo Trawler Recommendation #10 (09/03/10)

Artist: Bright Eyes
Tune: Take it Easy (Love Nothing)
Record: Digital Ash in a Digital Urn (2005)

Category: Pass the lighter...

Now, loyal* readers, you've been waiting a fine while, and you are now finally rewarded* with a song about sex! But wait, here, delightfully quirky* production, mixing Super Mario-esque* chimes with electro pitter-patter and something resembling* change jingling* around in an old geezer's* pocket provide the backing for lyrics examining* the emotional dynamics* of a 'loose' sexual relationship.The detailed and eloquent* storytelling travels well along this song's rigid* structure, and whilst the lyrics boast* of feeling 'free, and a little bit empty', it strikes one* that this song is a personal reflection* not on past glories, but on past regrets.

The Tokyo Trawler’s message to the people: I get the feeling many of you could relate to this song...

To download or not to download?? 3/5 (IT'S GOTTA BE DONE)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: loyal, to reward, quirky, (noun)-esque, to resemble, to jingle, geezer (slang), to examine, dynamics, eloquent, rigid, to strike (one), reflection,

Take it Easy (Love Nothing) URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3FqHWZ4IIc

SPECIAL EVENT VIDEO: 'Amazing Grace' Tattoo Show

Tokyo Trawler's good friend and cameraman, the ever professional and delightfully cheery guy from Wildcard Lab (www.wildcardlab.com), has recently bequeathed us with his video summary of the recent 'Amazing Grace' Tattoo Event in Ginza, Tokyo, on Saturday the 13th of February 2010. In his eternal kindness and wisdom, our cameraman has allowed us to exclusively post the video here on tokyotrawler.com.

The event was a stunning mix of live tattooing, DJs, VJs, pole-dancers, crazy drunkards, (real) sumo wrestlers and a high proportion of tattooed party-goers. Our man, Carlos from Tattoo Church (tattoochurch.carbonmade.com) commissioned this video to encourage both tattoo enthusiasts and newcomers to embrace the art. The interviewees in the video were all tattooed by Carlos himself, and are a fine example of the wide catchment which tattooing - in this day and age - extends to.

All interviews conducted by Tokyo Trawler, and look out in the coming weeks for the next round of music fishin', which also came from the 'Amazing Grace' event.

Tattoo Church presents Amazing Grace from Wildcard on Vimeo.

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