Video Interviews, Ikebukuro (#14)

Tokyo Trawler Catch of the Day: Shank, USA
Artist: 般若 (Hannya)

Tune: Yachatta

Record: 根こそぎ (Nekosogi - 2007)

Shank's essential rating: 4.5/5

Shank's Message to the People: "No matter what you do, you do it again, you f*ck up, you do it again, you f*ck up, you do it again, you f*ck up; and one day, you might just get it right!"

The Interview:

The Tokyo Trawler's Essential Review:

"You're gonna be a salary man, or you're gonna be what else?", asks Shank, our interviewee, and I think we can safely say that self-proclaimed* gangster rapper Hannya has chosen the 'something else' route. On Yachatta (loosely translated as "Oh shit, I did it"), this motor-mouthed* Japanese rapper takes us through some of life's lower points with a witty* twist*.  Providing an intriguing* insight* into Japanese culture (the strict drug rules, love hotels, 'goukon' blind date parties), the clean production, staccato* Japanese rap delivery* and unusual bongo-style percussion, whilst being quite different to the stuff we're used to hearing, might just hold some appeal for Western hip-hop fans.

Category: A foot to the floor, windows down-er

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: Make sure you click the link below and check out the music vid for this - really funny stuff.

To download or not to download?? 2/5 (WORTH A LISTEN)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: self-proclaimed, witty, twist (名詞12), intriguing, insight, staccato, delivery (4)

Yachatta URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiBfr6ovNWM

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

Video Interviews, Shibuya (#3)

Tokyo Trawler Catch of the Day: Camelia, Andresa & Andrea, Brazil
Artist: Tom Jobim
Tune: Garota de Ipanema (The Girl from Ipanema)
Record: Getz/Gilberto (1962)

Camelia, Andresa & Andrea’s Essential Rating: 5/5

Camelia’s Message to the people: “Listen to bossa nova” (English translation!)

The Interview:

The Tokyo Trawler’s Essential Review:

Category: A whisky sippin' foot tapper

The way to listen to this song is to picture that beach in Rio. The dreamy guitar strumming* and featherlite piano tinkling* transport you right there, without requiring any understanding of the lyrics, because just like a packet of Brazilian cornflakes, you already know what the inner contents* are from the title alone. The brooding*, soft vocals and a distinctly Latin flavour back up this image of sun-licked shorelines*, soft breezes and whitewashed buildings, and whilst it wouldn't feel out of place in the background of your your local tapas* restaurant, or indeed your favourite 70s softcore porno, this tune has a distinct* charm and quality which make it a cut above*.

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: I can't decide whether I should listen to this on a sunny day or a rainy one...

To download or not to download?? 2/5 (WORTH A LISTEN)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: to strum, tinkling, brooding, shoreline, tapas, distinct, a cut above (idiom)

Garota de Ipanema URL (+English subtitles):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjJ4cHOW3rM