hudsonhawk comments

Just out of curiosity, has Karina said anything about this that's been quoted in any media, Japanese or English?

Don't give up on Hanoi yet, Yubaru. There's a Rock Japanese-Vietnamese music festival coming up in December w/Okamoto's, Electric Eel Shock, and Molice. http://www.camavietnam.org/gogojapan/en/index.html

Mike, while everyone seems to want to pile on you for not being open-minded enough about Japan, I really enjoy the fact that you're so honest in your articles. It may not make you popular, but it definitely prompts a lot of readers to respond. Looking forward to the next one!

Pawatan, Telecasterplayer I think you'd be surprised. I started promoting a local rock band in the states and through radio research, found that lots of smaller college radio stations have programs devoted to Asian or even just Japanese music. Many local Tokyo rock bands have done small tours in the US.

I think the whole J-Pop sound in general has a big cult following, but it's only the slightly alternative sounds that have breakthrough success (in addition to those mentioned above, the Boredoms, Pizzicato 5, Cibo Matto, and 5,6,7,8's) I always thought UA would do well overseas too.

I agree with DXXJP. American has never been more open to Asian media than now. The US even has characters on primetime TV that only speak in Japanese and Korean (Heroes and Lost) Between that and the appeal of anime and movies like the Last Samurai and Memoirs of a Geisha, I find it hard to believe that America is too racist to accept Japanese music.

It's just a question of musically what sells in Asia vs. what sells in the US.