ZB's A-Z of J-Music: J-Rock J-Pop Indie 8bit - A guide to the modern Japanese music scene: Susumu Hirasawa

Going to kick off a new feature today, the rather self-explanatory "Videos of the Week."

Every week, I'll round up a few of the videos that have caught my eye. They'll be a mix of new and old and not always Japanese, though you can rest assured that most of them will be about Japanese music.

Without further ado, here's the first one:

Mouse on the Keys "Saigo no Bansan"

This is the first I've heard of these guys, and it totally blew me away. The song is cool, but this video really takes it to a whole new level. I absolutely love its dark, gritty Noir feel. Perfect.

Hit the jump for more!

Polysics "Young Oh! Oh!

New single from Polysics. Absolutely crazy, as usual. Seriously, just try and follow the logic of this one. You can't! There isn't any!

I don't remember now where I got the link to this, probably someone on Twitter. New music from Hiroshi Sakaue, a singing grandpa, slathered with Auto Tune. Weird.

History of Buck-Tick

A 10 part history of the very early Buck-Tick days, all in English! A must watch for any BT fan, to be sure.

Susumu Hirasawa "Solar Ray 2" Live

A mesmerizing live solar-powered performance from electro genius Susumu Hirasawa. I could listen to the into forever.

9mm Parabellum Bullet "Punishment" and "Discommunication" Live

A brutal live performance from the always intense 9mm Parabellum Bullet.

Faith No More - Reunion Show at Brixton Academy

And speaking of live...Back after a million years, here are the first two songs from the recent Faith No More reunion show. Amazing stuff!

That's all for now. What have you been watching lately? Share your links in the comments, because it's fun to waste time watching stuff!

It's always a bit difficult to summarize the work of someone who has been tirelessly active over a thirty year music career. Being a social and political activist, as well as being highly influential to a generation of new musicians (ie Polysics), Susumu Hirasawa is no easy nut to crack.

First, a step back. In 1979 he formed the new-wave band P-Model. Very much in the style of fellow contemporaries Devo and The Plastics, P-Model was an arty spazz rock group that combined blippy synths with janky guitars and kooky vocal deliveries. They lasted twenty years, releasing a slew of albums and churning though a huge list of band members, all with Hirasawa it its core.

After finally breaking up in 1999, Hirasawa continued to make music under his own name. By then, P-Model had morphed into a much more straight forward electronic outfit, and Hirasawa picked up right where they left off. His own music is closer to traditional new-age, but with a much tougher edge. While much of it is indeed atmospheric and soft, the rest is frenetic and pulsing, trance-like yet retaining Hirasawa's very strong sense of melody. He also seems to have a fondness for marching-band percussive styles and very grand presentations. His vocal style is equally eclectic, being a mix of traditional Japanese folk, a bit of yodeling and downright operatic deliveries. The music is totally electronic, yet very organic and lushly layered at all times. His dreamlike cyber landscapes seem to be either populated by bustling mega-cities, Eden-like gardens devoid of humanity, or some sort of idyllic hybrid.

His live performances are perhaps what one would expect from such a natural eccentric. Most consist of only himself playing various keyboards and guitars alongside seemingly homemade musical constructs, more art and sculpture than recognizable instruments. He also occasionally allows the audience to add to the performance, triggering sounds through various actions. He has even played shows powered entirely by the Sun. His willingness and desire to reach out to his audience also shows through in his activism. Much of his work touches on events in Tibet and, more recently, the events of 911 and the resulting actions taken around the world.

Most recently his name gained a boost due to his music being used in the animated film Paprika. The film's universal acclaim was due in part to Hirasawa's mesmerizing soundtrack, culled in great part from his 1996 album Byakkoya. At 55 years old, Susumu Hirasawa seems to be hitting yet another new stage in his prolific and colorful career. Let's all hope he continues to find the inspiration and energy to keep the machines running for many more years to come.

BUY SUSUMU HIRASAWA RELEASES DIRECTLY FROM HIS OWN SHOP HERE

Byakkoya (White Tiger Field) (Live)

Official Site

Solo Albums:
Water In Time And Space - 1989
The Ghost in Science - 1990
Virtual Rabbit - 1991
Aurora - 1994
Sim City - 1995
Siren - 1996
Technique of Relief - 1998
Philosopher's Propeller - 2000
Solar Ray - 2001
Blue Limbo - 2003
Switched-on Lotus - 2004
White Tiger Field - 2006
Planet Roll Call - 2009

Enola (Live) (Kaku P-Model)