Perfume - Jpop TechnoPop Group ~Like a fairy tale~

Hi everyone, it is me, Ruby, again. As I mention on my last post, today I will introduce you guys one of the most famous girl idol group in Japan called Perfume. The group name is decided because at first, all of the 3 members have the character "Ka" which means "Perfume" in Japan but then one member left the group. However, the producer and the girls themselves decided to keep that name.

Members' Profie:

Name: Nishiwaki Ayaka (A~chan)

D.O.B: 15.02.1989

Character: She is the mood maker in the group. When Perfume appears in variety show, she is the most talkative person. She has a good sense of humor and has a great ability to cheer anyone up. Her voice is described by Nakata Yasutaka (their producer) as "Game's character's voice".

 Name: Kashino Yuuka (Kashiyuka)

D.O.B: 23.12.1988

Character: People often see her a "Good girl" and have a smooth character, however, she herself and other members recognize her as "a little devil" (as she loves snake and sometimes scares everyone by her "little surprise game"). She has strong attitude: NEVER GIVE UP. Her voice is described as "smooth and like 2 people talking together" by their producer.

  Name: Omoto Ayano (Nocchi)

D.O.B: 20.09.2988

Character: She is a big sister of the whole group, mature and intelligent. She is calm and she knows when and what should she talk. Nocchi is really straight-forward and always looks after the other members. Their producer describes her voice as the easiest to hear.

History

Early day

They were debuted in early year 2000, however, most of the group work were in Hiroshima (their hometown) and not many people knew who they were. 

Not long after debuting, one member left the group and Omoto Ayano filled the spot.

In 2003, they met their current producer "Nakata Yasutaka" and change music gender from Pop to TechnoPop, which means that Mr Nakata would use their recorded voice and change the tone by using high-tech program and create electropop tunes. 

In 2003, they went to Tokyo to achieve their dream. First, they entered "Amuse" (one of the most famous Entertainment Agency in Japan) but there was no break in their careers.

In 2005, despite of the girl's unpopularity, Amuse decided to give them the change of major debut (meaning produce and sell singles, albums, DVDs all over Japan). Their first single "Linear Motor Girl" reach
#99 on Oricon Weekly Chart, which again forced the girl to face reality that "Dream and real life are so different" 

Commercial Success

Despite of the reality, the girls were given chance to have new single from Amuse. Their career started to bright since the 4th single "Chocolate Disco". It is a fun and catchy track, released on Valentine Day 2007. 

It reached Kimura Kaela (famous singer) and she played this songs many times on her radio shows. Audiences started to hear more about the group having great music and dance steps.

In 2008, a CM producer randomly listened to their song and chose them to sing his Cm's song. Their time started at that point. The Cm is for NHK's national recycling campaigned showing on television. 

The song: "Polyrhythm"

The single "polyrhythm" entered Oricon Weekly Chart at #7, it was their first Oricon top 10.

After that, they raised their popularity all around Japan and Asia. They now have all albums and DVDs at #1 weekly Oricon Chart. 

They needed 7 years of the girls life to be that success because they believe.

~Ruby~

"Vocaloid"? Why not? :)

Have you ever heard of the term "Vocaloid"?

If you haven't, why don't you try to know something about one special kind of music which becomes the new trend in Japan and America now but not yet raises it popularity in Australia~ :v

If you have heard about it but not in great details, why don't you read this Blog and learn more knowledge about "Vocaloid" :))

If you are big fan of this SUPER CATCHY music, this blog is made for you :>

First of all, for someone doesn't know, "Vocaloid" (ボーカロイド in Japanese) is a singing voice synthesizer, originally be created by Kenmochi Hideki (a Japanese producer). After that, Yamaha Corporation paid attention to his idea and continued to complete the Project and developed into the commercial product "Vocaloid." Isn't it too boring to hear about its history? Now I will show you what is the real "Vovaloid" :)

Hatsune Miku - This cute little girl is the most famous "Vocaloid"'s product <3

"Vocaloid", basically is a software that allows users to synthesize singing by typing in lyrics and melody.  Isn't it interesting if you can create your own music even through you're totally hopeless with any kind of music instrument? =))

"Vocaloid" concert

The term seems to be ... shock with someone. Normally, having a concert means you need at least one singer (real person) and a band (or not if there's an DJ >.<).

But no, now,without a real singer, a company can create a concert with the attention of hundreds, even thousands of people. Don't believe it? Check the video bellow :v

Again, we can understand how amazing technology this day is, we can see Miku in 3D version~

And "Vocaloid" has such a big impact to its fans~

The term "Cosplay" (for someone someone doesn't know is short term for "costume play", is a type of performance art in which participants wear costumes and accessories to represent a specific character or idea from a work of fiction). 

Before "Vocaloid", only characters from Games or Comics are being "copied". However, look at the picture below to see what happens now :))

Original image

Cosplay Image <3

It's hard to tell that which one has the 2D characters and which has real people unless you zoom in the pictures, right? =))

Only people can do a cover? No, "Vocaloid" can even do both song and dance cover~

It started with the idea of Yamaha about remixing some popular song and making effect on their "Vocaloid"'s  character to copy the dance of that song. It raises interest for fans of both original version of the songs and "Vocaloid"'s hard fans.

I will give you an example that I love the most~

Original MV

"Vocaloid" version

Ain't they nearly the same? =)) (Even through I prefer Perfume XD~)

Next time, I will introduce everyone about Perfume - the most famous and excellent group that represents the success of Japanese TechnoPop music.

Did I raise your interest in "Vocaloid"? Live a comment if "Yes" to support our Blog.

~Ruby~