Mel (Duel), Christina (mews), Sayaka (Betwixt), Eva, Asami (Frau)... plus Ken-K
Influences
Talking Heads (David Byrne),
Mike Oldfield,
XTC,
Elvis Costello,
The Monochrome Set,
Would-Be-Goods,
Strawberry Switchbrade,
Pale Fountains (Shack, Michael Head),
The Smiths,
Julian Cope,
The Beautiful South,
The Jesus and Mary Chain,
The Jazz Butcher Conspiracy,
Friends,
China Crisis,
Prefab Sprout
The Stone Roses,
Tahiti 80,
Riviera,
Roxy Music,
Kraftwerk,
The Cars,
Eurythmics,
Japan (David Sylvian),
Duran Duran,
Tears for Fears,
The Style Council (The Jam, Paul Weller),
The Cure,
Cyndi Lauper,
Yellow Magic Orchestra,
Sandii & the Sunsetz,
Sadistic Mika Band,
Jun Togawa (Yapoos),
...
Also, under the influence of progressive rock - King Crimson, Yes, Pink Floyd, Camel, Caravan...
Duel is the international coalition of Pretty Pop's 80's retro sound,
and the lyrics and vocals of Mel Ushikubo, a Canadian singer making
her mark in Tokyo.
As always, Ken Kinoshita creates sounds and rhythms
that entrance.
Now Mel, a driven and passionate vocalist, brings a
whole new dimension.
This pop isn't just pretty, it's dessert.
Duel's Myspace page is available!
mews, the Tokyo based duo formed in June 2005, is Christina (Germany/Hong Kong) and Ken (Japan). Their sound is a variant of 80's synth-pop with a nostalgic vision of a past era that still lives on in an imaginary space. "Mews", the sound itself, reflects the meaning of "muse", the source of inspiration of artists, as influences are drawn from 80's electro synth-pop, striking words, images of 60's and late 70's films. Combined with lyrics shaped by urban life, we hope our music is transcendental of musical, temporal and cultural orientations.
Betwixt is Sayaka (Aotearoa/NZ/Japan) and Ken Kinoshita (Japan) formed in July 2003, the sound is evocative of 80's electro synth pop but utilises contemporary technology. Betwixt is an old fashioned word meaning "between"; this embodies the conceptual base of the music, perhaps. The spaces in between are the most fertile ground creatively, whether it be space between disciplines, genres or countries. We hope you feel this upon listening to our pretty pop.
Heyday Records:
"Heyday is proud to announce an exclusive agreement with Japanese label Pretty Pop to release their artists in the U.S."
Heyday Records, once called "One of the ten most adventurous small labels in the world" by Rolling Stone Magazine.
Hi there, I know It's kind of early but I wanted to make sure I get to everyone on my friends list because this is one of my favorite holidays of the year. I am a proud American and the 4th of July is a day to remember all those who have fought and are still fighting for our freedom. While we Sleep They Wake, While We enjoy our bbq's and swim in the pool.. They're defending our borders and eating sand. I salute all the men and women who make it possible everyday for my children and I to live a free life and if you are one of them ~~ From the bottom of my heart I THANK YOU!!! So Please take a moment on the 4th and remember what it really stands for... That Red White and Blue is not just a piece of cloth.. It is a SYMBOL of our freedom and the men and women who fight for it.
Happy Independence Day!!!! ~Kim
I'm Proud To Be An American Written By Lee Greenwood
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life, And I had to start again with just my children and my wife, I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today, 'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, ' Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea. From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A. , There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, ' Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.
7 songs
Duel's Myspace page is available!
mews, the Tokyo based duo formed in June 2005, is Christina (Germany/Hong Kong) and Ken (Japan). Their sound is a variant of 80's synth-pop with a nostalgic vision of a past era that still lives on in an imaginary space. "Mews", the sound itself, reflects the meaning of "muse", the source of inspiration of artists, as influences are drawn from 80's electro synth-pop, striking words, images of 60's and late 70's films. Combined with lyrics shaped by urban life, we hope our music is transcendental of musical, temporal and cultural orientations.
Betwixt is Sayaka (Aotearoa/NZ/Japan) and Ken Kinoshita (Japan) formed in July 2003, the sound is evocative of 80's electro synth pop but utilises contemporary technology. Betwixt is an old fashioned word meaning "between"; this embodies the conceptual base of the music, perhaps. The spaces in between are the most fertile ground creatively, whether it be space between disciplines, genres or countries. We hope you feel this upon listening to our pretty pop.
Online Now!
