moya, Global Brand Ambassador for the High School Girl Uniform Brand Lucy Pop, is Releasing the Song ‘This Is My Story’, with Lyrics Entirely in English! She Even Helped to Write the Lyrics!

In recent times, middle schoolers have been making waves on Japanese social media, such as ‘Hikiniku’ from the popular middle schooler Youtube channel ‘Kozou tyonmage’, which has 1.54 million subscribers, and the 15-year-old middle school student tuki. who scored a number one hit on the domestic Spotify virtual chart with her song “Bansanka”.

Against this backdrop, the 13-year-old middle school student moya, who began working as a global model for the high-school girl uniform brand almost exactly six months ago on May 12th, 2023 released her original single ‘This Is My Story’ on streaming services worldwide on November 12th, 2023. She did this on her own record label, moya records. This marks her debut as a recording artist.  

Seeking to emulate Bruno Mars, with a dream to be an international artist moya came to her father hoping to translate lyrics that she came up with in school into English. Her father spoke with his friend, English native speaker and music producer U-SKE ASADA to translate the lyrics and to lead the composition of the track. 

Dai Hasegawa, who teaches the bass to moya, worked as the director of the music video, using the school where moya came up with the lyrics as a location, and focusing on scenes of moya in a uniform from the Lucy Pop brand for which she works as a global model. moya arranged the camera work, lighting and editing all on her own. The choreography was created by natsukiii, who moya takes lessons from. Viewers will get to see scenes of moya dancing on the roof of the school.

Moreover, as evidenced by how she is learning to play the bass, moya is interested in playing instruments, so along with her father, she found other musicians on TikTok and YouTube and approached them in English; such as Ecuadorean guitarist John Carpio, the Spanish drummer Darío de la Rosa who now lives in the U.S.A. and the Canadian bassist Colin Sankey. Combining the work of these international artists with U-SKE ASADA on keyboards, they created special instrumental tracks to accompany the song, making both instrumental and karaoke versions of these tracks available on streaming here, and be sure to check out the music video below!

MEWLIVE: A New VTuber Space Opens! Commemorative First Livestream!

Bandai Namco Music Live Inc. has announced their plans to open a new VTuber space named “MEWLIVE” on September 28, 2023, with the goal of creating a world where performers can freely express themselves beyond the boundaries of real and virtual. To commemorate this opening, a special livestream is scheduled for the same day at 7:00 PM (JST).

■MEWLIVE Commemorative First Livestream: A New VTuber Space Opens!

This livestream will feature the MEWLIVE CEO, voice actress Kotori Koiwai as the MC, VTuber Musubi Gaou as a performer, and VTuber analyst Sui Kawasaki as a guest.

Throughout the livestream, they will share information about MEWLIVE’s concept, its affiliated VTubers, and upcoming activities, so be sure to check it out!

About MEWLIVE

MEWLIVE is a new space where VTubers serve as a bridge between our world and virtual space. Our goal is to create a world where performers can freely express themselves beyond the boundaries of real and virtual.

■MEWLIVE CEO X (former Twitter)

■MEWLIVE official YouTube channel

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MC

Kotori Kowai

Profile

A voice actress. She has voiced characters such as Renge Miyauchi in Non Non Biyori and Tomoka Tenkubashi in The Idolmaster: Million Live! She is also known as a composer who has written, composed, and arranged jingles that play on TBS Radio. She is renowned as an audio enthusiast who owns over 200 earphones and headphones and gained fame for selling tens of thousands of earphones with just one tweet.

She made headlines as the first voice actress to become a MENSA member. She belongs to Peerless Gerbera.

■Official X (formerly Twitter)

■YouTube channel

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Performer

Musubi Gaou

Profile

The modern incarnation of the once mighty Mosasaurus of ancient oceans. She currently leads a laid back life as a sea god. In fact, she’s so laid back that she fell asleep and washed up on a Japanese beach, where she was picked up by her current owner. With newfound time on her hands and her owner’s PC, she decided to try streaming.

■Official X (formerly Twitter)

■YouTube channel

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Guest

Sui Kawasaki

Profile

While active as a VTuber, she also works as a VTuber analyst.

She regularly shares content that is useful for novice VTubers and provides insights for listeners who are interested in the VTuber industry.

She also has a passion for motorcycles and posts daily motorcycle-related shorts!

■Official X (formerly Twitter)

■YouTube channel

Formed from LDH’s biggest ever audition show ‘iCON Z’, Japanese vocal & rap group WOLF HOWL HARMONY make major-label debut with avex (rhythm zone)!

‘Sweet Rain’ Digial Jacket Cover

WOLF HOWL HARMONY are a new vocal and rap group formed from LDH’s largest ever audition show ‘iCON Z ~Dreams For Children~’, which gathered some 48,000 competitors. The group is made up of ‘iCON Z’ finalists GHEE and HIROTO and round 2 participants RYOJI and SUZUKI, who also perform as the vocal group DEEP SQUAD. And now, on August 23, the four-piece group have made their major-label debut on Japanese label avex’s rhythm zone imprint. The group’s name WOLF HOWL HARMONY references the members’ overlapping life stories, four howling lone wolves who have become one pack together.

Member Comments

● RYOJI

“At last, the time has come. The road so far has been rough, and the days have not been easy. Knowing through experience how unusual it is for us to have the chance to stand on this start line, I feel immense gratitude to all those who have supported us. 

“This is where WOLF begins. We intend to work as hard as we can so that we can bring joy to our fans and show the depths of our love. Please join us for the ride! Let’s see all the world has to show us! Thank you everyone for your warm support.”

● SUZUKI

“We finally made our major-label debut this past week. This achievement was not made by us alone: Our success is thanks to everyone who has supported us so far. We will commit everything we have and repay our fans through our work. No matter how large the goal, we can achieve anything together. We will continue to give it our all, so I hope you will stick with us!”

● GHEE

“This past week we were able to make our debut as WOLF HOWL HARMONY!! Now we stand at the start line – the main event. We will stake our lives to deliver the very best to all of the LOVE RED. We will do all we can to grow even more as artists and to repay the kindness of our fans, so please give us your support!”

● HIROTO

“This past week, on August 23, we successfully made our debut as WOLF HOWL HARMONY. Thank you so much! We couldn’t have made it this far without everyone’s help during the social media screening phase of the audition. Going forward, we will work with all of you to achieve our many goals and dreams, and I hope our existence can bring constant excitement to our fans. Thank you for your continued support!”

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The song was selected by fans who cast their votes on social media, and the lyrics express the painful feeling of being “more than friends but less than lovers”. With its kinetic melody that is perfect for the summer season, the song has been performed at venues around Japan since the end of June as part of the ‘WOLF HOWL HARMONY -iCON Z Yumesha Shugyo-’ event. 

A music video was also recently released, featuring a rain-like variety of textures inspired by the personalities of the four members, and showcases each member’s individuality while also expressing the message of the song. The video was directed by Hidejin Kato, who has worked on music videos for a large number of artists. Check out the bold color tone changes throughout the video.

WOLF HOWL HARMONY fans, known as LOVE RED, have already set social media alight with excited comments, and expectation is building for the group’s next video release.

Two years on from their audition experience, “dreamers in training” WOLF HOWL HARMONY have finally made their major-label debut. Don’t take your eyes off them. Be sure to check out ‘Sweet Rain’ across all digital streaming links here!

BMSG (Japan) Introduces its Uprising Artist Trainees, RUI & KANON, Through New Single ‘The Voice’

Japanese label and artist management company, BMSG, is thrilled to introduce its dynamic artist trainees, RUI and KANON, who are set to captivate the music scene with their upcoming release, 'The Voice' (‘声’ Ko-é in Japanese). The music video will premiere to a global audience via YouTube on 21 August 2023, which you can view below.

‘The Voice’ is a soul-stirring ballad that is set against a luscious R&B track produced by Japanese leading music producer, UTA of TinyVoice Production. The song is a harmonious fusion of lyrics and melodies jointly composed by both RUI and KANON, with a main theme of beautifully capturing the essence of a human connection through their expressive falsetto vocals. Notably, ‘The Voice’ is the first-ever release for KANON who not only sings but has also contributed to the single’s heartfelt lyrics, showcasing his multifaceted talent and exceptional musical sensibility at just 17 years old.

(Photo credits: BMSG, Inc.)

RUI emerged onto the Japanese music scene with a dazzling performance on the acclaimed audition program "THE FIRST" in 2020, at the age of 12 years old. His husky singing voice, accompanied by his infectious smile and friendly persona, garnered attention and admiration throughout the competition. Despite his elimination from the show, RUI’s magnetic presence left an indelible mark on both viewers and contestants alike. The result was an artist trainee contract with BMSG. In 2022, RUI showcased his talents further by producing his first solo song ‘Diamond’ as well as participating in numerous concerts and shows as guest performer and opening act. This includes renowned rapper and CEO of BMSG, SKY-HI’s nationwide tour "Cho Hachimenroppi”, solidifying his position as one of Japan’s most promising amateur vocalists.

(Photo credits: BMSG, Inc.)

KANON, on the other hand, made a resounding entry onto the scene through the "MISSIONx2" audition program in 2022, at the age of 16. Although not progressing to the final round of the audition program, his exceptional vocal prowess led him to be the only participant offered a trainee contract with BMSG. KANON's striking opening act during the SKY-HI ARENA TOUR 2023 -BOSSDOM- wowed the audience, showcasing his remarkable singing abilities and setting the stage for his promising future as an artist. 

Hiroyuki Sawano’s new group NAQT VANE release ‘Break Free (English Ver.)’, with lyrics in English!

‘Break Free’ Digital Jacket Cover

The English version of NAQT VANE’s debut song ‘Break Free’ was released on September 30. This English version was produced in tandem with the original Japanese version released earlier in September, so that music fans around the world could enjoy the message of hope behind the song’s lyrics.

NAQT VANE launched in September as a fresh new team project breathing a wind of change. Their debut single ‘Break Free’ carries an encouraging message of “a new self” and “liberation” and is dedicated to everyone living in the era of the wind – a flexible world of freedom and diversity with a lifestyle unbound by material things or status. The project combines the unmistakable music of producer Hiroyuki Sawano, whose compositions for anime, movies and TV shows are beloved by fans in Japan and around the world; and Harukaze, a highly skilled musician with a unique singing voice whose worldview was shaped by her school days spent in the United States.

Harukaze

In the new English version of ‘Break Free’, bilingual singer Harukaze’s English skills are put to great use – and above all, the lyrics have been tweaked to suit the English language, so listeners can enjoy a slightly different vibe from the original version. Whether you have already heard ‘Break Free’ or it’s your first time, check out ‘Break Free (English Ver.)’ for another chance to ride the tailwind.

Since the first announcement that Sawano would launch new team project NAQT VANE as overall producer, the reaction from fans has been overwhelming. Just two weeks after their debut in September, their new songs ‘VANE’ and ‘TOUCH’ were selected as theme songs to TV shows in Japan, making the group hot property.

In addition, vocalist Harukaze will perform as the opening act for singer-songwriter Calum Scott when he performs his first ever concert in Japan at Tokyo EX Theater Roppongi on October 18.

Overall producer Sawano recently composed the song ‘Tot Musica’ performed by Ado for the movie ‘ONE PIECE FILM RED’. He has numerous fans across North America, Europe and Asia thanks to his work on many celebrated anime productions, and in 2019 he delivered a successful solo performance at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, indicating his commitment to the global stage. Vocalist Harukaze is also fluent in English, so it seems likely that the group will set their sights on touring in various regions around the world.

This is a group for all those who face up to life’s challenges every day, as they ride the tailwind to the future. There are doubtless many out there who can relate to a group like NAQT VANE, and this feels like the start of a whole new movement – keep your expectations high as they embark on a truly special career.

Be sure to check out the track here, along with the Japanese music video below!