Vancouver Slop invades Japan

On July 3rd, I hooked up with my good friends Matt and Rolf, who hail from Vancouver. Shortly, another friend who's been living in Japan, Ephraim, joined us. We went for eats at a gyoza restaurant in Harajuku. Afterwards we stalked the streets of Harajuku and Daikanyama.

Matt, who is an Environmental Biologist by day, runs a couple of business' on the side. He is 1/2 of Finale Design and 1/3 of Vancouver Slop. As the founder of Vancouver Slop, he blogs about restaurants and places that he eats. As he is always on the go, Matt hardly has the time to cook. Please check out his blog at www.vancouverslop.com. Also please check out Finale Design.

Great to see you guys! Thanks!

Been a while...

Hi people!

How is everyone doing?

Sorry I haven't been on for almost a month. Haven't been in front of my computer for quite sometime to actually post anything up. I've had a couple of friends come through to Japan; 2 from Vancouver and another from the UK. It's always great to see friends in another country.

Recently, i've worked on an audition shoot for W+K Tokyo Lab, for Playstation. It was great to work with them again, as i'm always looking forward to shooting video and taking photos. The day of the auditions was interesting, as all of the auditioners were eclectic and quite a bunch of characters. Thank you W+K!

This past weekend was eventful as well, as it was a long weekend in Japan. Monday was "Umi no hi" or Marine Day. Nothing special, but just a day to take advantage of the summer. It's been hot and humid here too. Not liking it because i'm a winter baby and I don't like the heat.

I'll post up photos soon again of the events that have happened in the past month. Hope you're all doing well. Take care and see you soon.

Peace.

Behind-the-Scenes: 鎮座 Dopeness Music Video

Early this week, I worked on the set of Chinza Dopeness' music video, shooting behind-the-scenes footage for W+K Tokyo Lab along with Takeshi-san.

5:30am - Wake up
6:45am - Leave the house
7:10am - Catch the train to Chuo Rinkan Station
8:00am - Arrive at Tama Plaza Station
--- Walk to the studio ---
8:30am - Arrive at the studio after hitting some Red Bull for the system
9:00am - Setup, makeup and wardrobe
11:00am/ 11:30am - Rehearsal
12:00pm - Start shooting
.................
7:00pm - Wrap

That's the basic schedule.

What even made my mornings and evenings better (sounding sarcastic), was the humidity. As you may or may not know, i'm a December baby, so i'm not fond of heat. But I "toughed it out" and brought me a towel to dry myself off.

The staff, talent and crew were very professional and friendly. Everyone was a class act. Chinza, the main talent, is a gifted lyricist and has a great personality. He is signed with W+K Tokyo Lab and is friends with HIFANA. Good people; good friends.

I look forward in working with Tokyo Lab in the future. Until then, keep smiling and keep creating.

Peace out.

Photos

Gun-dAAAm! in the park

Mission: Beach & Coca Cola Green Tea Flavour

I used to rock Hammer pants.....

via Kanye West Blog

Typical Saturday morning

Nice day for a bike ride

He is ALMIGHTY...

I'd like to introduce you all to Paul Belen a.k.a. Pluskratch a.k.a. Paul Skratch a.k.a. Paul Mighty. Yes, this man has several aliases and that is in part due to his eclectic life. Paul, as long as I can remember during my DJing days, he has been a hard working individual. He is a DJ, a producer and a fashion designer. He has been interviewed recently on www.justalilhype.com. Watch out for this talented artist! He's makin' heads snap.

Here is the link to his interview.

Also here is the link to his websites: www.almightypaulmighty.com, www.paulskratch.com

Dedicated to the Hastings Set

As my title shows, this entry is dedicated to the Hastings Set. This movement has been inspiring artists from all mediums, as well as people who just love art, music and life. I was privileged to be a part of this experience when my good friend Jeff (Jeproc) invited me to a Hastings Set event. From there on my spirit felt renewed and had been longing for a movement, a collective to inspire me and others to open our minds and our ears and hearts. After the first event, I always looked forward to the Hastings Set and their partners work. I was getting hungry. It's been about a year since I was introduced to the Hastings Set. Everytime an event was hosted and associated with THS, I always encouraged friends and family to come along for the ride. To name a few, THS consists of a collective of musical talent, producers, promoters, photographers, dancers, dj's, etc. Here are some of the links I encourage you to look at and be inspired:

The Hastings Set
Love and Electrik/ Blog
Brad Dijkman
Tiffany May
Justin Tyler Close
The New Royales
Chin Injeti

A recent article from Vancouver Is Awesome website features the Hastings Set and can be seen HERE.

Love and Electrik will be releasing some new material in the near future, SO LOOK OUT AND COP IT!; Justin Tyler Close did a wonderful makeover of his site, as well as posting new work; The New Royales will be dropping their new single "Kinda Like A Big Deal" which features the Clipse and Kanye West, with the beats and talent of Chin and DJ Khalil. Single drops 4/20/2009, 12noon PST.


Congratulations to the Hastings Set!! Many blessings and love! Caesar misses y'all but so happy the internet keeps me connected.

Shout outs to Jeproc, Chin, Aidan, Love and Electrik, JTC, Tiffany, DJ Bles-sed, Niña Mendoza, DJ She, Brad, NaRai, Jeff Spec, Omar Khan, SVS Style Dance Crew, Boombox Saints, the Boyscouts, EH! Team DJs, Almighty, The Freshest, Beatstreet Records, Gman and Rizk, DJ OMG, Littlesumo, SDUBB, Baby J, Shaolin Ewok, Rock Royalty Inc., Riojex, El Kartel, VANCOUVER, and to you all!!

Hanami (花見 - "flower viewing")

Kinda late on this post, as the cherry blossoms have been winded away by now. But I had the opportunity to experience Hanami in Japan for the first time. I saw some sakura (cherry blossoms) in Fujisawa, Shonandai, Roppongi and Odawara. How beautiful they are..... I spent hanami first with the crew from W+K Tokyo Lab and it was a fun experience. Later on in that week, I went to Odawara Castle with wifey and her mom. Good times looking at the sakura with a cold can of beer. Ahhhhh...

Please click HERE for the photos.

W+K Tokyo Lab Presents “VIDEO MUSIC” - March 28, 2009

This past Saturday, W+K Tokyo Lab hosted another event, "VIDEO MUSIC". A night filled with great visuals, music and people. One of W+K's artists, JEMAPUR, did a couple of sets, giving the crowd an experience not to be forgotten. Also, Jemapur will be doing an hour exclusive set on W+K Radio, tonight at 1am (9am-Thursday PST).

"VIDEO MUSIC" was held at Roppongi Hills, at Mado Lounge on the 52nd Floor (great view!!).

For photos of the event, please go here.

Also please check out W+K Tokyo Lab's Blog here.

And another one...

New Final Cut software due in April?

For more details, please click HERE.

Source: MacNN

Funny how time flies...

So today marks my one month anniversary since i've moved to Japan. Life's been pretty chill for now until I get the proper docs to allow me to work. I've been seeing old friends and trying to meet some too. I've been spending most of my time at home and practicing my hiragana and katakana, as well as learning some Photoshop, After Effects and Illustrator skills from online tutorials. The one thing I need to do is polish up my cover letter, so that when my visa arrives, i'm able to work a.s.a.p. I've been trying to occupy my time up with online tutorials, surfing the web, reading a book and occasionally stepping out of the house to go for short walks around the neighbourhood.

About 2 weeks ago, I went to a live show in Kichijoji, Tokyo, with Ephraim and Masako, to check out Hifana and some other live acts. This was my first time seeing Hifana live and to my surprise Semba-san and a group of percussionists and musicians, Kargamos, with Hifana collectively played great music. I had the privilege of meeting more of the W+K Tokyo staff through one of the Creative Directors, Shane Lester, that I had met while on my trip to L.A. last November. They are all personable and great! It was a good night of great music and company.

While the hunt is still on, i'll do my best to update you all on a regular basis.

For a review of the live show, please go HERE.

For photos of the evening, please go HERE.

Video of the Hifana and Semba show soon to follow.

HIFANA @ Star Pines Cafe (Tokyo)

HIFANA (W+K Tokyo Lab) will be performing live @ the Star Pines Cafe in Kichijoji this Saturday, Feb.28. Also part of the musical lineup are IZUPON, Cinza Dopeness, Kyo Sakurai, Senba and karugamos. If you are in the Tokyo area, please come check them out. It's gonna get LIVE!

For more information, please click HERE.

Return to Japan

First post in Japan.

I arrived Feb.12, 2009. It's great to be back. Looking forward to my new life here. I previously lived here back in '03-'04 and taught English. I am familiar with the transportation system here and I can get by with the limited Japanese that I do know. I will be studying Japanese so that I can be more fluent and understand some of the conversations. Jet lag is done and the hunt for work has begun.

Ganbarimasu.

Red Bull 3Style Challenge - Jan.30, 2009

Okay, playing catch up is my game right now. I know you probably have been coming to my page and nothing has been new. My apologies again.

The Red Bull 3Style Competition at the Commodore Ballroom was off the chain, too bad I got drunk too early and had to leave midway through My!Gay!Husbands! set. I managed to get some photos and video of the champ: P-Luv. Good luck to him and to the rest of the champs across Canada at the Finals in Toronto. Also congratulations to both Rico Uno (Runner-up) and Marlon J. English (Third Place)!

For photos of the evenings events, please click HERE.

Cell Phone Reunion

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Crank 2: High Voltage >>> HELLS YES!

Christmas @ the Bays to the Hastings Set Boxing Day Blowout

In the early eve of Boxing Day, I celebrated another Christmas Dinner at the Bays. I've known most of my friends there since elementary and it's always great to spend our annual Christmas dinners together.

Afterwards, I headed down to the Biltmore Cabaret to the Hastings Set Boxing Day Blowout which featured a live set from Love and Electrik and Omar Khan. As always, great music by the duo and Omar, as well as the DJs (DJ She, Bles-sed and Niña Mendoza).

To view photos of the evening, please click HERE.