JUNCO'S MYSPACE

In my previous post I wrote about the Hayashi Tetsuji Tribute Album, "4TEARS" featuring 4 Hokkaido female artists. One of those artists is JUNCO whom Discovery is now promoting and managing with hopes of a major debut.

With the boom of MySpace Music recently a MySpace Music Profile was definately a good move. The only problem with MySpace is that their layouts are very tacky and don't allow a lot of room for customization other than even more tacky generators or you have to be very good at knowing how to code your way through the MySpace mess.

At any rate I was bound to find a way to make the design I wanted be shown on MySpace and was lucky enough to find someone online who knows the ins and outs of MySpace (whom I will post about later) and turn Junco's MySpace Profile into an original masterpiece.

If you are a band and have your own MS Music profile check out Junco's profile and let her know what you think.

Tribute to Hayshi Testsuji

For all of my readers who follow Japanese music, Discovery has just released a new album paying tribute to one of Japan's most famous song writer and composer, Hayashi Tetsuji (Last name first).

The album is called 4 Tears produced by Cheep Hiroishi and it features 4 cover songs sung by 4 different female artists living on the northern island of Japan, Hokkaido.

The first song is called "September" originally sung by Takeuchi Mariya and cover by CARIN.
The second title is "Mayonaka no Doa" (Midnight Door) originally by Matsubara Miki and cover by Kakimoto Nanae.
The third song is "Senaka" (Back) originally by Misora Hibari, cover by ERINA.
The fourth and final song is "Kanashii Iro Yane" (Sad Color Right?) by Ueda Masaki, cover by JUNCO.

You can listen to the samples at the 4Tears MySpace Music page. Though the songs are kinda old now the new singers bring life back into the words.

Back to the Basics

Well today I just thought what is the purpose of this blog. Some of you may be going "Why is the title World Ethnic Sample CDs and there is not a lot about Sample CDs" and I understand you 100%. When I first started this blog, it was going to be for promoting my music and since the hompage did not yet have a blog I decided to create one on blogspot. Little did I know that I would get so many readers.

Recently I have been posting completely out of topic and had 3 thoughts. 1: Change the title of the blog so that I could freely write about what I want to. ( and then deal with seo from ground zero again) or 2: Stop posting freely and make the blog less interesting to read. And 3: Disregard 1 and 2 and continue to do what I am doing trying my best to keep music related, but sometimes having a little fun with other topics.

Obiously if I don't post more often it kinda defeats the purpose of having a blog I would guess. So to all of you who have read my blog I just want to say thanks for putting up with my off topic posts and not writing for weeks at a time. I am still new in the blogging world, but will do my best to not do a half-assed job in the future.

Shaq Attack on Twitter

Wow!! it is official. Shaq Attack on Twitter. It's always nice to see talent step out of the box and join the rest of the world. I am sure if this would of happened 10 years ago it would be a different story with people sending 'autograph please' messages and totally forgetting that Shaq is actually a real person just like us.

Since the recent growth of internet social networks there has been a surge of talent joining cyberspace and I think this is a good thing. It lets the fans know that even the biggest of stars can interact with regular people and enjoy the WWW without being hassled. (I hope) Read full article here: Twitter Blog: His Tweets Are Shaqalicious

GOING TO KOREA

I am going to Korea tomorrow to promote Discovery's sample CD collection and meet some musicians about recording a new sample CD with Ethnic Korean sounds and music. I have been getting a bunch of requests lately for traditional Korean sounds and have not had the chance to give a specific date, but I can tell you it is in the near future.

Part 2 of the trip will be talking about promoting recording artists from Korea over here in Japan. The relations between Japan and Korea have been getting better and better when you think that less than eight years ago Japanese culture wasn't allowed in Korea. What better time than now to increase relations even more.

Lastly, I am also going to promote the Japanese music Documentary "Same Old Story" (Korean Version) with hopes that it will show at the PIFAN in 2009 along with the EBS documentary film festival.

Of course all work and no play is not fun, so I will be taking lots of pictures and post updates when I get back to Japan. Talk to you all then.

"Same Old Story" Movie Soundtrack

The soundtrack for "Same Old Story" the documentary film that won Best International Music Documentary at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival has been released for sale by Discovery Firm and can be purchased through the Discovery Sound website using Paypal and of course Amazon.

The album includes the title song "Same Old Story" and an instrumental track called "Overlook" both written and performed by Cheep Hiroishi the musician whom the film was about.

Sales are limited to 10,000 copies till the end of 2008. If you haven't already bought the album, I recommend you take advantage of the first release.

For a measly $10 you are getting an original album by a highly acclaimed Japanese artist.

Another Music Sampling Powerhouse

When you sign up for an account on Facebook anything can happen so it appears. I was contacted by Zenhiser asking to added as a friend, but was surprised when I took a look at the site and seen it was another sound sampling sight filled with loops, samplers, one-shots, and more. Since I also run a similar site I thought why not spread the word.

Zenhiser has a massive library of sounds that can be downloaded for royalty free use in your own productions. The site itself is very well done with a clean and easy too use interface layout. You will find just about anything you are looking for. If you are a fellow producer like myself, then can also do a link exchange with Zenhiser to get your site a little more PR. You can find the link at the bottom of the site. It is really simple. Just link to Zenhiser and they link back to you.

All in all I give the site a big two thumbs up for design, quality, and originality.

"Same Old Story" Wins Best International Music Documentary

It's final. The Japanese Documentary "Same Old Story" has won Best International Music Documentary at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival September 2008.

This was a very unexpected surprise as this was a first time film and of course independently produced and directed. Since the news of our film winning an award from such a large film festival, it has opened the doors to future festivals.

2009 is going to be a very big year for our movie as it is going to be shown at 6 more festivals throughout the world.
I really hope this film will touch peoples hearts and give them insight on their own life and history.

I know this poster is in Japanese and I am working the English translation hoping to get it online by the end of the week. I just couldn't wait to share it will all of my readers.

If you are in the area and have a chance to see the film please do. You can check our movie page here for festival updates.

Independent Music at its Best

Well we all know that there are very many talented musicians in the world that go unseen and unheard by the mass public, and sometimes that is the way those musicians want it to be. Then there are those who's dream is to share their music with the whole world. Since the release of Youtube this has become an easy task. The other side of the story is that may be as far as the dream goes.

As an independent music producer you are always taking a risk. But that is the beauty of the business is it not? I was browsing Youtube about 6 months to see who was the latest artist trying to make their "big break" hoping that someone would see them, believe in them, and help them break through that iron curtain, "The Music Business".

Well I found someone who was just singing to be heard. That someone is Shanna Gilfix. Over 500,000 viewers have heard her song, "It Took Losin You" on Youtube and other web channels. I just couldn't sit back and do nothing. So I started emailing like crazy. Even made my own Youtube account just to contact her. I am glad that I did.

She has a natural talent for music and poetry. She has an awsome guitarist, Richard Adoradio by her side who also believed in her and brought her to the next level. At least in my opinion. I hoping to produce her over here in Japan and at the same time believing it is going to open the doors for her in the United States. Without further adue, here is the video that broke the ground in cyber space.

Please watch it, comment on it and cheer her on. Afterall, in the end it's all about the listeners.

Recruiting Sound Designers!

Discovery Sound is recruiting sound designers! If you think you have what it takes to work with some of the best sound designers in the world then read on. I have listed below the prerequisites, but be forewarned; you will be in a completely different country.


Application:

• Please send an application, complete with photo and your original demo production. If you could show all of them online, they could be acceptable through email. (Only English is acceptable.)

An original demo production

Recording media:

• A mini-disc / CD-R (audio, Wav, AIF, or MP3 file format). An explanation of theme and your views on sampling music must be included. In the case of an applicant belonging to an agency or production team, we will not hire a person who has conflicts over the rights to their music.

Address:

• Please send all materials to the following address: Discovery Firm, Inc % Stephen Hunter 6-16 Maruyama-Nishimachi 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Japan 064-0944

Screening:

• Producers will review applications as they arrive. Desirable applicants will be contacted by our company. We will accept questions about your application only through e-mail. Applications will not be returned once we receive them.

There is no set deadline for applications. Desired applicants will be contacted by our company and informed of the details of the job.

Japan to New York and Back

The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival is over and and I am back in Japan getting ready for our next festival which will be the Rockport Film Festival in Texas and then back home in Japan at the Yubari Fantastic Film Festival.

The NYIIFVF was a great first experience for a first time film maker. I would of liked to known more about the festival before attending, but nevertheless still an experience to remember. "Same Old Story" got a really good attendance and even better reaction. Half the audience had tears in their eyes during the film. I am glad it was able to touch peoples hearts for just being an international documentary. I hope to get that kinda of reaction back home in Japan as well. (After all, it's a Japanese film)

I really want to keep those interested up-to-date on the film's festival dates just in case it might be playing in your area, but I am a bad blogger. I am getting better though. OK, enough said. Keep checking back for updates and if I haven't updated in a while WiFi kick me in the leg or something.

Same Old Story Movie Poster

Our movie poster for Same Old Story is finally complete. This film will be showing at Village East Cinema in New York at the film festival.

Showtime is September 21st, 2008 at 12pm. If you come to view the film you are automatically invited to the after party at STILL in New York City. The party goes from 10pm till 2am. There is a dress code (for those interested) and it is casual to formal. No T-shirts, baseball caps, sneakers, etc.

My offer for opening night tickets (September 18th, 6pm til Midnight) still stand, but I only have 4o left. Be sure to email me to reserve yours. I didn't think they would go so fast. The opening party is at Mansion. Check out location from the link.

Anyway, if you are in New York or a New Yorker and want to see some great Indie Films, stop on by, but don't forget to say hi.

Same Old Story at New York Film Festival

"Same Old Story", a documentary film produced by Discovery Firm, Inc. has been accepted into the New York Film Festival September 18th through the 25th. If you are in the New York area September 21st at 12:00pm stop by and see the film. You can purchase tickets early online before they sell out.

Will be playing at the Village East Cinema located at 181 2nd Avenue at 12th Street.

In addition to tickets, I have 100 opening night VIP passes that I am giving away to anyone who mails me and lets me know they want some. Opening night is a big event where film makers and producers get together to to see what films will be played at the festival. Last year many big stars showed up to the opening night and mingled with the other VIP guests.

Discovery Sound on Crackle

Well I have uploaded all of the Discovery Sound videos to Crackle. This is by far one of the best video sites on the web. Youtube may have numbers, but crackle has definitely got class. Not only can you upload videos, but you might just get noticed by Sony and they might just like your video and they might just turn your video into a series. Hows that for a run-on sentence.

The best thing about Crackle is that there is no spam videos. All those videos uploaded to Youtube might get really nice comments and feedback, but for those of you who are serious about making something out of your videos, Crackle might just have what you have been waiting for. A loyal audience with loyal followers. Even ontwitter you can't get that. Just so that I am clear on this, I have uploaded the same videos to Youtube, and MySpace, but only received awards from Crackle. This might be something to keep in mind next time you want to upload videos.

Bose Speaker Alternatives

If anyone is looking for speakers that can compete with Bose, look no more. Bauxar is the name and sound is their game.

These speakers may look small in size, but the sound they produce would make you think otherwise. Their unique shape allows for a new technology that lets you listen to music from any direction without losing sound quality.

This new technology is called "Time Domain". Sound leaves the speakers not just in the front like traditional speakers do, but at 360 degrees. No matter where you are standing the sound will not differ. Something you must hear for yourself to honestly appreciate.

The speakers can also be covered in various colors and design if you like that sort of thing. Here are some examples of custom speaker covers, but you can always design your own cover as well.

The site is in Japanese, but I am sure if you do a search on Google for Bauxar or Time Domain you can probably find something in your own language. Or you could just email me and I would help you contact the company directly if your are really interested in having a set or two. Until next time.

Discovery Sound

Discovery Sound is a music production and distribution company and part of Discovery Firm Japan. They are famous for producing music that you would not usually find in your local music store. There is music from around the world. You can hear all kinds of genres along with musical instruments you never would of thought existed.

Discovery Sound also searches for new talent all year round. There independent artists who never would of been heard of if it wasn't for Discovery. Some very well known artists affiliate with Discovery even today. But it doesn't stop there.

Besides musical content, Discovery also produces various types of audio files for various types of people. Inside Discovery Sound there is Discovery Downloader which allows musicians, software creators, game programmers to sample and purchase a showcase of authentic sound files. These files are royalty free which makes them perfect for integrating to your work without the hassle of copyright issues.

Something for those out there wanting to heard for whatever reason.