Article on child DJ's in Osaka

time to get more serious about blogging???

Young Tiger Burning Bright - Published in Japan Journal, December 2011

Basement Ltd. dubstep event preview in Japan Times

In step: Ena is one of Tokyo's major dubstep acts.

Dubstep acts Ena, Helixir to play Module

By BLAIR McBRIDE

Special to The Japan Times

The dubstep sound — characterized by 2-step garage beats and deep, undulating bass lines — that began in London about a decade ago has caught on somewhat in Tokyo and evolved into its own scene. It's still relatively young, but groups of Japanese and foreign artists are injecting their own energy and talent.

Major international dubstep artists such as Skream, Mala and Loefah have played at Unit's DBS events in Daikanyama and Back to Chill at Shibuya's Club Asia. But the Basement Ltd. series of parties in Shibuya stand out because, among the few dubstep events in Tokyo, they are run by a non-Japanese person. French DJ and 7even Recordings label owner Greg G puts on the events every few months at Shibuya's Club Module. The next party, to be held on March 26, celebrates releases by two 7even artists, Ena and Helixir. All profits from the party will go to the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Ena is a major figure in Tokyo's dubstep scene and plays regularly at Back to Chill events. He also owns IAI Recordings and, having also put out music on Russian, British and French labels, is steadily becoming more globally known with his recent 7even vinyl 12" release, "Sign." His musical range, which spans genres of bass music such as drum 'n' bass and dubstep, complements the diversity of 7even.

"The 7even sound is deep, dubby, rave, experimental," he says. "For me, bass music is that."

The event's headliner, Kevin Martin, began his Helixir project in 2004 after many years of musical experimentation in his hometown of Strasbourg, France. Describing his style as "aquatic bass moody music," his "Undivided" CD release on 7even is his first full-length album. Despite only having released music for a few years, he has found success quickly through his 7even singles.

"I guess I have been lucky, because (with each release) there was one (track) at least that has been played by Mary Ann Hobbes on her BBC Radio 1 'Experimental Show,' and also supported by other various established artists."

As Helixir, Martin will perform a live set at Basement Ltd., and also at Cafe Domina in Nagoya on March 25.

For more information, visit www.module-tokyo.com.

One of my fav sites that I check daily. I can indulge my years-long fascination with Russia

http://www.englishrussia.com/

My latest article on American military bases in Japan

Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010

THE ZEIT GIST

U.S. Navy 'Friendship Festival' draws line at the French

Mysterious inclusion as only country in Western Europe on military 'blacklist' spoils Yokohama day out for Frenchman

By BLAIR McBRIDE

Could it be that the Friendship Day festivals held at the U.S. Navy Negishi Housing Base are not as friendly as the name suggests?

Your country's name's down, you're not coming in: Frenchman Eric Fior peers through the fence into the U.S. Navy Negishi Housing Base in Yokohama after being refused entry to the Negishi Open Base Bon Odori Festival last month. BLAIR MCBRIDE PHOTO

For the last 14 years the Negishi Heights complex in Yokohama has hosted public family festivals. The events feature bands and traditional Japanese music such as taiko drumming, along with stalls selling food andmatsurisouvenirs. Most attendees are families living on the base and Yokohama locals. At the Negishi Open Base Bon Odori Festival last month, yukata-clad children munched on hot dogs and danced with their families.

But not everyone is welcome to these biannual events — perhaps surprising considering the international character of Yokohama. Eric Fior, 37, a French teacher living in Yokohama, has been denied entry to the event two years in a row.

"Two and three years ago they let me enter; only last summer they didn't let me in," he explains. "You need to show your ID to enter the base. I showed my 'gaijin card' to them at the gate. When they looked at the card they said I couldn't enter. I asked why and he said, 'Because you're French.'

"They said there are new rules and French people cannot enter. I asked why and he didn't give a reason."

The situation worsened when Fior phoned his British friend, Yokohama resident Oliver Arlow, 39.

"I arrived and asked the Japanese guards why (Eric couldn't enter) and they didn't have an answer. Their immediate reaction was to call the American military police. The Americans showed up in full camouflage attire, combat boots, wraparound glasses — big guys. It was very intimidating," recalls Arlow.

"I asked the Americans why we weren't allowed on and they said, 'We can't give you that information.' I asked again and they escorted me, my kids and my girlfriend off the premises. There was one guy in front of me and two guys were flanking him. He put his hand up and walked me backwards until we were on the road, which was then Japanese territory. They had achieved their aim at that point: I was off American territory.

"Then the Japanese military police came and I asked them questions and they wouldn't answer anything. There was nothing we could do."

So who is allowed onto U.S. military bases in Japan?

Michelle C. Stewart, public affairs officer at the U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka base, said in a phone interview that "there is a listing of countries that have to go through extra paperwork to get onto the base."

"It takes a month to get those visitors approved," she added. "The U.S. government determines what countries are approved or not into base installations."

In an e-mail exchange with Lt. John M. Harden, deputy chief of public affairs at the Yokota Air Base, he explained that certain nationalities are on a TCN (Third Country Nationals) list.

"Third Country National access is part of our overall base access procedure and is therefore an operational force protection issue," he said.

Asked which countries are on the TCN list, Harden replied, "The TCN list is not meant for public release, and I cannot provide further information about it."

However, a simple Google search turned up what appears to be the TCN list. The scanned, six-page document with the official seal of United States Forces Japan is titled "Restrictions On Third Country Nationals To USFJ Installations And Areas" and dated April 1, 2009.

Page 5 contains the list of 62 TCNs. Much of the list is unsurprising. It includes most Middle Eastern nations, several African, Asian and Eastern European countries and a few South American ones. And then, sticking out oddly between Egypt and Georgia is the only Western European country on the list: France.

The days of tension over the Iraq war between Presidents Jacques Chirac in the Elysee and George W. Bush in the White House — and "freedom fries" in the cafeterias in U.S. Congress — are long gone. U.S. combat operations in Iraq are over, and France is the fourth-largest contributor of troops to the NATO-led force in Afghanistan.

Current French President Nicolas Sarkozy is known as "Sarkozy l'Americain" in his homeland for, among other things, his close relationship with Bush, unabashed admiration for the U.S. and his love of Elvis Presley. All this begs the question of why France features on the TCN list.

Neither Stewart nor Harden would comment specifically on France's inclusion.

"I wish they would give a reason," Fior said after being turned away again from this year's Negishi Bon Odori Festival on Aug. 21. "I was very disappointed. I came to the gate with my three kids and showed my gaijin card. I could see that there was a problem.

"The guard said, 'You can't come in,' and I asked why and he said, 'Because you're French.' I said, 'I'm not a terrorist.' The guard said, 'I feel very bad that you can't enter.' He told me I needed to get some special permission. I really don't understand. I know that Chirac criticized America a lot, especially about Iraq. But now the president is Sarkozy and everyone knows he is pro-American."

Frustrations and exclusions aside, the Friendship Festivals are held on a military base. And not only are U.S. military bases American territory, but also particularly sensitive territory.

"It's their territory, but people need to know," says Arlow. "Clearly there's a security risk for some nations like the Chinese or North Koreans. But I'm shocked that they've singled out the French as undesirables. I find that very curious."

"There's no indication beforehand that some groups aren't allowed on," he adds. "This part of Yokohama is very international. I have friends around here from all over the world: Ghanaian, Tunisian, American. I don't see any problems in this community. If you come a long way for this event and you aren't allowed in, then you simply have to go home."