My favorite non-Japanese Musicians.

I find it weird that I have to title it that way, but I usually talk about Japanese musicians and in this list I'm excluding them. Mainly because I will be talking about music that has molded me into what I am today, and you might find some oldies on here as well. Growing up I just listened to whatever my parents or siblings were listening to, and because my mom's favorite band is the Beatles there was a lot of that in my house.

Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons

"Big Girls Don't Cry" was always playing at my house, and my mom even has videos of me dancing to it with my brothers and sister. I still listen to them to this day, and I think part of the reason why is it does bring back some fond memories of my childhood. If you have seen the movie Jersey Boys then you will know these guys for sure.

It's not really what I usually listen to either, but they were a definite favorite of mine growing up.

The Everly Brothers

Another oldies group. My parents actually didn't play them as often as the others I grew up with, but I always seemed to be drawn to their CD's either way. We had a stereo, way before I even had my own CD player, so I would just plug my earphones in and play their songs all day. I hear their music at work, which is great for me because I can sing along to it.

Simon and Garfunkel

If you've heard the song "The Sound of Silence" or just those stupid videos with the song playing "Hello Darkness, my old friend" whenever something bad happens than that was these guys. I believe they were a definite favorite of my dad's, whenever we drove somewhere they were always playing on his radio.

Carlos Santana

Santana is my dad's favorite musician, which meant that he was probably the most played in the household aside from the Beatles. [I'm not listing them, for reasons.] I definitely feel like he influenced my taste in music, as I grew up to really like Orianthi who also uses the same style of guitar playing that Santana uses. 

Michelle Branch

My first personally owned CD was the Spirit Room. I really liked that she was one of the first musicians I liked on my own accord. Of course my sister liked her too, we're even going to see her together this July-but she was sort of my hero back in the day. She recently released a full length album after years, so I'm excited to sit down and listen to it.

After her album 'Hotel Paper' she sort of fell away from the mainstream music scene, so not many know about her anymore. Which is probably why her concert is going to be 21 and over, because no one under 18 even would know her. 

Misterwives

I've already talked about them so much, so I'll only say I really do love them. They're a fun band to listen to when you want to just jam out, or whatever you want to call it. They're wonderful live, I was so happy to see them with Panic.

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That's about it! I have a few more I want to list, but I'm a little tired so I'm afraid from that point on I'll be a little sloppy.

Thanks for reading!

Top Ten Visual Kei vocalists.

Granted, my Visual Kei interest might be dwindling and my favorite artists are either now leaving or disbanding. But who knows, maybe I'll find another band someday. I'm just a little swamped with work/babysitting and other things.

So this is just a top ten of vocalist I liked throughout the years. Some, I might not even like anymore, but at the time I liked them for what they were.

10. Miku-An Cafe

I can't believe I'm even mentioning Miku, but back in my High School days I actually really liked his voice. For what it was, it was really good and I liked the upbeat in his tone. Oshare Kei really wasn't my thing, but it was a nice change of pace for what I usually listened to. As a person, I don't know if I can say I actually like Miku-but maybe he's changed since I've known about him.

 

 9. Jun-Spiv States

When Phantasmagoria disbanded and Jun created Spiv States with Iori I was a little shocked. Especially after hearing that Jun would also be vocalist. But after hearing their first two singles, I was pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately I didn't really keep up with them after Iori left due to health reasons, so one day I will sit down and listen to the entire discography. 

8. Maru-BIS

Unfortunately not a lot of my friends remember or knew who BIS was. They were sort of like Alice Nine I would say, and they did used to be an indie band under PSC until they left and eventually disbanded. Maru had a good voice, when I first heard the song DAYS I was almost obsessed with his voice. I didn't follow him after their disbandment, and I'm unsure if he's even active in the VK scene anymore.

7.Keiyu-Kra

 Granted, I didn't really give the band a shot when I first got into Visual Kei. I honestly didn't even know that Kra was considered Oshare Kei, unless they're not and I'm being a total noob. Honestly I can't really comment on his voice, at least to make myself seem like I know what I'm talking about. I just like it. [I'm being sloppy, I'm sorry.] 

 

6. Yomi-Nightmare

 

Yomi surprisingly has a low voice, which I like. I recently got acquainted with their music again, only to find out that the band is on hiatus. I hope for a return, because I'm interested where they can go from there. 

 

5. Riku-Chariots

 

Riku was one of the only reasons I listened to Phantasmagoria, for all I know he sort of carried the band in a way. [Okay I know that's rude to say, sorry.] I lost touch with his music, but when I heard Chariots was active again I started to listen to them again. I really like his voice honestly.

 

4. Maya-LM.C

 

I don't know how to describe what I liked about Maya's voice either, maybe it was the upbeat music that surrounded it. I think the song 88 really displays what Maya can do with his vocals, but unfortunately I fell away from them after Punky Heart. 

 

3. Satoshi-Girugamesh

 

The first couple of albums of Girugamesh were the best to me, but the latest albums up to their disbandment never did anything for me. Despite that, I really enjoyed Satoshi's vocals. I think he had a unique way of going about things, and as a plus I did like him as a person. I want to support him in his new endeavors, whatever they might be.

 

2. Ruki-the GazettE

 

As far as Vocalists that are still active in the scene, Ruki is still my favorite vocalist. Don't get me wrong about that. I had a hard time debating with myself even putting him at number two, but when I get to the number one pick you'll find out why. The thing I've always liked about him as a musician, is his intuition and his desire to grow. Some vocalists might just stay the same, but he's constantly trying new things and improving his vocals. Hearing him sing live was an experience, and I can't honestly wait to experience it again.

 

As a person, I do like him too! I wish him well with his own endeavors, whether with the band or his new line of clothing and perfume. I know he'll do well with it.

 

1. Isshi-Kagrra,

Kagrra, was my introduction to Visual Kei. Everything that VK is to me, is because of them. Isshi had even been my first bias, having fallen for him and his voice when I saw the MV for Satsuki. I owe a lot to him, and some days it's hard to come to terms that he's not with us anymore. I had been so excited to see what he could do with his new project, but alas we will never know the full potential.

I don't think there will ever be a vocalist that could ever take my heart. As I said, even though Ruki is my favorite vocalist-Isshi will always be my first. If that made sense at all.

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With that said, despite it being sloppy and even confusing-I hope you enjoyed it anyway.

  

 

Visual Kei is fine.

I was originally going to talk about how people are freaking out about how VK is "dying", but I believe what's been said has been said and I'd be beating a dead horse right about now. I'm still going to talk about it a little, but not to the extent that I was going to.

Visual Kei has obviously been around for more than 20 years, I have a document somewhere on my computer actually which talks about the founding fathers. We already know X-Japan, but I'm not here to talk about the history either. Well, kinda-but not really. I don't really want to go on a tangent about Yoshiki and how he sort of creeps me out.

So this is sort of a personal post, because it pertains to my own personal experiences within the fandom and how it sort of molded me into the person I am today. Granted, I don't really listen to any of the newer material. I basically listen to anything that predates 2012, and even then I only listen to the GazettE, Kagrra, LM.C, Girugamesh, Nightmare, and a few others. A lot of those I listed, are either on hiatus or disbanded.

Apart of the reason why I believe that some people believe that the scene is dying, is that the bands are constantly doing this. Auncia made a habit out of it, oh wait it's NIA now. Or is it Ansia?

Nevermind.

Sometimes band members don't mesh well together, sometimes the music that they're playing just doesn't bode well with one member and they move on. Sometimes they want to try new things on their own. When Kagrra, disbanded it was initially because Isshi wanted to try a solo project, so I believe.

And even when this band goes on hiatus, or their band disbands-they are most likely going to try a new band or at least stay active in the scene. Naoki [the bassist of Kagrra,] is constantly giving his talent to those in the scene, he even played for Gotcharocka at one point. Jui started Gotcharocka a little after Vidoll disbanded, and they're still around to this day.

[Those are poor examples, but they're what I know.]

Even Jun, after Phantasmagoria disbanded he started a new band with Iori. [Unfortunately Iori had to quit because of health reasons.] Whatever the reason though for leaving, most musicians stay in the scene-they're just doing different things. [I mean Kisaki said he was going to retire how many times now?]

I know it's a normal reaction to be upset when your band goes on hiatus or they disband, but always keep an eye out for new projects. Support them too! Support them as much as you can, because that's what they need too. [Where am I even going with this? Orz]

Your favorite band disbanding|going on hiatus does not equate to Visual Kei dying, it's not even a big scene in Japan to begin with.

Right now there aren't many bands who have their own sound either, they're going to take what they know from a veteran band and impliment that in their music. You have to fish through the pool to find a band you like sometimes, but they are there-they're forming almost all the time.

Visual Kei has changed so much since I got into it, and that's only been since 2006. It's not popular to begin with, I have yet to meet a Japanese person [outside of the GazettE fandom and who has lived in Japan before] who even knows what it is. My mom would talk to our neighbors exchange student who would just look at her like "Who the hell is this GazettE you're talking about?"

Ten years from now, people will still be saying it's a dying scene and that it needs to be saved. It's always been a topic, even back in the day. I believe it stems from "A band I love is disbanding/going on hiatus-it must be dying!" BUT your favorites are probably planning on doing MORE things on their own time.

I feel hypocritical talking about this, because I do only really listen to what I listened to back when I was in High School.

The scene has changed, as far as the fandom goes-but it's still there and it's still thriving even if it doesn't seem that big.

It doesn't need to be saved, if you think so then maybe start supporting your artist by buying their merch and buying their albums.

If you can, go to their concerts.

Find a new band.

Annnnnnd last thing....

I don't know, just stop saying it needs to be saved I guess. I guess I did beat the dead horse, sorry guys.

lmao I don't know how to end this so bye.

40 Things about myself

I sort of wanted to do this in the beginning, but I figured later it better than never. And I originally was going to do a "What band is your favorite?|What is your favorite color?" sort of questionnaire, but I found this a little more interesting and sort of will go into depth of who I am as a person and maybe some of the stuff I personally would like to work on.

So with that said, I'm going to go ahead and get started.

40 Personal Things About Me

 

1. What’s your philosophy in life?

I don't know if I have one, other than I really would like it if people just treated each other with decency. I think the world gets so wrapped up in their own beliefs and personal lives to really look at another human and not label them as what they think. And even if a person is of a different sexuality, race, gender, or religion I doubt it's any of your business. Though as a human we have a flaw to be curious, which is something I need to work on myself when it comes to dealing with others. 

2. What’s the one thing you would like to change about yourself?

My thought process, I suppose you can say and how I handle my negative emotions. I tend to bottle things up to the point where they explode. And I have somewhat of a low self-esteem, but I try to hide it like I'm confident in myself if that made sense. Like I try to build myself up, but in reality I don't think I'm that great of a person I just don't really want people to know that. And in return, I believe it makes me come off as arrogant and it's hard for me to keep some friends for this reason.

 

3. Are you religious or spiritual?

 I'm not religious, but I don't think you could call me spiritual either. I do believe in some sort of higher being, but I don't really delve into that if that makes any sense. I sort of just go with the flow with my own personal belief system, and I try to make a living based off that. I know it's not the most conventional way, but I have a hard time with people telling me what I should believe in the beginning. I'd sort of like to sort that out for myself.

4. Do you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?

Depends on who I'm with. If I'm surrounded by people I don't know, and am not comfortable around [or sometimes that I do know, depends on my mood too] I'm more of an introvert. I like to quietly stay off to the side and observe things, even when I'm dealing within my own family at a holiday gathering. Though I'm more active when I'm one on one with someone, or something that I'm really close with. Online I'm more of an extrovert, I do go out of my way to talk to a few people. 

 

5. Which parent are you closer to and why?

I honestly feel I have a good relationship with both of my parents. I suppose you can say I open up more about certain things with my dad, but I do the same with my mom. So I can't really say I favor one over the other.

 

6. What was the best phase in your life?

I don't know if I have one quite yet, I have had good parts during certain parts of the year. 

 

7. What was the worst phase in your life?

Honestly between 2009 and 2013 is sort of a hazy period for me. The only thing that was good about that time period is my nephew was born. Late 2013 I met Matt, so things started to get a little better.

 

8. Is what you’re doing now what you always wanted to do growing up?

No, I don't think anyone dreams of being a cashier at a grocery store.

 

9. What makes you feel accomplished?
Honestly when I make good conversation with a friend, or even make someone laugh. Or I make someone feel good about themselves. I have a habit of even telling customers that I like their outfit, I genuinely do a lot of the times-but the smile they give me when I say it makes it worth it. It's pretty small accomplishments, but eh.

10. What’s your favorite book/movie of all time and why did it speak to you so much?
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. I don't know why it jumped out at me, but it was such a beautifully written book.

11. What is a relationship deal breaker for you?
Cheating.

12. Are you more into looks or brains?
More of personality.

13. Would you ever take back someone who cheated?
No, I don't think I could trust someone again after being betrayed like that.

14. How do you feel about sharing your password with your partner?
I don't know, depends on what it is I guess. But I trust Matt, and I'm pretty sure he trusts me so there's no need to share passwords.

15. When do you think a person is ready for marriage?
When they truly think they're ready, I believe people should be able to make their own decisions regarding their love life.

16. What kind of parent do you think you will be?
I'm not having kids.

17. What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner?
Honestly I would ask them why, but my parents like Matt so I don't have to worry about that.

18. Who is that one person you can talk to about just anything?
Matt and Reida are two people I have learned I can tell anything. I don't trust a lot of people with my emotions anymore.

19. Do you usually stay friends with your exes?
I tried to. I do talk to one sporadically.

20. Have you ever lost someone close to you?
My Grandparents.

21. If you are in a bad mood, do you prefer to be left alone or have someone to cheer you up?
Depends on how bad of a mood I'm in. I prefer to be left alone when I'm really upset, because I can get kind of mean when I don't mean to be. So it ends up worse. I get super frustrated too, which is a result of me bottling things up. But sometimes I'll be in a bad mood and I'll get a super random text or picture from Matt with some weird caption and then I'll just giggle at it for like ten minutes.

22. What’s an ideal weekend for you?
Spending it with Matt, which I usually do.

23. What do you think of best friends of the opposite sex?
Great.

24. Do you judge a book by its cover?
I don't usually do, you can't really judge someone based on their looks or race.

25. Are you confrontational?
Depends.

26. When was the last time you broke someone’s heart?
I guess 2013.

27. Would you relocate for love?
Depends on if it worked out.

28. Did you ever write a journal?
I used to, but stopped when I was in seventh grade.

29. What are you most thankful for?
My parents.

30. Do you believe in second chances?
Yeah, but I don't believe in third.

31. What’s the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?
I don't know, I guess that I don't care? I sometimes don't know how to react to other people's problems, I don't think. I care, I just don't know how to convey that.

32. What is your idea of a perfect vacation?
Japan or Seattle, one of the two. I don't care, as long as I'm with someone I care about.

33. What did your past relationship teach you?
That sometimes it's better off just being friends or not friends at all.

34. What are your thoughts on online dating or tinder?
I think it depends, if you find the right person-but do your research before going any further. There's sites now that you can find if it's a catfish or not.

35. What’s on your bucket list this year?
I don't really have one for this year, I'm just going to take it easy. Next year maybe visit Japan. I say that a lot though.

36. When have you felt your biggest adrenaline rush?
Getting on an airplane.

37. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done and would you do it again?
Nah I'm boring.

38. If a genie granted you 3 wishes right now, what would you wish for?
For my nephews to have enough to live with for a comfortable life, to put my parents in a home they can grow old in, and for my dog to never die.

39. What’s your biggest regret in life?
I personally would rather not answer this one.

40. What do you think about when you’re by yourself?
I don't want to say what I think about, I overthink and I get depressed and get anxious. When I'm with someone it's not as bad.