Photographers, Parties and Plastic!

This week on the Tokyo Star blog:

Two of our fave photographers step out from behind their cameras and chat to us!

We have the first (of hopefully many more to come) CD review, courtesy of our guest reviewer, Riaan of Canned Applause!

Check out the awesome evening we have planned for this Friday night.

And much much more...

Let's get it started!

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First up, check out the awesome poster for the unbelievably awesome party coming up at Carfax:

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Meet Tyron, whose black and white pics capture our arty imaginations:

1.When did you first realise you had a photographer living inside you?
Um, creepy question. There are pictures of me holding a camera at age four, so probably around then!

2.What kind of formal training (if any) have you undertaken?

I've never studied photography, but my dad, who is a painter, helped me a lot with understanding composition and texture.

3.Where is the most amazing place that you have taken photos?

Probably Iceland, but I believe you can take great pictures almost anywhere.

4.How much do you love your camera?

I use a 40-year-old Ricoh that my parents had with them on their honeymoon - so quite a lot!

5.What lens have you got?

I've got 55mm that came with the camera.

6.What inspired you to start taking photos?

Interesting people, mostly.

7.Do you have one all-time fave photo that you have taken?

Yes, it’s a picture of my brother Joel.

8.What editing tools do you use for your pics?

I don’t do much to my pictures, but I organise them with iPhoto on my mac.

9.What do you love most about Tokyo Star?

The supercool staff!

10.What’s your fave Tokyo drink?

Tequila!

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Now check out our rad CD review, and pop by to Canned Applause to buy it:

BOXCUTTER – Glyphic (Planet Mu)
Dubstep is a genre that has only recently started emerging on our shores, not with local artists, but with people getting exposed to it. Cape Town apparently has some parties going already I've heard and only recently a DJ called Nixon Tapes has started playing some of the stuff here in Jozi.

Almost as far removed from the dubstep scene in London as South Africa, is Northern Irelands Barry Lynn (aka Boxcutter). Where most dubstep artists insist on blowing your eardrums, Boxcutter brings the perfect balance to his bass heavy compositions in the form of beautiful textured atmospheric touches of (dare I say) 90's electronica acts like Orbital, Dreadzone and The Future Sound of London. That distinct dubstep rhythm is still there, riding it out on your bass speakers (hopefully your subwoofer), but it's complimented by some melodic electro and glitchy beats with sequencers running wild often high in the mix that would do both Squarepusher and Aphex Twin proud.

With guitar, flutes and twisting breaks, Boxcutter's combination of the organic and the electronic along with a passion for dub, jazz and most probably an ensemble of other eclectic influences, make Glyphic one step ahead of the norm in the scene. If you are a fan of Burial and Warp's Artificial Intelligence compilation's series, check this out!

Riaan Botha

CANNED APPLAUSE RECORDS

Your Music & Film Alternative

http://www.cannedapplauserecords.co.za/

(011) 482 7206

Shop 1D, 7th Street, Melville

(opposite Melville Pharmacy, right next to Nuno's restaurant)

Johannesburg

Trading hours:

Mon.-Fri. 10am - 7pm

Sat. 11am - 4pm

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1.When did you first realise you had a photographer living inside you?
After I shot my first spool on a SLR camera in Hermanus. I became intrigued with the science of light & using the aperture & shutter speed to influence light.

2.What kind of formal training (if any) have you undertaken?
I've done a course on Practical Colour Photography, Basic Black & White Photography, & Advanced Black & White Photography. I really enjoyed learning to develope & print my own images. I did them all part-time at the Cape Town School Of Photography, whilst studying a boring business degree at UCT. I was also the visuals editor of UCT's newspaper for 2 years.

3.Where is the most amazing place that you have taken photos?
Tierra Del Fuego in Patagonia, Argentina. Also Havana, Cuba.

4.How much do you love your camera?
Lots & lots & lots & lots. I have 2, one Pentax film SLR & a Pentax digital SLR. I learnt on my film SLR & so will always like it more than any other camera I ever get.

5.What lens have you got?
Sigma 17-35mm wide angle, a Sigma 28-300mm & a Pentax 28-80mm.

6.What inspired you to start taking photos?
Travel.

7.Do you have one all-time fave photo that you have taken?
I've got a couple, but probably the one that won me the 1st place in a National Amateur Photography Competition stands out. It was taken in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, & I was creating my frame around a homeless man passed out on the street when someone literally walked right over him. I snapped the shot just in time to capture the person walking past & giving the homeless guy no notice whatsoever.

8.What editing tools do you use for your pics?
Photoshop & Aperture, but I try manipulate them as little as possible.

9.What do you love most about Tokyo Star?
Different crowd, vibe & music to the rest of Joburg. Also, you never know who you may bump into at Tokyo.

10.What’s your fave Tokyo drink?
The slush of course!

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Don't forget to check out this party at Tokyo tomorrow night:

See you there!

Check this out!

If you missed out on last night's Indie-Dance Thursday then you truly did miss out! Tokyo was decorated to the nines (thanks to the Ke Ai crew) and the party was rocking!

But never fear, there is still more to come! Our fave DJ Sassquatch has planned many more exciting Thursdays...stand by for more info!

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Photo by Blane Venter

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Still to check out this week:

Friday 22nd Feb:
Pop round to Tokyo for some drinks and then hit Room 8 for some tunes.

Here is the message off the event:

"Hey guys, please come to Room 8 on friday night to support some great accoustic songwriters and performers. I'll be playing my own songs (Naming James). No cover charge, bring your own booze (seriously). This is a really chilled little place with bean bags and couches. it's just upstairs, above the Mugg & Bean on 4th street in Melville (next door to Tokyo Star). See ya there :) "

More info:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8309290274

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Photo by Gordon Lindsay

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Saturday 23rd Feb:

Come celebrate the success of recent Break-Beat production competition, hosted by Music Industry Online and IFT Audio on Saturday the 23rd of February at Tokyo Star in Melville.

There were many amazing entries into the Bloc Rockin Beatz competition, and these entries need to be played on a dirty, club sound-system to truly be appreciated. All the entries will be played at Tokyo Star from 9:30 PM.

After that South Africa’s freshest Break-Beat duo, Twelv and Thesis will be playing one of their much talked about live sets. Twelv is an Ableton Live genius who’s self-produced Break Beat contains more energy than electro shock therapy. Thesis is an emcee with the ability to hype a crowd into a frenzy of 130bpm beats. Together they are guaranteed to do damage to the dance floor.

Blunted Stuntman will be closing the night with some of the best, most cutting edge Break-Beat tunes making waves around the world. The Stuntsman has always been a Break-Beat purveyor of note, making a name for himself at the legendary night club 206, moving to Cape Town and making a noise there, and finally ending up in Joburg working at Soul Candi by day, and tearing up dance-floors by night.

DJ Echo will be kicking the night off with some head-space Breaks to get you in the mood, so get there early.

Write up off the event. For more info:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=21867650713

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Not to be missed!

Check this upcoming event:

"The Battle for Bakura"

Join us at Carfax on the 15th of March 2008 for a night that goes beyond. Red Moon Creations brings you an evening featuring a Japanese-style battle between DJs for musical dominance over the top underground genres. We will be giving away tons of free stuff, including all kinds of battle gear and shooters, so that you can all join in on the battle.

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High in the mountains of ancient Japan, where tribes still rule the land, exists a place more sacred than any other. This place is said to be the centre of the universe, and the epicentre of all that has a beat. In the past centuries, many wars have been waged over this holy area, but until recently all had been peaceful.

Now there are rumours of a new battle brewing.
Two tribes, Miro from the North, and Zukuto from the South, have each staked a claim for ownership of this rhythmical land and are prepared to fight to the death. Twelve DJing warriors, six from each tribe, have been selected for their strength, ability in battle and musical dominance over their selected genre.

Years of training have brought them to this point, where the DJ warrior with the superior skill will win the greatest honour for their tribe: endless musical riches and knowledge from this mystical region.
High in the Shiduku Mountains, the battle for Bakura begins…

The Great Hall of Ping Mae will host:
Old Skool Mashup Battle:
Richard The Third VS Dog Show
Electro Battle:
Data Takashi VS Tymon
DancePunk
King Of Town VS Sassquatch

Special Performance By:
CutOutCollective - ElectroDance

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The Courtyard of Jeng Tao will host:
Hip Hop Battle:
Hamma VS Djadlib
BreakBeat Battle:
Blunted Stuntman VS AfroWhitie
Drum and Bass Battle:
Rudeone VS Sonar

Special Perfomance By:
Twelv ft. Thesis - Breaks

Honour and respect are a large part of both the Miro and Zukuto cultures. Wear the colour of either to show which tribe you are honouring on the night of the battle!
Miro: Red
Zukuto: White

First 120 warriors to join the battle will receive a shot of alcoholic spirit for courage. Those who volunteer to go to war will be armed with headbands, fans and swords on entry.
Get there early or miss out!

More Information:
Date: 15 March 2008
Time: 9pm
Place: Carfax, Newtown
Price: R50 presale, R60 at the door

Tickets available at the door, or presale from Tokyo Star and Canned Applause, Melville.

For even more information:
redmooncreations@gmail.com

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Photo by Robyn Davie

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Slush Valentines!

Indie-Dance Thursdays at Tokyo Star:
Tokyo Thursday Madness continues this week with SLUSH VALENTINES! Pull through to hear guest DJ Richard The Third, and drink cheap slush. Scroll down for more info...

Also in this blogspot:

A sneak preview of an event not to be missed! (Save the date: 15 March 2008!)

Have a look-see at:

New pics by some of our fave photographers!

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Thursday 14 February:

Spend this valentines with a dance-floor full of people bouncing off the walls on a dance-punk/ vodka/ sugar-high!

We're very excited to have the legendary Richard The Third dropping his lovely blend of punk-funk, electro-rock badness as this special night's guest DJ!

We're even more excited to be offering you a two for one special on glasses of pink and red Tokyo Slush, the Slush-Puppy's evil alcoholic twin brother!

The slush special lasts from 8pm to 10.30pm so get there early to avoid dissapointment!

For more info:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10109441045

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Photo by Blane Venter

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Save the Date!

Coming to a Carfax near you on Saturday the 15th of March:

Red Moon Productions Brings You

"The Battle for Bakuro"

A Battle Between Twelve Of South Africa's Finest DJs For Musical Dominance Over A Selected Genre!

Expect tons of free give-aways including Japanese battle gear and shooters!

Stand by for more info...

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Photo by Ryan Dick

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Looking for something more?
This Friday the 15th, stop by at Tokyo for some drinks and then head off to Carfax for "The End is Nigh presents: JD Twitch (Optimo)"
Line-up:
JD Twitch (Optimo)
Desmond and the Tutus
Sweat-X
King Of Town
ManKaZam
Easytiger
DJ Badly
Data Takashi
Richard III
Sassquatch
Backtrack.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10081965798

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Photo by Craig van Winsen

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How's this for something cool?
Here's one that's especially relevant to us in South Africa considering our *slight* issue with load shedding. "Earth Hour" is a concept which seems to have been started last year, and revolves around the idea of turning off all household appliances (lights, TVs, toasters etc) for one hour (if Eskom doesn't beat you to it!).

Who: YOU! Everyone around the world
What: http://www.earthhour.org/
When: March 29, 2008, 8pm your local time
Where: In your own home and/or workplace
Why: To create AWARENESS about energy consumption

Find out more:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8240986531

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Got something on your mind? Post us a comment, or drop us a line at:
tokyostarlive@gmail.com

Tokyo Thursdays Live Again!

Tokyo Star is welcoming in a revival of Tokyo Thursdays - and if the rad music last night wasn't enough to prove there has been a revolution, then this interview with one of our fave DJs, Sassquatch, will! Read on:


1.What’s the idea behind the Tokyo Thursday night revival?

The idea behind the revival is to start breaking Thursday's up into two month blocks. Each Thursday of the block will be uniquely themed with guest DJs brought in to match the sound of the night. There'll be special visuals for every night as well as dress-up themes, decor, giveaways, performances and drinks specials on certain nights.

2.What do you want to achieve with it?
When I started coming to Thursday nights way back in old 2005 they were hands down the coolest weekly party I had ever seen. There weren't as many people as there are now and the dancefloor was a lot smaller, but there was the coolest, friendly vibe between everybody, kids made such effort to dress up and the dancefloor used to rock so hard.

Nowadays Tokyo Thursdays are still the best weekly party to go out and dance to disco-punk/ indie-dance/ electro-rock kinda stuff, but it has started feeling more and more like the nights aren't what they used to be. A lot of the cool kids have stopped coming because there seem to be a lot of people there who aren't really interested in what's going on and would be happier dancing to Rhianna or Christina.What we wanna achieve is to take Thursday nights back, make every week exciting and different and get kids really amped by dressing up and going out dancing on Thursday nights!

3.What do you love most about Tokyo Star?

Seeing Greg smile, hahaha!

Seriously though it really is all about the people and the vibe of the place. It's great that there's cool decor, a fast bar and a nice spacious dancefloor with good sound, but I wouldn't love partying at Tokyo so much if the people that make Tokyo Tokyo weren't there.

4.What can we look forward to over the next few weeks on a Thursday night?

The "Electo! Electro!" party on the 28th of Feb is definitely gonna be one to look forward to if only becuase The King Of Town is gonna be playing Tokyo for the first time in almost a year.The night I'm most excited about has to be the 6th of March which will be the launch party for the music videos that Kidofdoom and Desmond and The Tutus have been working on for the past few months. The videos (which have a connected storyline) will be screened at midnight, plus Shane from the Tutus will be DJing one on one with Data Takashi and Joe from Kidofdoom will be going head to head with me - it's gonna be one crazy night!

5. Any cool give-aways we should know about?

Yeah we'll have two huge nights of give-aways between February and March!

The first will be the "Ke Ai, Japan Pops!" night on the 21st of Feb where if you dress up asian style you'll get a free goodie bag from Ke Ai.

The other big giveaway night is on the 13th of March. This cool indie band from the US called Redflecks are gonna be throwing a really rad party to start off thier South African tour. They'll be performing some live remixes of their songs as well as giving out 50 copies of thier EP! It's gonna be an awesome night.

6.When did you first realize you had a DJ living inside you?

Hahaha! I dunno, I guess from a very young I age I knew I had a dancer living inside me, but I don't know if I ever realized I'd be good at making other people dance with me!

7.What is rock n roll music to you?

Rock music is music that breaks rules and makes you wanna do the same.

8.Who is Ben the DJ?

Sassquatch!

9.What’s the one most essential item to take with when going out for a night on the town?

Dancing shoes!

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It's photo time again!

Blane Venter

Gordon Lindsay

Ryan Dick

Tyron Janse van Vuuren

Blane Venter

What do you think of these pics? Leave us a comment...

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This week’s movie review is of the drama “Martian Child”.

Plot?
A science-fiction writer, recently widowed, considers whether to adopt a hyper-imaginative 6-year-old abandoned and socially rejected boy who says he's really from Mars. “The story of a man becoming a father...and a boy becoming a son.”

Rating?
8 out of 10

Feel good?
A touching movie, without being too cheesy – even the guys liked this one! The little boy drew us in and held our attention as he desperately tried to find his place on earth, and come out of his ‘box’.

Surprises?
Unlike many other movies in which a man is widowed, this one doesn’t end up focusing on his healing through finding another lover. Instead of a romantic embrace between man and woman, this movie ends on an embrace of understanding and trust between a father and son who’ve finally come to accept each other.

Pet hates?
Joan Cusack playing John Cusack’s sister in the movie. Her role (as always) was over-done, type-cast and predictable. Any other B-grade actress could have filled her role without drawing so much attention onto herself.

And?

The film is not burdened with too much subplot or extraneous emotional scenes, however it still gives you the chance to form a connection with the characters, and see the fantastic connection between man and boy develop. "They are the same, though different in that one is grounded in reality and the other up in Mars some where. Both are individuals in a world that doesn't want different, they want everyone to do exactly as they are expected to." (http://www.imdb.com/)

What did you think of this movie? Post us a comment and let us know!

As another week starts at the Tokyo Star bar the time has come for another go at the Tokyo Star blogspot! This week we are featuring the likes of The Klassikist, as he is our first ever 'guest blogger' and DJ of the week! Read on to find out his take on the 'Tokyo-Gin Wars' and what makes one of our fave Thursday DJs tick...

Also check out: new photos, events for this week, and scroll down to our previous blog (which was loaded two days ago, despite what the date on it says) and read two brand-spanking new interviews - one featuring the producer behind BreakBeat Saturdays, and the other which catches up with an old school regular who reports in from across the oceans!

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Guest BlogSpot: The 'Tokyo-Gin Wars' brought to you by The Klassikist

Twas the night before Friday, and it seemed like everything was stirring. Maybe it was the free Glenfiddich I had been drinking since around 7pm at a work farewell. The farewell had ended up with a guy that was leaving being bottled by some passive photographer guy who went into a testosterone rage after having one gratis beer too many.

Whatever it was, Eye of the Tiger was blazing out of the car stereo and we were heading into unknown waters... or perhaps ‘Gin’ would be more appropriate. Yes, on a Thursday night we were breaking with tradition and heading over to the old/new restuarant/hang-out spot in Greenside.

Just like any other cool hip young thing that wanders the streets of this Godforsaken town, we had heard the "buzz" and wanted to see what the Gin-Tokyo Wars were all about. The first time I had heard this term was when the Durban-Joburg Band Wars erupted at the end of the last century. The notorious Jaxon Rice of Diesel Whores fame told me the tale of bloodshed and woe that ended in tears for both factions after that fatal morning air-guitar session in downtown Melville. Thus I was keen to find out for myself if this new conflict would end in heartache for both parties.

Upon arriving in Greenside I discovered why there is a heightened state of alert regarding this new player on the scene. The It Crew were all in attendance. The Familiar Faces were already slumped over the bar and hanging out on the pavement. It was like I had entered another dimension where Tokyo was Earth number 1 and Gin was Earth number 2 and they existed at the same place at the same time, but only different. Thinking that way got me very confused so I decided to fix it with a shooter.

Eventually I ended up on the balcony with My Girl and we had a chow. There were all sorts of intellectual types having Tokyo Star-style conversations about fancy movies and books and stuff. My Lady and I then had another shooter. Then we went downstairs and had another shooter. By this point My Girl's Crew and the usual Dodgy Bastards that I hang out with, along with a certain important Gin General, decided that we wanted to dance! So we rounded up the Posse and headed to Tokyo.

Hanging out in the corner by the bar at Tokyo with Jono and Greg, I watched the Familiar Faces cruising up and down. Once again it seemed like the Earth 1 and 2 thing, but at this point I had rectified my being too clever by drinking enough alcohol to become stupid.

The prognosis for the evening turned out as follows:

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

See you all on Thursday.

- The Klassikist –

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Photo by Blane Venter

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Not only can The Klassikist write a good story, but he can rock out a dancefloor big time! You can always tell when he's behind the DJ booth on a Thursday night because of the fun, jumpy, jiving music that fills Tokyo, or as he puts it, " 80sRetroSwingRockCountryDiscoGroove"!

fave international act: Muse followed by The Black Keys

fave dinosaur: Barney?

fave local act: The Privates with Desmond close second and Jim Neversink rockin in 3rd.

fave CD of all time: No way I can single out just one!So I'm gonna dodge the Question...

fave drinking game: Does coinage count?

1. when did you first realise you had a DJ living inside you?

When I heard my Mum play seven-singles on my Dad's stereo back in the day, and I discovered my aunt's Elvis record at around eight years old.

2. what do you love most about tokyo star?

It's always still there anytime I pitch up... and that they still let me play songs when everyone wants to go home and the lights are on. And Mike has never held me accountable.

3. what's playing in your car?

My car radio has become part of the Redistribution of Wealth Programme. But when my girl lends me her ride, it's mostly Hammerfall - Threshold and an 80s CD I found at Cash Converters for R15 with the illest pop on it...

4. What’s the one most essential item to take with when going out for a night on the town?

Your babe and her crew and your Back-up. As in posse. But your should leave your attitude at home.

5. What is music to you?

Absolutely everything and more.

6. who is Keith the DJ?

Eish. Just another guy who wants to rock.

7. how long have you been coming to tokyo? tell us WHY?!

Since it opened. It's like my local bru. When I first came to Jozi it was where I made the friends that I have today. And Jesus are they reprobates. And Matt was my China so we hung out. A lot. At Tokyo.

8. any upcoming events we should know about?

Uh... Henry Rollins this Friday at the Bassline should be insane! And my set on Thursday should be a great way to start an early weekend...

9. describe your style....

80sRetroSwingRockCountryDiscoGroove

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Nights to come to Tokyo this week:

Tuesday for the rocking Tequila special - R8 each...need I say more?

Wednesday for some serious beats from the drum 'n base crew - Reflex

Thursday for the Indie Thursday night revival - it's going to be huge!!

Friday for a night to party party party!!

Saturday for another evening of awesome BreakBeat Chaos!

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