Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The News and The Reviews

So just when you thought the Tokyo Star blog was down and out - we're back! For some unknown reason the internet has been playing up big time and not allowing us to update the blog.


So here is a LONG a-waited update:

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First up, that review of the Boxcutter album that Riaan of Canned Applause did for us is in need of a little competition spin. Check out the review for a reminder, and then catch the competition details and interview with our man from Canned Applause.

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

To enter, e-mail info@cannedapplauserecords.co.za* with your full name and you can join us on Facebook too, just search for CANNED APPLAUSE RECORDS in GROUPS!

mailto:info@cannedapplauserecords.co.za?subject=BOXCUTTER_TOKYO_STAR_CD_Giveaway_COMPETITION

And now for an interview with the man behind the magic that is Canned Applause:

1.How long have you been in the music business for?
I have been in the music industry for about 8 years now.

2.What’s the best part of it?
Introducing open minded folks to new music that blows their minds and hearts wide open and talking about and sharing new music or music never heard of before is always a favourite past time too!

3.Tell us more about your lovely CD shop?
CANNED APPLAUSE RECORDS is an independent shop that specializes in stocking and ordering your favourite non-commercial music and film and more you struggle to find anywhere else and at the best prices around! Our service will also pleasantly surprise you compared to other CD shops!

4.What do you love most about Tokyo Star?
It sometimes feels like your home away from home when all your good friends decided to pull through. And the slush of course!

5.When did you first realise you had a DJ living inside you?
It was more a case of other people encouraging me to start since I apparently had "good taste in all kinds of music"... Then I heard 2 MANY DJ's and they are something to aspire to

6.What is music to you?
My constant...

7.Who is Riaan the DJ?
DATA TAKASHI :)

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

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Then, check out what's happening this Thursday at Tokyo Star:

Retro Rockout!

This Thursday we're geting old school with the best in 40ies swing, 50ies rock n roll, 60ies garage rock, 70ies funk, 80ies new wave and 90ies alternative!

With a headlining set of The Klassikist going 1 on 1 with Marc Latilla and a public holiday on the Friday this is gonna be a Thursday night to remember.

21:00 Data Takashi
22:30 Sassquatch
24:00 Marc Latilla vs The Klassikist

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Don't miss out:

Tokyo Star News:

Tokyo will be undergoing a revamp in the next two months! Stand by to see some exciting new decor, bars and even better, menus! Yes, Tokyo Star is bringing back the chow!

There will be more toilets for the chicks, and possibly even that upstairs area everyone's been dying for! But we don't want to give too much away...just hold on to your seats kids!

For all of those who haven't noticed, we have indeed installed a new foosball table - talk about rad!

Tequila Tuesday is still bringing cheap tequila to all those who brave a Tuesday night at Tokyo, and Wednesdays have been heating up with the relaunch of Drum and Base Wednesdays in the form of MO'FIRE!

And there's never a Thursday night to miss at Tokyo...

See ya there!

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Photo by Blane Venter

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A$k Your L*cal Bar%lad^es - R*byn & K@te

Hey Tokyo Starians!
We've all seen that movie where the down-on-his-luck dude walks into a bar, orders a drink and pours out his soul to an attentive barman. We kind of like the idea, but Tokyo is often too busy for us to listen to your problems and have long chats!

However, we still believe we have loads of advice to give. Write in to us and we'll be sure to help you out! We're offering advice on everything and anything - from girls to guys, from cocktails to sex, from skin problems to hot chili problems, let us help.

Email us at:

tokyostarlive@gmail.com

The response has been phenomenal - we're already receiving letters! Here are the first few replies:

Q: Whenever I come to Tokyo I feel so horrible in the morning - please help?!
A: It is all because you didn't tip last night and karma has come back to kick you in the ass.

Q: I can't seem to pleasure my girlfriend, I think it's because I'm too small...I measured and I'm only 4cms, and all my friends say they're so much bigger. Why is this the case - why me?
A: It is all because you didn't tip last night and karma has come back to kick you in the ass.

Q: I think I may be falling in love with bouncer Mike - he's just so masculine, but has such a gentle touch when he hugs me hello. Do I have a future with him?
A: Bouncer Mike is a loving husband with 3 children, but has much love to go around - the ball is in your court.

Keep those letters coming!

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Kate and Robyn on the Dancefloor

Wh@t's hOt! & Wh@t's nOt**

This week's edition of What's Hot and What's Not has been compiled by the Tokyo Star Barladies.

What's Hot
1. Levi's dance moves
2. awesome manners
3. Keith buying us SoCo shooters
4. meeting cool chicks in the loo queue
5. berry slush

Whats Not
1. stock take
2. drunken obnoxious dudes
3. lame pick-up lines
4. chicks popping out of their tops
5. too much slush


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T*kyo RULES!

1. have an awesomely raucous time

2. don't be rude to the staff (that includes our wonderful kitchen ladies, rugged bouncers, superb DJs, handsome managers and beautiful bar ladies)

3. be courteous and polite (we're providing you with a service - remember to say 'please' and 'thank you')

4. respect all the other patrons of Tokyo - we're all here to have an awesome time!

5. no drugs, no firearms, no under 18s - keep it clean!