music stories in August 2009

Album Reviews

Depapepe `Do!' (SonyBMG) Japanese acoustic guitar duo Depapepe has just come out with new album ``Do!'' This marks the fifth anniversary of their debut album's release. Composed of Takuya Miura and Yoshinari Takuoka, Depapepe gained popularity for their catchy guitar riffs and entertaining melodies. Depapepe's album includes bright and cheerful tunes like ``PaPaPa,'' ``FAKE,'' ``High Rock!'' and ``Sailing.'' There is something special about Depapepe's music, because it never fails to leave you in a good mood. -Cathy Rose A. Garcia The Dead Weather `Horehound' (SonyBMG) As if he's not busy enough with The White Stripes and The Raconteurs, Jack White has formed an alternative rock super group with The Kills' Alison Mosshart, Queens of the Stone Age's Dean Fertita and The Raconteurs' Jack Lawrence. White once again shows his many talents, this time, taking on drumming duties. With a line-up like that, it was expected that The Dead Weather's debut album ``Horehound!'' would rock. While they don't quite live up to the high expectations, the album still has a couple of decent rock tracks. They thrill with songs `` I Cut Like a Bu?alo,'' ``Hang You From the Heavens,'' and a cover of Bob Dylan's ``New Pony. -Cathy Rose A. Garcia Queen, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd `Baby EQ Series' (Universal Music) The Baby EQ series is back again. Pop and rock classics from Queen, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and Pink Floyd have been turned into baby-friendly tunes. These electronically modified pop songs adhere to the Tomatis Method, wherein auditory stimulation is used to help develop the baby's mind. Moms and Dads won't get bored listening to the almost jewel-box sounding versions of the Stones' ``Satisfaction,'' Queen's ``Bohemian Rhapsody'' and ``We are the Champions,'' Pink Floyd's ``Another Brick in the Wall,'' and Wonder's ``Isn't She Lovely.'' -Cathy Rose A. Garcia

DJs From Tokyo to Party in Seoul

Tokyo-based DJ Sonpub will play at The Hive, Itaewon, Aug. 29. / Courtesy of artist By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Partygoers will get a taste of the raw and exciting underground Tokyo party scene in Seoul this weekend. Tokyo-based DJs will be partying at The Hive, Itaewon, Aug. 29. The ``Tokyo Underground'' party will feature producer/DJs like Sonpub from Phoenix Players, Sol Rom from 663A and Keyth Death from Kazenohito. The party will feature the hottest mixes of techno, breakbeat, dancehall, reggae and fidget music. Sonpub, who started as a producer and became a DJ, is looking forward to making the club goers dance all night to his music. ``I want people in Korea to feel a power to dance from my DJ-ing,'' Sonpub told The Korea Times, in an e-mail interview. Sonpub plays different genres of music, like techno, electronic, house, hip-hop, rock and pop music. He says his music has been influenced by a wide range of artists from the Beatles and Eric Clapton to Guns N' Roses and Oasis to Jay-Z and Timbaland. On his Web site (www.sonpub.com), he recently offered a free download of his remix of the late pop superstar Michael Jackson's ``Beat It.'' ``I really like the song, and Michael Jackson influenced me a lot,'' he said. Asked to describe the Tokyo scene, he says people know music very well, and a lot of foreign artists come to perform. ``The level (of Tokyo's club music) has been higher than before, but I think they need more originality. I want to see more real artists,'' Sonpub said. Sonpub is also looking forward to performing in other ``hot and fresh'' cities like Hong Kong, Macau and Taipei. Partygoers can also enjoy Keyth Death's music at the party. His music has been described as a mix of electro, ghetto house, disco, hip house, rockin' house and drum n' bass. His MySpace page says: ``Keyth Death loves to spin for people who love to dance." Tickets are 20,000 won, including two free drinks and free entry to the ``Brekkie and beatz'' after party. To get there, get off at Itaewon Station, subway line 6, exit 3. Turn right before the fire station and go straight and turn left at the second street. The Hive is located at the corner. Email: the.hive.korea@gmail.com. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

Band Brings New Orleans Jazz to Seoul

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band will perform at the LG Art Center, Sept. 1. / Courtesy of Shannon Brinkman By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter New Orleans has always been known for its vibrant, soulful jazz music scene. Korean fans will soon have a chance to enjoy an exciting jazz party with a venerable music institution from New Orleans, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, at the LG Art Center, Sept. 1. The band is named after Preservation Hall, which was founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe in the city's French Quarter. At the time, the building housed an art gallery owned by Larry Borenstein, who began holding jam sessions for his close musician friends. The sessions included Jaffe, who was then a young tuba player, and eventually Preservation Hall was born. The venue still stands, and welcomes ``people of all ages interested in having one of the last pure music experiences left on the earth." It also continues with its decades-long standing policy of ``no drinks" and "no air conditioner." The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, featuring New Orleans musicians, began touring in 1963 and has helped carry on and promote the tradition of New Orleans jazz. Throughout the years, the band's members may have changed but their joyous, soulful musical tradition continues. Its previous band leaders include brothers Willie and Percy Humphrey, husband and wife Billie and De De Pierce, pianist Sweet Emma Barrett, and Wendell and John Brunious. The band continues to perform around the world with the mission of promoting New Orleans jazz. It has been described as a ``living, breathing tradition that has not only preserved New Orleans music, but allowed it to thrive, even in calamitous times." ``After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it became a more precious opportunity to see the band's live stage, as the flood destroyed the whole city of New Orleans and ruined the life of jazz musicians," the band said, on its Web site. The band received the 2006 National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment for the Arts, considered the highest level of recognition by the federal government. All of the band members were born and raised in New Orleans. The current line up includes trumpeter Mark Braud, clarinet and saxophone player Charlie Gabriel, reed player Clint Maedgen, drummer Joseph Lastie, Jr., trombonist Freddie Lonzo, bassist Walter Payton, and pianist Rickie Monie. For listeners to get acquainted with their music, SonyBMG has just released ``The Essential Preservation Hall Jazz Band'' album. The two-disc set features 24 recordings from 1977 to the present. Songs include ``When the Saints Go Marchin' In,'' ```Georgia on my Mind,'' ``Petite Fleur,'' and ``St. Louis Blues.'' Tickets to the concert range from 30,000 won to 70,000 won. Call (02) 2005-0114 or email arts2005@lgart.com. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

Album Reviews

Various Artists `Fairy on the Ice: The Pop Album' (Universal Music) Ice-skating princess Kim Yu-na is on the cover of this compilation album, but she doesn't sing on any of the tracks. Kim just picked her favorite pop and Broadway tunes ― some of which were used in her performances ― for this two-disc set. The first disc includes fun-filled songs from Rihanna, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Ne-Yo and The Pussycat Dolls. The second disc is packed with Broadway tunes from ``Phantom of the Opera," ``Miss Saigon" and ``Mamma Mia." Die-hard fans will also enjoy the cute photographs of the skating star in the photobook that accompanies the album. ―Cathy Rose A. Garcia SpongeBob & The Hi-Seas `SpongeBob's Greatest Hits' (SonyBMG) ``Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?" If you know the answer to this question, then this album is for you. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the hit Nickelodeon cartoon, this album collected the hit songs featured on SpongeBob Squarepants throughout the years. Both the young and the young-at-heart will enjoy the fun and funny songs such as ``The Bubble Song," the `60s sounding ``Ripped Pants" (inspired by the Beach Boys) and ``Idiot Friends." Bonus tracks include Cee-Lo Green's version of the theme song, Pink's ``We Got Scurvy" and the Christmas song ``Don't Be a Jerk (It's Christmas)." ―Cathy Rose A. Garcia Various Artists `Rhythms del Mundo Classics' (Universal Music) ``Rhythms del Mundo Classics" features today's hottest artist remakes of classic rock songs infused with Latin beats of Rhythms del Mundo. For example, The Killers do the Eagles' ``Hotel California," Keane sings Queen's ``Under Pressure," while Jack Johnson sings John Lennon's ``Imagine." Buying the album will help support the environmental nonprofit organization Artists Project Earth. The group, which works with musicians and artists, helps create awareness and raise funds for climate change projects and disaster relief efforts around the world. ―Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Singer Surprised by Korean Fans’ Enthusiasm

Jazz musician Wouter Hamel will perform Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 at Waterside Stage, Olympic Park in Seoul. / Courtesy of Private Curve By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter Before hitting the stage at the Seoul Jazz Festival last May, Dutch jazz singer Wouter Hamel was already aware that Korean fans would be enthusiastic. Nevertheless, he was still shocked at just how enthusiastic the Korean fans were during the concert, which he considers one of his most memorable so far. ``My band and I were very much blown away by the audience in Seoul. We did expect a great crowd, since we had spent a couple of days of promoting before our big show, and all the fans we had met were so enthusiastic. But multiply that by 2,800 and that's what we got,'' he told The Korea Times in an e-mail interview. With his good looks and dreamy voice singing romantic tunes, it's easy to see why Hamel has captured the hearts of many female Korean fans. Fans rushed to the front to get a closer look at Hamel during the performance at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, something rarely seen at jazz concerts. The same enthusiasm is expected when Hamel returns to Seoul for two concerts, Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, at the Waterside Stage, Olympic Park. ``We've changed some songs a little around the North Sea Jazz Festival in July, so maybe we'll play some new stuff. But most of all, expect me and the band to have a good time on stage with you,'' he said. Hamel's music career has blossomed since he won the Dutch Jazz Vocalist Competition in 2005. He worked with sought-after producer Benny Sings on his debut album ``Hamel,'' which received critical acclaim and commercial success not just in Netherlands but in other countries as well. He won the prestigious Dutch Silver Harp award and a Gold Disc award. ``When Sings and I started working on our first album together, everything was new and we really had to discover everything from scratch, in terms of sound, style and choice of songs,'' he said. For his second album, ``Nobody's Tune," Hamel once again worked with Sings, but this time they decided to take more risks. ``For our second collaboration we tried to broaden our musical horizon in terms of arrangement and choice of instruments with our first album as a starting point. The biggest difference to me was that `Nobody's Tune' was recorded in a proper studio. Our first album was recorded at home, so to spend time in a real studio with an amazing engineer was luxurious in comparison, to say the least," he said. The title track is a very personal tune for Hamel. He says the song's message is basically: ``Just be stubborn and go your own way, and don't pay attention to anything else." As a songwriter, Hamel finds it easier to come up with lyrics before creating the right music to go with it. ``I always try to come up with a lyric first, so I can sit down behind the piano and instantly start playing and singing. The rhythm and tempo of the lyric just leads the way to find a groove. Choosing a musical key is a big deal to me, and from there I'll try endless melodic variations and various chord progressions," he said. Hamel might be a hard worker, but he also knows how to relax. ``I've just spent a lovely holiday in the Caribbean, and haven't performed for a couple of weeks. I read a lot of books and snorkeled across coral reef! I like to shop, especially in Seoul," he said. Tickets to his concert are 88,000 won. A free glass of wine is available for ticket holders before the concert. Call (02) 563-0595 or visit www.privatecurve.com. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

British Rock Group Keane Constantly Evolves as a Band

British rock band Keane wave to their fans during a press conference at the COEX Intercontinental Hotel, southern Seoul, Friday evening. / Courtesy of Universal Music Korea By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter British rock band Keane is perhaps most famous in Korea for ``Everybody's Changing,'' which was used in a popular Korean television show. The title of the hit song, taken from their breakout album ``Hopes and Fears'' (2004), is also an accurate representation of Keane's constant evolution as a band. Keane, composed of lead singer Tom Chaplin, drummer Richard Hughes and pianist Tim Rice-Oxley, talked about their music during a press conference at the COEX Intercontinental Hotel, southern Seoul, Friday evening. Keane first made a name for themselves with their piano-driven rock tunes, but their latest album, ``Perfect Symmetry,'' shows a shift towards a more electronic sound. ``We've always been inspired by the Beatles, Radiohead and U2. In the last record, we listened to a lot of David Bowie, who is the master of evolution. He changes all the time. It's an innate part of who we are as a band. We love the idea of constantly moving forward, never feeling quite constrained by what we have done in the past. We are always excited by the possibility of the future. I guess that's why we keep changing as a band,'' Chaplin said. Rice-Oxley, who also composes Keane's music, says the band tries to create the best music they possibly can. ``The magic that goes into making a song, I don't think anyone ever knows where it comes from. Our approach is to try and talk about what we know, and things we feel passionate about and the things we see around us. I think our music is quite intelligent, if that's not too arrogant to say. We're interested in pop music as a genuine, powerful art form and we hope our songs will affect people,'' he said. The album title reflects Keane's aspiration to find ``perfect symmetry'' in their music. ``The whole point of the album is that the idea of perfect symmetry is not there. But it is something that we all aspire for all the time, particularly the dream of who you should be versus the reality of who you are,'' Hughes said. Keane was formed in Battle, East Sussex, in 1995. The band struggled for years before making it big with their debut album, ``Hopes and Fears,'' in 2004. ``We were struggling as a band for a long time, and we didn't sell a record, seven or eight years after we first started performing,'' Hughes said. Asked about their secret for success, Chaplin jokingly said, ``I won't tell you,'' but answered the question anyway: ``A number of things came together at the right time for us. I think we just had to learn our trade, learn to be better musicians, write better songs, and understand how to make records. We were completely clueless as a band. We didn't know anything about making music. We just had this desire to do it so we spent years trying to find out for ourselves. The main secret was that we were very strong-minded and we pushed ourselves,'' he said. This was Keane's first visit to Korea, and they were obviously thrilled to find they have so many fans here. Gwon Osang, the Korean sculptor who created Keane sculptures to promote the album last year, had told them about their popularity in Korea. ``We've always wanted to come here and we knew we had fans here. We met Gwon Osang, who created artwork for our record and he told us, 'you have a lot of fans in Korea, you got to get out there and play a show.' That was more inspiration for us, and here we are today,'' Chaplin said. Keane, who performed at the ETP FEST Saturday, hope to be able to come back to Seoul for a solo concert in the future. ``It's exciting to be here for the first time. If people like our performance and we're lucky enough, it would be a privilege to come back for a concert, as part of a larger tour in the region,'' Hughes said. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr

Album Reviews

Michael Jackson `Off The Wall: Special Edition' (SonyBMG) Following the King of Pop's death, there's been renewed interest in Michael Jackson's music. SonyBMG has released a special edition of Jackson's debut solo album featuring re-mastered versions of songs such as ``Rock With You'' and ``She's Out of My Life.'' The album also includes Jackson's original demo recordings of ``Don't Stop Til You Get Enough'' and ``Workin' Day and Night.'' It's a treat to listen to Jackson's raw talent in these stripped down versions of the hit songs. As a bonus, producer Quincy Jones and songwriter Rod Temperton provide revealing insights on the making of the album and Jackson's musical talent. The album, part of SonyBMG's Must Have series, is currently being sold at a 25 percent discount. ― Cathy Rose A. Garcia Chrisette Michele `Epiphany' (Universal Music) If you want to break up with someone, it's probably best to just hand them Grammy-winning R&B singer Chrisette Michele's second album. ``It's over,'' she sweetly croons in the opening track ``Epiphany (I'm Leaving).'' Just in case your partner doesn't get the hint, the album's songs are different riffs on the same message. Michele's warm voice is simply enchanting on mid-tempo tracks like ``Blame It On Me'' and ``On My Own.'' She sings with Ne-Yo on the ballad ``What Do You Do,'' which was also produced and written by the R&B star. ― Cathy Rose A. Garcia Royksopp `Junior' (Warner Music Korea) Norwegian electronic duo Royksopp is back with a new album ``Junior.'' Royksopp offers futuristic electronic sounds that are perfect for chilling out and just letting loose at clubs. The opening song ``Happy Up Here'' has a cheerful and playful vibe that sets the mood for album. Torbjorn Brundtland and Svein Berge have written, produced, mixed and arranged all the tracks on the album. The duo collaborated with Swedish singers like Robyn on ``The Girl and The Robot,'' and Lykke Li on ``Miss It So Much.'' ― Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Album Reviews

Daughtry `Leave This Town' (SonyBMG) American Idol finalist Chris Daughtry proves his debut album was no fluke, with his band's new album, ``Leave This Town,'' topping the Billboard charts once again. Daughtry's sophomore effort offers more of the solid rock music featured in their first album. The band collaborated with country star Vince Gill on ``Tennessee Line," and Nickleback's Chad Kroeger on ``No Surprise." The album is full of clean and very mainstream rock that should please many, but perhaps bore those who have heard it all before. ― Cathy Rose A. Garcia Various Artists `Festival Generation: Night' (Universal Music) Festival Generation (www.festivalgeneration.com) offers music festival favorites like Travis' ``Closer,'' Oasis' ``Wonderwall,'' MGMT's ``A Time to Pretend,'' The Crystal Method's ``Cherry Twist'' and Fat Boy Slim's ``Right Here, Right Now.'' The album is packaged with a simple, fun guide to music festivals around the world, including Glastonbury, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. There are some curious choices, like Black Eyed Peas' ``My Humps'' and James Morrison's ``Please Don't Stop the Rain,'' but overall, this CD will get you in the mood for a rock festival. ― Cathy Rose A. Garcia

Placebo Wants Fans to Wear White at Concert

British rock group Placebo will perform at Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, southern Seoul, Aug. 5. / Courtesy of Yellow Entertainment By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporte British modern rock band Placebo wants fans to wear white at their upcoming concert in Seoul. ``We urge all fans to wear white! There is too much black in our audiences,'' bassist Stefan Olsdal said in an email interview. Fans will hopefully heed Olsdal’s words when Placebo hits the stage at the Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, southern Seoul, Aug. 5. ``It will be our second time, and we are quite excited! It will be a rock show with some tracks from the new album and selections from previous Placebo albums. I feel much more of a sense of purpose now with the new album and line up,'' vocalist and guitarist Brian Molko said. Placebo recently released their sixth album, ``Battle For The Sun,'' which topped charts in Europe. It has been described as a new beginning for the band, which Olsdal attributed to Placebo becoming more open to exploring new sounds. ``Sonically, we wanted to make something bigger and more colorful than before. We used timeless-sounding instruments like pianos, brass instruments and strings rather than loops and electronics. Thematically, something offering a bit more hope to the listener than before,'' Olsdal said. One of the tracks, ``Kitty Litter,'' took 14 years for Olsdal and Molko to finish. ``We took part in a symphony for 101 electric guitars composed by Rhys Chatham in London. We had guitars with strange tunings, and hanging out backstage we started to jam on what eventually became `Kitty Litter.’ It’s curious how some songs take 5 minutes to write and some 14 years! That song definitely has a bit of a raw edge to it,'' Olsdal said. Working with new drummer Steve Forrest also helped bring fresh energy to the band. ``What Steve has brought is a youthful enthusiasm and a bundle of positive energy, which for me and Brian, having been in this rock-n-roll circus for a while, is quite refreshing! He's obviously going to have a slightly different style, but from the first time we saw him play, we knew he had some real talent,'' Olsdal said. Placebo was formed in 1994, and the band is still going strong. Olsdal says the secret to their longevity is ``determination, self belief and not following trends or trying to imitate others.'' Over the years, the band has released six albums and scored hit songs like ``Nancy Boy,'' ``Pure Morning'' and ``Every You Every Me.'' But Placebo says their new record is their favorite. ``I think listening to all six Placebo records there is a real thread running through all of them. I don’t think there has been a massive stylistic change over the years, but I feel now that with this record we’ve pushed our sound and made probably our most accomplished piece of work,'' Olsdal said. The group, who performed during the Pentaport Incheon Rock Festival in July 2006, has fond memories of Korea. ``We got a warm welcome on a very wet and foggy night when we played at Pentaport so thank all who were there,'' Molko said. Tickets for the show in Seoul are 88,000 won and 66,000 won. Call (02) 3444-9969 for English booking. Visit http://ticket.auction.co.kr (1566-1369) or http://ticket.yes24.com (1544-6399). cathy@koreatimes.co.kr