Yanakiku | Geekscape

J-POP SUMMIT 2014: Geekscape Interviews YANAKIKU

by Kari LaneAugust 7, 2014

This was my first year attending the J-POP SUMMIT Festival in San Francisco and it was sugoi (Japanese for awesome)! The event is a celebration of Japanese pop culture, music, fashion, games, art, food and film. This was their 6th year and they broke all previous attendance records with more than 120,000 people attending the two-day festival in Japantown! There was one group in particular that stood out to me, YANAKIKU, and they were also a crowd favorite. I had never heard of them before this event, but now I am a huge fan!

“YANAKIKU” is a female J-Pop duo with a mission to share the wonders of Japan with the world.

Yana on the left and Kiku on the right

They first performed on Saturday afternoon on the Peace Plaza main stage and instantly attracted a large crowd. Fans returned to see them Sunday afternoon on the Japan Discovery Stage. I thoroughly enjoyed both shows. This duo engages the crowd by speaking with them (in English!) and teaching them to dance along with one of their routines. It took a lot of courage to speak in another language and it just made them all the more adorable. “Music is stronger than our differences” stated Kiku before performing their closing song ‘Hello World’ (during which she cried a little).

Singing ‘Hello World’

Their kimono inspired outfits are gorgeous and they even have a fun little costume addition for one song. They developed their own style, kimocos = kimono meets cosplay. Also, they are super genki (“enthusiastic, energetic, lively”)! They had constant energy that was infectious. You just could not help but love them.

Leaping into the air during ‘Ninja Iroha’

I made sure to snag an interview with them and even though they had been doing interviews for two hours prior, they were so friendly and excited. Below is our interview (with translation assistance by their manager, Kaoru Karen Sakurai).

Kari: How was your J-POP experience?

Yana: Exciting! I didn’t know so many people were interested in Japanese culture.

Kiku: We were worried…because no one knows us, but the people sang and danced with us. We felt we were touching each other’s hearts.

Yana

Kari: At your second show, Kiku, you got a little emotional. Daijoubu desu ka (Are you ok)?

Kiku: I was so worried. It was our last show. I saw the most beautiful sight, all smiles! The happiness just came out.”

*Via the translator, I told her I cried a little with her. It was overwhelming to watch her cry a little on stage. It was such a precious moment.*

Kari: How long have you been performing together?

Both: About a year and a half.

Kari: Will you be touring in the future?

Manager: Right after this [J-POP SUMMIT] is Hyper Japan in London, and this will be their second time performing there. They will be performing on the main stage next weekend. After that is Korea, China, then Europe.

Kiku: We want to conquer the world!

Kiku

Kari: When will you have more YouTube videos?

Manager: There are currently three videos on YouTube and there will be more soon.

Kari: Why kimonos?

Kiku: The kimono is very traditional. The younger generation does not want to wear it but we think they are cool. We want to renew the image. Connect the past and future.

Kari: What made you chose wigs?

Yana and Kiku at the same time: We wanted to be twins!

At their booth

“PAKU PAKU KINGYO KINGYO” means Golden Fish in Japanese.

Here is one of their fun videos that captures their quirky style. The song itself starts at :47 after a cute intro. This is their explanation of the lyrics:

In Japan we have this festival game called, “KINGYO SUKUI (golden fish scooping)” that you catch the fish with a shallow paper. The song is about a little crush on a boy and trying to sneak and get his heart like you sneak to catch the golden fish!

They are fantastic live performers and hopefully they will be back soon!

You can purchase their music on iTunes.

Follow them on facebook, twitter, and YouTube.

Check out their website.

Selfie with the audience! You can see me on the left against the stage with the purple scarf

J-POP SUMMIT Music Line-up

by Kari LaneJuly 18, 2014

Music is what J-POP SUMMIT is all about! Come out to Japantown for the free event and check out some exciting Japanese pop and rock acts!

Live Music

J-POP SUMMIT attendees are invited to catch some of the hottest Japanese pop and rock acts in a series of FREE afternoon concert sets on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japantown’s Peace Plaza as well as at a special FREE open-air live concert, “J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE,” in city’s downtown Union Square on the evening of Saturday, July 19^th beginning at 6:30pm.

Music headliners scheduled to perform this year include the U.S. concert debut of famed pop music superstar Tomomi Itano, as well as the popular idol group Tokyo Girls’ Style, which also makes its first-ever U.S. appearance at J-POP SUMMIT. Others set to perform include the amazing beat box vocal skills of DAICHI, a special musical performance by Harajuku fashion model/singer Una, Japanese pop singer Kylee, the U.S. debut of the kimono cosplay idol duo YANAKIKU, and the hard rocking sounds of J-rock bands Pinky Doodle Poodle, and the all-girl punk rock trio, The Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass.

Full details on the J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE concert are available at:

http://www.j-pop.com/2014/j-pop-live-at-union-square.

Also catch May’n at Slims for a special solo show on Sunday as the closing event of the Festival, on Sunday, July 20^th. Details at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/mayn-at-slims.

Tomomi Itano

Tokyo Girls’ Style

DAICHI

Una

Pinky Doodle Poodle

The Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass

The J-Pop Summit Line-Up Has Been Announced!

by Kari LaneJune 9, 2014

The line-up for 2014 J-Pop Summit Festival has been announced and it is an impressive one! The theme this year is “POP Is Our Tradition” and this year’s festivities will be highlighted by the appearance of a unique array of top Japanese pop, rock and Kawaii acts.

The J-Pop Summit Festival will be held in San Francisco’s Japantown district on Saturday, July 19th and Sunday, July 20th. The event is FREE to attend (though there are some activities that will require an admission fee)! There will be concert sets by some of Japan’s hottest pop and rock acts that will take place throughout both days on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japantown’s Peace Plaza, as well as at a special open-air live concert, “J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE,” in the city’s downtown Union Square on the evening of Saturday, July 19th.

Check out the line-up info below!

Headliners scheduled to perform this year include pop/rock/anime singer May’n, the popular idol group Tokyo Girls’ Style, which makes its first-ever U.S. appearance at J-POP SUMMIT, the return of the amazing beat box vocal skills of DAICHI, a special musical performance by Harajuku fashion model/singer Una, the U.S. debut of the kimono cosplay duo YANAKIKU, and the hard rocking sounds of J-rock bands Pinky Doodle Poodle, and the all-girl punk rock trio, The Akabane Vulgars on Strong Bypass. Details and specific set times will be posted on the official 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival website at: www.J-POP.com.

2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival Music Artists:

May’n – Special Appearance AT UNION SQUARE ON Saturday, JULY 19^th & Headline Show at SLIM’S S.F. ON Sunday, JULY 20^th

Japanese pop/rock/anime star May’n (pronounced “Main”) is known as the singing voice of Diva of the Galaxy Sheryl Nome from the blockbuster anime film, Macross Frontier, as well as many other popular anime series. Her powerful rock and pop vocal style has drawn critical acclaim and legions of fans. In addition to a very special appearance at J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE, the 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival proudly presents a May’n Special Live Concert at the famous SF live venue, Slim’s (333 11^th St., San Francisco, CA 94103) on Sunday, July 20^th,at 8:00pm. Advance tickets are available along with special VIP show packages that include an exclusive artist meet-and-greet. (Quantities are limited) More details on the Slim’s show are available at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/mayn-live-concert-at-slims.

Tokyo Girls’ Style – Two live shows On July 19^th & July 20^Th

Tokyo Girls’ Style is a massively popular Japanese teen idol vocal group and will make their U.S. debut at J-POP SUMMIT this year. The group will perform at J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE on Saturday, July 19^th, and also on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japantown on Sunday, July 20^th. Tokyo Girls’ Style consists of 5 teenage girls whose funk and disco sounds infused with glossy urban appeal have garnered the group a massive following in Japan. Additional info is available at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/tokyo-girls-style.

As part of the U.S. debut of Tokyo Girls’ Style, the J-POP SUMMIT Festival and the 2014 Japan Film Festival of San Francisco (JFFSF) will also present the U.S. theatrical premiere of Count Five to Dream of You, an inspiring feature film starring Tokyo Girls’ Style set in all-girls high school that captures the short-lived and unforgettable moments of adolescence. Also set to premiere is Kotodama – Spiritual Curse, a J-horror movie about a haunted school based on the bestselling book “Gakkou no Kwaidan,” in which members of Tokyo Girls’ Style play the leading roles. Both films will screen at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema following the group’s special appearance. Advance ticket sales start on June 3^rd at the JFFSF website at: www.JFFSF.org.

Daichi – Two live shows On Saturday & Sunday July 19^th & July 20^Th

The 23-year-old Japanese human beat-box, DAICHI, taught himself his amazing vocal skill beginning at the young age of 10. Without using any instruments or machines, DAICHI can create more than 50 different sounds using only his voice, and moreover, can play rhythm beat and sing melody simultaneously. DAICHI is known internationally for his talents and he has opened for the likes of Boys II Men and collaborated with numerous singers, dancers, DJs and performers. DAICHI will perform at J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE on Saturday, July 19^th, and also on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japantown on Sunday, July 20^th. Additional info is available at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/daichi.

UNA – Two live shows On Saturday & Sunday, July 19^th & July 20^Th

Una was formally a charismatic shop assistant in Harajuku and began her modeling career in 2010. It didn’t take her long to begin appearing regularly in numerous fashion magazines. With her beautiful looks and edgy fashion style Una represents a new type of model capable of expressing not only Kawaii style but also showcasing other cool aspects of Harajuku culture. Una also has a budding singing career and has performed with top artists including Katy Perry and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. She will appear at J-POP SUMMIT in support of her newest single, “BOOM BOOM BOOM,” and will participate in this year’s HARAJUKU KAWAii!! fashion events as well as perform at J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE on Saturday, July 19^th, and also on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japantown on Sunday, July 20^th. Additional info available is at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/una.

Yanakiku – Live Performance on Saturday, July 19^th

YANAKIKU is a unique Japanese kimono cosplay duo consisting of members Yana and Kiku. In 2013, they performed for international audiences at Hyper Japan (London) and TIFFCOM (Japan) and have garnered a massive following for their costume and dance performances. YANAKIKU makes their U.S. debut at the 2014 J-POP SUMMIT Festival and will perform on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japantown on Saturday, July 19^th and participate in the Festival’s cosplay contest and events. The duo will also host a meet and greet session and have a selection of merchandise available for sale to attendees. Additional info is available at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/yanakiku.

Pinky Doodle Poodle – Live performance on Sunday, July 20^th

Pinky Doodle Poodle is a high energy, female fronted rock band from Tokyo that formed in 2008. The group features lead vocalist/bassist/guitarist Yuria, a successful Japanese anime singer often heard in popular video games in Japan as well as on solo records and with her band Honey Bee. Pinky Doodle Poodle just completed their first full-length record which was produced by Goo Goo Dolls member Robby Takac. The 10-song self-titled album, Pinky Doodle Poodle, was released worldwide in the spring of 2014 on Takac’s Good Charamel Records. Pinky Doodle Poodle will perform on Sunday, July 20^th on the Pagoda Main Stage in Japantown. Additional info at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/pinky-doodle-poodle.

The Akabane Vulgars On Strong Bypass – Live Set On Saturday, July 19^th

The Akabane Vulgars On Strong Bypass is an all-girl punk rock trio from Tokyo and returns for their third consecutive concert appearance at J-POP SUMMIT. A favorite with Festival-goers, the band plays in support of their two newest releases “Proclamation” and “Live in Brooklyn.” Catch the Akabane Vulars on Strong Bypass on Saturday July 19^th for a powerful live set on the Pagoda Main Stage. Additional info at: http://www.j-pop.com/2014/akabane.

Stay tuned for additional J-POP SUMMIT Guest of Honor, programming and event announcements!

About J-POP SUMMIT Festival

Launched in 2009, J-POP SUMMIT Festival is an annual street fair held in San Francisco, CA that celebrates Japanese popular culture. By introducing the latest in Japanese music, film, art, fashion, gaming, anime, food, as well as niche subcultures, the festival has become a prominent platform to showcase the latest pop trends and creative innovations from Japan.
The 5^th annual J-POP SUMMIT held in July 2013 welcomed more than 80,000 attendees, making it one of the largest Japanese festivals in the United States. In addition to the original Festival held in Japantown, new attractions include the J-POP LIVE AT UNION SQUARE concert in downtown San Francisco, the Bay Area’s premier dedicated Japan Film Festival of San Francisco, and sake-tasting and fine foods events at the POP GOURMET Food Festival, which have each further enriched the experience. Additional information about J-POP SUMMIT Festival is available at: J-POP.com.