220. gnossienne

On Saturday, I met up with my classmates, Mo and Otchiko, in Shibuya because all of us wanted to go to Kawasaki to check out an arcade, its called Anata no Warehouse and it's known to mimick the slums of Hong Kong. The original one is in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was pretty cool and we had fun playing darts, pool, some shooting games and some other retarded games we could find. (I would probably post photos and write in more details in another post because it is not going to suit later half of this post)

We spent about 3 hours there and plan to go back again some time this week. Mo and I headed to Roppongi after that because we wanted to check out different exhibitions but it was at the same place. He went to the Star Wars exhibition are Mori Art Museum while I went to A/D Gallery just next to it.

I've been wanting to go to Aquirax Uno's DEUX LIVRES exhibition since I discovered it was going on. The exhibition is over now and I'm glad I went to it. There were a lot of new work by him and I fell in love with a couple of them. The gallery was quite small but it was okay since you don't have to pay to view his work. I would say there were about 20 pieces and a couple of sculptures as well.

Upon arriving, you'll see this display of some oddities before entering the gallery.

The gallery itself was just painted plain white with all his work in frames hung on the wall. I thought it was a little too plain for my taste and wished he would have painted on the walls as well but most artists don't do that because its too much work. But I always thought if I had my own exhibition I would want to decorate the whole space nicely, so you'll really feel like you are in my world.

I really did enjoy some paintings like the one just below, I actually like that there's a fish tail and arm sticking out of the wall. The second piece is actually the print I have on my bag I purchased at another exhibition in Shibuya. One of the things I really liked about some pieces were the little drawings he cut out and pasted on. Those were actually my favorite, I would stare at those drawings for a little while before moving onto the next piece. 

Also, what I really thought was interesting was he used correction fluid on some works. He uses mainly ballpoint pen, so I guess some of them had mistakes and he would cover it up with correction fluid. For me, I would just start over because it looks messy, but somehow, it works for his pieces.

The next two are my absolute favorites from this exhibition. It's always got to be girls sleeping... I draw most of my inspiration from dreams and that place where dreams can only take you so I really enjoy paintings that are of girls sleeping. To me, she could be having a really lovely dream or a nightmare and you'll never know. Funny enough, I haven't drawn any girls asleep because I love drawing the eyes too much, I've always loved drawing them the most out of everything since I was a kid. 

I was surprised there were sculptures at the exhibition as well because I haven't seen him make any of them, but his sculptures actually remind me and have the "feel" of a song called Romance by Buck Tick. I guess that's also why he did the art for their 17th album, Razzle Dazzle. He also did some album art for Shiina Ringo a couple of years ago.

I wish they sold prints of the sleeping girls. The original isn't that expensive, 183,000 yen per piece but I'm a poor student so I can't afford it. If I had the money, I would have bought it instantly. Hopefully in the near future, he would release this series of work into a book. I really enjoyed this exhibition and I'm glad I could take photos of it because I can't stop staring at the sleeping girls. Here's Buck Tick's Romance, I think it suits his work really well.

After I was done with the exhibition, I went to HARBS to get some cake while waiting for Mo. We met up again at about 8 and went to Shibuya for sushi and met up with Otchiko again for Shisha. This time we tried white peach and mojito mint, which were really good. It's nice to chill with them every now and then, but they are already leaving next month so I try to go out with them when I don't feel too tired or if it's not for drinking. I really don't enjoy drinking that much honestly.

This week was nice because I went to two exhibitions and feel like myself again. In other good news, my visa is approved and I get to stay another two years here. I was waiting for the green light to go buy an easel and other furniture, and since it looks good now, I'll head to the art supply store to pick up an easel. So happy. :)

219. escape route

I met up with Laura on Thursday after class in Daikanyama because both of us wanted to check out qta3's Intellect of ignorance exhibition at Aquvii Gallery. Q-TA is a collage artist based in Tokyo, I don't know his real name, but I have been following him on instagram for over a year now and have always enjoyed his work. I loved to do collages when I was still in college but haven't ever since, it would be nice to start again.

Aquvii is both a shop and gallery, the shop is located on the first floor and the second floor holds a really small gallery space, you can easily see the short flight of stairs connecting to the second floor once you walk in. I didn't expect to like Aquvii as I do now, it kind of reminds me of my favorite shop in Odaiba, Strange Love.

I arrived slightly earlier than Laura, but I waited for her to arrive to view the exhibition. I took individual photos of pieces I really liked. Also, I love how they decorated this shop. Look at all the teddy bears on the steps!

I really loved his works that had the human anatomy in them, most of his work looks like he collected a ton of vintage magazines or newspaper just for it. We spent quite some time viewing his work, and after we were done, we spent even more time in the shop just to look at other stuff. They were also displaying some other artists' work, and they even had tobird's (THE NOVEMBERS album cover artist) merchandise.

Honestly, it felt so nice to be looking at some art or at least things I like again. Lately, I have been spending so much time doing what other people want and it's tiring. After we were done, we walked around Daikanyama for a little bit before going for dinner. Initially, we wanted to go to Camden's Blue Star Donuts also in Daikanyama just because they had a creme brulee flavoured donut, but when we got there all the donuts were already sold out. It's located on Daikanyama's new Log Road Mall, which really reminded me of Australia. They had several breweries and cafes as well. We stumbled upon a Blythe Doll shop on the way.

This pink castle mansion just next to Log Road really resembles The Grand Budapest Hotel! Laura and I were really excited about it, we were taking tons of photos. We walked around quite a bit and was hopping around cafes before settling for one nearer to the station. I had green curry with rice and she had pho.

While we were having dinner, I spotted a tanuki on the wire. I don't know the right word to use? Climbing on it, running on it? It looked more like running to me. Laura got excited and decided to take a video. My neighbour told me that he has lived in Japan for 10 years and he's only seen a tanuki twice. So I guess we got lucky? After dinner, we walked to Harajuku because I needed to get coffee to stay up (result of writing this entry at 5 in the morning) to study for my test later. We ended up, as usual talking too much and only left Shibuya at about 11pm. 

Classes and people have been wearing me out lately. I need more time to let my mind rest and stay in or at least if I don't stay in, do things that I like. All I want to listen to nowadays is classical music, as strange as it sounds. Like I said in my last entry, it has been the most calming thing that I've been doing lately.

218. the curious case of benjamin button

Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.

- F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Last week I skipped a day of class just to stay in (see previous post), and I watched a couple of films. I've owned The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on DVD for several years now but I haven't seen it in a long time, thats why I decided to bring it back with me to Japan. Sometimes this film makes me emotional because of the characters and how I can relate to some of them. Weirdly enough even though I hate a ton of romantic things, I really loved this scene :

Whenever I watch this part, the same thought always comes into my head "how nice it must be to love someone that much and always have him/her there". Though I don't really believe in love, fate and all that jazz, sometimes I do think about how I used to believe in it so much and how lovely it must be to believe in it again. Feelings are so complicated nowadays. I wish it was easier.

There's also so many parts and quotes of this film I love so much, I could go on forever and this post will never end. After watching this again that day, I felt so much better and I've watched a couple more films over the weekend. I also watched The Help, Little Miss Sunshine, Lost in Translation and The Virgin Suicides. I hope to find more good films when I have the time again soon.

I really miss the night time, because I have all the time to myself to do my own things while everyone is asleep. I always love how quiet it is, how no one would bother me and how my mind would wander off. Lately, life has been so hectic because I'm out everyday and around people. I really use the weekends to stay in and have them to myself. Sometimes it's hard to say no to friends who ask to hang out because those two days are the only time when we're completely free. I'm working on my time management. 

I really miss painting and want to paint again soon but there's hardly any inspiration nowadays. Not painting makes me sad. My mind hasn't had the time and energy to drift off... I really miss that.

P.S. listening to Erik Satie has been one of calming things I have done lately. 

217. aether

Today was such a good day because I decided to skip class and stay in, I also turned off my phone just to "have a break" from everything that is going on right now. I felt like I really needed it. Lately I have been really stressed and am emotionally, mentally and psychically exhausted. I wake up everyday and I feel like someone punched my face and my mood comes and goes. Most of the time people just think I'm sleepy or tired but really, I just don't feel like talking. I somehow feel like it is a repeat of last year, around this time I was kind of depressed too and I didn't want to do anything, go anywhere or talk to anyone.

I laid out all the things I've been saving to decorate my place with, decorated my living room for a little bit while watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. There are so many quotes in that film that I love, also so many things in that film I wish I could have. I watched a couple more films after that, it feels nice to just let my mind rest honestly. When I'm done with the films, I'll listen to In Hearts Wake new record and lie on the sofa just letting my mind drift off. I feel like sometimes I always need to "recharge" before going out again. 

There's so many things going on in my life right now, I feel like its pulling me in so many directions but I'm just here confused on where to go, what to do, who I should talk to about my problems. 

Even though it's just a day, I feel much better than the last couple of weeks already. Hopefully when I wake up in the morning, I won't feel like someone's punched my face again.

PS. The view from my apartment is pretty nice too, you can see mountains in the distance.

216. another song about the weekend

May 9th, 2015

Saturday was the Mad Ollie Spring 2015 music x skateboarding festival at Shinkiba Studio Coast. The last time I was at Shinkiba was in December for a normal show but this time, there was an outdoor and indoor stage and even a skateboarding ramp in the middle of the indoor stage area. There were a ton of booths around for mostly skateboarding brands like Volcom, Subciety etc. I think they made good use of the small area around the live house, with some food booths as well as band merchandise around the outdoor stage.

 The first band playing for the day at the indoor stage was Crystal Lake. They started at 2pm and opened to Matrix, followed by Beloved, Twisted Fate, Rollin' and closed to The Fire Inside. They put on a good show as always, and this was my first time seeing them on a big stage. The mosh pit was still brutal and I got kicked really hard on the hips and now there are bruises there. 

After they were done, I was walking around until I heard Survive Said The Prophet playing and went to the outdoor stage. I think their songs are catchy and good in general but I'm not a fan of their music. I really enjoyed If You Really Want To though! We were just chilling around and decided to check out Swanky Dank's set half way through. We went in just in time when Ryo (CL) came to do guest vocals on Monster. Swanky Dank's set was surprisingly good, they sound more towards pop rock but had great energy and good vocals on stage. 

There was nothing much to do but to sit around, smoke, look at merchandise or talk to people while waiting for bands to play. Laura would introduce me to people occasionally, and we would talk a little here and there. I was watching Artema from the side and was okay with the first half of their set until they started playing songs with autotuning and electro music. Still not a fan of that. 

We hang around some more till it was time for Namba 69 to play at the indoor, I enjoyed their set even though it was pop punk, but it had a heavier sound. One song in particular looked like it was fun to mosh to because there was clapping in it as well. Someone passed out in the middle of their set, and the singer of the band came down to check what happened after they finished playing. I was rushing to the outdoor stage to catch Loyal To The Grave.

The last time I saw them was also in December, and one of the reasons why I enjoy their set is because of the mosh pit. Their mosh pit is the most brutal I have seen yet in Japan. This time, I almost fell but someone caught me from the back. The guitarist of Artema was really funny during the moshing because his shoe came off and he was trying to wear it and someone would mosh towards him and he threw his shoe at that person, LOL. I was laughing so hard at that. After LTTG's set was over, Laura and I were just hanging around the merch booths talking to people. I wanted to watch The Bonez but ended up missing them because of talking, haha.

We managed to watch the last band of the day, FACT. I haven't really listened to much of their music but they're really big in this scene, so I was just curious to see how good they are. I was impressed by their live set, especially on some songs where they had extra instruments like the didjeridoo, which is an Australian Aboriginal musical instrument (the famous long tube like looking thing) and some percussion drums. Their set was too short and not even being a fan, I wanted at least another song. 

It started to rain when we were leaving Studio Coast, at least it didn't rain during the day! I had a lot of fun at Mad Ollie because of the people I met and bands I watched. Hopefully, there will be more shows for me to go to, so I can check out new music. 

215. decade of greed, lynch.

May 8th, 2015, Friday

Friday was the lynch.'s hall tour final at Shibuya Kokaido. I'm really really not a fan of seated shows because I don't feel like it's a concert. I felt like I was going to watch a movie instead of going to a lynch. show. It was the first ever hall tour for them and honestly, please don't ever do it again. I like the feeling of when the lights go out and everyone goes crazy pushing their way to the front, squeezing in any way possible just to get closer to the stage to see their favorite band. I love that feeling, it may be suffocating but when I'm caught in that situation, I'll be like "Yes, I am at a lynch. show." 

With all that said, at least they made up for having a really good setlist. The opening was pretty epic as well, once the SE started playing and the band's logo was dropped, even I was happy. I was even happier they opened to EXODUS! I haven't seen them play it in a year and it's one of my favorites. GREED followed right after and all my favorite fast songs by them. They even played -273.15 and New Psycho Paralyze right after each other. It would have been so much fun if it was a standing show. I was pretty bummed because I didn't feel like headbanging because of the stupid seats. 

They really made up for playing really rare songs. The slower part of the concert was good because they played my absolute favorites. an illusion and THIS COMA. I was like ;___; during THIS COMA. I was really surprised they played 矛盾と空　and Latin Maria. Those songs are from their very first album, Greedy Dead Souls and I haven't seen them play of those songs live before. They also played quarter life and the universe which are kind of rare. I was really emotional when they played MIRRORS this time because the background screen was playing their music video and I was reminded why I love them so much, since MIRRORS was the music video that really made me fall in love with them. It was the very first piece of lynch. I ever bought, and it came along with the music video.

I was surprised they closed to slow songs before the first encore, with from the end and CULTIC MY EXECUTION. I have never watched cultic before, and the live version is so different from the cd, not in a bad way. It was good I think but not something I would want to watch all the time. The special effects were nice for this song, with lasers and all to give more effect and "feel" of the song. 

Another surprise was Hazuki singing the piano version of anemone. It was just him and a pianist on stage. I mean, lynch. is my favorite band so it's only natural that he is my favorite vocalist. I really enjoyed listening to him in somewhat an acoustic setting. 

I was wondering when they were going to play VANISH and INVINCIBLE throughout the entire show and they played after anemone. The second encore only had one song, which was NIGHT. Hazuki came down from the stage and walked throughout the hall, I was pretty surprised by that as well. There were also streamers again at this show which I didn't manage to catch but someone gave it to me once the show was over, so I was really happy. :)

They also announced new singles and a new full album releasing in October, followed by a tour. I am going to go broke. So basically, it's a new single in August and September and new album in October. Did I mention they are also going to make a DVD of this show? Oh my fucking god. I'm planning to go to their smaller shows in Yokohama and Saitama because it would be a mosh pit. The tour final is at Tokyo Dome City Hall, HALL. So I'm still deciding on whether to go to that one or not, I would probably cave in later on.... fuck you, lynch.

setlist :

SE.

1. EXODUS

2. GREED

3. DEVIL

4. EVILLY

5. -273.1

6. NEW PSYCHO PARALYZE

7. melt

8. an illusion

9. 矛盾と空
10. THIS COMA

11. forgiven

12. ラティンメリア
13. quarter life

14. the universe

15. THE FATAL HOUR HAS COME

16. MIRRORS

17. THE BLASTED BACK BONE

18. ALL THIS I'LL GIVE YOU

19. pulse_

20. ADORE

21. from the end

22. CULTIC MY EXECUTION

EN1.

23. anemono (piano ver.)

24. PHOENIX

25. INVINCIBLE

26. VANISH

27. LIGHTNING

EN2.

28. NIGHT

I was surprised they didn't play AMBIVALENT IDEAL and I'm sick b'cuz luv u. I was happy they didn't play JUDGEMENT and I BELIEVE IN ME, haha. I am pretty sick of seeing those songs.

This time, I was able to meet some nice lynch. fans before the show. I haven't met any visual kei fans that are so nice to me. Though, I only like lynch. , but it's good to know that there are nice fans. I still have a debate going on in my head about liking visual music. I ONLY like lynch. I'm not interested in other visual bands, though I think people should be more open minded about their music. I always get the same comments about visual music or if I mention I like lynch. , "eeww, you like visual music?" There are some good visual bands that don't look or do the stupid visual shit. I have no problem telling people I love lynch. , I don't see why I should hide it. 

I mostly still love the hardcore/westernised scene more because I grew up listening to that kind of music and I prefer people who are into that scene more. They are more laid back and chill. And also  because in Japan, you're bound to find more people who speak english in this scene and I just feel more comfortable going to shows.

Okay, to end of rant. 

I love lynch. no less. Especially Hazuki.

214. little wanderer

The last couple of weeks have been a blur. I can hardly remember what I did, the sequence at least. I literally have to think hard and long before remembering all the things that happened. It was mostly made up of drinking, shisha and just plain hanging out with friends.

When it suddenly hit me, its a funny thing how people come in and out of your life. Some of my classmates are already leaving next month and I actually don't know if I'll ever see them again so I'm trying to spend as much time with the ones who I really enjoy being around. I don't know if it's because of certain things that I want to appreciate people more and waste less time on people who don't matter. But I am trying my best to use my time wisely, I can't fathom that it's already May. Almost half of the year is gone, and the next 6 months will zoom past, and it would be a new year again. Life is crazy.

Sunday was probably my favorite day, strolling around Kichijoji and Inokashira Park. It was a nice change of scenery because I am in Shibuya every other day. I would definitely want to go back to Kichijoji again to explore, it was too crowded because of golden week. Today was another day I found some parts of Harajuku and Aoyama I haven't explored yet.

I'm looking forward to the weekend, I just want to take my mind of some things. I am hoping the best for Mad tomorrow. The past two weeks she has been on my mind a lot and I just want her to be alright. Friday, lynch. Saturday, Crystal Lake. Music definitely always helps me pull through.

213. three two one, break

On Wednesday, Laura and I met up in Shinjuku, had a late lunch then went to Nine Spices for a show. There were 6 bands playing that night and it was Hollow Sun's first show. I was happy to go because I wanted to see PALM again and say hi, the last time I saw them was in February in Singapore. When we arrived, Toshi was standing outside the venue, and so was Kenta. We said hi and went and found Akira near the stage area and Laura was just talking to him for a while, until the first band started playing.

Stand United was up first and I wasn't that impressed by them. We took a breather after they finished and went back in when Backdate November started playing, they were good live with a more melodic sound. As the show progressed, there were more people and more people coming in. Endzweck put on a good show as well, I didn't really enjoy the first half of the set but the later half was good. Lext was after that, and I wasn't that into it.  I think PALM drew on the most crowd for that night. I enjoyed them this time way more than the show compared to Singapore's. Probably because I really really hate Singapore's crowd, it always puts my mood off.

Otus was after PALM, at this point I was really tired already because I have been out and about so much for the last couple of weeks and consecutively and too many all nighters. Otus was good but I was so sleepy nothing was entering in my head anymore. Hollow Suns was the last for the night and I could enjoy their set probably because it was more melodic, and they also remind me of Foo Fighters but if Laura didn't tell me that in the beginning, I wouldn't have noticed their sound.

They closed to a cover of Hero by none other than Foo Fighters. After the show ended, I was talking to one of Laura's friends and went to the merch table not long after and talked to Kenta for a little bit. It was nice talking to and seeing PALM again. It definitely took my mind off some depressive stuff that has been going on in my life right now.

It was yet another all nighter because the show ended late and I needed to eat. This time, I know I was too tired from the past couple of weeks because I kept falling asleep at the bar. I normally am wide awake but I'm handing over my white flag and saying that I'm really drained. We went to The Roastery the next morning for some coffee and I felt better and still managed to go to class but obviously went home straight after.

This week has been emotionally draining for me and thank god it's Friday already. I'm just hoping for the best for Mad right now and praying that nothing bad is going to happen. I have plans to go to a Cat Cafe on Sunday to just chill, I didn't want to go out at all initially but actually being around cats will be therapeutic. Also, since it's Golden Week next week, there's no class from Monday to Wednesday that means I can just relax at home because that is something I really need right now. Just staying at home for a bit and listening to lynch. is making me feel better already.

Next week looks promising as well. lynch. on Friday!!! I haven't seen them since December so I'm really looking forward to that and Mad Ollie on Saturday. There's a couple of bands I'm really looking forward to seeing and anytime I can see Crystal Lake again is good for me. Yay next weekend is gonna be full of things I love. 楽しみだ！