Beasts from the East (Touyou Kanon 東洋神音)

Toshi Kubota

Yasuko Agawa

Good evening listeners!   This episode is a special “Quiet Storm” edition of the “Touyou Kanon,” full of throbbing basslines, purring melodies, sensual voices, unworldly guitar licks, and enticing mood!   The theme for this week is laid back  music, and in a moniker-defining  moment, your friendly neighborhood DJ S.O.S. (Smoothed Out Sean) lays the path for a sojourn into the soft, silky side of “Beasts” with an all-star lineup of smoothed out composers and vocalists, such as Yasuko Agawa and Toshi Kubota.

You’ll hear pop and jazz fusion(well embodied in this set by a track from the group Pizzicato Five), straight rhythm and blues, and some elements of progressive rock in points—an exciting blend!  But the overall sublimeness of even the peppiest ditty on this episode will attest to the menagerie of wonder that “THEMATIC For The People” will continue to provide, alongside the regular episodes of “Beasts” (each special in their own way, of course).

The play button below is a passport into a world of endless candlelit nights, abyss-like depths of funk, ethereal contemplation at every corner, and the joie de vivre of “soul music without borders”

Even the Far East knows of the “Quiet Storm” weather that music can provide.  And by the time this show is over, you’ll know why this installment was perfectly set so close to the midnight hour!  So prepare that fine beverage and whip out that elegant, yet overlooked meal for a sonic venture into the entrancing world of song and rhyme, courtesy of “Beasts”!

3/6/10 Beasts Smooth Music Show

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Master of "Magnet"

Uh well, you know....

Gamers Unite!!  This fix of “Touyou Kanon” is an exclusive 1-hr marathon of video game music.   Featured titles include some of the Super Mario Bros. games, “Chrono Trigger,” “Donkey Kong,” and a suite of Konami Team ‘92 tracks for an arcade game based on the adventures of a select group of superpowered individuals.  Nintendo and Sega are in good harmony here, as you’ll hear a number of compositions from the consoles behind each company.

Jamie and DJ S.O.S. are your masters of ceremony as “Beasts” covers video game vocals and instrumentation both popular and obscure.  Repping the Studio Crew at “Beasts” Central are our pals Leah and Koty.  Koty reveals the epic (if by virtue of what’s left of our twisted minds) tale behind a fabled piece of memorabilia in the “Touyou Kanon” studio—THE FAT SHIRT.  You want to know more….you have to know.   You’re a Play button click away from unraveling the mysterious layers of the second chapter of “THEMATIC For the People,” it’s many facets rivaling that of the aforementioned Fat Shirt.  Nah……

Channel your digital adventures of today and yesterday in this episode….  But mainly the Fat Shirt thing….it’s good stuff.

2/27/10 Beasts Video Game Music Show

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To start off the series of themed shows awesomely known as “THEMATIC for the People”(shout outs to the Legendary Weaver D’s Restaurant), we here at “Beasts” took this Valentine’s Day Eve opportunity to do a show with love songs.  At the helm are the magnificent Miranda Lee and DJ S.O.S. (Sean) on hosting duties, with Miranda’s valentine Donovan keeping things fresh in the background.  Aside from offering some interesting factoids about V-Day in Japan, and discussing our respective “first loves” in the world of Japanese music, you’ll hear cover songs, ballads, flirtacious ditties, and even a hard core rap love anthem.  Said anthem was requested by WUOG’s own Nick Hollins (a.k.a. DJ Nice Guy, DJ T.B.S.–The Bangin’ Sweater), and his phone call was our first call here on “Beasts.”  It stands as a magical moment which well represents the theme of magical moments (and occasionally tragic moments as you’ll later hear) that comes with the infamous L-word based rollercoaster of emotions and highs and cloud nines.

Enough talk though!  Click the “Play” button not merely with your fingers this time, but with your open heart.

2-13-10 Beasts V-Day Love Show

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While not there in physical studio form, the fair and lovely Miranda Lee begins today’s J-music cipher with a rollicking selection from Pierrot.  DJ S.O.S. and Jamie host today’s set with the silent, yet loud of knowledge peach of a gal in the “Beasts” Studio Crew faithful Leah.  The 60 minute escapade of rock, pop and more (including the theme music of a legendary high flying Japanese wrestler) is not one to be missed!  As you’ll notice later on, there was a sudden “Intrusion” in the middle of the show, just before the Konami Team game composition(hint hint), but we carried on all the same.  For all of the further exposition we could lend to this episode, we’ll let the tracklist and the content alone speak for itself.  Click on the play button and dig in!

Beasts From the East 2-6-10 Show

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TRACKLIST

Pierrot  “VANITY DANCE “(One For and From Our Beloved Miranda Lee)

Yumi Hiriko “Ikari No Jushin” (Opening Theme For 1989 Anime”Jushin Liger” and Intro Music for Japanese Pro Wrestler Jushin “Thunder” Liger)

SID “Monochrome no Kiss”

L’Arc en Ciel Invitation to Freedom

Megumi Hayashibara “Midnight Blue”

Fonogenico “Shalala”

Baseball Bear “Stairway Generation”

Aya Hirano “Super Driver”

Konami Sound Team Japan “Intruder 1”/”Encounter” (Metal Gear Solid Soundtrack)

Sakai/Miura/Takahama “BGM 1-Human Form”/”BGM 2-Wolverine Form” (Werewolf: The Last Warrior (NES Game))

Koji Kondo “Super Mario Galaxy” Theme (Super Mario Galaxy Soundtrack)

Asian Kung-fu Generation “After Dark”

Ellegarden “Red Hot”

Scenes from “Zyuranger” (Sentai-Power Team Show that inspired “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”—Snippet of the series ‘THEMATIC for the People’ coming soon to “Beasts”…There will be an episode covering Sentai/Power Team shows like “Zyuranger,” “Dairanger,” “Kakuranger,” etc)

Reykjavík's Finest

Straight out of the crates of WUOG comes a Soft Scaley Underbelly broadcast with a “Beastly” flavor.  The one and only DJ S.O.S. runs through 60 minutes of mainstream musical monoliths, and even Japan gets the due love—in the prologue to the prologue of what would become “Beasts From the East.”  The show aired on 10/9/09, and it is jam packed with flavor, sentiment, and shout-outs to friends and performers in the then-newly opening “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom”/”Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long-Blog” weekend stage show at Town & Gown Community Theatre off of Grady Ave.

Soft Scaley Underbelly 10-9-09 Show (DJ S.O.S. Edition)

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Third Strike!  In this, the third installment of “Beasts..,” Jamie and DJ S.O.S. run through a modern “Rock of Ages” set with the ever-popular Asian Kung-Fu Generation, FLOW, The Pillows (requested by a sharply bright WUOG news staffer in Matt) and Boom Boom Satellites.  Prepare for a “House” call with the electrostylings of the furiously heavy beats per minute assault of the Nippon Wax Ambassadors, DJ Kawasaki and Makai (with vocalist Yuchun).  Things take a turn for the epic (8-bit, that is) as we visit the rapture that is Koji Kondo’s original “The Legend of Zelda” score (and its’ modern-day remixing based legacy).   Another J-pop recording icon is given the beastly treatment as we hear the orchestrally endowed fortitude of the great Yoko Kanno–via her work here on a “Macross” series.  The track is a special shot-out and a request acknowledgement to a multitalented musical maniac named Justin—who you’ll hear more about in this episode.

Last but certainly not least, you’ll be introduced to the throng of lively supporters who keep things vibrant in the “Touyou Kanon”-iverse, the “Beasts From the East” studio crew.  It’s a rotating stable of J-music fans(and bespectacled friends of The Tenacious Trio of hosts) who keep the show’s boat rocking back and forth with their infectious energy and delicious banter(and multilayered shirts, on occassion).  Today’s camp consists of our good improv man Ben Coffee (of the fantabulous campus improv group Laugh Out Loud, who have rocked venus from Cine, The Melting Point, and even Anime Weekend Atlanta) and the sweetly modest, well-read Leah.  We cannot forget our other friend here who inspired the vivid title of this ditty.  Click on the “Play” button, and know that he went to The Grill for the first time.  He enjoyed the food, but did NOT have the Feta Dip (or fries).  In stern discipline, we told him of the many facets of joy it brings.  Know that he has promised to return to “Beasts” central one day: a Feta Dip Virgin no more.

Enjoy the Show!

Beasts From the East 1-23-10 Show

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Welcome Beastsiders!  On this installment, we discuss the power of the radio shout-out, and throw some recognition to the supporters of Touyou Kanon and song requesting faithful.  One of whom is Mr. Jonathan Sparks,  a musically gifted Beast From the West and member of the acapella group With Someone Else’s Money, who performed to a sold out crowd at the show AcapellAnonymous with a Dream Team of vocally-empowered squads.  Said gentleman is a massive Utada Hikaru fan, and requested the “Passion” track from “Kingdom Hearts II” a few weeks ago.   In the spirit of  Jonathan’s(and WSEM’s) creative contributions and support, this episode features some unique acapellas from Japanese artists KAITO and Rag Fair.

Our beloved WUOG programming director Laura Leidner gets her “Mega Man” song wishes fulfilled as we come out of the gate with a classic from the Blue Bomber BGM discography.

Also, the night before this show, UGA was host to a group of performers mastered in traditional Japanese folk instruments, such as the shamisen (guitar) and the koto (a zither-like stringed instrument—and the national instrument of Japan).   The show was “Hogaku: New Sounds of Japan 2010″ which was held at the Ramsey Music Hall.  While we couldn’t record the performances, you’ll hear some similar live pieces in their aesthetic in the featured tracks,  and this show’s set includes a performance by one of the acts in attendance, Oyama x Nitta.

We’ve got the jazz (Kaori Kobayashi), the subtle sway of the light rock (Roly Poly Rag Bear), the electropop (Yellow Magic Orchestra) as well as some game music (from “DuckTales” to “Secret of Mana” to “Chrono Cross”) in this edition of “Beasts.”  Enjoy!

Beasts From the East 1-16-10 Show

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Touyou Kanon (東洋神音), Rising Like a Phoenix from the Ashes of J-Pop

Ohayou Gozaismasu!! Welcome to the first official outing of “Beasts From the East”!  In this inaugural installment, you will hear an introduction revealing the story behind the origin (and epic “Beastly” rebirth) of the Japanese music format on WUOG, and be treated to an hour-long wild card of robust sound and lyrical fury in the forms of tracks by Utada Hikaru (with the signpost reading “Kingdom Hearts II”), Ayaka, Asian Kung-Fu Generation, Dir en Grey, and more!

Also, you’ll get to meet your Tenacious Trio of hosts, in Jamie Diamond(of the show “TechNight”–Saturdays at midnight), Miranda Lee(WUOG’s Public Affairs Director), and Sean, The Grand Polizzle himself, DJ S.O.S.(of the shows “Organic Compound”–Saturdays 8-10pm, “Halftime Hip-Hop Show”–Fridays 9pm-Midnight,  “Player’s Picnic”–Saturdays 2-4pm) and marvel at the chemistry and unity that Awesome Deity Power Level Music can bring.

Lastly, as you’ll hear, we can be contacted at beasts@wuog.org for any requests, comments, or questions.   The “Touyou Kanon” era begins here!

Beasts From the East 1-9-10 Show

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Respect Your Elders

Hello listeners!!  This is the preview show for the platter of fine Japanese music to be provided this Spring semester(and beyond) by your resident “Beasts From the East” crew.  The Grand Polizzle of WUOG, DJ S.O.S.(Sean), is the master of ceremonies for this 2 1/2 hour shindiggedy, and his compatriots Miranda Lee and Jamie Diamond are there in track-by-track spirit.

An inspired testament in song to the original “Beast From the East” sparks this set with a nuclear fury as the aural journey traipses through a multitude of genres such as rock(X/Japan, Peelander Z, Dir En Grey), electronica(Capsule, Fantastic Plastic Machine), hip-hop(Heartsdales, HALCALI), ambient production (Uyama Hiroto, Nujabes) and other styles before hitting on a somber message on the universal power and allure of song in the finale.   And as an added bonus, you’ll get to hear the sonics and soul of fine music sprinkled with the glorious crossover form of guest appearances by Rakim and The Carpenters as East Meets West!

Enjoy!

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