exist†trace
exist†trace is one of Japan's first all-female Visual Kei rock bands. Formed in 2003, the members of exist†trace are Jyou (vocals), Miko (guitar), Mally (drums), Naoto (bass), Omi (guitar).
Along with multiple tours of Japan, exist†trace has performed twice in Europe, making appearances in Berlin, Helsinki, Moscow, Paris, London, and Barcelona. In 2009, the band performed at the 2-day V-ROCK FESTIVAL in Chiba, Japan. In November 2010, exist†trace released their album "TWIN GATE" in Japan, followed by an American release from JapanFiles. In June, 2011, they made their major-label debut with the "TRUE" EP on Tokuma Japan.
exist†trace will be performing at Tekkoshocon X on Saturday, March 24, 2012. They appear courtesy of Monsters, Inc. and JapanFiles.com. Check out their music here!
Soundwitch
SoundWitch was formed in Osaka, Japan in 2005 and performing in the Kansai area. In 2007 and 2008, they released three demo single CDs, and in July 2008 performed at the female vocalist festival, "ADDICT XX".
Maintaining their momentum, they moved into production of their first album and in April of 2009, "WICCAHOLIC" was released. For this release, they set out on a Japan-wide tour and released their first promotional music video, "WITHOUT". SoundWitch ended their tour in January 2010 with their first solo "one-man" live show in Osaka, performing 8 news songs which signalled the start of production on their 2nd album.
In 2009 and 2010, SoundWitch performed at several Japanese music festivals, including "FAR EAST RAMPAGE" and taking the headlining spot on the sub-stage of "ADDICT XX", followed by the release of their second album "GROTESCA" in October 2010. After the release, they began the "GROTESCA SHOW" tour country-wide, finishing the tour in November 2010 with a "two-man" show with their 413 Tracks label mates and friends "6ft. down". In March of 2011, the "KISS ME KILL ME" 2011 JAPAN TOUR CHAPTER ONE was announced.
Soundwitch members are: Twin (vocals), May (guitar, programming), Sack (drums), Matsubai (bass), Drug-on (guitar).
Mega Ran
Random, aka Mega Ran, Big Ran or Random Beats. Teacher, Rapper, Hero.
Born Raheem Jarbo in Philadelphia, Random’s songs are filled with all of the heartache, pain, triumph, tragedy and fun that come with everyday living. A Philadelphia native and Phoenix transplant, graduate of Penn State University and middle school instructor, Random speaks to the everyman, transcending race or class barriers.”I never want anyone to predict my next move,” he says. You can, however, expect the unexpected from Random, hence the name.
After teaching himself to make beats on the MTV Music Generator software for PlayStation, Random landed a job at a Philadelphia studio as a producer and engineer. During downtime, he would create his first demo tape. This led to Random signing with indie label RAHM Nation Recordings and releasing his debut album, The Call in 2006.
The Call, a very political and spiritually charged album, went on to rave reviews and critical acclaim. The video for its single “Push” went on to be nominated for an Australian independent short film award. The Call is now being utilized in university coursework in several colleges in the US.
Random made waves by going way left of his backpack roots when he released “Mega Ran” in 2007. It was an album completely comprised of sampled 8-bit beats from the hit video game series “Mega Man.” The album (and its 2009 follow up, Mega Ran 9) virtually exploded after video game corporation CAPCOM offered Random a special licensing agreement, and calling on Ran to perform at Comic-Con and other special events.
In 2009, Random signed a deal with Japanese record label River City Records and released RANDOMONIUM, a collection of previously released material.
In 2010, Random collaborated with critically acclaimed producer K-Murdock to release FOREVER FAMICOM, a conceptual album paying homage to the 8-Bit NES and 16-Bit Super NES video game consoles. The album has released in Japan in late 2010.
Today, Random teaches middle school in Phoenix, AZ, and continues to travel and perform at gaming, hip hop and comic events all over the world. Random’s music has managed game and movie soundtrack placements and press coverage in the Philadelphia Daily News, Wired Magazine, The Phoenix New Times, URB Magazine, Game Developer, Nintendo Power, Blender, and more.
