Oreskaband -
Anime
Convention Personalities of the Week - August 5, 2007
The
Japanese popular music that reaches the U.S. seems to celebrate youth
and often doesn't sound Japanese at all. Nothing would seem to be
further from Japanese music than ska, the blend of black Caribbean and
English pop music that has had a three-decade following. But a group of
Osaka high school students discovered ska and enjoyed its brassy sound.
The result was Oreskaband, a collection of classmates Tomi, Moriko, Saki, Leader, Taesan and Ikasu
that drew attention for their spirited performances. Oreskaband's
talent and enthusiasm has gotten them on Japanese television, has brought
them to the U.S. for concerts, and will see them starring in their own
movie. All of this seems like a heady rush to success for a group so
young. "I have a hard time grasping the idea of success that you mean,"
said Leader. "Each year has been different. We haven't had the same
experience each time. Each day is going to be a challenge and that will
continue." As happens with so many older performers, music is life for
these youngsters. Ikasu said "When we're making music, that's when we
feel the most alive. One hundred percent I'm certain that's why we make
music."
The
Japanese popular music that reaches the U.S. seems to celebrate youth
and often doesn't sound Japanese at all. Nothing would seem to be
further from Japanese music than ska, the blend of black Caribbean and
English pop music that has had a three-decade following. But a group of
Osaka high school students discovered ska and enjoyed its brassy sound.
The result was Oreskaband, a collection of classmates Tomi, Moriko, Saki, Leader, Taesan and Ikasu
that drew attention for their spirited performances. Oreskaband's
talent and enthusiasm has gotten them on Japanese television, has brought
them to the U.S. for concerts, and will see them starring in their own
movie. All of this seems like a heady rush to success for a group so
young. "I have a hard time grasping the idea of success that you mean,"
said Leader. "Each year has been different. We haven't had the same
experience each time. Each day is going to be a challenge and that will
continue." As happens with so many older performers, music is life for
these youngsters. Ikasu said "When we're making music, that's when we
feel the most alive. One hundred percent I'm certain that's why we make
music."