Band wanted
[EDIT] This is a very old post, but I'm leaving it here to remember how optimistic I once was.
About Me
Hello! Thank you for your interest ne. I wrote the following profile because I feel very serious about the idea I'm proposing here: to start a new band with fellow muses.
Since my journal is friends-locked and the community I call home has been closed for a long time, I figured it would be good to write some things about me and what I'm looking for. I hope that you like what you see. If you are interested but would rather chat to get to know me, please still comment, or IM me at SpikyMasa.
The main purpose of this profile is to attract some interest in the new band I would like to start. Uberly, this will be an entirely muse-created band and we will thus have total control over what it becomes. No pre-ordained band members, no worrying about the Real, just us and whatever we want to make happen. I am breaking out of the traditional mold of muses only getting involved musically with people in ways that reflect the Real, and I hope some of you will find this to be an idea worth exploring.
I am very dedicated to making this work ne. I've taken care to write a lot here mostly to help you get to know me. I am extremely open to possibilities in terms of who's interested in being a part of this band, and where you would like to see it go.
Please note that this is meant to be a side project in addition to our primary work as musicians, and is not meant to replace our current commitments.
However, if you would just like to get to know me more, regardless of the band, I would love to make new friends, so please feel free to reply or IM me, anytime.
Musician profile
I play: Rhythm guitar. I started very young, so I've been playing for about twenty years now.
I also play: Lead, though not nearly as much, and I've been playing piano for about three or so years. I sing, too. I would rather be backup vocals for this band, though I sang in my previous indies band.
Current band: Gackt Job (first release in 1999)
Previous bands: Spiky (Vo., G., composer & lyricist, leader, 2002-2005), Token Minority (G., backup vo., arranger, 1994-1998... very long ago! My first band.)
Composing and arranging: I have composed a lot of music and recently feel like I'm in a very creative place after a long rut. My arrangements aren't very complex but I work together with my friend and former bandmate K.G. to improve them.
Favorite bands: Growing up and during my first band, L'arc~en~ciel, LUNA SEA, and Collective Soul. My favorite guitarist growing up was Sugizo. Today, I like to listen to a wide range of music. I tend to listen more to the music of people I know personally, like Plastic Tree and Dir en grey. I am very honored to play for a great composer.
Influences: As a beginner and intermediate student, I was influenced by Inoran a lot, and a lot of Western guitarists, but in the past decade I've been very influenced by the guitarists in the band I'm in, You, Gackt, and Chachamaru... but I don't think I really sound like any of them.
Additional experience: Spiky was mostly a self-managed band; K.G. and I managed it. I also have spent some time on the staff of Dears Co. Ltd., Gackt's management company. I actually really like self-management, though it's so much more time-consuming. That additional level of control is very appealing. But I would be happy to work with a manager.
Sample Music: Please listen to some of my previous work here. There are four songs on a player here. Just click through. I composed the music and lyrics, did part of the arranging, and am on guitar and vocals on every track. I know I'm not the best singer... but I am always trying to get better! [Edit] This player is a little strange and it may not let you listen to all four songs in one visit. But hopefully you can hear something! I'm still searching for other options.
About the sample songs: Music from Spiky. Confidence is about seeking support when you feel unconfident... Average is about getting past the societal idea of an "average" everyone is supposed to be, and just improving yourself step by step. Joy is for all the people in my life that make me happy and joyful. And Usual Life is a light-hearted song about finding the good things in a regular, day-to-day life. Music and lyrics by me, arrangement by K.G. and me. I'm on rhythm guitar and vocals, with Dai (lead G.), Matchy (B.), Toshi (D.), and K.G. (keys). Thank you for listening. ^_^
Musical style: I value a nice melody laid over a rock base above simply making noise. But I have my noise-making songs too. I haven't experimented much outside of pop & rock, but I'm always interested in learning something new.
Musical themes: Self-improvement and positive messages are really the things I most like to write about. Love and family, too. I don't feel a need to work with someone who wants to express the same thematic elements, though, because as long as we have some common ground as musicians, I think we can make something cool.
Visual style: For indies work, I really like to just go out on stage the way I normally am, which I think shows in my photos. I wouldn't mind being visual if it fit what we were doing, but I don't want to be visual just to attract attention. So if it really expresses something about our music and message, I am fine with anything.
Languages: I'm fluent in English, and lived in America for close to eight years. I think I'm better at reading English than at Japanese. ^^;;; I know a teeny bit of French, and a miniscule amount of Korean. I write lyrics in both Japanese and English, by which I mean more than just a word or two here. Whatever best expresses what I'd like to say.
Company: Under my contract, I am a free agent outside of Gackt Job and have no restrictions regarding who I can and can't work with and where I can and can't go.
Funding: I am able to fund all start-up costs. I am not interested in making any financial profit for myself, so I would happily turn over any profit to other members.
Personal
Age: Older than 27, but not by much. ^_~
Blood Type: A or O, I'm not telling.
Height: 177 cm
Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hometown: Mostly Yokohama, but I did a lot of growing up in New York City too. My family moved around a lot.
Family: I have a very tight chosen family and am also close to my parents. I'm an only child. I'm in a permanent and committed relationship and we've been together for nine years. ^_^ I'm a very open person and would be happy to let you know anything else one-on-one.
Personality: I am friendly, affectionate, energetic, and social. I like to listen as much as I like to talk. I like to go out. I am really touchy-feely at heart but I respect that that's weird to most people in this society...
Likes: drinking, live performance, shopping, motorcycles, cheering people on in video games (not playing, I'm terrible!), cuddling, long walks, travel.
Dislikes: Mmm... people who like to pick fights.
Fashion: My favorite clothes come from A Little Village. (Their site seems to be down. ;_;) I have a lot of little haunts in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Harajuku. Sometimes I wear clothes designed by Gackt Job head stylist Monkey.
Fragrance: I like to wear very natural, nature-y scents and don't really have a brand. I probably always smell faintly of Platinum Egoiste. XD
Other: I am also a judou instructor at a doujou for senior citizens. It is very rewarding. ^_^ I volunteer there every day of the week in the morning and early afternoon, except Sunday. My classes are entirely adjustable around my music schedule.
Uber
Muse age: I've been around for five and a half years, since mid-2002. I had my muse coming-of-age long ago and I'm very settled with myself.
Lifespan: The person I'm with has muses and similar types of people who have been with her dating back to when she was very young who are still around. No one here has ever faded. I personally intend to be around till I'm like 125. So if you have been hurt a lot by losing people through fading or similar ways, I am a very safe person to go with.
Community: I was in JRRP from about a few weeks after it opened all the way to its closing five years later. Right now, my heart is still there.
Relationships: I have a long-lasting band family with my Gackt Job and several very long-term friendships. I've been with the same person for all of my muse life. So I am a very stable and grounded person. But I'm also a very social person and I haven't had much of a social life since our community closed. So I am really hoping to make some new friends.
Vs. The Real: I don't follow Realmasa in any way besides the overlap of a lot of Spiky work. I never left Gackt Job. I never became a part of Dizzy Drive, which then became Marmarsa-Mu. So anything he's doing right now does not relate to my own activities.
Availability: I'm around regularly and check my friends list regularly.
About You:
Personality: Primarily, I am just looking for people who are friendly and positive. I've worked with all kinds of people and would like to meet all kinds of people. Note when I say positive, I just mean that you have some hope and determination for the future.
Instrument: Vocal, lead guitar, bass, drums, keyboards. Also possibly interested in a manager, and a graphic designer.
Musical skill: I don't mind if the members of the band range greatly in experience with their instruments. In fact, I think this could be a good place to work on learning something new. So as long as you are at a level where you're able to perform, you're welcome. I would also welcome everyone who wanted to be part of the song writing process to do so to the fullest extent.
Style: I am really open, musically and visually. I don't have a set idea in mind for this band; I would like to see it evolve according to who becomes a part of it. My only goal is to stay very indies, where we can be close to our supporters and maintain a lot of control over our work, and take on lots of responsibility for getting things done. So even if you might be radically different from me in your current working life, if you like this idea of creating something of our own, that's a good start!
Location: I would like to base the band in the Tokyo area.
Company: If you have any restrictions regarding outside work, I will respect them. If you would like any assistance negotiating your contract, the CFO of Dears Co. Ltd. is a really amazing negotiator and the level of our control relative to our record label is very impressive, I have heard. He's told me he would be happy to help.
Friends and family: I would love to get to know as many people in your life as I can.
Availability: I'm not looking for you to be constantly around, and I can't be constantly around myself. Once, twice a week, maybe? In reality I would like to be working on the band maybe three times a week, but I am very respectful of mun schedules, including that of my own. And I have my regular commitments to friends and family too.
Community: Doesn't matter where you are as long as you're interested in getting to know people from all over our muse world. Our activities will be in a Non-AU context. We can figure out how to best write about the band to different communities.
Everything else: I am open.
Time frame: I am looking to start performing live within six months of formation.
Thank you very much for reading.
Please comment or IM me at SpikyMasa anytime to get in touch.
You are welcome to let friends know about my band posting.
See, I have studio space, and it's waiting for you! :D
Here's to the hope of new music and new friendship!
About Me
Hello! Thank you for your interest ne. I wrote the following profile because I feel very serious about the idea I'm proposing here: to start a new band with fellow muses.
Since my journal is friends-locked and the community I call home has been closed for a long time, I figured it would be good to write some things about me and what I'm looking for. I hope that you like what you see. If you are interested but would rather chat to get to know me, please still comment, or IM me at SpikyMasa.
The main purpose of this profile is to attract some interest in the new band I would like to start. Uberly, this will be an entirely muse-created band and we will thus have total control over what it becomes. No pre-ordained band members, no worrying about the Real, just us and whatever we want to make happen. I am breaking out of the traditional mold of muses only getting involved musically with people in ways that reflect the Real, and I hope some of you will find this to be an idea worth exploring.
I am very dedicated to making this work ne. I've taken care to write a lot here mostly to help you get to know me. I am extremely open to possibilities in terms of who's interested in being a part of this band, and where you would like to see it go.
Please note that this is meant to be a side project in addition to our primary work as musicians, and is not meant to replace our current commitments.
However, if you would just like to get to know me more, regardless of the band, I would love to make new friends, so please feel free to reply or IM me, anytime.
Musician profile
I play: Rhythm guitar. I started very young, so I've been playing for about twenty years now.
I also play: Lead, though not nearly as much, and I've been playing piano for about three or so years. I sing, too. I would rather be backup vocals for this band, though I sang in my previous indies band.
Current band: Gackt Job (first release in 1999)
Previous bands: Spiky (Vo., G., composer & lyricist, leader, 2002-2005), Token Minority (G., backup vo., arranger, 1994-1998... very long ago! My first band.)
Composing and arranging: I have composed a lot of music and recently feel like I'm in a very creative place after a long rut. My arrangements aren't very complex but I work together with my friend and former bandmate K.G. to improve them.
Favorite bands: Growing up and during my first band, L'arc~en~ciel, LUNA SEA, and Collective Soul. My favorite guitarist growing up was Sugizo. Today, I like to listen to a wide range of music. I tend to listen more to the music of people I know personally, like Plastic Tree and Dir en grey. I am very honored to play for a great composer.
Influences: As a beginner and intermediate student, I was influenced by Inoran a lot, and a lot of Western guitarists, but in the past decade I've been very influenced by the guitarists in the band I'm in, You, Gackt, and Chachamaru... but I don't think I really sound like any of them.
Additional experience: Spiky was mostly a self-managed band; K.G. and I managed it. I also have spent some time on the staff of Dears Co. Ltd., Gackt's management company. I actually really like self-management, though it's so much more time-consuming. That additional level of control is very appealing. But I would be happy to work with a manager.
Sample Music: Please listen to some of my previous work here. There are four songs on a player here. Just click through. I composed the music and lyrics, did part of the arranging, and am on guitar and vocals on every track. I know I'm not the best singer... but I am always trying to get better! [Edit] This player is a little strange and it may not let you listen to all four songs in one visit. But hopefully you can hear something! I'm still searching for other options.
About the sample songs: Music from Spiky. Confidence is about seeking support when you feel unconfident... Average is about getting past the societal idea of an "average" everyone is supposed to be, and just improving yourself step by step. Joy is for all the people in my life that make me happy and joyful. And Usual Life is a light-hearted song about finding the good things in a regular, day-to-day life. Music and lyrics by me, arrangement by K.G. and me. I'm on rhythm guitar and vocals, with Dai (lead G.), Matchy (B.), Toshi (D.), and K.G. (keys). Thank you for listening. ^_^
Musical style: I value a nice melody laid over a rock base above simply making noise. But I have my noise-making songs too. I haven't experimented much outside of pop & rock, but I'm always interested in learning something new.
Musical themes: Self-improvement and positive messages are really the things I most like to write about. Love and family, too. I don't feel a need to work with someone who wants to express the same thematic elements, though, because as long as we have some common ground as musicians, I think we can make something cool.
Visual style: For indies work, I really like to just go out on stage the way I normally am, which I think shows in my photos. I wouldn't mind being visual if it fit what we were doing, but I don't want to be visual just to attract attention. So if it really expresses something about our music and message, I am fine with anything.
Languages: I'm fluent in English, and lived in America for close to eight years. I think I'm better at reading English than at Japanese. ^^;;; I know a teeny bit of French, and a miniscule amount of Korean. I write lyrics in both Japanese and English, by which I mean more than just a word or two here. Whatever best expresses what I'd like to say.
Company: Under my contract, I am a free agent outside of Gackt Job and have no restrictions regarding who I can and can't work with and where I can and can't go.
Funding: I am able to fund all start-up costs. I am not interested in making any financial profit for myself, so I would happily turn over any profit to other members.
Personal
Age: Older than 27, but not by much. ^_~
Blood Type: A or O, I'm not telling.
Height: 177 cm
Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hometown: Mostly Yokohama, but I did a lot of growing up in New York City too. My family moved around a lot.
Family: I have a very tight chosen family and am also close to my parents. I'm an only child. I'm in a permanent and committed relationship and we've been together for nine years. ^_^ I'm a very open person and would be happy to let you know anything else one-on-one.
Personality: I am friendly, affectionate, energetic, and social. I like to listen as much as I like to talk. I like to go out. I am really touchy-feely at heart but I respect that that's weird to most people in this society...
Likes: drinking, live performance, shopping, motorcycles, cheering people on in video games (not playing, I'm terrible!), cuddling, long walks, travel.
Dislikes: Mmm... people who like to pick fights.
Fashion: My favorite clothes come from A Little Village. (Their site seems to be down. ;_;) I have a lot of little haunts in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Harajuku. Sometimes I wear clothes designed by Gackt Job head stylist Monkey.
Fragrance: I like to wear very natural, nature-y scents and don't really have a brand. I probably always smell faintly of Platinum Egoiste. XD
Other: I am also a judou instructor at a doujou for senior citizens. It is very rewarding. ^_^ I volunteer there every day of the week in the morning and early afternoon, except Sunday. My classes are entirely adjustable around my music schedule.
Uber
Muse age: I've been around for five and a half years, since mid-2002. I had my muse coming-of-age long ago and I'm very settled with myself.
Lifespan: The person I'm with has muses and similar types of people who have been with her dating back to when she was very young who are still around. No one here has ever faded. I personally intend to be around till I'm like 125. So if you have been hurt a lot by losing people through fading or similar ways, I am a very safe person to go with.
Community: I was in JRRP from about a few weeks after it opened all the way to its closing five years later. Right now, my heart is still there.
Relationships: I have a long-lasting band family with my Gackt Job and several very long-term friendships. I've been with the same person for all of my muse life. So I am a very stable and grounded person. But I'm also a very social person and I haven't had much of a social life since our community closed. So I am really hoping to make some new friends.
Vs. The Real: I don't follow Realmasa in any way besides the overlap of a lot of Spiky work. I never left Gackt Job. I never became a part of Dizzy Drive, which then became Marmarsa-Mu. So anything he's doing right now does not relate to my own activities.
Availability: I'm around regularly and check my friends list regularly.
About You:
Personality: Primarily, I am just looking for people who are friendly and positive. I've worked with all kinds of people and would like to meet all kinds of people. Note when I say positive, I just mean that you have some hope and determination for the future.
Instrument: Vocal, lead guitar, bass, drums, keyboards. Also possibly interested in a manager, and a graphic designer.
Musical skill: I don't mind if the members of the band range greatly in experience with their instruments. In fact, I think this could be a good place to work on learning something new. So as long as you are at a level where you're able to perform, you're welcome. I would also welcome everyone who wanted to be part of the song writing process to do so to the fullest extent.
Style: I am really open, musically and visually. I don't have a set idea in mind for this band; I would like to see it evolve according to who becomes a part of it. My only goal is to stay very indies, where we can be close to our supporters and maintain a lot of control over our work, and take on lots of responsibility for getting things done. So even if you might be radically different from me in your current working life, if you like this idea of creating something of our own, that's a good start!
Location: I would like to base the band in the Tokyo area.
Company: If you have any restrictions regarding outside work, I will respect them. If you would like any assistance negotiating your contract, the CFO of Dears Co. Ltd. is a really amazing negotiator and the level of our control relative to our record label is very impressive, I have heard. He's told me he would be happy to help.
Friends and family: I would love to get to know as many people in your life as I can.
Availability: I'm not looking for you to be constantly around, and I can't be constantly around myself. Once, twice a week, maybe? In reality I would like to be working on the band maybe three times a week, but I am very respectful of mun schedules, including that of my own. And I have my regular commitments to friends and family too.
Community: Doesn't matter where you are as long as you're interested in getting to know people from all over our muse world. Our activities will be in a Non-AU context. We can figure out how to best write about the band to different communities.
Everything else: I am open.
Time frame: I am looking to start performing live within six months of formation.
Thank you very much for reading.
Please comment or IM me at SpikyMasa anytime to get in touch.
You are welcome to let friends know about my band posting.
See, I have studio space, and it's waiting for you! :D
Here's to the hope of new music and new friendship!