Japan Nite
japan nite annual music event north america began featuring japanese rock pop alternative music artist originally centered around south southwest austin texas event expanded later year include multicity tour united state often first u performance participating artist japan nite conceived hiroshi asada former manager pizzicato five audrey kimura founder independent japanese label benten asada organized showcase called psycho night play japanese word saiko awesome new music seminar new york city featuring japanese act including pizzicato five asada approached representative sxsw invited create similar showcase austin since strong presence asian music festival time kimura brought band lolita perform first japan nite first japanese band ever play sxsw allgirl rock band scandal toured u part japan nite tour band first tour outside japan japan nites performance sxsw benefitted japanese red cross recovery effort great east japan earthquake japan nites tour extended canada first time performance canadian music week x japan leader yoshiki made surprise guest appearance japan nites sxsw performance austin night festival premiere documentary film x japan nite tour cancelled due covid restriction japan nites reputation among music journalist anchored eclectic showcase unusual artist austin chronicle said japan nite usually mean getting mind blown la weekly characterized tour bringing eclectic mix alternativeminded japanese band used artist japan nite major label band asada said music business people thought one show sxsw would enough make deal isn’t easy lack participation major label became major factor tour programming japan nites lineup shifted away mainstream later year featuring primarily alternative music act go weird bands” asada said could deal major label could set focus japanese market japan nite facebook