My friends over at JapanFiles asked me to spread the word about this article, and I think it's good to read about it:
JapanFiles Takes On LiveJournal
(CLICK "DIGG" after the 2nd paragraph, too.)
One might think that they are going after EVERY Japanese song and album that is out there to download, and that is untrue. They are just going after the music they they contractually sell on their website. Although some people might find that unfair, it's far much better to buy an artist's album on there rather than spend $30 to import the CD. Granted, some people like the feel of holding a CD case, but I digress.
JapanFiles is not trying to hog all the music for themselves. In reality they are trying to keep the J-POP industry in America from going under (like what is currently happening in the US anime industry). I believe that if more companies like JapanFiles and HearJapan pop up and sell Japanese music at a very good price, then the J-POP world of America would not only be safe, but also flourish.
When it comes to the other music, I feel that some of these communities do what the actual Japanese labels aren't doing; and that is promoting music to the non-Japanese audience. For example: Gackt's entire discography is now up on iTunes, but other than a tiny blip about it on JaME there was no promotion whatsoever. Not even iTunes themselves did anything. Many other Japanese bands are on these sites, but again no one but the bands themselves are saying anything about them. On the other hand, when JapanFiles signs an artist they make it their mission online to make sure that the people in the music community knows about it.
One big problem with Japanese record companies is that they are stubborn. They fear that if they try to work with a company like JapanFiles, that their music won't get out there and make the profits they want. I feel that this is closed-minded thinking that needs to stop! Although sites like JapanFiles and HearJapan are independent companies, they work their asses off to make sure their artists are heard. Not only that, but they also bring these artists to America at anime conventions and music festivals: something that only a tiny fraction of big-named music companies do.
That's why I say it's time for a change. IT IS TIME FOR A J-VOLUTION!!!
In order for this to happen, I ask you all to try and do the following three things:
1. Call up your local radio stations, and start requesting these bands that you know and love. Once they know that there is a big-enough fanbase for this type of music, they will start to play them.
2. Write to the record labels in Japan, and let them know that they want to hear more artists over here in America. By demanding these artists, the labels will start supplying them.
3. Write to your favorite bands, and let them know you are listening. It would help more if you had someone translate it in Japanese; but even if you can't find someone to do it, just send it anyway. They'll still think it's cool that their music is being heard besides in Japan.
I know that some of the stuff I say may look silly, but it's better than doing nothing!
I have said my piece. Now it's your turn. Get out there, and support these artists like your life depends it!
Thank you!
This is King Baby Duck saying, "If it ain't made in Japan, it's usually crap!"
Labels: J-POP, J-VOLUTION, JapanFiles, King Baby Duck, Music
