J-POP in the USA
February 7, 2012 7:19 PM Subscribe
Looking for US based labels that distribute Japanese recording artists.
I'm looking for music labels based in the US that distribute Japanese artists domestically. One example is Island Records that distributes Utada. Can be any genre of Japanese pop music - hip hop, rock, pop, etc.
I'm looking for music labels based in the US that distribute Japanese artists domestically. One example is Island Records that distributes Utada. Can be any genre of Japanese pop music - hip hop, rock, pop, etc.
Matador records released Pizzicato Five albums in the US.
Thrill Jockey (and the smaller Shimmy Disc) released albums by OOIOO and The Boredoms.
Jack White's Third Man label released albums by The 5.6.7.8's.
Sony's Epic handled international distribution for the constellation of Japanese imprints under Alfa Records. (YMO, Garo, Soft Ballet, Ryuchi Sakamoto, etc.)
I'm not sure if there's one or several labels known for releasing Japanese acts here in the US; it seems to be spread pretty evenly across the 'Indie' label universe. You pretty much just have to go act-by-act. Or, better yet, if you trace a group back to their Japanese recording label, you can usually figure out who has international/US distro rights for that whole label.
posted by carsonb at 7:35 PM on February 7, 2012
Thrill Jockey (and the smaller Shimmy Disc) released albums by OOIOO and The Boredoms.
Jack White's Third Man label released albums by The 5.6.7.8's.
Sony's Epic handled international distribution for the constellation of Japanese imprints under Alfa Records. (YMO, Garo, Soft Ballet, Ryuchi Sakamoto, etc.)
I'm not sure if there's one or several labels known for releasing Japanese acts here in the US; it seems to be spread pretty evenly across the 'Indie' label universe. You pretty much just have to go act-by-act. Or, better yet, if you trace a group back to their Japanese recording label, you can usually figure out who has international/US distro rights for that whole label.
posted by carsonb at 7:35 PM on February 7, 2012
Asian Man Records distributes a few Japanese artists (Yoko Utsumi & Polysics at least).
Gearbox has Gito Gito Hustler and Electic Eel Shock.
Southern Lord used to be the US label for Boris.
posted by Winnemac at 7:43 PM on February 7, 2012
Gearbox has Gito Gito Hustler and Electic Eel Shock.
Southern Lord used to be the US label for Boris.
posted by Winnemac at 7:43 PM on February 7, 2012
Temporary Residence is MONO's US distributor, as well as Envy's.
Visual kei band Dir en Grey was distributed by Warcon for one album; not sure who is doing that now, though.
X Japan is done through Sony/Atlantic, most recently on Yoshiki's "Extasy A" imprint.
DJ Krush on Sony and Columbia.
DJ Kentaro on Ninja Tune.
Boris, most recently, on Daymare and Sargent House; Winnemac is correct about their previous affiliation w/ Southern Lord.
posted by raihan_ at 8:20 PM on February 7, 2012
Visual kei band Dir en Grey was distributed by Warcon for one album; not sure who is doing that now, though.
X Japan is done through Sony/Atlantic, most recently on Yoshiki's "Extasy A" imprint.
DJ Krush on Sony and Columbia.
DJ Kentaro on Ninja Tune.
Boris, most recently, on Daymare and Sargent House; Winnemac is correct about their previous affiliation w/ Southern Lord.
posted by raihan_ at 8:20 PM on February 7, 2012
Bar/None distributes Puffy (Puffy Amiyumi) in the US. Also Sony.
United Future Organization is carried by Polygram.
Jazztronic by C&l Music.
posted by Ookseer at 9:03 PM on February 7, 2012
United Future Organization is carried by Polygram.
Jazztronic by C&l Music.
posted by Ookseer at 9:03 PM on February 7, 2012
John Zorn's Tzadik has an offshoot called New Japan. It doesn't exactly deal with J-Pop, but conversely it's not nearly as radical or far out as it likes to think it is. I mean, it heralded Mono as a mind-blowing unprecedented new sound when at the time they were just a fairly mild diet-Mogwai. So YMM, as they say, V.
posted by The Discredited Ape at 9:09 PM on February 7, 2012
posted by The Discredited Ape at 9:09 PM on February 7, 2012
Love Psychedelico is on HackTone Records.
Jin Akanishi on Warner Bros.
posted by emmling at 8:38 AM on February 8, 2012
Jin Akanishi on Warner Bros.
posted by emmling at 8:38 AM on February 8, 2012
« Older Learn From Home, an Age Old Craft | Has anyone else found tiny dollhouse keys that... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by murkywaters at 7:35 PM on February 7, 2012