The only English-language media doing deep, exclusive interviews inside Japan’s music scene — & the Western artists connected to it. Link below 🔗
Tokyo-to, Japan
Joined February 2010
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VMJ retweeted
【INFORMATION】
2026年10月7日（水）Release
NEW ALBUM 『Iustitia sine misericordia』
より「The Messy-Haired Grimalkin」のMVを公開！
是非チェックを！
「The Messy-Haired Grimalkin」Music Video
youtu.be/XTc9ViIWlfo
VMJ retweeted
Been giving bass players their due lately, but J’s show at O-EAST hit like a sledgehammer. His energy was off the charts, but more than anything, I saw his philosophy come alive: keep the inner fire burning. Wake up. Move forward. Live it. 🔥
@J_wumf
⩺ [REPORT]
•—————————•
< J | Birthday Live 2026 — Let’s Roll — >
Fire, chaos & a typhoon.
J celebrated his 56th birthday on stage the only way he knows how: keeping the inner magma alive and doing it completely His Way. Nearly 30 years into his solo career, and he’s still as wild as ever. That set list sure woke the m0therfuckers up. 🔥
☆ Full report w/ photos (link below) ⇓
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🔗visualmusicjapan.com/report/…
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🪪 @J_wumf | @J_official_info
🏷 @LUNASEAOFFICIAL | @j_fcpyro
📝 @mandahfrenot
VMJ retweeted
＼＼＼ \ / ／／／
J ソロデビュー 30周年
記念プロジェクト始動‼️
／／／ / \ ＼＼＼
J Solo Debut 30th Anniversary Project
【PHASE 1】止まらない衝動。
🎵J LIVE 2027 – KICKOFF🎵‧*
1/9 (Sat), 1/10 (Sun) 東京・LIQUIDROOM
🎵J LIVE 2027 – IGNITION🎵‧*
4/17 (Sat), 4/18 (Sun) 大阪・Yogibo META VALLEY
4/24 (Sat), 4/25 (Sun) 東京・SHIBUYA CLUB QUATTRO
🎵J LIVE 2027 – CLIMAX🎵‧*
7/24 (Sat), 7/25 (Sun) 東京・Shibuya LOVEZ
▼公演詳細はこちら
j-wumf.com/news/20260812
#J_30thAnniversary
#J_wumf
VMJ retweeted
凄く読み応えのあるインタビュー記事でした𓏲ּ𝄢𓏲ּ𝄢
益々ちゃっきー🎸&アルバム「PLUVIA」💿が大好きで愛おしくなりましたᥫᩣ ̖́-
On technique vs. emotion.
Excerpt from our conversation with SAKI published on June 24, 2026. Read the full interview via the link below. 👇🏻
🔗 visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
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@_chakixx_
#PLUVIA
#SAKI
VMJ retweeted
I filmed this on Feb 10, 2021, after our interview. We met again later at a show, and ISSAY offered me a drink. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized it had been his birthday. I still feel bad about it. But looking back, it says so much about who he was — a kind person.
Digging through our archives, we found a little treasure: ISSAY & HIKARU from DER ZIBET during a VMJ photoshoot after our interview with them.
Tomorrow marks three years since ISSAY’s passing.
Rest well. 🕊️
If you’d like to revisit his words, our interview with DER ZIBET is still online. It remains a beautiful memory.
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🔗 visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
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🪪 @derzibet_info
📹 @mandahfrenot
📸 @yoann_1209
VMJ retweeted
On technique vs. emotion.
Excerpt from our conversation with SAKI published on June 24, 2026. Read the full interview via the link below. 👇🏻
🔗 visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
———
@_chakixx_
#PLUVIA
#SAKI
VMJ retweeted
On technique vs. emotion.
Excerpt from our conversation with SAKI published on June 24, 2026. Read the full interview via the link below. 👇🏻
🔗 visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
———
@_chakixx_
#PLUVIA
#SAKI
VMJ retweeted
◤￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣
メリー「Cold Fascination」Full ver.
＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿◢
NEW ALBUM『Urbanstyle Circus』
2026.07.29 RELEASE
youtu.be/b_gxqx-m1Lo
#メリー25周年
#UrbanstyleCircus
#ColdFascination
#MV
VMJ retweeted
めちゃくちゃ良い。
⩺ [INTERVIEW]
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< DIR EN GREY | From MORTAL DOWNER to their 30th Anniversary >
In this interview, Die talks about MORTAL DOWNER, the uncertainty that shaped past albums, why he welcomes negative criticism, how songs take on a life of their own on stage, his philosophy of becoming less ordinary rather than masculine or feminine, and the candid story behind the name “Big Gurl.”
☆ Full conversation (link below) ⇓
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🔗visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
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🏷 #DIRENGREY | #MORTALDOWNER
🪪 @DIRENGREY_JP | @DIRENGREY_ENG
📝 @mandahfrenot
VMJ retweeted
自動翻訳で読んだけど、すごく本質的なことにも迫っていてとても興味深かった。big gurlの具体的な由来についての話なんて初めて聞いたし。
⩺ [INTERVIEW]
•—————————•
< DIR EN GREY | From MORTAL DOWNER to their 30th Anniversary >
In this interview, Die talks about MORTAL DOWNER, the uncertainty that shaped past albums, why he welcomes negative criticism, how songs take on a life of their own on stage, his philosophy of becoming less ordinary rather than masculine or feminine, and the candid story behind the name “Big Gurl.”
☆ Full conversation (link below) ⇓
•—————————•
🔗visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
•—————————•
🏷 #DIRENGREY | #MORTALDOWNER
🪪 @DIRENGREY_JP | @DIRENGREY_ENG
📝 @mandahfrenot
VMJ retweeted
Here’s my take on what was a turning point in LUNA SEA’s journey. I approached it from a wider angle than a standard report, as the weight of the circumstances made it feel heavier & deeper. Grateful to the band & crew for the invitation — truly honored to have witnessed it. 🖖🏼
⩺ [REPORT]
•—————————•
LUNA SEA — March 12th, 2026📍
More than a just a concert.
A moment of realignment and a rite of passage.
Right now, LUNA SEA stands at a delicate point in its history, suspended between a sudden loss and a new era, between what was and what still moves forward. But no matter what, the band stepped back into the light. Proof that even when the moon is dark, the tide still pulls. LUNA SEA’s heart is still beating.
Their journey continues.
☆ Full story (link below) ⇓
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🔗visualmusicjapan.com/report/…
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🪪 @LUNASEAOFFICIAL
🏷 #LUNASEA | #VMJ
📝 @mandahfrenot
VMJ retweeted
Spent years watching Michael Jackson be crucified by the media and public opinion. Now, watching his resurrection got me thinking about revisionism, crowd psychology, and Japan’s very different relationship with artists. A article that finally found its way out. 🖖🏻
⩺ [HEADLINE]
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Michael Jackson influenced generations of Japanese musicians, including members of LUNA SEA and DIR EN GREY. Yet, while the West spent years mocking him before celebrating his resurrection, Japan never needed either phase. As the biopic Michael breaks records worldwide, VMJ asks why — and what this reveals about media narratives, crowd psychology, and collective guilt.
☆ Full article (link below) ⇓
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🔗 visualmusicjapan.com/headlin…
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🪪 @michaeljackson | #Michael
🏷 #MichaelJackson | #マイケル
📝 @mandahfrenot
VMJ retweeted
Amazing interview
On negative criticism.
Excerpt from our conversation with Die (DIR EN GREY) published on July 29th. Read the full interview via the link below.👇🏻
🔗 visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
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@DIRENGREY_ENG
@DIRENGREY_JP
VMJ retweeted
Many things Die said are worth quoting. He talked about welcoming negative criticism, art beyond the ordinary, how songs evolve through live shows, and why DIR EN GREY’s longevity wasn’t the result of a grand plan but came from simply taking the next step.
Thanks,
@DIRENGREY_JP
⩺ [INTERVIEW]
•—————————•
< DIR EN GREY | From MORTAL DOWNER to their 30th Anniversary >
In this interview, Die talks about MORTAL DOWNER, the uncertainty that shaped past albums, why he welcomes negative criticism, how songs take on a life of their own on stage, his philosophy of becoming less ordinary rather than masculine or feminine, and the candid story behind the name “Big Gurl.”
☆ Full conversation (link below) ⇓
•—————————•
🔗visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
•—————————•
🏷 #DIRENGREY | #MORTALDOWNER
🪪 @DIRENGREY_JP | @DIRENGREY_ENG
📝 @mandahfrenot
VMJ retweeted
マジで良すぎるインタビューなので虜全員読んでほし🥺
⩺ [INTERVIEW]
•—————————•
< DIR EN GREY | From MORTAL DOWNER to their 30th Anniversary >
In this interview, Die talks about MORTAL DOWNER, the uncertainty that shaped past albums, why he welcomes negative criticism, how songs take on a life of their own on stage, his philosophy of becoming less ordinary rather than masculine or feminine, and the candid story behind the name “Big Gurl.”
☆ Full conversation (link below) ⇓
•—————————•
🔗visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
•—————————•
🏷 #DIRENGREY | #MORTALDOWNER
🪪 @DIRENGREY_JP | @DIRENGREY_ENG
📝 @mandahfrenot
VMJ retweeted
Thanks for the interview! It was a pleasure!
Most adults lose their spark as they age. In my interview, IKUO mentioned going home after work & playing bass again. Out of love & curiosity. And I thought—what a blessing it is that 30 years after picking up his first bass, that same thrill is still there.
Thanks,
@IKUObass190
VMJ retweeted
Most adults lose their spark as they age. In my interview, IKUO mentioned going home after work & playing bass again. Out of love & curiosity. And I thought—what a blessing it is that 30 years after picking up his first bass, that same thrill is still there.
Thanks,
@IKUObass190
⩺ [INTERVIEW]
•—————————•
< IKUO | SLAPPIN’ DAZE >
Over 30 years in the game and IKUO still refuses to coast. We caught up with the artist to talk about his new album SLAPPIN’ DAZE (out today) and the shifting world of slap bass. He also gets real about navigating industry disappointments, and how he keeps his passion from ever feeling like a day job.
☆ Full conversation (link below) ⇓
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🔗visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
•—————————•
🪪 @IKUObass190
🏷 #IKUO | #SLAPPINDAZE
📝 @mandahfrenot
📑 @kingrecord_rock
VMJ retweeted
【media information】
IKUO
#VMJ interview is here📚
IKUO | People lie, the bass doesn’t — IKUO on his new album “SLAPPIN’ DAZE”
visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
Please check it out☑
『SLAPPIN' DAZE』OUT NOW
kingrecords.co.jp/cs/artist/…
⩺ [INTERVIEW]
•—————————•
< IKUO | SLAPPIN’ DAZE >
Over 30 years in the game and IKUO still refuses to coast. We caught up with the artist to talk about his new album SLAPPIN’ DAZE (out today) and the shifting world of slap bass. He also gets real about navigating industry disappointments, and how he keeps his passion from ever feeling like a day job.
☆ Full conversation (link below) ⇓
•—————————•
🔗visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
•—————————•
🪪 @IKUObass190
🏷 #IKUO | #SLAPPINDAZE
📝 @mandahfrenot
📑 @kingrecord_rock
VMJ retweeted
Awe this interview is so good! I really enjoyed reading it, and learned so much about IKUO!! I’m excited to listen to the whole album ^_^
⩺ [INTERVIEW]
•—————————•
< IKUO | SLAPPIN’ DAZE >
Over 30 years in the game and IKUO still refuses to coast. We caught up with the artist to talk about his new album SLAPPIN’ DAZE (out today) and the shifting world of slap bass. He also gets real about navigating industry disappointments, and how he keeps his passion from ever feeling like a day job.
☆ Full conversation (link below) ⇓
•—————————•
🔗visualmusicjapan.com/intervi…
•—————————•
🪪 @IKUObass190
🏷 #IKUO | #SLAPPINDAZE
📝 @mandahfrenot
📑 @kingrecord_rock