togz

Hi there! I've been a member here for quite some time and have never introduced myself, forgive me. My real name is Felipe though I go by smilesxchibi in many places. I am 22 and have been exposed to the visual kei scene since I was 14 but jrock since I was about 7.
Some of my favorite bands include Versailles, Jackman, SuG, Amber gris, Nocturnal Bloodlust, Deathgaze, Dir en Grey (old school), VanessA, Art Cube, Nega, Kibouya Honpo, and many more hehehe.
I'm an easy person to get along with, shy but open minded. Though Im not afraid to speak my mind.
(I hope this makes for a decent introduction ><) feel free to ask me anything as well
Also I am a graphic designer, recently graduated lol

: |

For a long time I was avoiding BFN cuz their first PV/song was kinda dumb and boring but then I randomly checked out something they did later and decided to give them a shot... and they're not bad at all! Ice has a very capable and nice voice (he especially shines in the new single's A-side imo) and they manage to make their songs interesting most of the time by all the electronic thingies. Hence, I tend to prefer their material with an abundance of said electro-effects but their more "plain" songs ain't bad either.
 
I'm not a fan but their stuff can be nice to listen to, on occasion from time to time.

haha I did say anywhere between 3 weeks to a month x3

haha I did say anywhere between 3 weeks to a month x3

How much does Japanese music add to your life?
 
Honestly, not to sound hella weaboo... but I feel like it's the only thing that really helps me feel like me. It's something I discovered on my own, grew passionate about on my own, and have been a fan of for 10+ years. I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out who i am and where I want to be, but coming back to this makes me feel like at least I know a little bit of myself. It's helped me really become open minded and accepting towards a lot of things, not just music. 

Would there be any benefits to not having it, like a heavier wallet or bigger bank account? Or is it just plain worth it?
 
Maybe I wouldn't feel so lost if I had liked something more common to listen to in my own country. Maybe i'd have more money. Maybe I'd be happy doing what I'm doing and wouldn't care about doing something more creative in my life. I think this kind of music really helps me continue to dream and have a creative soul and mind.

Do you have irreplaceable friends you found through Japanese music?
I do have amazing friends and memories I would have never had otherwise. My life would be COMPLETELY different. 

Has it opened up your life more? Gave you an interest in Japanese culture? How would your interests change if you didn`t have this music?
I think maybe it has made me feel more secluded or less social only because most people find it weird and I'd rather avoid being judged for it so I spend time alone or with people I already know through events we had in common. I used to have interest in Japanese culture and I wanted to go to Japan to study, however recently I've been giving up on all that, I just can't seem to kick the music out of my life. I'd probably only be listening to classic rock, or rather anything from the 80's really... classical music and jazz.

Hey guys,
 
As the title inquires, if you didn`t have Japanese music (VK, Indie, Pop, Idol, Electronic, or whatever you like / love) what would you be listening to, and how would your life be different?
 
How much does Japanese music add to your life?
 
Would there be any benefits to not having it, like a heavier wallet or bigger bank account? Or is it just plain worth it?
 
Do you have irreplaceable friends you found through Japanese music?
 
Has it opened up your life more? Gave you an interest in Japanese culture? How would your interests change if you didn`t have this music?
 
 
-----
 
 
As for me, I would probably still be listening to Classic Rock a lot, maybe repeating the same songs I have listened to a million times without anything new coming my way. Maybe I would be more into Electronic music, maybe I would be going to raves all the time? Who knows. Maybe I would be more into Korean music as well.
 
I definitely would not have made some good friends that I have met along the way. I think I would also be missing something that only VK can give me, some kind of feeling in my heart, and some kind of attitude.
 
I think I would be a different person. My friends and people I have went out with definitely wouldn`t be as annoyed by the `music they can`t understand`constantly being played. And when in Japan I would be doing different things.
 
 
-----
 
 
Anyway, let us all know about yourself, and thanks for reading!

Your goodbye has lasted for almost a month.

As some of you may have noticed I've been posting here and there. Can't say I'm super back for sure. I have just been so busy.

Not that anyone would probably care too much, but I started a new job with a two hour commute to and from work. I'm physically and mentally exhausted from the drive. Working 8 hours and driving up to 4 hours a day doesn't really leave much time for yourself other than eating, maybe a movie or laundry, shower and sleep. 

My free times are really on my weekends, which i'm privileged enough to have Saturday and Sunday off now. Considering that soon my siblings will start school and they already don't live with me, I have been using those weekends to really spend time with family and relax. I'm hoping that once I relocate closer to my new job that I will have more time for myself to interact with this forum again. 

I really do miss the chat, and late night plug sessions, but unfortunately when I get home I just want to sleep by then or play a quick hour of FFXIV >___> which if any of you play that please let me know what server you're on if it's an NA server. I'm specifically on Lamia (NA)
 
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone had been doing. I miss you all and I really hope to be back sooner rather than later. ;;

As some of you may have noticed I've been posting here and there. Can't say I'm super back for sure. I have just been so busy.

Not that anyone would probably care too much, but I started a new job with a two hour commute to and from work. I'm physically and mentally exhausted from the drive. Working 8 hours and driving up to 4 hours a day doesn't really leave much time for yourself other than eating, maybe a movie or laundry, shower and sleep. 

My free times are really on my weekends, which i'm privileged enough to have Saturday and Sunday off now. Considering that soon my siblings will start school and they already don't live with me, I have been using those weekends to really spend time with family and relax. I'm hoping that once I relocate closer to my new job that I will have more time for myself to interact with this forum again. 

I really do miss the chat, and late night plug sessions, but unfortunately when I get home I just want to sleep by then or play a quick hour of FFXIV >___> which if any of you play that please let me know what server you're on if it's an NA server. I'm specifically on Lamia (NA)
 
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone had been doing. I miss you all and I really hope to be back sooner rather than later. ;;

As some of you may have noticed I've been posting here and there. Can't say I'm super back for sure. I have just been so busy.

Not that anyone would probably care too much, but I started a new job with a two hour commute to and from work. I'm physically and mentally exhausted from the drive. Working 8 hours and driving up to 4 hours a day doesn't really leave much time for yourself other than eating, maybe a movie or laundry, shower and sleep. 

My free times are really on my weekends, which i'm privileged enough to have Saturday and Sunday off now. Considering that soon my siblings will start school and they already don't live with me, I have been using those weekends to really spend time with family and relax. I'm hoping that once I relocate closer to my new job that I will have more time for myself to interact with this forum again. 

I really do miss the chat, and late night plug sessions, but unfortunately when I get home I just want to sleep by then or play a quick hour of FFXIV >___> which if any of you play that please let me know what server you're on if it's an NA server. I'm specifically on Lamia (NA)
 
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone had been doing. I miss you all and I really hope to be back sooner rather than later. ;;

As some of you may have noticed I've been posting here and there. Can't say I'm super back for sure. I have just been so busy.

Not that anyone would probably care too much, but I started a new job with a two hour commute to and from work. I'm physically and mentally exhausted from the drive. Working 8 hours and driving up to 4 hours a day doesn't really leave much time for yourself other than eating, maybe a movie or laundry, shower and sleep. 

My free times are really on my weekends, which i'm privileged enough to have Saturday and Sunday off now. Considering that soon my siblings will start school and they already don't live with me, I have been using those weekends to really spend time with family and relax. I'm hoping that once I relocate closer to my new job that I will have more time for myself to interact with this forum again. 

I really do miss the chat, and late night plug sessions, but unfortunately when I get home I just want to sleep by then or play a quick hour of FFXIV >___> which if any of you play that please let me know what server you're on if it's an NA server. I'm specifically on Lamia (NA)
 
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone had been doing. I miss you all and I really hope to be back sooner rather than later. ;;

As some of you may have noticed I've been posting here and there. Can't say I'm super back for sure. I have just been so busy.

Not that anyone would probably care too much, but I started a new job with a two hour commute to and from work. I'm physically and mentally exhausted from the drive. Working 8 hours and driving up to 4 hours a day doesn't really leave much time for yourself other than eating, maybe a movie or laundry, shower and sleep. 

My free times are really on my weekends, which i'm privileged enough to have Saturday and Sunday off now. Considering that soon my siblings will start school and they already don't live with me, I have been using those weekends to really spend time with family and relax. I'm hoping that once I relocate closer to my new job that I will have more time for myself to interact with this forum again. 

I really do miss the chat, and late night plug sessions, but unfortunately when I get home I just want to sleep by then or play a quick hour of FFXIV >___> which if any of you play that please let me know what server you're on if it's an NA server. I'm specifically on Lamia (NA)
 
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone had been doing. I miss you all and I really hope to be back sooner rather than later. ;;

As some of you may have noticed I've been posting here and there. Can't say I'm super back for sure. I have just been so busy.

Not that anyone would probably care too much, but I started a new job with a two hour commute to and from work. I'm physically and mentally exhausted from the drive. Working 8 hours and driving up to 4 hours a day doesn't really leave much time for yourself other than eating, maybe a movie or laundry, shower and sleep. 

My free times are really on my weekends, which i'm privileged enough to have Saturday and Sunday off now. Considering that soon my siblings will start school and they already don't live with me, I have been using those weekends to really spend time with family and relax. I'm hoping that once I relocate closer to my new job that I will have more time for myself to interact with this forum again. 

I really do miss the chat, and late night plug sessions, but unfortunately when I get home I just want to sleep by then or play a quick hour of FFXIV >___> which if any of you play that please let me know what server you're on if it's an NA server. I'm specifically on Lamia (NA)
 
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone had been doing. I miss you all and I really hope to be back sooner rather than later. ;;

As some of you may have noticed I've been posting here and there. Can't say I'm super back for sure. I have just been so busy.

Not that anyone would probably care too much, but I started a new job with a two hour commute to and from work. I'm physically and mentally exhausted from the drive. Working 8 hours and driving up to 4 hours a day doesn't really leave much time for yourself other than eating, maybe a movie or laundry, shower and sleep. 

My free times are really on my weekends, which i'm privileged enough to have Saturday and Sunday off now. Considering that soon my siblings will start school and they already don't live with me, I have been using those weekends to really spend time with family and relax. I'm hoping that once I relocate closer to my new job that I will have more time for myself to interact with this forum again. 

I really do miss the chat, and late night plug sessions, but unfortunately when I get home I just want to sleep by then or play a quick hour of FFXIV >___> which if any of you play that please let me know what server you're on if it's an NA server. I'm specifically on Lamia (NA)
 
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone had been doing. I miss you all and I really hope to be back sooner rather than later. ;;

As some of you may have noticed I've been posting here and there. Can't say I'm super back for sure. I have just been so busy.

Not that anyone would probably care too much, but I started a new job with a two hour commute to and from work. I'm physically and mentally exhausted from the drive. Working 8 hours and driving up to 4 hours a day doesn't really leave much time for yourself other than eating, maybe a movie or laundry, shower and sleep. 

My free times are really on my weekends, which i'm privileged enough to have Saturday and Sunday off now. Considering that soon my siblings will start school and they already don't live with me, I have been using those weekends to really spend time with family and relax. I'm hoping that once I relocate closer to my new job that I will have more time for myself to interact with this forum again. 

I really do miss the chat, and late night plug sessions, but unfortunately when I get home I just want to sleep by then or play a quick hour of FFXIV >___> which if any of you play that please let me know what server you're on if it's an NA server. I'm specifically on Lamia (NA)
 
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone had been doing. I miss you all and I really hope to be back sooner rather than later. ;;

Hahaha what? Most uploaders are foreigners who buy the CD or mp3s from itunes. I've never seen any Japanese people coming here to post music, they rather don't share anything.

I tried to avoid getting involved in this one, however just to simply state my understanding of how it works:

I feel that overseas fans downloading music really doesn't effect their sales. (as stated quite a few times). As of right now, we're not really a target audience since money has not been spent to promote and distribute their goods. cds etc to overseas fans. The fact that some overseas fans even go out of their way to spend the money and buy a cd would be a bonus considering what was spent to only promote and distribute in Japan. Yes in the long run, cd and goods purchased in overseas countries will most certainly play a role in deciding a tour here or not. I don't see a bunch of uploads coming from sources in Japan, they're usually uploaded and shared through overseas fans anyway.

The one thing that annoys me most is the fact that people still pull the whole. "Well if you love the band so much you'll find a way to purchase their stuff." 
I'd like to address the fact that a large percentage of people in to visual kei overseas are teenagers who don't have the means to even buy themselves their own shampoo let alone a $40 album. Plus from personal experience, I could love a band as much as i want to but if it's between keeping my water on or making sure I have gas money to get to work and buying a cd... hell, sorry for being responsible but i'm going to choose to pay my bills. I won't have a damn thing to play that cd on if my electricity gets shut off. but at least it will look nice on the shelf. 

Another thing that was brought up was the numbers that fill the live houses this band plays at. I don't listen to Nocturnal Bloodlust so i don't have a solid opinion of their style. Regardless, whether people are downloading or not, if they like the band and have the money and are able to go see them, they'll go. Whether it be promotion and marketing, or the band just not really hitting home with their style choices... overseas downloads do not play a part in how successful they are in their own country. 

I'm not saying downloading music illegally is all A+ okay now, no. Every artist deserves the support and i can understand. I'd be pissed off too if someone started handing out something I spent a shit ton of money on and hard work and efforts to make to just anyone. I'd feel under appreciated for the amount of people who claim to like it. But it should be common sense with the way the industry is and how file sharing has been for YEARS before NB even formed. 

File sharing is and always will be there, so they need a game change because as stated somewhat before... NB has 99 problems and file sharing ain't one of them.

Well yes of course, by all means if you have the budget and save for things go ahead and buy the thing. But I mean in a generalization, a highschool student who doesn't have a job (majority here in the US) can't really be expected to have a budget to begin with. I mean yeah you have to work for the things you want but people use that statement "If you like it, buy it" like money grows on trees. Even as a college student, if the parents are putting you through college, which is thousands and thousands of dollars... I'd feel a little guilty asking them to buy me every release of all the bands I like. 
I myself don't even have the privilege to have supportive parents enough to put me through college so i work a full-time job and pay for classes out of pocket while maintaining a budget for rent, food, gas, and other necessary things for a stable life.
If you have a job, great. But what I'm saying is people have other financial priorities and in comparison to the economic state of a lot of countries, importing CDs and goods are expensive.

Vidoll hands down.

I still like Yomi's voice, but I just tend to like a lot of things a vast majority of people do not. 8'D I just think TABOO was a bomb. I'm not writing the band off completely, I think they just need a break since they've been having musical diarrhea and pooping out releases like their musical creativity was poisoned. That is all.

Most down to earth band i have had the pleasure of seeing so far on this journey of musics. 
Recommend to anyone.
 
edit: digitalbounce i will see you at one of their cali shows i know that for sure.

I'm still lurking ocassionally. Just really busy with life. so until everything settles, I won't be in chat or posting much. T_________T I'm not going away forever.

I agree with some of the prior comments in that not all vocalists are singers but all singers are vocalists. Meaning, "vocals" entail multiple vocal styles like screaming, yodeling, whistle register, singing, ect. "Singing" is a more specific and rigid term. So if you are calling someone a talented vocalist it is appropriate for all styles, but a talented singer would only be used by someone who sings in the general sense of the word. ((Even with all of that said, I've been known to say "singer" when I mean "vocalist" quite a lot due to laziness and general acceptance of the word "singer" also being used as a placeholder for "front-man" and other like terms.))
 
And I don't think one is any less prestigious than the other, the only way I pass judgement is if the performer is skilled or unskilled at their chosen vocal style.

CAT5 and I must know, so please.