A few days ago Bandcamp suddenly announced that Bandcamp Friday will return from 2 September. After that, they will continue on 7 October, 4 November, and 2 December. Since 2020, Bandcamp Friday has been a way to support artists and labels that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. On these days, Bandcamp waived their revenue share meaning that there is more money for the artists and labels.
Since the return of Bandcamp Friday in the rest of 2022, this means that we will be highlighting a couple of Japanese artists and labels in an article. Do you want to know who we have highlighted in the past? Be sure to check to read our articles listed here.
Night Glory
Last month, we highlighted one of this band’s newest music videos. Since then, the alternative rock band Night Glory released their debut album, with the title if one mislaid, which is comprised of tracks that bridge the band’s history and present through shoegaze, pop, and piano-rock. Activities began in 2014, and as of the end of 2018, the current band lineup, which consists of four members, is still going strong.
TsuShiMaMiRe
Art punk rock trio TsuShiMaMiRe just finished a European tour and will soon release a live album, recorded during one of their shows in Germany. Their music is made of elements from different genres; rock, punk, garage, but also hip-hop and children’s songs. Over the period of 22 years, TsuShiMaMiRe released more than 13 albums and given about 1800 shows over the world.
GARUDA
The Bandcamp page of GARUDA hasn’t been up for that long, but you can find already some music from the industrial gothic side project of Yuffie Sakamura, including her first digital single, POSER. Recently she was in Europe for a performance at HYPER JAPAN Festival 2022 in London where she demonstrated why she is so loved.
せだい (Sedai)
Delirium, the debut album by the Tokyo-based four-piece Sedai, was released in June of this year and is comprised of 9 tracks with a roaring rock sound, melancholy, and husky, expressive vocals. The rock band was formed in 2018 and practises a wholly DIY approach to their work, from writing their own music to recording it at home to incorporating it into live performances.
Finch Liqueur Records
The person behind Finch Liqueur Records, Tomo Furukawa, also known as Full, can be seen as an all-rounder. He has been active in visual rock bands Guniw Tools, Nookicky, and Shilfee, writes song lyrics, composes and arranges music, plays various musical instruments, but is also active in stage design, costumes, props, as well as being a painter and sculptor. This label features several releases from projects he has worked on (in a way), including SPOOK JACK, the former vocalist of The Candy Spooky Theater.
It is good to know that on Bandcamp Fridays, an average of 93% of your money reaches the artist or label (after payment processor fees). On other days, an average of 82% reaches the artist or label. Who are you going to support on the upcoming Bandcamp Friday?
