Today's question
Is THIS the only known example of Halcali breaching the western mainstream airwaves?
That's Halcali playing out an episode of Adam and Joe Go Tokyo in 2003. The introduction is a bit patronising and the handclaps a bit annoying, but exposure is never a bad thing I suppose.
posted by jariten at 8:29 AM
13 Comments:
Gotta admit, the girls look so cute doing the moves still~
At least the guys have good taste in music to this extent :D
9:23 AM
This was my first exposure to Halcali and I will be eternally grateful to Adam & Joe-they are pretty funny guys too.
3:06 PM
It has to be said, I found out about Halcali via this show too.
6:49 PM
I have never heard of this show....never seen this clip before either.
When HALCALI BACON first came out there was a short blip about the album in the very widespread NewType USA magazine...
And the February issue of ShojoBeat magazine had a tiny blip about them. They were 'nominated' as one of the best Hip-Hop groups of 2005 in the magazine. But all it says is this:
Halca and Yucal's trademark laid-back rapping style garnered the remix treatment on this year's album 'Halcali Mix'.
I was actually really surprised to see the gals mentioned in such a tiny article with so few artists.
But that's all I know of HALCALI exposure in North America....not even a TV spot.
3:59 AM
To say there was a blip in a US magazine for a native Japanese band is quite good going; most of the british shit we get over here doesn't get past bristol, and rightly so. :-)
9:34 AM
There could be the anime opening scene some more which has proved sucessful to certain bands. But Halcali doesn't come cheap and they'd rather pay for bands that would do it cheaper. Plus anyone who had the money would rather pay for bands that definitely hit oricon (Take orange range & Bleach for example)
Rip Slyme got a sweet deal with Gantz (and they didn't even have to release a new single for it)
Well Halcali seems to have quite a bit of western coverage in a sense that they're not on the same status like Ayumi or such.
10:07 AM
I'm pretty surprised/pleased to hear that a couple of you got into H and Y through that show. It makes you wonder why Halcali haven't made a bit more of an impact outside of Japan, theres certainly a market for it, and i'd imagine a few journalists lining up with a "Japans newest sensation!" headline in their pockets.
The article almost writes itself- they've got the youth, the style, pop culture references and the connections (Rip Slyme (a couple of whom have already been there with Teriyaki Boyz), Fantastic Plastic Machine, Supercar, Yuki etc.).
There could be the anime opening scene some more which has proved sucessful to certain bands.
I'd like to see Eureka 7 keep its Japanese theme songs for the U.S release for that added slab of authenticity. Although I'm against TTT being the first Halcali song people hear...
1:01 PM
I'm against TTT being the first Halcali song people hear
Oh come on, it's not that bad.
While it may not have the expected HALCALI spunk, it's cute, lite and accesible. It's certainly a good gateway for people who haven't heard anything like HALCALI before.
I think, for a lot of people, if they were to just suddenly be thrown head first into some of HALCALI's songs they might be intimidated or put off.
And for those who get a negative effect from hearing Tip Taps Tip first, they can easily be shown what else the girls have to offer.
Besides, I kinda like Tip Taps Tip. :)
*I'm still thinking that TofuRecords might be inclined to release an upcoming HALCALI album for North America.*
7:04 PM
Utada's had the articles and still failed. The US music market still thinks Japanese music is obscure pop while their rapping is a bunch of kids fuelled by MTV (which could be true to some). But even if some artists get coverage, they tend to fade fast. Though Halcali could cruise the anime scene a bit - I have a feeling that they don't have the same otaku attracting abilities as some successful artists do. (the guy artists have to look like some visual kei band while the females have to be some sort of gravure model)
I'm as well the kind who wouldn't like TTT to be the first Halcali tune for people since Halcali has a vastly different style in general. TTT simply oozes of bad artificial J-Urban Heartsdales music. And it's the type of music people want Ayumi or Koda Kumi to be singing. Halcali can do better than that.
1:34 PM
The reason I wouldn't want people having TTT as their first exposure to Halcali isn't really to do with its quality. Its just not representative of what the band is or what they're really about. If I play someone Tandem and they don't like it, I think "they don't like Halcali". If I play someone TTT and they don't like it, I still won't know if they'll like them or not.
Obviosuly, Halcali wouldn't have a chance in the mainstream pop market, but theres no reason why Bacon shouldn't have been as easily available as, say, Pizzicato 5's Happy End of the World. Mostly for the reasons I listed above, with the odd journalist willing to stick their neck out for them, theres no reason why it wouldn't sell.
2:47 PM
And it's the type of music people want Ayumi or Koda Kumi to be singing. Halcali can do better than that.
They are better than that, and most peopl asume all japanese music is like ayumi or koda kumi, wich western artists tend not to like. Halcali on the other kind when gets exposure, is likable. Even halcali can't stop the language barrier that turns of the western audience though :(
12:55 AM
I'm another fan who first saw Halcali on Adam and Joe Go Tokyo, and I'm with you guys. Why hasn't any Halcali material been released over here in the UK?
Everyone I introduce to Halcali think they're great. Their videos are always good fun, and usually much more inventive than some of the tripe shown over here.
I think Halcali should come over to the UK and do a university tour. Pair that with a few tv appearances (Later with Jools Holland would be the best choice I think) and they'd definitely have a new audience.
Heck, they released Plus-Tech Squeezebox's first album here, surely it's time for some Halcali?
1:45 PM
Even halcali can't stop the language barrier that turns of the western audience though :(
While marketing Halcali in the west for mainstream chart sucess would'nt work (the language), as we know theres a large audience for J-pop for whom it would sell, and for whom the language would be part of the attraction.
There is basically no reason why Halcali Bacon should not be released in (say) the UK.
I've said this before, but the record practically sells itself. They're cute, they're stylish, they have great videos, great songs (if that still counts for anything) and importantly valid connections.
Release a best of, bring them over with Fantastic Plastic Machine...
Heck, they released Plus-Tech Squeezebox's first album here, surely it's time for some Halcali?
Exactly.
12:29 AM
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