When your trying to sell your music in this day and age, it helps to get a little creative with your videos.
Urbangarde
Urbangarde first caught my attention last year with the release of their video for “Sakura Memento”, a song off the 2014 album Utsukushii Kuni. I’ve been rocking out to their music and pondering their quixotic videos in the many months since then, enjoying their mix of pop, rock, and electronic music. So when a chance meeting resulted in the opportunity to sit down and talk with the band’s vocalists Yoko Hamasaki and Temma Matsunaga, I nearly popped out of my skin with excitement!
If you’ve ever wondered how they come up with lyrics, why they’re so “negative,” and whether they enjoy touring or recording more, read on. Also, be sure to check out their latest video for the new single, “Coin Locker Babies”, after the jump!
It’s been a good few months for weird music videos, hasn’t it? With BABYMETAL, Avril Lavigne, and Die Antwoord all confusing us in good and/or bad ways (seriously, Avril?), it might seem like there’s no room for crazy music left in your head. But you’d be wrong, because today we have for you the most recent offering of the electro-pop-rock band Urbangarde. And the video isn’t just visually striking–the music is guaranteed to get stuck in your head for the next couple of days! It’s a problem we haven’t figured out to solve yet.
Though, we have to admit that we’re not trying very hard.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Lawson convenience stores sell a mega katsu sando, and there’s a hack to get it cheap in Japan
Cup Noodle maker Nissin teams up with thick-broth ramen chain for instant ramen rice[Taste test]
Hunter x Hunter teams up with Shimamura clothing chain for clothing and more treasures galore
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
History’s largest force of Samurai Colonel Sanders deploying to KFC Japan branches
KFC’s Colonel Sanders is becoming a samurai in Japan this week
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Weekly
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now- Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary- Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Family Mart releases huge range of cute sweets for Cat Day in Japan- Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Monthly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day- Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Hunter x Hunter teams up with Shimamura clothing chain for clothing and more treasures galore
Japan’s first all-matcha ramen restaurant is now open in Kyoto【Photos】
History’s largest force of Samurai Colonel Sanders deploying to KFC Japan branches
KFC’s Colonel Sanders is becoming a samurai in Japan this week
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
David Bowie’s Lazarus makes its debut in Japan, bringing his love for the country full circle
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
Swapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Sanrio Pompompurin purin custard pudding sweets sound doubly delicious, look like pooch bottoms
Japan has abolished advance deportation notifications to foreigners’ lawyers
Kyoto planning surprise late-night inspections of Airbnb-style rentals to fight overtourism
KFC Japan’s giant Colonel Sanders mobile battery ready to “receive everyone’s love in both hands”
-
