Tetsu Takano 2nd solo album 「 all songs is lovesong 」released on April 14, 2023

[cardy]

Tetsu Takano is probably the most prolific ex-Malice Mizer member.
Through his various bands, he's released roughly an album every year since 1999.
Despite his countless projects, he has only released one solo album back in 2006 which were covers of nil songs.

That has changed with the release of his second solo album 「 all songs is lovesong 」



Stream the whole album here:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kug2VM1OoCu-y1Y9FSPFhG_ZbUYDsqbA0

More streaming / buying options here. I bought the album from Ototoy since you can purchase with paypal and not worry about foreign credit card issues.
https://linkco.re/8EbMtaAR?lang=en

Or buy the more expensive CD / book / acrylic stand bundle:
https://afro-skull.com/main/temae-miso-shop_top/

Here's a trailer / PV done by his go-to Director Toshihiko Imai:

The album is more acoustic than most of his previous work and it's in part because he wants to play these songs by himself.
This year he's embarked on a 50-date solo tour in celebration of him turning 50 back in December.
His birthday live on December 12th was partially uploaded to youtube. His 4 bands (nil, The JuneJulyAugust, The Black Comet Club Band, Disco Volante) played musical chairs swapping out drummers and keyboardist as each song in the set came from a different band.

 

[flowersofnight]

Kind of reminds me of the time Kazutoki Umezu recorded a whole album of him playing the saxophone live outside department stores and whatnot in Okinawa XD
Of course, for that we didn't have video of passers-by ignoring the whole spectacle XD The sad fate of all street musicians from subway pan-flute players up to international sensations.

It always surprises me to see how much of a big deal Tetsu is, relatively speaking. His own fan club, his own record label, touring full-time. I dare say he might actually be making a living as a musician.

Also, who is Toshihiko Imai? I could have sworn I just saw that name... somewhere... on the credits of something.

 

[cardy]

Toshihiko Imai is the director / photographer who Tetsu has been working with since the 2000 or so. He did all of the early nil videos and maybe some Zigzo videos here and there.
He's also is Kiyoharu's first pick when it comes to shooting PV's, concerts and documentaries and they've been working together since SADS.

https://www.instagram.com/toshihikoimai/
I don't know the work of Kazutoki Umezu and have to check him out. I actually got into this saxophonist Harutaka Mochizuki through this album which people might enjoy if they like Les Rallizes Dénudés:
https://nashazphone.bandcamp.com/album/s-t-2

Street musicians do live a hard life. Coming from New York, it's amazing how many people simply ignore musicians who probably spent 100's or 1000's practice their craft only to be ignored. I think the only time I really saw people stop and pay attention was when there was an armless guitar player doing magic with his feet.

The thing that puzzled me with Tetsu's EPK video was that he was in Taiwan where noone knew him and probably didn't understand him at all. I guess that was his point to just be completely ignored and be solo despite around him but I think it would've been funner to watch him gather a crowd playing spontaneously in a park in Tokyo.

In terms of his fanbase, at some live streaming concerts in recent years, they occasionally cut to the audience and as expected it looks like 95% woman who attend his shows. I'm never sure if this is an accurate representation or if guys at these shows just stand in the back?
He definitely is making a living as a musician which probably is why he releases and tours endlessly. I hope it just makes him more than breaking even. He really should've jumped into that crypto market while he had the chance

 

[flowersofnight]

I don't know the work of Kazutoki Umezu and have to check him out. I actually got into this saxophonist Harutaka Mochizuki through this album

Well, I'll say that their sax styles are nothing alike (at least going by that album) so I make no guarantees XD
"Doctor" Umezu is more of a jazz fusion kind of guy, he started out in the 70s and seems to have been travelling the world since then, picking up eclectic influences and collaborating with various foreigners.

The thing that puzzled me with Tetsu's EPK video was that he was in Taiwan where noone knew him and probably didn't understand him at all. I guess that was his point to just be completely ignored and be solo

I think sometimes that's the appeal, getting to start over and introduce yourself artistically to strangers. Like, he doesn't have to be "THE Tetsu Takano" for these people, he can be "A fun guy who does music".
You know, kind of like what Thailand is for Susumu Hirasawa. (though I still have my suspicions that they're just rolling that rich foreigner to some degree)

Coming from New York, it's amazing how many people simply ignore musicians who probably spent 100's or 1000's practice their craft only to be ignored.

"ALL RIGHT ERRYBODY, MY NAME IS TETSU TAKANO AND I AIN'T HERE SELLING CANDY FOR NO BASKETBALL TEAM, I'M JUST HERE TO GET A LITTLE MONEY IN MY POCKET AND STAY OFF THE STREET. ALL I HAVE IS STARBURST AND M&M PEANUT, ONE DOLLAR!"

He really should've jumped into that crypto market while he had the chance

What did Gackt say when his crypto got squashed?
Nothing, he just let out a little wine

 

[~Z e n c h o u~]

Seems to me like he's thriving and that makes me happy.
The album's sound isn't normally what I'd go for but it was very nice to casually listen to while I did some paperwork and office stuff at work the other day.

 

[cardy]

Well, I'll say that their sax styles are nothing alike (at least going by that album) so I make no guarantees XD
"Doctor" Umezu is more of a jazz fusion kind of guy, he started out in the 70s and seems to have been travelling the world since then, picking up eclectic influences and collaborating with various foreigners.


I think sometimes that's the appeal, getting to start over and introduce yourself artistically to strangers. Like, he doesn't have to be "THE Tetsu Takano" for these people, he can be "A fun guy who does music".
You know, kind of like what Thailand is for Susumu Hirasawa. (though I still have my suspicions that they're just rolling that rich foreigner to some degree)


"ALL RIGHT ERRYBODY, MY NAME IS TETSU TAKANO AND I AIN'T HERE SELLING CANDY FOR NO BASKETBALL TEAM, I'M JUST HERE TO GET A LITTLE MONEY IN MY POCKET AND STAY OFF THE STREET. ALL I HAVE IS STARBURST AND M&M PEANUT, ONE DOLLAR!"


What did Gackt say when his crypto got squashed?
Nothing, he just let out a little wine

Takano going to Taiwan with Imai might've been just a tax write off too.
Imai and Kiyoharu would often go on trips together to shoot music videos together in far away places like southeast asia or America. It would often just be the two of them. I guess I can't fault them, I'd probably do the same if I could call a vacation to a desert in California and filming a music video there:

Takano selling M&Ms isn't so far off.
His latest band Disco Volante released 2 albums last year and the only way to get it physically was if you bought it with a frisbee:
https://mongolian.shop-pro.jp/?mode=cate&cbid=503970&csid=32