This week, we welcome Michael to the J-Cafe to have a conversation about Kumi Koda, an iconic pop star who pioneered ero-kakkoi with infectious bops and ballads. In this episode, we talk to Michael about his discovery of J-pop, general reflections about Kumi as an artist and what we like, and much more.

We also discuss this article by Yuki Watanabe in the Japan Studies Journal. Check this out if you want to read more about ero-kakkoi! The playlist for this episode can be found on Youtube Music.

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together.

You can follow the J-Café on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

If you are interested in being a part of the series and wish to talk about your favorite Japanese artist with JD, reach out via socials or email jdemieux91@gmail.com.

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)

This week, Zach returns to the J-Cafe to have a conversation about Fujii Kaze, a (hot) contemporary pop singer and musician who blends pop sensibilities with city pop, jazz, and classical music. We discuss several of his biggest hits that are our favorite songs, Kaze's choices in cover songs, his eclectic style, and much more!

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together.

The playlist for this episode can be found on Youtube Music.

You can follow the J-Café on Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

If you are interested in being a part of the series and wish to talk about your favorite Japanese artist with JD, reach out via socials or email jdemieux91@gmail.com.

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)

JD and Zach continue their conversation about Japanese singer-songwriter TOMOO, a contemporary piano-driven pop-rock artist. In this episode, JD and Zach dig deeper into the specific songs they love by this amazing artist!

The Japanese Music Café, or The J-Café, is a weekly podcast hosted by JD. We interview guests on their experiences and likes around Japanese music - pop, rock, hip-hop, rap, city pop - and dive into an artist's discography together.

The playlist for this episode can be found on Youtube Music.
For last week's TOMOO episode playlist, you can find it there as well.

You can follow the J-Café on Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube at @japanesemusiccafe

If you are interested in being a part of the series and wish to talk about your favorite Japanese artist with JD, reach out via socials or email jdemieux91@gmail.com.

Intro Song: "anime" by suportedsilvax2000 (Pixabay)