Female Visual Kei Band Exist†Trace Performs for 3000 Fans at Sakura-Con 2011
April 28, 2011 - All-female Japanese visual kei/metal band exist†trace made their USA debut at Sakura-Con last Friday, April 22, performing to 3000 fans at the annual Japanese anime and culture festival in Seattle, Washington.
exist†trace performed songs from their latest album TWIN GATE, as well as older fan-favorites including "Judea" and "Ambivalence," plus the title track from their upcoming major-label debut "TRUE". In the middle of the set, vocalist Jyou set aside her trademark growls to perform "Cradle," the ballad from TWIN GATE, adding a surprise verse spoken entirely in English.
For their encore song, the band returned to the stage carrying Japanese and American flags with the Japanese kanji "kizuna" ("bond") written across each. Jyou gave a heartfelt speech in Japanese about the bond between the nations of America and Japan, and thanked America for its support during the current Japanese national crisis brought about by March 2011's earthquake and tsunami.
Immediately after Friday night's concert, the band signed autographs for 90 minutes and invited fans to contribute to Japan Relief and sign their own messages on the American flag. On Saturday, the members met fans for a Q&A session followed by more autographs, and then personally arrived at the exist†trace booth on Sunday to draw the winning name for a 6-foot signed banner. The winning ticket holder had travelled 700 miles from Idaho to see the band perform their first American live show.
Set List:
JUDEA
VANGUARD
-MC-
TRUE
Ambivalence
Requiem
-MC-
Cradle
-MC-
Orleans no Shoujo
DECIDE
liquid
-MC-
Owari no nai Sekai
(Encore) RESONANCE
PROFILE
exist†trace is one of Japan's first all-female Visual Kei rock bands. Formed in 2003, the members of exist†trace are Jyou (vocals), Miko (guitar), Mally (drums), Naoto (bass), Omi (guitar).
Along with multiple tours of Japan , exist†trace has performed twice in Europe, making appearances in Berlin, Helsinki, Moscow, Paris, London, and Barcelona. In 2009, the band performed at the 2-day V-ROCK FESTIVAL in Chiba, Japan.
In November 2010, exist†trace released their new album "TWIN GATE" in Japan, followed by the USA release of "TWIN GATE" in December 2010.
exist†trace 's performance at Sakura-Con 2011 was their first USA appearance.
exist†trace appeared by arrangement with JapanFiles and Loopline.
LINKS!
exist†trace official website: http://www.exist-trace.com
exist†trace on JapanFiles: http://www.japanfiles.com/existtrace
VIDEO!
exist†trace - "RESONANCE" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df-CNiOjWvs
exist†trace - "VANGUARD" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_HxOpV9n9w
ABOUT JAPANFILES:
Supporting Japanese artists since 2004, JapanFiles specializes in digital sales, merchandise, events, and media promotion for indie and major Japanese music artists. Music downloads at the JapanFiles Digital Music Store are DRM-free and only 99 cents each.
JapanFiles has sponsored Japanese artist appearances at Sakura-Con, Anime Boston, A-Kon, FanimeCon, Tekkoshocon, Anime Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Media Expo, Anime Vegas, Animex (Mexico), SXSW, Slim's (San Francisco), and Knitting Factory (New York City).
JapanFiles has produced over 20 USA CD releases for Japanese artists, including High and Mighty Color, exist†trace , girugamesh, Onmyo-za, LM.C, Morning Musume, Hangry & Angry, Berryz Kobo, ketchup mania, Swinging Popsicle, LiN CLOVER, Budo Grape, BESPA KUMAMERO, and three volumes of the “Fresh Cuts from Japan” compilation series.
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