Bonsoir, lovely Michelle and Laurent!
I met these friendly folks on the streets of Shibuya a couple weeks back, who hailed from France’s northeastern region of Grand Est, the city of Metz, famous for gardens and leafy promenades along the Moselle and Seille rivers. I learned that this 3000 year-old city, which I’d very much now like to visit, is also famed for its gothic cathedral that, according to Michelle and Laurent, is flooded with light from more stained glass windows than any other place in the world, many made by noted artists. Wow! That must be quite a site!
Michelle and Laurent were on their 2nd visit to Japan, traveling here to visit their daughter who is studying at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University also know as APU, and Japan’s leading international university. Located in Beppu, (very famous also for luxurious onsen hot springs), Michelle and Laurent planned to hit Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and a few other places before rendezvousing with their daughter on the western island of Kyushu, in Ōita Prefecture where Beppu is, so I managed to catch them on their Tokyo leg.
We talked about the records they scored, music in general, the record store scene in Metz, including a shop called “La Face Cachée” (Translation: “The Dark Side”) and about they have their own label on which they produce and release their own bands including Japanese idol heavy metal (AKA “Kawaii Metal”) band, Necronomidol from Tokyo! COOOL! Laurent also hipped me to an interesting tidbit that many Japanese promoters, back in the day, would often require a LIVE record as part of the deal of bringing western bands to Japan, which helped spawned the “Live in Japan” and “Japanese Exclusive” craze that still exists to this day. Fascinating!
Great to meet you Michelle and Laurent – safe travels, have fun with your daughter, and hope to meet again!
More Tokyo Record Style on the way…
Queen – Jazz
Label: Elektra – P-10601E
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Promo, Gatefold
Country: Japan
Released: 1978
Genre: Rock
Style: Hard Rock, Classic Rock
https://www.discogs.com/release/6186184-Queen-Jazz
Love – Four Sail
Label: Elektra – EKS-74049, Elektra – EKS 74049
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Pitman Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: Rock
Style: Psychedelic Rock
https://www.discogs.com/release/1124776-Love-Four-Sail
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