MONKEY MAJIK NEW SINGLE HERO

MONKEY MAJIK have today released their eagerly anticipated first single of 2012. Entitled "HERO", it comes as their second release since the devastating Tohoku disaster of March last year, which affected heavily the band's hometown of Sendai. It struck them hard and their music has reflected this strongly, aiming to look forward, stay positive and rebuild. After releasing their beautiful single "Headlight" in October, they enter 2012 hoping to make it a better year than the last for all, and "HERO" is the first step. The new single includes an all-English version too, drawing out the hero in all of us, with the song fittingly tied up with the Japanese Red Cross' blood donation campaign. Featuring not much more than the mellow sounds of the piano and acoustic guitar, it's a touching track which encapsulates their feelings as a band very powerfully.

Through the year, they will continue their volunteering work, reach out further through their SEND-AI project, as well as going on a Japan tour running from May to July. Plus, it was revealed yesterday that their next album, the 7th original LP, is now completed and will be given the name "Somewhere Out There", with its release set for March 7th - a now significant week for the nation. There's also news about Blaise's next solo album from The Alphabet Project, which can be expected later this year too. Stay tuned for the latest information first on my MONKEY MAJIK Page.

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The US Embassy Tokyo hosted an event last month for a youth programme they organised for those affected by the Tohoku disaster. They invited Blaise Plant and will.i.am from MONKEY MAJIK and Black Eyed Peas respectively, to show support and raise awareness. To have such huge idols promoting together, it's quite significant.

The pair hadn't met previously before, but they were asked to perform on stage at the event, and this video was uploaded today, full footage of the improv performance. And wow it's special. Not only is it a unique and spontaneous collaboration, but the product is sublime. Blaise knocks out the riff for the MM song "watching you" and after a verse or two, will.i.am enters with some impressive freestyle. It's almost ten minutes of musical joy.

PUMA FOOTBALL BRINGS JAPAN TOGETHER

Puma have launched their new campaign "Puma Football. Brings Japan Together." Football in the disaster-struck nation has had a huge effect over the last couple of years, with both the men and women reaching great success on the international stage, which has consequently made the sport and its players front page news.

This week, Puma released the TV commercial for their all new Powercat 1.12 boot, fitted with the latest technologies for a good grip to enhance shooting power. It features many Japanese household names, including national team captain Makoto Hasebe. It's very encouraging to see all forces of the industry working to make Japan closer and stronger.

PALLADIUM PRESENTS TOKYO RISING

Directed by Thalia Mavros, Palladium Boots has hooked up with Pharrell to present a film focusing on Tokyo post March 11. I think the "Tokyo Rising" project was unveiled in September but I've just stumbled across it today and it's definitely worth a watch. They've split it into five parts but I've got the full length film embedded below. Some of the things that are said, by various artists and designers including VERBAL, really reflect upon the effects of the disaster well, and the film as a whole showcases the Japanese people's strength and desire to stay united and to progress forward. It also looks in depth at the way in which our nation's culture has been and is being shaped to become something so originally 'Japanese', and how it will develop following the disastrous series of events. This is a wonderful piece that I think captures the essence of Japan's budding creatives, our movement and our nature.

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British artist Luke Jerram has created this sculpture representing the 9.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Tohoku Japan in March. Using CAD, he has taken 9 minutes of readings from the seismograph and interpreted it into a piece of contemporary 3D art. It's quite a visually beautiful structure and it's unbelievable to think that the subject matter it is recording brought such disaster to a beautiful country.

The piece will be presented as part of the Terra exhibition in London's Jerwood Visual Arts gallery, which opens on November 9th. The exhibition explores "the relationship contemporary sculpture practice shares with the environment and landscape beyond the gallery itself."

MONKEY MAJIK NEW SINGLE HEADLIGHT

It's been a little while since my boys MONKEY MAJIK released their latest work. But of course, since then, a lot has happened to the band, all stemming from one earthquake off the coast of North-East Japan. Basing themselves in Sendai, they were hit by the strongest forces felt across the country and the effects were disastrous. But they've led in helping rebuild their community by actively volunteering, supporting and promoting its return to what was normal months ago.

So the new single released today (because it's now tomorrow in Japan (if that makes sense)) titled "Headlight" is written from their emotion and experience from these events and how they feel as a group. It's also been fittingly used as the tie up theme song for a Tohoku charity project too. The tune is proper feel-good and loving, sure to bring tears for all of us affected by the disaster of March. Straight from the heart, it's all about looking up and moving on - "it's never gonna bring me down".

They released a short version PV earlier this month up until the first chorus which you can watch here. The old man is sweet. The single is available on CD now accompanied by a piano version of the track as well as a B-side. The band have been working on their music for some time recently so I'm hoping there's more to follow soon. It's great to have them back anyway.

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This was kindly recorded and posted by YouTube user ksasumisu which I just found. This is MONKEY MAJIK member Blaise Plant performing at the Japan Festival in Ottawa, Canada. Video may be shaky but the audio is great so if you're reading this kusasumisu, thank you.

Blaise has been back to his family in Canada for a couple of weeks now, having spent the last 4 or 5 months volunteering in Sendai, promoting support through MONKEY MAJIK, and of course writing some songs. He released a charity solo single called "Take My Hand" back in April and this is an acoustic performance from the festival, I think just yesterday. Thought I'd share it, it's nice.

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Back in June, MTV did Video Music Aid Japan 2011 inviting the likes of Lady Gaga, Tokio Hotel and MONKEY MAJIK to perform in support of the disaster that Japan has been struggling through. I bring this up again now because MTV Music are broadcasting a highlight show tonight for viewers in the UK, which I think is fantastic. They aired it for the first time at 2am on Saturday morning, but tonight's 10pm slot is a little more accessible I reckon.

Of course, I'd watched some performances on YouTube already, but I saw English indie band One Night Only light up the stage only just yesterday. The guys rocked their uplifting collaboration number with Coca Cola, "Can You Feel It", and it was really quite inspiring, a perfect choice of song for the event. Lead vocalist George Craig threw in some supportive lyrics in Japanese throughout and I just thought that was brilliant. I think they embodied the spirit and encouragement that was the whole purpose of this year's VMAJ, it was a touching performance.

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SEND-AI. A simple play on words by Blaise Plant of MONKEY MAJIK which represents the band's charity live event in Osaka yesterday, where they performed along side other Sendai-based artists to 'send love' and raise awareness for what Japan has been going through over the last few months. Their performance follows on from their appearance at MTV's VMAJ just last week and it was actually the world's second most watched event live on Ustream. I was one of them having woken up at half six on Sunday morning here in London and what a fantastic show it was.

Guest artists included Gagle, SOUL ADDICTION and Rake, local Japanese artists making hip hop, jazz fusion and acoustic songs respectively. MONKEY MAJIK played a set in front of a crowd of 3000 which was full of emotion, fun and a sense of unity. It was beautiful to watch as they played tune after tune of pure goodness.

Though the show will be broadcast on MTV Japan in August, I've not found any videos put up already for us who won't be able watch that but I'll have a scout and update the MONKEY MAJIK page accordingly. They say this was only the first of the band's support for the cause through their music so I eagerly await what's to come next.

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MTV's VMA Japan this year became Video Music Aid Japan, inviting guests from Japan and the rest of the world to perform and give messages in support of the country's recent devastations. Artists including MONKEY MAJIK, Tokio Hotel and Lady Gaga were on stage singing for Japan, while speakers included VERBAL who presented the first performance of the packed event.

The event was an opportunity for the country to become one in their hope and support through the art of music. Still a long journey to go for things to be as they were but Japan must stay strong. Nice one MTV.

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Uniqlo's Save Japan range I posted about before are finally ready to go on sale. Working with Vogue and GQ, they've brought ten inspiring t-shirt designs with collaborations from the world's top celebrities.

The devastating effects of the events three months ago are still being felt. In fact, just yesterday an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 hit the Tohoku region, where clearing efforts and rebuilding works are ongoing daily with the help of volunteers both local and from afar. This t-shirt range comes at great timing, reminding the rest of the world not to forget. They go on sale in stores worldwide tonight at just £12.99 a piece. Pick your favourites and wear them with heart.

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Today, Japan-loving indie group Tahiti 80 will be performing at their benefit concert in Paris. Wicked.

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Fine words by VERBAL for Hypebeast. A huge platform for awareness taken advantage of, lots of kudos to the guys there. Nice shout out to MONKEY MAJIK too.

In this interview, VERBAL highlights a lot of points that I can relate to, probably as with everyone else who feels connected to Japan in one way or another. I've been trying to do what I can as a young Japanese student living in London, and I certainly had a struggle in trying to balance the scale and gravity of the situation, the willingness to help, and the enjoyment of meeting amazing new people, arranging fun creative events.

But Japan will be better off sooner. It's ok to move, to be active. It's not inappropriate at all - in fact it's quite the opposite, there is no better time to. The situation in the Tohoku region is still pretty tough with the survivors living in difficult conditions. Within that, however, communities are helping one another, volunteers have come to assist and the country is slowly rebuilding. There's still so much to do, it's all in the present. "Do your thing."

Perseverance and Change.

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This was just brought to my attention.

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Uniqlo have unveiled their Save Japan! UT range, supported by Vogue and GQ, releasing 10 t-shirts with words from global celebrities, including Orlando Bloom, Lady Gaga and Victoria Beckham. With proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross Society and a target of ¥100,000,000 set, it looks like a brilliant project to aid the victims from the earthquake and tsunami. Available in unisex sizes, they launch on June 25th so pick your favourite and get one.

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MONKEY MAJIK have been busy working to help rebuild the worst hit areas in the Tohoku region. Today, Maynard, tax and DICK have been in Ishinomaki, Miyagi. It's evident from their photos that there is still much work to be done. Support is ongoing and those affected still need our help more than ever. Both Maynard and Blaise are tweeting daily with the latest first-hand updates, so you can follow if you're interested.

Also, anyone notice Mayn rocking the MM10 tee I bought last week. Yeah man!

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Been up for almost a month now but I only just found this. Amazing. Kudos to Kylie and Verbal.

"We extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all who have been affect ed by the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, and we truly hope for the recovery as soon as possible. Let's all help rebuild the country together!! This col laboration single "We Are One" was especially written deep from our hearts thinking about everyone in the Tohoku regions. We'd strongly like to continue supporting for the future of Japan."

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Belgian tailor Dries Von Noten has collaborated with Tomorrowland to produce this bold tee in aid of Japan's terrible disaster. "The T-shirt's design refers to a roaring optimism, a Phoenix-like sun that rises on a new day." Wicked.

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Last month, London based luxury designer Hackett announced that these limited polo shirts would soon be on sale with full proceeds being donated to the Relief Fund set up by the UK Japan Society. And today, they have arrived. An elegant polo shirt, embroidered with the sakura cherry blossom and the word "Hope" in Japanese and English, both symbols representing belief of a positive outcome after the tragic events in the Tohoku region. The shirt is a tailor-made cotton polo made with exceptional quality and style. Available in white and the pictured navy blue

Great to see big international names continuing to show their support for the devastating acts of nature that occurred two months ago in Japan.

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Scandinavian brand Georg Jensen had teamed up with Ambush Design - a Tokyo design collective run by VERBAL, known for Teriyaki Boyz, m-flo and also now as a solo artist and producer with his recent debut album "Visionair" - to produce a collaborative time piece. The Ambush collab will be a special edition pendant of their Koppel watch.

With this news from late last year, it's been announced today that 100% profits will be heading to Japan's Tohoku region in aid of the earthquake and tsunami. They're now available online. At $600.. They are however super cool.

"A young heart turns back the hands of time."