Photo of the Month - January

Calexico & Iron and Wine, Osaka Club Quattro

Once again, Osaka served up a double-header that was too good to refuse. Whilst not in the Deerhoof/OOIOO league, this was still a decent gig and Calexico's brand of "mariachi-rock" managed to momentarily banish thoughts of the cold Kansai winter.

Deerhoof & OOIOO, Osaka Shangri-la

Two great bands in one great venue. This will go down as one of the greatest gigs of my life - so great that when I woke up the next morning, I was still shaking with adrenalin.

The Shangri-la is a funny little place and the overall image is one of Burlesque sleaze. The entrance is decked out with palm trees, chandeliers hang from the ceiling and the bands appear from behind and red stage curtain.

First up, OOIOO hammer us into submission with a relentless hour of tribal/funk/noise. We're also reminded that Yoshimi is possibly the coolest woman in Japan.

The great thing about Deerhoof's live set is that each individual member is equally fascinating and entertaining to watch. What diminutive vocalist/bassist Satomi Matsuzaka lacks in size she more that makes up for in energy and stage presence, guitarist John Deiterich flails at his axe whist displaying his full repertoire of bizarre facial expressions and Gregg Saunier drums so hard that he ends the set with blood pouring from a gash on his head - although, judging by how he plays, I doubt that this is the first that's happened.

Choo Choo Choo Choo Beep Beep!!!

Album Of The Year 2006

It was no contest really.

I've also enjoyed records by Lily Allen, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Camera Obscura, Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan, Cornelius, CSS, The Decemberists, Deerhoof, Maher Shalal Hash Baz & Bill Wells, Juana Molina, My Latest Novel, Nikaidoh Kazumi, Sufjan Stevens, Utada Hikaru, Tom Waits, Scott Walker, M.Ward and Yo La Tengo.

The Longest Day

On Friday morning we headed down to Hiroshima to spend the New Year with Miho's family. In an attempt to save money, we decided against taking the Shinkansen in favour of a succession of local trains, using the Seishun 18 Ticket.

The day started in a snowy Kyoto snow and ended, six trains and ten hours later, at Miyajima-guchi. The Seishun 18 also allows you to jump on and off trains at your leisure, so we stopped off and had lunch in Kobe's famous Chinatown.

Kyoko Kishida 1930-2006

This week Japanese cinema mourns the loss of Kyoko Kishida (pictured left, with Ayako Wakao), one of its best loved and unique talents.

Kishida starred for the likes of Ichikawa, Kobayashi, Masumura, Ozu and Shinoda, but is destined to be remembered for the eponymous role in Hiroshi Teshigahara's Woman of the Dunes (1964). This eery performance is one of the most terrifying and memorable that I have ever seen.

Advice For English Teachers In Japan

When a student informs you that her name is Yayoi, do not reply by saying 'Oh, like Yayoi Kusama'. It will probably be greeted with a look of utter bewilderment.