The Future is Going to Rock!
As an English as a foreign language teacher, I find myself mid-pandemic with limited opportunities to travel abroad and teaching going primarily online only. Let’s face it, It isn’t always easy to feel optimistic about the future with all that is happening in the world right now. That is why I decided to write this blog about one of the most positive and prolific entertainers in the world, Yoshiki. His ability to turn tragedy into motivation is remarkable. He is definitely a star determined to shine in both the east and the west and he will do it through the creative mediums of music and the English language.
Yoshiki official blog Source, top image: Press release
It seems shocking that anyone would be unfamiliar with Yoshiki’s work. He is a major rockstar, composer, and songwriter from Japan. He is as big as David Bowie in his home country. Yet, here, in the west, he is not yet, a household name. If you are curious to learn more about Yoshiki, I recommend the following :
Exclusive Interview: Yoshiki Talks Hybrid Music, Uniting Generations, Giving Back and Staying Healthy The author does a great job introducing his lifetime of creative works, talents, and challenges.
Better still, watch the award winning Rockumentary We Are X. http://www.wearexfilm.com/
Watch the trailer!
What does this have to do with English as a foreign language? It has to do with Breakthrough!
It has everything to do with breaking through the language barriers of the east and west to deliver greatness. As Gene Simmons has noted, had X Japan been an American or western band, they’d be THE biggest and most famous band in rock N roll. Yet, in general, the west knows little about them or their creator Yoshiki.
What iconic rockstar Gene Simmons, of the band KISS says about Yoshiki and X Japan...
” I was first impacted by his presence. Then you dig under and you find what X Japan is all about – if they sang in English, this could be the biggest band in the world. By and large, Americans close their ears to anything not in English. That’s stupid because there’s some great music around the world that we should be listening to. You hear X Japan and you understand why they can play multiple dates in stadiums there.”
( Appleford, 2018)
I am one fan who is waiting in anticipation for the release of X Japan’s first album in 21 years! Yoshiki teases us that “This is the first X Japan album releasing toward the world market.” and if that was not amazing enough? He continues, “99% of the album will be in English.” ( Whitmore, 2018)
http://www.xjapanmusic.com
It is exciting to think about the potential for Eastern bands to break big in the west. I agree with Yoshiki, it is time for Rock to make a comeback.
“Rock never dies, it’s always there. Of course, there are trends. It’s about time for rock to come back. Coming from outside of the Western world, it stimulates my interest to go into that as a rock artist. ”
In my opinion, Yoshiki has a genius for predicting the future of musical evolution and expression. He is always striving for more. He keeps his musical optimism blazing, despite his personal challenges in mood and body. The authentic, tortured artist archetype, Yoshiki has a way of generating his passions into production on an epic scale. He does not let stumbling blocks be anything more than stepping stones towards greatness as an artist. Yet, he remains forever humble, and his own toughest critic.
A new wave in entertainment is gaining momentum.
East meets west is going to rock the future world, like never before!
We live in uncertain times and the pressure can seem overwhelming and limiting but when the breakthrough comes, the wave of creativity will wash in and clear a new path forward in global exchanges of music and entertainment.
English Starz will be there to ride that wave. We are set up to help entertainers and musicians write songs, navigate interviews, create media, and market themselves in English.
English Starz is your guiding light helping you reach the western shores of your creativity and celebrity. Let us help you make it to your destination.
We are ready, are you?
sources:
Appleford, Steve. “Gene Simmons, X Japan's Yoshiki Talk Harrowing New 'We Are X' Doc.” Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2018, www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/gene-simmons-x-japans-yoshiki-talk-harrowing-new-we-are-x-doc-122299/.
Nbt. “X Japan's Yoshiki ‘Think the New Album Is Coming Soon.’” JROCK NEWS, JROCK NEWS, 22 May 2020, jrocknews.com/2020/05/x-japan-yoshiki-new-album-coming-soon.html.
Whitmore, Laura B. “Exclusive Interview: Yoshiki Talks Hybrid Music, Uniting Generations, Giving Back and Staying Healthy.” Parade, 19 Nov. 2018, parade.com/717421/laurawhitmore/exclusive-interview-yoshiki-performs-a-classical-miracle-with-guest-sarah-brightman/.
