I received these messages in my inbox overnight from Oorutaichi (who played live on my radio show in 2009) and from Shinji Masuko of DMBQ (who played WFMU's 2008 Record Fair and Joe Belock's show in 2005... Shinji also plays in the Boredoms now) and wanted to post them to WFMU's blog to help spread the word.
From Oorutaichi:
Hello, this is Oorutaichi. I hope you are fine.
I am sending this email to my small number of friends overseas.
As you already know, Japan is in a state of emergency due to the huge earthquake that hit the country last week. Various relief activities have started to take place right after the earthquake, and musicians are also becoming active in such activities.
I have been contemplating what I could do as a musician but I will start with what I can right now. I would be grateful if you could support from abroad the victims of the earthquake. I would like to introduce to you links to several international relief aid organizations and a call for donations/charity concerts by Shinji Masuko of the Osaka band, Boredoms.
I will also participate in a benefit concert on the 17th in Kobe. Ticket sales will be donated to the victims of the earthquake.
"Ima Iru Tokoro (Where We are Now)"
Mar. 17, open 19:00 start 19:30
Venue: Former Guggenheim residence, Kobe
Admission: 1000 yen
Acts: Tennis Coats / Ari Morimoto / Makoto Inada / Tetsuya Umeda / Oorutaichi & Ytamo / Fumiaki Nishikawa / Moon Mama / Futoshi Moriyama / and more
Thank you for your attention and for your support for the victims of
this disaster.
<Relief Aid Organizations>
Red Cross
Global Giving
Time Out Tokyo
If you wish to use paypal, you can send to my address below. I will make sure to donate all the money to the Japan Red Cross. oorutaichi@okimirecords.com
Sincerely,
Oorutaichi
From Shinji Masuko:
Its Shinji from DMBQ/Boredoms here.
I am writing to my friends who is living in US and other countries. As you know, Japan's most powerful earthquake since records began has struck the north-east coast, triggering a massive tsunami.
Fortunately I am OK because I am living in Osaka, but now the damage situation is gradually clarified. So many our friends, friend's of friend, friend's family, musicians, people who work in music venue, etc... a lot of people who we know were struck.
And communications are almost 100% down in northeast japan still. Friends who were staying in northern Japan to have a show etc,, can not come back to their home and now they are in the refuge where the acquaintance doesn't exist.
Plus, Tokyo's electricity will be cut off gradually from tomorrow. Even railway will be 50% running and now gasoline is almost empty in Tokyo, means Tokyo's economy will be down. The food scarcity has already started because the factory cannot operate. Please help them. Volunteer's acceptance has not been begun yet.
We want to send relief and condolence donation directly to people. And north-east Japan's music scene in future. Please send donation or organize benefits show in your town for them. Please Cc-ing this email to your artist friends too.
Please send donations via paypal:
dmbq@dmbq.net
Shinji Masuko DMBQ/Boredoms
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Posted by: james mcneiece | March 28, 2011 at 05:55 PM