Metropolis Podcast number 706 release date, October 5th, 2007. Beau Miller feature, mix masters the art of bartending. Chris Betros on pop star Leah Dizon. Stacy Powell from the Tokyo Comedy Store. Don Morton is at the movies, Tokyo Dan is back with another jindies track. Dan Grunebaum looks at the Tokyo Fringe Festival. The Metpod is an audio companion to Metropolis magazine, and is brought to you by American Airlines
“She’s the new Cinderella of Asia.” That’s how photographer-of-the-stars Leslie Kee describes 21-year-old J-pop beauty Leah Dizon, whose face has been gracing the covers of Japan’s leading magazines, including Weekly Playboy — a cover Kee himself shot in Okinawa. The two just returned from a two-week photo shoot in Kenya for Dizon’s new book, Heaven. Kee told us the concept is to “discover heaven on Earth through Dizon’s beauty and [through] my eyes.” Born in Las Vegas, the new idol has “always dreamed of becoming either a J-pop or K-pop star,” says Kee, and owes her exotic looks to a Filipino/Chinese father and American mother. Hear Kee bring us up to date about Dizon in MetPod #704.
Metropolis Podcast number 705 release date, September 28th, 2007. Oscar Johnson looks at the issue of labor unions in Japan. Chris Betros talks about his meeting with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Don Morton savors the cinema and picks apart the movies with relish. Tokyo Dan plays a listener request from the Plastic Soul Band. Richard KImber has the Last Word, air guitar and hot dog eating competitions. The Metpod, an audio companion to Japan’s number one English magazine, Metropolis.
It’s a hit! Joey Carbone has written more hit songs for Japanese artists than any other foreign talent — save for members of The Beatles. Quite a statement! Carbone has scored chart-toppers with such J-pop phenoms as Kat-tun, Eichichi Yazawa, SMAP and Aya Matsuura, to name but a few. The prolific composer, who honed his skills under the tutelage of legendary Aretha Franklin producer Arif Mardin, was recently hobnobbing backstage at a Crystal Kay concert with lyricist Kiyo Tsurumi. The pair collaborated on Kay’s encore smash “Dream World,” which skyrocketed to #1 on Space Shower TV. Carbone explains some of the secrets of his songwriting success together with Tsurumi in MetPod #703.
Metropolis Podcast number 704 release date, September 21st, 2007. A humorous look at the classifieds with staff at Metropolis HQ. The Agenda with Mai Shoji. Feature on Japanese fashion. Chris Betros is behind the wheel. Kevin Cooney’s IMHO. Last Word with Max Woodworth. Tokyo Dan has his weekly Jindies tune.The Metpod, an audio companion to Japan’s number one English magazine, Metropolis.
“‘Kawaii’ is ever-popular in Japan, but is not what it takes to become a Miss Universe contestant,” explains Ines Ligron. Ligron, national director of Miss Universe Japan, is looking for ladies with more international beauty, like the previous two winners she’s trained, 2006 runner-up Kurara Chibana and the winner of the 2007 contest, Riyo Mori (left). Miss Mori was the first winner from Japan in 48 years, and is currently in NYC fulfilling her duties. If you or someone you know has what it takes for the 2008 competition, download and fill out an application form at www.missuniversejapan.com.
Metropolis Podcast number 703 release date, September 14th, 2007. Feature: True Believers, With the opening of a new mosque in Yokohama, Japan’s Muslim community is branching out. Can locals learn to coexist with a misunderstood and stigmatized religion? We interview author Ayako Mie in part 2. Mai has more tips on what to do in Tokyo. Q and A with Jett Edwards Founder and Vice-President of Mighty Mobile. Guest reading of the Small Print by Planet Japan’s Amy and Doug. Kevin Cooney brings his unique brand of humor with a look at women only trains. Tokyo Dan has another Jindies song to check out. The Metpod, an audio companion to Japan’s number one English magazine, Metropolis.
Metropolis Podcast number 702 release date, September 7th, 2007. How easy is it to land in a Japanese jail? Find out what happens behind bars in part 2, we have an exclusive interview with feature writer Paul C. J. Green. Mai Shoji has the Agenda and other happenings, Kevin Cooney from the Tokyo Comedy Store brings his own brand of commentary, and Don Morton is at the movies. The Metpod, an audio companion to Japan’s number one English magazine, Metropolis.
“Let’s take a bath together.” That’s what Joy Dragland (right) suggests hot couples do to keep cool during the mushi atsui days of summer. Dragland has been delighting listeners by making this suggestion, in song, during radio interviews while touring with Joy and the Boy recording partner Leo Sidran. The NYC-based duo returned to promote their CD, Soaking Wet, which is named after the opening track, on which Dragland amorously and seductively coos for us to get naked and share a bath with the one we love.
Metropolis Podcast number 701 release date, August 31st, 2007. Mai Shoji is in the Agenda seat as we reflect and say thank you to Suzy Newsy who is busy with Spinshell TV. Check out Kevin Cooney from the Tokyo Comedy Store as he relates his Japan experience. Don Morton goes to all the movies so you don’t have to.The Metpod, an audio companion to Japan’s number one English magazine, Metropolis.