the thing about shooting music videos as indie artists

Would you support indie artists?

In the times where anybody can post some footage inside their bedroom on youtube that could be a potential big hit, we as indie artists still thrive to make artistic quality videos.

I am currently working on a PR video of my live performance, and a new music video of my first dance tune 'So Much Love Osaka Dance Mix', so please look forward to them, people! (You can check out the song #8 on Reverbnation here.)

From Left; Kaori(make-up artist), DeAngelo(Cinematography),
TOMOKO, Jesse James Jackson(Director), Tomoha(stylist)

I have been so fortunate to make 2 knock-out music videos since I moved to NYC from Japan. I hope ya'll have seen my latest video 'PROMISE' as a tribute to my homeland Japan. I wrote this song about keeping the faith through my own struggle as a promise to the most high. Right after we shot the music video, the biggest Tsunami and earthquake in the history hit Japan. 

TOMOKO and Rashid Lanie(on keyboards)

The director, Jesse and I decided to treat it as a tribute, and we added the poem both in Japanese and English in the intro.



I cannot thank Jesse enough for understanding the clear vision of my song, and putting his tremendous energy and time in order to embody that vision as a beautiful art. Thank you and I love you for that forever, Jesseeeee! 

And all his crew and my friends who came through to sit in as an audience to support me and share those magical unforgettable moments with a huge production using a tally(professional term for a moving ladder for shooting from higher points in the air)

We had a blast!

And of course, we must always finish 
and celebrate with some good sushi!

@ GOWASABI in Astoria, Queens NYC

                             (Haven't seen the video yet? OK then right here!)

The thing about shooting music videos is it's like a marriage of music and films.

We perform our music as a singer, rapper or musician, and also act as an actor to a small degree, so we get to enjoy both worlds.

Make-up, wardrobe, casting, settings, locations, lighting and ambiance are all vital elements, and it is up to a director to capture great angles and moments before putting them all together and edit them down.


I wrote my first single 'Love Me' for all the guys out there who have fantasies about Asian women. 

For real. lol

So I wanted it to be natural and sexy, and we shot at the beach in one September afternoon in NYC, and the sun was on my side, shining so golden.
Thanks to the directors; Steven and Victor, 4 takes was all it took with no gimmicks.
We edited together all day till midnight for 4 days in a row, I will never forget.

TOMOKO with Mr.Dance in the tub??

Recently I was a part of someone else's music video in Las Vegas.
It is a hot new single coming up soon, mixed with reggae, Latin and dance music by Skip Martin; the lead singer of the legendary Dazz Band, featuring Prince Amma.
I cannot give out any details of how it goes yet until it is released, but these photos might give you some idea..?? 

TOMOKO with notorious Prince Ama??

The thing about shooting music videos.
It makes you go wild?? since we are all performing and acting??

No I can't say who it is, she might kill me..

My dear friend, gifted rapper and poet in NYC, U'Kno The Don wanted to have an Asian girl in his new music video, so I sent a couple of my Japanese home girls to the shoot.
Both of them are very shy and reserved, and to my big surprise, one of the ladies showed such a wild side after the make-over and turned into.. I mean, wow, I cannot even realize it was her, it's like 180 degrees different person!






Here's U'Kno The Don: 

Those are the things about shooting a music videos..


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This blog was written by TOMOKO.
More info on the author, here.
TOMOKO's blog about Japan, here.

VIVA LAS VEGAS!

Happy Holidays To You All!
Finally this spiritually-evoking 2012 is here.
I pray that we will make a difference in our lives bringing more love and conscience to the Planet Earth instead of hate and ignorance.

After 13 years of tears and sweat in New York City(I will always love YOU!), God sent me to Las Vegas for a reason.
These photos will give you a sneak view of how life in a desert could be so peaceful and soul-satisfying.
Enjoy my personal photo journey!(mostly taken on my iPhone!)

You would think of Casinos and gambles when you think of Las Vegas, right? Nope, the strip is only a 4-mile stretch where tourists gather. Once you get outside of the strip, it is such a beautiful and peaceful residential community!

Sin City? Where? 
We are surrounded by mountains, sunny comfy weather all around(though the summer can get a little too much..) with 180 degrees beautiful blue sky.

Many houses and apartments are equipped with a pool.
My friend's house has a bar and hammock at their backyard.

My roommate's grandsons, cutie pies, playing around.

My new pet-mate,        

                                                  'Pearl' is a sweet girl..


I love this tropical look of the shopping mall by the Tropicana Avenue.

I can see the whole strip in the center of Las Vegas from where I live, that is about 15 minutes away by car.
I got some business to take care of in the day, and we are driving toward it.










You want to go out at night?? OK OK then.. Yes there are so many fabulous entertainment, live music, clubs and hotels!

Ceasers Palace, huge, where Celine Dion still performs.
I have seen her there in 2008, what a spectacular show she's been pulling, it can't be better than that.

Belagio is right next to it.

On our way to see Carrot Top at Hotel Luxor's, 

I love its big Sphinx architecture.

He was hilarious!! What a genius he is! I took many great shots on my iPhone, not knowing that the security had been watching me only to force me to erase them all after the show, yak! In this YouTube age, who cares??? 

So many gorgeous hotels with over-the-top decos and free valet service, I love it!

At the club in the hotel Arie, pretty dancers on the bars make it more colorful and tasteful..

Inside the Playboy Club on the 50th Floor of the hotel Palms.

What a fantastic view!

Across the street is the Ghost Club, even higher, 55th Floor.

I was invited to see the show by the great entertainer, Bobby Wilson, the son of the legendary Jackie Wilson.

I enjoyed my first live performance in Las Vegas, it was for XRadio new talent series 'Break That Single' to showcase original songs of hot indie artists @ Freakin' Frog.
Here I am singing 'Hold On', because those dark days will not last forever..

XRadio is one of the longest-running internet radio show with 7,000 listeners world-wide.

So many gifted artists are right here!!

w/Donte Love, a singer songwriter and gifted musician(left), and w/P Wil, another smash singer songwriter(right)

Skip Martin is a co-host with DJ Rejj on XRadio.biz on every Wednesday 6-8pm(western time).

I had so much fun appearing as a featured guest artist with them on December 21!

 Cd Palmer is the CEO, only few black guys wear a cowboy hat..

 DJ Rejj Smooth in the house! He is really SMOOTH..

Also from NY, thank you to DJ Nateski for playing my house tune 'So Much Love Osaka Dance Mix'!

For your information, Skip Martin is the one and only lead singer of the Dazz Band, and also Cool&The Gang back to back. Yo'll know one of the best funk uptempo tune 'Let It Whip'!!! 

This tune 'When' with a significant message is from one of his solo projects, which music video was shot in Las Vegas.

'Vegas Underground' is an XRadio's new project brought by Skip Martin, who also is a prolific trumpet player, to explore the magic of jazz live improvisation created by the finest musicians in Vegas, who perform for Blue Man Group, Chris Angel, and Sly&the Family Stone, etc.. 

Please support the value of indie artists and simply enjoy the quality of the music we create! 
Join now and tune in at: XRadio.biz!!!  


Here is a special holiday greeting from Skip Martin from his home via Vegas for his fans! 

I am going to leave you with my latest and special insightful poem, the message that my soul has called me to write about one morning.. 

- LIFE IN A DESERT -

Written by TOMOKO

Reaching the light

It cannot haste

It's an endless quest

To find the key to your soul

In your thirst and despair

The very thing you want taken away

You must see the perfection

A sunflower in your heart might save your day

Lies the meaning of your life

Traveling far and out

Just to hear it say welcome home

It's been lost

But it's always been there

Never mind how long it takes

As long as you are moving forward

One tear drop can satisfy

The sun may be too strong

But do not be blind

Behold the truth, with no clue

To your insatiable hunger

How many miles you have walked

How deep you have fallen

It makes the journey worthwhile

The reason why you came here for

Counterparts, undesired events

Don't be scared to get caught

Endless fight to the higher place

Keep going, keep searching

Desire will never overshadow

Only to be found

The Fountain of your Life..

For more info on the author TOMOKO, here.

To read her blog on Japan, here.

PREMIER OF TOMOKO'S TRIBUTE TO JAPAN 'PROMISE' MUSIC VIDEO

TOMOKO 4 Japan

The Premier of the Tribute to Japan ‘PROMISE’ 

Music Video was held @ Greenwich House Music School 

on October 12, 2011.

I am thankful, and I was moved by getting 

the standing ‘O’ at the end of my live performance..

Thank you all for your love and support!

Without fans, artists are nothing.

This classy music school in the heart of West Village 

in NYC has beautiful retro yet hip ambience;

the backyard, music rooms, and the concert hall

with the two grand pianos on the stage.

Thank you for my comedian buddy, 

the hilarious JAY for holding it down with MC.

Jay and I are about to

go on the stage..

              Jay's homeboy, the comedian  

from Haiti, G Unique , also hit the stage.

The publicist, Debra Dixon from Light of Gold PR, spoke to everyone about the significance of my project 

‘TOMOKO 4 Japan’. 

                          

        My friend said I was a true DIVA..lol

They said I stimulated the hearts, mind and souls of the audience spiritually, emotionally and intellectually.

But I could not have put all my heart into my music

without those finest star musicians in NYC!        

   

   Thank you to my musical director, 

fabulous pianist and producer, Darin Willington! 

And his crew, Chris Morgan (guitar), 

Dominick Maybank (bass), and Lefty Thompson (drums)!

Thank you for making the great inspirational music video that I can be proud of, to the film director, 

Jesse James Jackson Jr., and his partner, Nathan File

from Jersey Style Films for being there for support.

Thanks to the management team at S.O.W. Entertainment 

for making this event come to life!

Also much thanks to the sound engineer, Alon Sole 

and the kindest concierge, Lou Rispoli 

and other school staff!

Thank you always to Kenji Mori for his great photography.

Check his great work: morikenji.com

We are working on editing the footage from my live performance too and hope to get it to you soon..

We must continue to help lend a hand for 

rebuilding Japan for the better future!!

Please watch this beautiful video 'Unknown Heros'..

This blog was written by TOMOKO, edited by D.K. Harris.

More Info on the author, here.

Her blog for Japan, here.