Kevin, that’s awesome! You need to convince them to utilize Bachido members for promotion events or something!
Well Bachido (even objectively) is the international resource for getting into shamisen playing and this is an internationally shown movie so . . . obviously a perfect match for viewers from all around the world who after watching the movie want to learn more about that cool instrument that is featured in the movie . . .
so anything from a Bachido side mere mentioning of Kubo on the startpage (possibly leading to some blog entry about the movie with some fun facts) to a studio side endorsement of Bachido in public relations for the cinematic run or on dvd bonus features up to even personal involvement of Bachido members in promoting the movie on premiere locations could and should be possible as at least indeed any and all of those options would (again even objectively I figure) make sense . . .
after that all is there already in serious and up to shamisen hardcore form you got your perfect (and even free) crash course for beginners and loads of advanced courses for cheap and also a friendly forum for asking potential questions so simply Bachido awesome . . .
actually the only drag I feel about this whole thing right now is the total lack of any explicit confirmation given on here about who might actually be playing shamisen in this movie . . .
Cheers!
Yes! Again all those are great ideas. Well even though I’m not suppose to say this in too much detail just to eliminate the only drag (although I still shouldn’t name the other Shamisen players) but in spite of not knowing exactly how much of my Shamisen will be featured there is one thing I’ve been told that seems about 98% certain which is the Shamisen solo on “While my guitar gently weeps” regardless of whatever else of my work they use in the move I do think my Shamisen solo in that song seems to be “In!”
So hope that makes it a little less of a drag! Cheers from Japan!
Seeing as how no one around here seems to know anything about who’s going to be performing on the soundtrack (ahem) I was wondering how the movie is being promoted in Japan. There seems to be a good amount of international attention for the movie, but is there any excitement for the movie from where it’s culturally rooted?
Yes. I’ve heard excitement from many Japanese people personally and have stumbled on quite a few anticipation vids from Japanese on YouTube. I don’t know about huge promotion as far as billboards, tv spots, internet or magazine articles but from actual citizens there seems to be a little buzz going on!
Depending on the success of the movie in the U.S. I am already anticipating an increased interest among my college students in my world music classes. So, I have to be sure to have some chops by next fall!!! I might be in Japan this July/August so I might get to see the promotion.
New trailer is out today! Man I wish I knew who was playing those sweet licks.
Haha!
wooo! Just about two and a half months until Kubo is finally available to go and see! I still havent seen the film all the way through but got to hear some of how the soundtrack is coming along recently during a trip to L.A. last week where I met with Travis Knight (the director of Kubo and the Two strings and lead animator at Laika). He played me bits and peices of the finished soundtrack and it seems I might be actually featured in a lot more of it than previously anticipated. I figured much of what I recorded would be edited down but was surprised to hear several peices that had me playing almost all the way through. I
m very excited for August!
You met Travis Knight! Jelaous!!!
I will have to wait even longer than you guys. They postponed the release till 27th of October. Poor us!
Nevertheless looking forward to it very much. We also tried to reach the film distributors and cinemas to offer them some live Shamisen music for premiere and other screening events. We thought it would be a great oportunity to show the audience that this kind of music is present in our country. But we haven’t got much response yet. Just one message asking for a later retry since they couldn’t tell if they are going to show it so far.
Wow! That would be cool! Do you know if it is ok to mention the other Shamisen Player who worked on the soundtrack? I dont want to say the name yet in case they don
t want to make the announcement yet.
Check out this awesome article with a visit to the Kubo set (the first section has some spoilers). The set and all the props are amazingly well done!
Cool! Thanks for posting that!
If only I would get the opportunity to hear that stuff live man. That would be so awesome. What I would do for that.
Well I finally got to hang out with Hibiki Ichikawa recently in Berlin. I’ve been holding back for a Loooong time from mentioning his name here because I wasn’t sure if it would be cool to do so. But yes. It seems to be Ok so now I will officially announce here… The Shamisen players featured in the film Kubo and the Two Strings are. . . . . . (drum roll) Hibiki Ichikawa and myself , Kevin Kmetz.
Don’t want to push anyone but if you want more of these kinds of news, you should attend Shamicamp sometimes. You can hear all these stories and more.
I am proud of you Kevin and Hibiki San! can’t wait to hear you in August.
I wish you could have power on translation of title… In French it is Kubo and the Magical Sword… Where are the strings?
(Facepalm)
Oups… I just started reading the thread in reverse order and I noticed that Patrick already mentioned it. Martina too… I will put the fault on excitement
I just… I just want to know when it comes out in Japan.
The Shamisen players featured in the film Kubo and the Two Strings are. . . . . . (drum roll) Hibiki Ichikawa and myself , Kevin Kmetz.
That’s so cool!
For those interested, the score for the movie is out now for purchase and streaming. I’d avoid it if you’re afraid of spoilers from the song titles. Dario Marianelli composed the score and it sounds fantastic. Can’t wait to see the movie and hear it all come together.
. . . there is a 160 pages artwork and production background book available on even the european amazon.de (while the cd is not yet) so anyway I guess I will rather look at that than keep trying to avoid seeing spoilers as that might not be realistic anyway unless I would take a break of months from bachido and facebook and all until the movie comes out around here end of october I think . . .