[NOT INTERESTED IN] Enka

General
#1

Hello
As the title suggests, I’m not interested in, because I don’t like enka much
I have two questions regarding enka

  1. Why all the enka singers have a (for me, obviously) really heavy (and sometimes slow, especially past divas) vibrato? Is kobushi efficent also without this really strong vibrato and with one more week? What’s the depending fact if this vibrato?
  2. I’M NOT INTERESTED IN, but is there someone who offers enka lessons? Just curious! I don’t want to have them, NEVER IN MY LIFE
    Thank you very much
    It’s been a long time people also think I can sing enka, but I DON’T WANT, I NEVER WANT
#2

Does anyone remember Jero? He was an American who presented himself like a typical hip hop artist (through dress and fashion) but instead of rapping he would bust out the enka songs like a true enka pro. He was called the great new hope for Japanese enka. I used to see him on bilboards in Tokyo advertising coffee etc. then suddenly he vanished. At least that’s what it seems to me. I haven’t heard anything from or about Jero since maybe 2009 or possibly 2010. What happened? Anyone know? Just curious. I’m also not so much of an enka fan but I do wonder sometimes what happend to Jero. Also since I’m always being criticized for being a self promoting jerk (to keep with traditon) I guess I’d better add in here that I was actually featured on music station back in 2009 along with Jero during a TV special whose theme was "Gaijins doing traditional Japanese music " or something like that. Well…um… Gaikokujins I meant to say (haha).
Anyway, didn’t really get to meet him but his spot came right before me in the show.

#3

Does anyone remember Jero? He was an American who presented himself like a typical hip hop artist (through dress and fashion) but instead of rapping he would bust out the enka songs like a true enka pro. He was called the great new hope for Japanese enka. I used to see him on bilboards in Tokyo advertising coffee etc. then suddenly he vanished. At least that’s what it seems to me. I haven’t heard anything from or about Jero since maybe 2009 or possibly 2010. What happened? Anyone know? Just curious. I’m also not so much of an enka fan but I do wonder sometimes what happend to Jero. Also since I’m always being criticized for being a self promoting jerk (to keep with traditon) I guess I’d better add in here that I was actually featured on music station back in 2009 along with Jero during a TV special whose theme was "Gaijins doing traditional Japanese music " or something like that. Well…um… Gaikokujins I meant to say (haha).
Anyway, didn’t really get to meet him but his spot came right before me in the show.

Oh wow! I remember him. I quite liked his work. I found the attire weird but at the same time, I’m like “You rock it, Jero!” Apparently the last thing he ever released was a cover album in 2011
I know there is this one band called Sex Android, and they usually play Punk Rock and Post-Punk with an Eroguro Doctor theme, but there is one song they made called “Kowenji, Na no ne…” (Well, it should be Koenji, but I feel the older name is more fitting. I always romanise songs like that with the archaic pronuciation.) and it’s basically an acoustic enka song they did for the complete heck of it xD. They’re also known for their subtle folk influences, which is understandable knowing they preformed alongside other great bands like Inugami Circus Dan and Guruguru Eigakan (Which btw, Guruguru Eigakan’s lead guitarist died last year… RIP) and they’re entire side of the Vkei scene was started by a folk metal band called Ningen Isu.
The lead singer, Yu-dai, isn’t even trying to do Enka vocals. That’s his normal singing voice xD.

A lot of Eroguro bands tend to be quite cheesy and play acting roles in their own music videos. Sex Android is no different xD

Edit: Apparently, this music video from Jero was made in 2012. If I had to guess, he’s still active

#4

Oh nooooooooooooooo!
I hate Jero! Generally, I don’t like enka, expect some songs in which there are some Japanese instruments, or when the song is not so slow and melancholic. I remember Jero was last listened in 2015, or 2016, when showing his last single, called poroporo or somewhat

#5

Anyway, I’m still waiting for replies to the question I wrote. Excuse me if I cannot be so polite…

#6

A new single for his 10 years career’s birthday has been released april 26th 2017. The song is called “Hitori Bune”. His website seems to be still activ
http://jero.jp

#7

Is there a video?

#8

Oh snap. So Jero’s still around? I guess that’s cool. I haven’t really seen him on tv or anything recently so I didn’t know. Then again it’s not like I ever watch tv. I generally avoid it as much as possible. But anyway good for him for still staying active. Unfortunately I wouldn’t go as far as to say I hated him but I do have to admit I’m also generally not an enka fan like Sakura Haru San. I tend to like the instruments more, like Biwa, koto and (obviously) Shamisen.

#9

Hey Sakura,

I’m not into Enka, but my friend’s father-in-law is a locally renowned Enka singer who gives lessons out in Himi.

So yes, you can be instructed in it.

#10

Kevin, I’m not an enka fan! I also don’t like enka. Also I prefer other stuff.

#11

Christopher, I would like to have more information about this friend. My goal is not to learn enka to be a singer, but it’s only for an experiment I’d like to do. I’m not a fan of enka, in fact, on the title, I explicitely said that I’m not interested in doing enka

#12

I only want to know some techniques, since they’re similar to other Japanese singing styles I’m interested in

#13

Sakura,

I understand that. I was saying that there are instructors available if you’re interested in learning more.

That said, I don’t have a close relationship with his Father-in-Law, so I can’t help much.

Do you speak Japanese, Sakura?

#14

Sakura is a nickname, so my true name is Alessandra. I don’t speak Japanese. Yeah, I speak only few few few words. Like greetings…

#15

Sakura,

I know it’s just a nickname. I’ve read your posts before. You’re based in Italy, right?

Anyway, if you can’t speak Japanese I can’t help you too much. I did find my friend’s father-in-law’s page, but it’s entirely in Japanese.

If you wanted to contact him to ask him questions, it might be possible… but I don’t think he knows any language but Japanese.

His stage name is Maruyama Jirou. Here is the web page.

There is a button on that page for inquiries.

#16

Maybe I can ask some Japanese friends, but I’m a bit embarrassed. I’m so because they’re from traditional Japanese music, or new wave (wapop), and don’t like enka. I also do not, in majority of cases, but I feel a bit bad

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