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Patrick St. Michel
@mbmelodies
Writer in Tokyo. Music / Internet / Pop Culture [email protected]
Tokyo
mbmelodies.substack.com
Joined August 2010
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Jun 1
    A 2013 Sakanaction song is a hit thanks to an Indonesian boy on a boat and TikTok. Just another example of how Japanese music moves today? Yes...but more importantly shows how South Korea has become vital to launching J-pop viral hits. On it @japantimes
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    Sakanaction’s overseas breakthrough came from a viral dance meme
    From japantimes.co.jp
    3.7K
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Sep 14, 2021
    The photo of Mariya Takeuchi used for the YouTube upload of "Plastic Love" -- which was never associated with "Plastic Love" in the '80s -- is now the cover art for the official vinyl release of "Plastic Love" in 2021
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    ワーナーミュージック・ジャパン
    @warnermusic_jp
    Sep 13, 2021
    #竹内まりや 11月3日発売の12インチ・シングル「プラスティック・ラブ」、ジャケット・デザイン決定！ mariyat.co.jp
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Oct 4, 2025
    Sanae Takaichi is set to become Japan's first female Prime Minister...but also arguably it's first metal prime minister, as she played drums in a metal band while in college and has also been interviewed Metal Hammer magazine. A big shift from Ishiba, the "idol otaku PM"
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    4.5M
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Jul 27, 2024
    Kraftwerk cover “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” in tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto at Fuji Rock 2024
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Jan 20, 2022
    Lost body-horror classics -- the half man, half Tamagotchi mascot used to promote the toy in America
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Aug 1, 2024
    for those into the super inner workings of J-pop trying to make moves in the West...Number_i has a new PR industry
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    709K
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Aug 7, 2024
    I make a cameo in the main feature about Number_i, as I was interviewed about seeing them at Coachella, how they can make it globally and what sets them apart from other pop acts
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    ニューズウィーク日本版
    @Newsweek_JAPAN
    Aug 1, 2024
    【表紙解禁】8/6発売 Cover: #Number_i 特集: Number_i密着ドキュメント＋独占インタビュー 本号は通常版（表紙カラー）と特別編集版（表紙モノクロ）の2種。 特別編集版にはインタビューの英訳も掲載。#Number_i密着取材 通常版 amzn.to/3XQLyPu 特別編集版 amzn.to/45Z3JEP
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    135K
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Nov 24, 2021
    New pinnacle of gacha…deep fried construction vehicles
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Aug 17, 2024
    In the @japantimes weekend edition…i find even more words to celebrate @girlsbandcry and look at new evolutions in mixed-media projects
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    100K
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Jul 28, 2021
    Folks, I thought...I don't have to talk about the Olympic Opening Ceremony anymore...it's done, it's over, let's move on.... Now Bunshun has gone and LEAKED EVEN MORE OF THE ORIGINAL PLAN AND LOOK AT THIS, LOOK WHO WAS GOING TO START IT ALL OFF
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Mar 13, 2021
    Happy 10 year anniversary to Fox News labeling concert venue Shibuya Eggman as a nuclear power plant
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Jun 27, 2023
    On this day 20 years ago, Russian pop sensation t.A.T.u. went on popular Japanese weekly program Music Station, refused to come out of their dressing room when it was their turn to perform, and sparked one of the most famous incidents in pop-centric TV history
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    187K
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    May 29, 2020
    Visual representation of most singles sold by a female artist in J-pop since 2000
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    Patrick St. Michel
    @mbmelodies
    Dec 3, 2021
    JO1 (@official_jo1) is at the center of a changing J-pop industry -- one built for the social media age, and with an eye outwards. I profiled the group -- their first English interview -- for @japantimes
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    JO1 to the world: A new stage for J-pop
    From japantimes.co.jp