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Here, there and everywhere with his music
For Japanese pop-culture lovers, Joe Inoue is the hottest thing â able to draw hundreds to the far reaches of Bekasi, West Java, late on a Sunday evening
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or Japanese pop-culture lovers, Joe Inoue is the hottest thing ' able to draw hundreds to the far reaches of Bekasi, West Java, late on a Sunday evening.
The multitalented Japanese-American musician was recently in the town for the 'J-Experience' concert at Summarecon Mall, where he performed a 10-song set for the crowd.
Inoue sang 'Closer' from his first album, Me!Me!Me! The song, used as the opening theme for the anime series Naruto: Shippuden, became his ticket to stardom after starting his musical career in 2007.
His song 'Kaze no Gotoku', taken from his second album, Dos Angeles, was also used as a theme song ' this time for the popular comedic anime Yorinuki Gintama-san.
'I don't mind being recognized as a theme-song specialist, as long as I can build a peaceful fan base,' Inoue says. 'In fact, an anime song is the best way to have that. All anime events, cosplaying [costume play] and J-pop events I've been invited to are very peaceful. I feel very comfortable at those events.'
Inoue, who turned 29 on August 30, is famous as a rocker signed to Sony Music Entertainment Japan's Ki/oon Records label, although he is reluctant to have his music placed into any category.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Inoue said that the diverse music he listened to growing up influenced him.
'I listen to mostly everything and I love writing many different types of music,' he says. 'My music lies everywhere. It's hard to put it into one genre. It's versatile.'
Inoue ' who composes his own songs, plays every instrument on his recordings and creates his own music videos ' has been involved in the production of the albums of several Japanese singers and musicians from different genres.
Although Inoue's songs are mainly rock, there are also dance, pop and classical sounds to his work.
Inoue sings in English and Japanese, which he said he learned through reading Japanese comics and watching anime.
'I grew up watching Doraemon anime. Doraemon is my favorite character. He is the nicest guy ever,' he said referring to the cat-shaped blue cyborg that comes from the future.
Dividing his time between Japan for work and California for the beach, friends and surfing; Inoue says that he blends in with people in his ancestral country, as he speaks the language very well.
'I look totally Japanese. They'd be more surprised if I started to speak in English. I'm a Japanese-fluent person. Although I was raised in America, the way I think is more Japanese.'
That side of him is shown through his alter-ego project Tenguboy and through the experimental music he uploads to his Youtube channel VellySillyBilly.
'Tenguboy is a totally different project for my fans in Japan. I always have my silly side that I want to show.
'When I promote under my name, the music is more serious. If I release funky music as Joe Inoue, my fans would likely freak out. With Tenguboy, they know what to expect.'
His age-deceiving looks, grounded personality as well as English proficiency could be some of the reasons behind his worldwide popularity, other than working as a co-host of NHK's J-Melo music program, which is aired in over 130 countries.
Above all, Inoue is among few celebrities who keeps close to his fans through social media.
He reaches out in a personal level through his Facebook fan page, which has over 103,000 followers.
'I post everything on Facebook, including this visit. Their reaction was: 'Yay ['¦] Bekasi ['¦] so far'. But it's close, though.'
His latest post on the page was made on Thursday, as he announced that his new song 'Spinning World' would be used in the Naruto series.
'Big news! I am very excited to announce that my song, sung by a wonderful singer I am producing, Diana Garnet, will be the next ending theme for Naruto!' he wrote.
Inoue, who plans to release a new album next year, said that he hoped that he could meet more of his Indonesian fans, who comprise the largest block of his Facebook fans.
'I love Indonesia ' the people, food and it's peaceful. I want to come here numerous times.'
