Niigata!!!
It's been awhile since I last went to Niigata!
It's so close to Tokyo,
but just haven't gone.
We performed with Kimaguren.
and it was our first time...
but I wonder if one day, they'll be a
Puffyguren.
Since Niigata is not in the tour this time,
I wanted everyone to really enjoy our performance but
I was having so much fun I talked alot.
Alot of the Kimaguren fans were there so I may have gone over board.
We're very aggressive, so it often ends up that way.
The call & response with you guys was great...
you guys in Niigata are so good at making us feel good.
I hope you guys come to our show again.
Actually, I wanna perform in Niigata again!
Niigata fans! Thank you for coming out to see us.
Snapshot of AmiYumi rehearsing:
The Niigata audience was great!
Promotion in so many different places.
Thanks to everyone that came to the satellite studios.
Yesterday was Hiroshima and I was all alone.
Yumi fans in Hiroshima...sorry it was only me there.
LOL.
Being on my own was fun but tough too, was a good lesson.
And I heard some of your opinions about My Story,
and I was really happy.
Our goal for that song was to write a love song (which is very rare for Puffy)
to match the full speed sound.
Since we hardly write love songs,
it was hard to write and
a little embarrassing.
Since we put alot of thought into it,
it is a very precious song.
While writing it, there was a gust of passion and I was really feeling something.
So of course when I sing it,
I sing it with a lot of passion to try to get the message across.
But, towards the end of the song, I'm so into it that I get carried away.
That's how special the song is,
so when you guys tell me you like,
it makes me so happy.
I hope to create more songs like that.
This is the wrong way to use the towel.
BTW, Ami has another new merch...Kaneko Atsushi collaboration stickers.
It's made out of material that's hard to rip.
I wanna introduce you to our new merch.
Starting 7/11(first day of the tour) we're gonna start selling the new merch.
Here's the new towel...isn't it cute.
And...you may not be able to see it in the picture but,
in the middle of the towel there is a string
so you can attach to your belt when you're at the concerts and
you don't have to worry about carrying it.
The material is also really soft.
This is a great buy!!!
The color and shape is just as AmiYumi requested cause our merch person - Mai-chan worked really hard.
Def. get it for the summer concerts.
BTW, the photo was taken in Osaka after the ABC interview.
Even if we're away from Tokyo, the girls are working hard, checking the details of the tour merch and stuff.
I knew that Ami liked corn but didn't know she liked it this much (LOL).
Here's a photo from the satellite studio (STUDIO LUCHIC) in Nagoya!!!
Thanks to all of you guys that came!!
Tomorrow is TOWER STATION, FM OSAKA "MUSIC COASTER", Friday is Ami in Hiroshima's TERA satellite studio and Yumi in Fukuoka's Axa Direct studio.
If you guys have time come stop by!!!!
Phew.
Another day of interviews.
It's a good thing to be busy.
The interviews are one right after the other that
we have no time to even breath but
it's fun cause Yumi-chan is with me and it's just alot of fun.
Have you heard the album?
Isn't it good?
Good, huh?
Good, right!!
Yeah, I think so too!
Let me know what you think, ok!
Starting today...AmiYumi will be promoting in different areas!!
Tomorrow we're in Nagoya, Thursday in Okasa, Friday AmiYumi will split and be in Fukuoka and Hiroshima!
In each area, the LIVE radio interviews will be done in a satellite studio so come visit!!! (Check RADIO section for details on the Japanese site)
Yep, This year we're gonna visit everywhere in Japan.
If you're close by come see us! We'll be waiting for you.
A few days late but here are shots from the AX performance:
Thank you for coming to
"Hare Onna vs. Hare Otoko"
the other day!
Unfortunately even with a title like this the forecast was rain...
Tokyo was gonna be heavy rain,
so I was worried,
but as expected we were al Hare Onna vs. Hare Otoko!!
I believe everyone was able to leave Shibuya,
without dirtying your footware.
It was such a fun moment!
Kazuyoshi-san is wonderful, isn't he.
You can understand why Yumi-chan is so giggly around him.
And his performance....oh man..it's great.
So what did you think about our new band members?
New meetings bring new things.
I'm so excited about the tour!!
Oh, did you all see the collaboration T-shirt!
I'm so happy!!!!
While chosing the design, Kaneko-san had a few cuter designs soo...
but we were so happy with this one!
Cause there's UFO and stuff
and it's occult-ish!
True to his reputation
Kaneko Atsushi is a genius.
We've done it again...
another collaboration with PORTER
So yesterday was the performance at AX!!
It was the Reco-Hatsu concert and we had Saito Kazuyoshi sing as a special guest so the girls, band and staff were all really hyped up for this event.
The setlist was:
1. Asia no Junshin
2. Bring it on
3. My Story
4. All Because Of You
5. DOKI DOKI
6. Ai no shirushi
7. Darekaga
8. Hiyori Hime
9. Boogie Woogie No. 5
10. Ume e to
11. Nagisani Matsuwaru etc.
12. Bye Bye
ENCORE (PUFFY band with Kazuyoshi-san)
1. Hare onna
2. Aruite Kaerou
Yeah, it was a good show...! Ami Yumi wore the same outfit as the cover of "Bring it!".
And another new band member...but you all probably already know and have seen him, Saito Yuta on keyboards!! We've been working with him since PUFFY debuted. So some of you may have thought "Yuta-san on keyboards for 'Asia no Junshin' is the real thing!!!"
Coming up is the Niigata LOTS concert, the concert in France and then the tour starts so the girls and band are rehearsing away. It's gonna be great!
Here's the setlist from the Miyakojima Festival.
1. Nichiyoubi yori no Shisha
2. Ai no Shirushi
3. Boogie Woogie No.5
4. Darekaga
5. Bring it on
6. My Story
7. Nagisa ni matsuwaru etc.
8. Asia no Junshin
Performing before us was MODS and after us was The Cro-magnons...and we were in a lineup ups guys.
It was raining, but it was great cause we were able to enjoy.
So this summer we have a new PUFFY band members!
First on drums, P-suke-san. He's new as a PUFFY band but the girls have been friends with him from before and he also plays with Shunsuke-san (on keyboards) in a different band. Of course his drumming is amazing but check out his facial expressions while he plays!
And on guitar, Fujita Yusuke. Great guitar playing skills but he's got a great voice too. And he definitely makes the average age of the PUFFY band younger (LOL).
"Bring it!" is finally released!!!
Was it worth the 1 year and 9 months...let us know what you think!!
And tomorrow, at SHIBUYA-AX is the Reco-hatsu concert. Starting from tomorrow's event, we'll have new merch.
"PUFFY x Kaneko Atsushi Collaboration T"!! Yes, the famous Mr. Kaneko Atsushi specially drew a picture for us!!!
Totally cute, huh. There's turquoise and orange!!
Also, at the event tomorrow...if you buy a CDs and/or DVDs over 3000YEN, (the first 200 people) will get an autographed "Bring it!" poster!!!!
A few days late but...
Bring it!
has been released!!
Seems like some of you have already bought a copy
and reading your comments almost made me cry, Thank you!!
We've spent over a year with twists and turns during the time but put in
a lot of effort to create this album.
...to be honest
it turned out to be really great album!!
Oh man, I can't express what I'm feeling in words.
I think I need more time to straighten my head.
But I leave the rest up to you.
and leave your comments to let other people reading the blog want to
go out and buy it too (LOL).
Promoters all over the country,
looking forward to your hard work in selling the album!
And today, Thank you to all of you that came to Tower Records!
For some reason when we're talking with Nakamura Taka-chan,
it's so much fun and we talk too much.
I love Taka-chan!
If you ask AmiYumi...she's the best!
She's older so I don't want to be rude but she's cute yet toxic
and smart and a great talker making her the professional that she is.
Overall she's a person of high caliber, enough to deal with our nonsense.
And her appearance hasn't changed one bit from 10 years ago...
So even Taka-chan was raving about our new album "Bring it!".
It's finally released!!!!
Can't wait to hear more of your thoughts on the album!!
Miyakojima once again!
Here's a rehearsal photo.
This will be the first performance this summer!
Can't wait to see you all
and if you can't make it...keeping checking back cause I'll let you know what's going on.
We were worried about the weather but looks like it'll be great weather.
FYI: the PUFFY AMIYUMI xPUFFY t-shirt that was only sold online will be sold, so check it out!
Before anyone even knew, I was working on this project.
I'm so excited!!!!
I was able to design the Cheeky's that I love...to the smallest detail!!
Chosing from all the different materials, deciding the length of the fur and the color of the fur...There was just so much I could do but I chose with some of the professional advice I got,
but I was so indecisive that I was changing my design so many times,
I was being totally selfish!
Let me share with you, a few of the detials.
First, this Merrythought company's Cheeky Bear has many different lines, and the one I collect most is the Punken head series.
On the top of this punken head's head is a furball,
and when I first saw this...all I could think of was "punk",
and fell in love immediately.
I've never seen such an orthodox teddy bear!!
That's were my fire sparked...
This Ami original Cheeky...
first, the punken head's greatest feature the furball,
goes all the way down to the butt!
And only the tip of the hair is pink,
very punk like a mohawk!
And in the ear there is a bell.
Punken heads usually don't have that.
And the eyes, it's odd eye!
I've always loved mysterious thing,
so Ami original Punken is like David Bowie.
And the Ruby type...
This is the one where the head, legs and arms are all movable.
I pictured a little girl preciously always carrying this bear around
so even if an adult hold the bear,
it'll be limp and kinda scruffy.
but that's what's good about it.
And there's an A for Ami stitched on the back of the foot
in my favorite Suzuran motif.
That was a brief explanation,
but maybe more later.
Lastly, the name I gave the Cheeky "Dear my Daughter" is self-explanitory.
I'd like to dedicate the first Cheeky to my daughter.
A craftsman in England is making everything and sending the samples to Japan,
so alot of time goes into this.
And it's finally done...
This is the ultimate happiness!
Thank you, Kanaru-san!!
BTW, the 250 that they made each has a serial number.
And the Cheeky is priced as you see!
If you want please get one to enjoy the rest of your life with.
or send it to someone you love.
It's long lasting and quality of a lifetime.
I'd be happy if it brings you a little bit of humor and color to your life.
Before anyone even knew, I was working on this project.
I'm so excited!!!!
I was able to design the Cheeky's that I love...to the smallest detail!!
Chosing from all the different materials, deciding the length of the fur and the color of the fur...There was just so much I could do but I chose with some of the professional advice I got,
but I was so indecisive that I was changing my design so many times,
I was being totally selfish!
Let me share with you, a few of the detials.
First, this Merrythought company's Cheeky Bear has many different lines, and the one I collect most is the Punken head series.
On the top of this punken head's head is a furball,
and when I first saw this...all I could think of was "punk",
and fell in love immediately.
I've never seen such an orthodox teddy bear!!
That's were my fire sparked...
This Ami original Cheeky...
first, the punken head's greatest feature the furball,
goes all the way down to the butt!
And only the tip of the hair is pink,
very punk like a mohawk!
And in the ear there is a bell.
Punken heads usually don't have that.
And the eyes, it's odd eye!
I've always loved mysterious thing,
so Ami original Punken is like David Bowie.
And the Ruby type...
This is the one where the head, legs and arms are all movable.
I pictured a little girl preciously always carrying this bear around
so even if an adult hold the bear,
it'll be limp and kinda scruffy.
but that's what's good about it.
And there's an A for Ami stitched on the back of the foot
in my favorite Suzuran motif.
That was a brief explanation,
but maybe more later.
Lastly, the name I gave the Cheeky "Dear my Daughter" is self-explanitory.
I'd like to dedicate the first Cheeky to my daughter.
A craftsman in England is making everything and sending the samples to Japan,
so alot of time goes into this.
And it's finally done...
This is the ultimate happiness!
Thank you, Kanaru-san!!
BTW, the 250 that they made each has a serial number.
And the Cheeky is priced as you see!
If you want please get one to enjoy the rest of your life with.
or send it to someone you love.
It's long lasting and quality of a lifetime.
I'd be happy if it brings you a little bit of humor and color to your life.
Another day of interviews for radio, etc.
This is AmiYumi in the meeting area of TOKYO FM.
& "Bring it!" is finally done!
The CD is cute and the songs are great!
So it seems like alot of you are
going to UNIQLO...
I have to go too!
Gotta send some to my relatives that love my cats!
But don't forget to check the T-shirt tag for the QR code
so you can get your mobile download.
Cause as you know our real profession is in music.
Check out our T's ok.
Rehearsal has reached the interesting part,
but I feel like there's mushrooms growing in my throat.
Don't know why but just feels like there are.
After rehearsal yesterday, Yumi and I went to dinner,
and after we said bye we were mailing each other,
and I had to ask her something so we even talked on the phone.
Today was another day of rehearsal.
Getting ready for the Miyakojima event and other events.
Here's a photo of Ami signing with different signature as usual.
Both the signature and her nails are polka dots.
The other day we had another TV shoot.
It was with Nankai Candies.
If you say so...here's a photo...
I hope I can upload it.
Not really sure if it will...
This is my cold storage bag PART2
I got it at the airport shop while on the US tour.
Cute, right.
Anyway, it's so nice of you guys to say,
just words is ok,
or you're just happy that I write a blog.
I regret not being able to write often!!
But since the album release and tour is coming up soon,
I'll try to write more often.
Hebane.
Last night....did I write..
I don't remember being up at that time...
I'm starting to lose my memory cause I woke up this morning and I couldn't remember anything I did last Saturday.
I think you're keeping us too busy?! Toshiko!
BTW,
do you all like it better when there's photos?
I forgot the signature phrase twice already,
I don't think it's sunken in yet.
The other day at the park,
I became friends with a really really great
mohter and her 2 kids and grandmother
from New Zealand.
I was weaving dutch clovers that my daughter and I picked...
we were making a necklace.
The grandmother really liked flower and was complimenting us,
so my daughter decided to give it to her,
the grandmother seemed really happy and was wearing it around her neck the whole time.
It made us happy to think that such a simple thing can make someone so happy!
All girls have made this once, right?
The mother was a beautiful blonde haired person,
so of course the kids and her mother was beautiful too.
Great eye candy and a cultural exchange...what a lucky day.
I was thinking, I wish I could think of
something interesting to talk about,
but then again I can't even do that in Japanese,
so how could I be interesting in English (LOL).
I'm not very good at small talk.
That's it for a simple day in Ami's life.
"Hebane"...that's what my grandma (from Akita) says
