Jack Johnson
Aug.4

Hawaiian-born ex-surfer Jack Johnson turned away from a promising film career when his home-produced demo caught the ears of Ben Harper's producer. His debut album, 2001's Brushfire Fairytales, introduced the world to his compelling yet unassuming guitar and songwriting talent, and easily captured the ears of fans of artists like Dave Matthews and G. Love and Special Sauce. Fairytales (which also featured a guest appearance by Ben Harper and his famed lap steel guitar) was tightly-produced alternative pop-folk at its addictive best, earning Johnson worldwide recognition as an emerging talent.
Johnson arrives in Japan in support of his sophomore effort, the highly anticipated On and On, which was produced by Mario Caldato Jr., and recorded in Johnson's native Hawaii. The new music is steeped in the same carefree aloha spirit that graced his debut album, showing that rock stardom has yet to change this wave-riding island boy. On and On also features the same line up as his debut, with Adam Topol on drums/percussion, Merlo Podlewski on bass, and Jack Johnson on vocals and guitar. Kansai fans can expect a chilled-out, positive musical vibe, calling to mind all that's good about midsummer. Childhood buddy Donavon Frankenreiter shares the bill, lending his own laid-back take on a similar style.

@ Namba Hatch • 19:00 / ¥6000
Tel: 0570-02-9999. Rock/Pop

Matthew Sweet
Aug.24

The mastermind behind 1995's critically acclaimed 100% Fun, music prodigy Matthew Sweet visits Osaka's Club Quattro this month. His latest effort has symbolically served as a love letter of sorts to his dedicated Japanese fan base, as it was first released here, and only recently made available stateside. The album's title? Kimi Ga Suki.

Sweet is widely acknowledged as one of the most brilliant pop music alchemists of his generation, and one whose notoriety is well short of what he deserves. Influenced by the likes of Elvis Costello, John Lennon and Brian Wilson, Sweet's music shows his heartfelt commitment to giving fans melodically mesmerizing choruses, crisp solos, Byrd-like harmonies, and gorgeous ballads. Kimi Ga Suki. is a home-studio-produced diverse compilation, with tracks alternating between acoustic pop and rousing electric pop (the latter featuring some guitar contributions from Girlfriend-era guitarist Richard Lloyd). The new album exudes a freshness possibly owed to the stream-of-consciousness fashion in which it was produced. All the songs were written over the span of about a week, leaving no time for second-guessing. This organic approach will no doubt be present live as well, especially given the somewhat intimate setting of Osaka's Club Quattro. Having been relegated, or perhaps elevated, to something like cult status, Sweet promises to deliver his infectious pop sensibility to a more-than-willing Osaka audience. The Velvet Crush shares the bill.

@ Club Quattro • 19:00/ ¥6500
Tel: 06-6535-5569. Pop/Rock

Live Listings August

8/3
Outrage @ Club Quattro. 19:00. ¥3500 Tel: 06-6535-5569.Rock
8/3
Kokia @ Big Cat. 19:00. ¥4200
Tel: 0570-02-9999.Rock
8/4
Jack Johnson w Donavan Frankenreiter @ Namba Hatch 19:00. ¥6000 Tel: 0570-02-9999. Rock/Pop
8/7-8
"Summer Sonic 2004: Green Day, Beastie Boys, etc" @ WTC Open Air Stadium. 11:00. ¥13,000/¥24,000 (for 2 days) Tel: 0570-02-9999. Rock/Hip Hop/Dance/Pop
8/8
Oshima Yasukatsu @ Banana Hall 18:00. ¥3500 Tel: 06-6361-6821. World
8/9-11
Watanabe Sadao Group @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥9500
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz
8/10
Sikania @ Kobe Kokusai Kaikan
Hall. 18:30, ¥4300/¥5300
Tel: 078-303-3131. Sicilian/World
8/12-14
Clementine w Ben Sidran @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥8400
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz
8/14
"Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, feat. Fujioka Sachio"@ Izumi Hall 18:00. ¥3000 Tel: 06-6577-1381
8/15
Japanese Reggae Festival @ Maishi-ma Yagai Tolusetsu Kaij.14:00. ¥4800 Tel: 06-6233-8888.
Reggae
8/18-19
Marlene @ Osaka Blue Note 18:45/21:30. ¥8400
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz
8/18
Chingy @ Big Cat 20:00. ¥6500 Tel: 06-6258-5008. Hip Hop.
8/19-20
Blink 182 @ Zepp Osaka. 19:00. ¥6500 Tel: 06-6233-8888. Rock
8/19-22
Summer Music Festival @ Izumi Hall 17:00/18:30 (call). ¥4000 (children ¥2000) Tel: 06-6944-1188. Classical
8/20
The Travellers @ Club Quattro 19:30. ¥4000 Tel: 06-6281-8181. Rock/Pop/Swing
8/24
Matthew Sweet @ Club Quattro 19:00. ¥6500 Tel: 06-6535-5569. Pop/Rock
8/29
Trance Europe Fest: Fanfare Ciocarlia @ Lovely Hall. 16:30.
¥6500. Tel: 0721-56-6100. Trance
9/2-4
Cassandra Wilson @ Osaka Blue Note. 18:45/21:30. ¥9500
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz Vocals
9/9
"Earth, Wind and Fire" @ OsakaJo Hall. 19:00. ¥9800
Tel: 0570-02-9999 "Funk, Soul, Pop"
9/10
Britney Spears @ Osaka Dome 19:00. ¥7500/¥8500
Tel: 06-6362-7301. Pop
9/9-11
Maxi Priest @ Osaka Blue Note 18:45/21:30. ¥9000
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Reggae/Pop
9/13-14
The Roots @ Osaka Blue Note 18:45/21:30. ¥9000
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Hip Hop
9/16
The Skatalites @ Club Quattro. 19:00. ¥6000 Tel: 06-6535-5569. Ska