For the past 6 years, a great man with a passion to unite people with music he likes that he thinks others will like too organizes a music tour costing tens of thousands of his own hard earned cash! Philanthropist Steven Tanaka hosts the annual Next Music from Toyko tour now in its seventh year and set to take place this year in June or July. Specific dates are still being determined. In the past, the tour has been taken to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Most definitely one of my favorite nights of the year!

Raised in Vancouver and now an anaesthesiologist in Toronto, Tanaka foots a bill for each tour to the tune of some $40,000. He’s not in this for the money. He has the time of his life doing it. A veritable labour of love. Ticket prices are kept dirt cheap and the event is held at intimate venues where attendees don`t have to be hundreds of feet away from the stage.

The Music

Four or so bands whose number in members can vary are brought over from Tokyo`s vibrant indy music scene. In 2013, チーナ(chee-na), was booked and they had such a great time at Granville Island in particular they wrote a song about it. Well, kind of.

Happy to hear Vancouver getting props I had to find out what they were saying about one of my favourite places in the city. I asked my cousin from Kumamoto to translate what they were saying and she was gracious to do so. I have included the lyrics below.

The song may not mention much about Granville Island, if anything at all, but at least the city got some love as the group used a lot of their travel photos in their music video.

By the way, if you happen to need any Japanese translation services, feel free to contact us below and we can connect you! And keep an eye out for those concert dates!

Granville Island Market Lyrics

Mischief, we always hang around together,
which happens to be hiding on my PC.
Disgust, we always hang around together,
which happens to be hiding at my work.

That may be so, but… Ah, still, I open the door. I wanna know what’s inside.
Being hurt, Ah, I know, I’m aware. I wanna talk to someone.

Stomachache, we always hang around together.
My mind and such, doesn’t get any stronger.
Vanity, we always hang around together.
My true face and such, no one will ever see.

That may be so, but… Ah, still, I give a smile. I want someone to know me.
That’s vain, Ah, I know, I’m aware. I wanna talk to someone.
I know, but… Ah, I make merry. I’m not aware of my surroundings.
That’s conceit, Ah, I know, I’m aware. I wanna talk to someone.

Happiness, we always hang around together,
which happens to be hiding in a convenience store.
Final episode, we always hang around together,
which happens to be ending while remaining upbeat.

That may be so, but… Ah, still, I open the door. I wanna know what’s inside.
Being hurt, Ah, I know, I’m aware. I wanna talk to someone.
That may be so, but… Ah, still, I give a smile. I want someone to know me.
That’s vain, Ah, I know, I’m aware. I wanna talk to someone.
I know, but… Ah, I make merry. I’m not aware of my surroundings.
That’s conceit, Ah, I know, I’m aware. I wanna talk to someone.

I wanna talk to someone. I wanna talk to someone.

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