Business Days

Introductions and The Crisis

Japan, 2012

A young teenage boy is overwhelmed by flashing cameras and the shouts of journalists, paparazzi members, and fans outside of the red carpet opening for a Pop Culture Symphony show. He steps out of a sleek black car, contrasting with his all white suit. Immediately, the crowd latches on to him.

"Watanabe-san! Please look over here!"

"Mayu-kun,  we are from CM5! Can we have your comment on the westernization of Eastern traditional music, please?!"

"Watanabe-san, this is FoxBaby! Who are you wearing today!"

"Watanabe-sama, your seat is ready," a calm voice amongst the shouts.

"Thank you, Akimoto-san..."

He moves swiftly through the other celebrities and into the concert hall. Although he has performed here many times himself, the audience-member experience is one he adores: faceless in a crowd, immersed in a new world created by the performer and their instrument.

Today was also special to him. The performing artist, one Matsui Jun, designed this stage as his final project for early graduation. Jun was a young music producer, an era defining style earned him the title of child prodigy. However, Jun was three years younger than Mayu, thus the declaration to graduate early (alongside Mayu) created a warmhearted memory between the two.

"You're so old..." Jun frowned.

"Just because you're a baby... it doesn't excuse your whining." Mayu retorted.

Jun's frown did not falter. 

"I just got here. I just met THE Watanabe Mayu and now you're going to leave me. I refuse. You can't graduate. Fail a couple of grades."

"Not an option. You know how my parents are."

"You're going to leave me behind! FOR YOUR PARENTS. SO HEARTLESS."

"Aww, you can't live without me?"

"No! Of course not! I don't want to be stuck here with these people..."

"If you can't live without me, then die..."

"So cold. I got shivers... Fine, if you're not going to fail. I'll graduate early."

"Because it's that easy?"

"Who cares if it's not easy?! Hard work, dedication, ambition. That's all it takes. Hell or high water, I will succeed!"

Jun raised a triumphant fist into the air dramatically. His voice echoed from the rooftop of the school into the evening sun. Mayu shook his head, but he knew well that once Jun set his mind on something, nothing would stop him.

Indeed, by the end of the year, Jun had escalated to Mayu's class and his final project for graduation was his own concert: a stage made entirely from music produced under his stage alias, MxJoon. (read as mix Jun)

The lights dimmed, the crowd hushed.

Light blue lights illuminate the stage, soft jazz plays in the background.

"Ladies and gentleman, welcome to our show tonight.

Shaded, the name of the show. It takes after the undertones of our daily life: waking up in the morning, our train rides to work, school, the market, eating lunch on a bench, on the grass, with friends or in our minds. I produced this show with these images, these vibes in mind.

I hope you will enjoy the different sounds I have to offer. While the music is produced by me, the artists  are contributing their skills, their talent, their voices as well. This concert wouldn't be possible without them.