The Japanese Popstars

The Japanese Popstars
Origin Derry and Dungannon
Northern Ireland
Genres Electronica
House
Years active 2006–present
Labels Gung-Ho! Recordings
Website The Japanese Popstars
Members Gary Curran
Gareth Donoghue
Past members Declan McLaughlin

The Japanese Popstars are a Northern Irish electronic act consisting of Gary Curran and Gareth Donoghue. Each member has his own alias. The act was nominated for "Best House DJs" at the 2006 World Urban Music Awards, "Best Live Performance" at the 2007 Northern Ireland Music Awards and won "Best Live Act" at the 2008 Irish Music Awards and then every year since (four years in a row). They were also voted "Best Breakthrough Producers" at the DJ Mag Best of British Awards 2008, awarded "No.1 Dance Album" by Hotpress magazine, and won " Best Live Act" and "Best Album" at the 2009 Irish Music Awards.

History

Originally a trio with former member Declan Mc Laughlin (who now fronts Sirkus Sirkuz), they signed to indie label, in 2007 to Gung-Ho Recordings (Gus Gus, Zoo Brazil) in the UK, and Beatink in Japan (home of Underworld, Aphex Twin, and Cinematic Orchestra) but in 2010 then moved to Virgin Records. They have been referred to by people (particularly in Derry) as The Jappy Pops, Jap Pops, Popstars, the popstars or The Japstars.

In 2011 they released their second studio album 'Controlling Your Allegiance' which featured guest vocals from Robert Smith (The Cure), James Vincent McMorrow, Green Velvet, Lisa Hannigan, Tom Smith (Editors), Dot JR, Morgan Kibby (M83) and Jon Spencer (Blues Explosion).

They have also remixed the likes of Beyoncé, Daft Punk, Depeche Mode, Ting Tings, Editors and many more, as well as playing the European MTV Music Awards Preparty live with Kasabian in 2011.

The band have a reputation for being a great live act and have played many festivals around the world including Fuji Rock, Japan, Oxegen, Ireland, Sea Sessions, Ireland, Glastonbury Festival, UK, Electric Picnic, Ireland, Rockness, Scotland, Trans Musicales, France, Benicassim, Spain, Dour Festival, Belgium, Dance.Here.Now, New York, Camp Bisco, NY, Bestival, UK, Les Transardentes, Belgium, Sea of Love, Germany, Scopitone, France and many more.

Decky Hedrock has since split from the group to form Sirkus Sirkuz and a monthly radio show on RTÉ 2FM.

Discography

Singles

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions
IRL
[1]
2008 We Just Are
  • Released: 7 August 2008
  • Label: Gung Ho!
  • Formats: CD, Download
 89
2011 Controlling Your Allegiance
  • Released: 9 March 2011
  • Label: Beat Ink, Japan
  • Formats: CD, Download
 —
2013 Disconnect / Reconnect —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Live albums

Year Album details Chart peaks Certifications
(sales thresholds)
IRL
[1]
2009 We Just Are: Live
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Gung Ho!
  • Format: DVD
 —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart

Extended plays

Year Album details
2011 Controlling Your Allegiance
  • Released: June 2011
  • Label: Virgin Records
  • Format: CD

Remixes

Awards

Controlling Your Allegiance was nominated for the Choice Music Prize in January 2012.[2]

Year Nominee/work Award Result
2012 Controlling Your Allegiance Irish Album of the Year 2011 Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=The+Japanese+Popstars
  2. ↑ "Choice Prize Shortlist Announced". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
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