Back Home again...

Above:  My first meal when I arrived to Japan last week.

Below:  My first meal when I arrived to LA 2 days ago.

I guess not that much has changed.  :)

This last trip to Japan was so full of work that you would think I didn't have any fun.  But somehow, that's never the case when I work there.  Every moment is a new experience, and a chance to meet new people, and learn more of the language, and eat more of the food, and of course, in the 15 minutes I have off here and there, a chance to window shop and make the occasional special purchase.

Thank you to everyone who came to support my Billboard Live shows, the Tower Record In-Store, the Benz event at Mid-Town, everyone who listened in to the radio and watched me fumble on TV.  ;)  None of this would be possible without your support -- thank you for making so many dreams come true for me!

Love,
Priscilla

Views and Foods

So far, I have been lucky enough to see many views of Tokyo from high up.  Either from hotel rooms, radio stations, or restaurants.  The view is always so mesmerizing and impressive!

This lobby of the Ritz-Carlton was located on the 45th floor at Mid-town.  Stunning views all around, and this beautiful spa-like fountain.  The lobby also smelled of chocolate for a relaxed state of mind.

 As always, I was introduced to some fun new snacks!  These are 'ume' flavored peanut crackers, that look just like 'umeboshi'.

And perfect for these hot days, "Gari Gari Kun" popsicles!!!  They are so crunchy and refreshing!

This is the beautiful entry way to a delicious Okinawan restaurant in Mita, called "Adan".

Delicious drinks with hand chipped ice cubes, and Aji sashimi with yuzu vinegar.

A side dish of Okinawan fruit 'goya' with an ume sauce.  And below some mixed rice, white miso soup, and sangria!

This table is from a restaurant called Sato.  Everything here was made and served by one person.  She is amazing!

Above:  choosing the perfect sake cup to go with my tomato.

Below:  Beautiful sake pitcher and my new favorite grilled little fishies! 

And then of course, last night I had a traditional Kaiseki Japanese meal on the top floor of a building.  So many new foods in this meal I've never had before!  And it all tasted as delicious as it looked.

Needless to say, my belly and my eyes have been happy since Day 1.  More to come!  

love,

p. ahn

Natural Colors

So I finished producing an album of mostly Japanese cover songs (there are 2 originals translated into Japanese:  Dream and Song of Hope).  It was so much fun to make here in L.A. with my friends!!!  The album is being released in Japan at the end of this month. 

I was just in Tokyo back in March to do some promo and a photo shoot for the album.  Most of the songs were chosen for their positive and hopeful messages and feeling, so we wanted the photo shoot to have that same vibe.  Thanks to the talented and fun people below!!

From left to right:

Yoko Nakamura (set design), Rutsuko Hanamura (EMI A&R), Miyuki Kurosu (photographer), Masako Ide (hair & makeup), Yasutaka Monzen (photographer assistant), Die-co (stylist), Yoshiaki Okamura (stylist assistant)

And here is a video made by EMI Japan of a sampling of all the songs off the record:

I love it!  I've never had a video made like this before an album release in the U.S.  It's so fun!!

Anyway, I hope you all get to hear it somehow, and I hope even more that you enjoy some of the songs.

Love,
p. ahn

LMNOP Closing

For those of you who might have been planning to attend the Pop-Up Shop I blogged about at LMNOP, unfortunately the pop-up has been canceled and LMNOP is closing it's doors in the next few months. :(

LMNOP is closing... it's been a great adventure, we've loved every bit of it and every one of you. & now... we're having a big SALE! 40% OFF the entire store. woah! & beyond that, we'll keep in touch, we'll keep evolving, & doing things* (promise)... mostly, we're happy to have met you.  we wish you all of the best.  XO, LMNOP *we'll keep you posted on our blog: letsmakeniceonpurpose.com(which will probably carry on beyond the four walls of LMNOP & become something entirely unto itself...? who knows. life is like this...right? right.)  come & see us! we will be open until the end of JULY... tuesday - friday 11am-4pm saturdays 12pm - 4pm have a great weekend! XO, LMNOP letsmakeniceonpurpose.com

John Denver + Record Store Day

One of my favorite Studio Ghibli movies is "Whisper of the Heart".  I love the animation and the story.  The protagonist is a young girl who has a passion for literature and writing.  There's a scene where she and her best friend sing John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads", but with her own twist on it, and of course, all in Japanese.

I fell in love with her rendition, so some of you in Japan may have heard me sing this song at my shows or as the bonus track on my last album released in Japan.  Just for fun, we made an "electronica" version of this song as well, which has now been released on vinyl in support of Record Store Day.

You might be able to find this vinyl, featuring myself and Sea of Bees at an independent record store near you!

Click here to see where you can find one of these.

www.johndenver.com has some good information about what Record Store Day is all about.  (They accidentally put the wrong song next to my name)

love,
p. ahn

LMNOP

For anyone living in Newport Beach or anyone wanting to a take a little trip that way, I highly recommend checking this store out, and these artists.  To see a much larger flyer with more details, click here.

Yes, I am friends with one of them... the amazing Kathleen Whitaker who made me my beautiful triangle necklace that I never take off.  I've bought my favorite clutch and belt from Samantha Grisdale at a craft fair, and my sister-in-law swears by Beatrice Valenzuela's handmade shoes.

love,
p. ahn

Hecuba

I picked this up at Fix the other day.

Which led me to this:

So of course I watched the whole short which I thought was very beautiful.

Starring and music by Hecuba.

love,

p. ahn