Gaijin Sounds

Gaijin Sounds is a national music competition for foreign artists in Japan, run by the English-language magazine Japanzine. The contest was first featured in 2007 and has become a central event in the music calendar of foreign artists in Japan, due to the resulting success of several of the artists involved.
Background
The contest began in 2007 as the brainchild of the editor, Jon Wilks, and publisher, Carter Witt, due to the perceived lack of press coverage given to 'home-grown' foreign artists. As the magazine pointed out it's call for submissions: "Anyone who has tried performing in Japan will know that advancing anywhere above hobbyist/ amateur status, as a foreigner, is an uphill struggle".
Gaijin Sounds was open to all and sundry, regardless of genre. The only lineup-related stipulations were that the band, singer, musician lived in Japan, and contained at least one foreign member. No all Japanese acts were allowed.
Gaijin Sounds Vol. One (2008)
The 2008 contest was a step up on the previous year as it featured a free CD of the winning tracks. Over 2500 copies were made and to be distributed around Japan to give the winners national exposure.
In May 2008, twelve artists from around Japan were selected as winners with music ranging from techno to indie-pop to rap. Artists ranged from Kyushu, Shikoku, Chubu, Kansai and Kanto regions, but no acts from Tohoku or Hokkaido made the cut. Japanzine staff, Jon Wilks, Jon Nice, JP DuQuette & Emily Millar, selected a mix of styles, including Bensh, Jah Jah, Trio Logic and FatBlueMan.
Development: Gaijin Sounds Vol. 2 (2009)
The popularity of the contest meant another competition, Gaijin Sounds Vol. 2, was launched the following year, featuring in the May 2009 issue [http://www.seekjapan.jp/article/jz/2111/Gaijin+Sounds]. Under the stewardship of new editor, Jonti Davies, the contest featured 8 new artists and 2 of the 2008 picks in its 10 winners. Electronic sounds were the order of the day with Ame One, Beat Persuasion and Downpressor among those featured on the top 10 download.
Success
The credibility of the competition was given a boost when the Tokyo-based British musician, Kev Gray, was given a sponsorship deal in Australia as a result of winning in successive years . The press coverage and generous reviews of the magazine have enabled many of the artists to increase their stock and engage in tours abroad. This fitted in with the original aims of the contest which was to increase the national and international exposure of 'domestic' artists.
Live Competition
The competition soon expanded to the live arena as Gaijin Sounds Live, with two "finals" in Osaka and Tokyo in autumn 2009. The two events featuring winners of the 2009 competition, such as Fukuoka-based trio, Nanbanjin, and Tokyo duo, The Clockwork Flowers. Sam and Dave's hosted the Osaka event in September 2009, with the eastern final set at What the Dickens in Tokyo in October 2009.

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