Anime Matsuri is featuring three extraordinary artists this year over Easter weekend, April 10-12, 2009:

Miyavi
Takuya Angel
DJ HeavyGrinder

DJ HeavyGrinder AMV contest at Anime Matsuri

DJ HeavyGrinder will be joining forces with Anime Matsuri to present a unique Anime Music Video contest for fans, using selected tracks from her albums. The rules are as follows:

1) Keep it Clean! All AMV’s will be screened prior to judging, keep it PG13.
2) All submissions are to be uploaded to YouTube and link should be sent to HeavyGrinderAMV@animematsuri.com
3) Video Format is contestant’s choice. Be aware that they will be viewed directly from the YouTube link provided.
4) All AMV’s will be evaluated based on the judging panel’s discretion (Panel includes HeavyGrinder herself)
5) All AMV’s must exclusively utilize the tracks provided for the contest, which can be found at this link:

www.animematsuri.com/index_html.php

Winners for the contest will be announced prior to Anime Matsuri and prizes include autographed memorabilia DJ HeavyGrinder, as well as, airplay on HG’s MySpace page
(www.myspace.com/djheavygrinder). Deadline for submissions is March 31st, 2009.

A native of Seattle, HeavyGrinder currently resides in Los Angeles where she is a part time student, and full time DJ. After years of traveling, she made her way to LA in 1998. It was in the City of Angels that she realized her new love, cozying up to the sounds of underground dance music, captivated by the power of the DJ and the reaction of the crowd. HeavyGrinder is capturing the attention of audiences worldwide: Spain ( Ibiza ), Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and Mexico have been key international stops for this talent so far. In the Los Angeles club scene alone, she has played at most notable venues including Key Club, Highlands, Century Club, Avalon, Sunset Room and White Lotus. When she’s not playing in her hometown, HG is regularly headlining events across the United States at some of the biggest clubs and has performed in cities from Anchorage to Washington D.C., Atlanta, Honolulu as well as dozens of cities in between.

DJ HeavyGrinder is celebrating the release of her debut album, ETERNITY and the release of her new single, "Chains of Love" on Artists Only/Rhythm Club Records. ETERNITY and HeavyGrinder’s new single are now available in Stores, through Online ordering and through digital download via iTunes Music Store.

Also, read our last interview with DJ HeavyGrinder!
www.jrockrevolution.com/webzine/interviews/758-qaa-with-dj-heavygrinder.html

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Tainted Reality presents Takuya Angel At Anime Matsuri for DJ Set and Fashion Show
 
Japanese fashion legend Takuya Angel, will be making his US Debut as both a clothing designer, and a DJ at Anime Matsuri in The Woodlands, Texas, courtesy of Tainted Reality. His appearance at the convention includes a DJ set at the convention rave, and several of his personally designed outfits being featured in the convention fashion show. In addition to these main events, he will be participating in autograph sessions, fan Q&A panels, and selling merchandise, including his debut CD being released through Darkest Labyrinth Records.
 
About Takuya Angel:
 
Takuya is a respectable fashion designer and DJ who is capturing the hearts of the visual and cyber generation. Born in Osaka, Japan in 1967, Takuya always wanted to create something different and unique. He thought it should be possible to combine old Japanese fashion with modern Japanese fashion.

Takuya Angel clothes and accessories are a huge combination of colors, patterns and shapes. Traditional and modern materials put together in a stylish way with wild exotic colors that will blow you away. In 1985, Takuya started the original brand Takuya Angel wanting to bring Japan back into fashion, and he followed his artistic instincts to create an amazing line that has captivated the eye of not only the Japanese crowd, but all around the globe. Takuya’s inspiration came from various sources, such as bringing old Kimonos into the 21st century, taking inspiration from his own environment, historical events, childhood, and anime. Takuya looks beyond what is right or wrong, and all of his ambitions and efforts have made him the Takuya of today.

Takuya started playing as a DJ in 1986, and worked on many different genres. Takuya himself is a huge techno fan, and creates his own club music. In 2007, Takuya toured outside of Japan and played shows in Paris, Germany, Holland, England, Spain, Switzerland, and Belgium. Takuya collaborates often with the Tokyo Decandence, one of the hottest events in Tokyo, and participates in special club nights where he often DJs.
 
Takuya Angel Links:
homepage.mac.com/takuya_angel/Menu1.html

About Tainted Reality:
Tainted Reality is the premiere source of Japanese rock (J-Rock) entertainment in the United States. Tainted Reality hosts their own internet radio network dedicated to Japanese musical programming and produces radio shows such as  Tainted Reality & The Tainted Reality Talkshow. Tainted Reality often conducts interviews with some of the biggest  musical artists of Japan like Yoshiki of X Japan, Die of Dir en grey, Miyavi and MUCC. They also manage and  organize tours for prominent J-Rock bands such as BLOOD, Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet-, The Candy Spooky Theater as well as producing media such as the Darkest Labyrinth Vol.1 DVD and the Darkest Labyrinth CD.
 
Tainted Reality Links:
http://www.taintedreality.net
www.myspace.com/taintedrealityradio

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Anime Matsuri announces Miyavi live in concert at Anime Matsuri 2009

Q&A Session: April 10
Live convert: April 11

Anime Matsuri announces Miyavi live in concert at Anime Matsuri 2009. This marks Miyavi’s first concert in Texas and the artist’s management, PS Company, is putting together a special performance exclusively for the fans. PS Company has also made available a booth in the dealer’s room which will carry Miyavi merchandise at a discounted price and limited merchandise from select artists such as alice nine., The GazettE, Kra, Kagrra, and many more.

About Anime Matsuri:

Anime Matsuri is an annual Anime and Japanese Pop Culture convention held in Houston, Texas. The 2009 convention will be held on Easter weekend, April 10th – 12th, 2009 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. Please visit the website at www.animematsuri.com for more info.