The Japanese Popstars are an electronic group from Northern Ireland consisting of Gary Curran and Gareth Donoghue (with former founding member and keyboardist Declan McLaughlin). 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 McLaughlin (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, The 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

Remixes

• Cagedbaby – "16 Lovers" on Southern Fried/KSR
• Rob Hawk & MySoul – "So Shockin'" on Gung-Ho! Recordings
• Streetlife DJs – "Yo Jay" on Dozer
• Groove Armada vs. The Japanese Popstars – "Get Down" Strictly Rhythm
• Shinichi Osawa – "Star Guitar" on Data Records
• The Music – "Drugs" on Yes Please! Recordings
• Tong & Spoon – "Gas Face" on Television
• Grand National – "Cut by the Brakes" on Sunday Best
• The Ting Tings – "Be the One" on Sony
• Beyoncé – "If I Were A Boy" on RCA
• Beyoncé – "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" on RCA
• Depeche Mode – "Peace" on EMI
• The New Devices – "Everything Good" on Sony
• Benny Benassi feat. Iggy Pop – "Electro Sixteen" on D:Vision
• Editors – "Papillon" on Columbia
• autoKratz – "Kick" on Kitsuné
• Gorillaz – "On Melancholy Hill" on Parlophone
• Thirty Seconds to Mars – "Closer to the Edge" on EMI
• Kylie Minogue – "Better than Today" on Parlophone
• Daft Punk – Tron: Legacy Reconfigured – "Arena" on Disney
• Daft Punk – Dconstructed – "Fall" Remix for Tron: Legacy on Disney

Awards

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

References

External links

• Official website
• The Japanese Popstars discography at Discogs