NEW SINGLE: Jun Parker ‘Summer Silhouette’ for Tanzaku CD Day

Retro City Pop artist Jun Parker ‘Summer Silhouette’ and ‘If You'd Only Known' for Tanzaku CD Day to celebrate the Japanese Star Festival Tanabata

"Parker's take on 'city pop' drizzled in the retro '80s flavours of Wham, Culture Club and Duran Duran merging with a Daft Punk, Bruno Major coolness." - Scenestr

Bringing the East and West closer through his reinterpretation of culture, Japanese-Australian songwriter Jun Parker releases a new quintessential single ‘Summer Silhouette’, out Sunday 7 July. ‘Summer Silhouette’ will be released across streaming services, and on an 8cm CD to celebrate the 2nd Tanzaku CD Day, with a second track ‘If You'd Only Known’ and a live performance on Monday 15 July alongside Ashiuki Nako, SBQ Idol Club, XOXO EXTREME, Tokyo Bargain Club and more at Younger Than Yesterday in Japan to celebrate the day.

On Sunday 7 July Japan celebrates Tanabata, the Star Festival, "For Tanabata, the Japanese traditionally write their wishes on rectangular pieces of paper in five colors (blue, red, yellow, white, and purple) and decorate bamboo trees with them. Tanzaku CDs are named for their resemblance to these Tanzaku papers,’ explains Jun Parker.

Tanzaku CDs were a ubiquitous format of music in the 80s and 90s, disappearing around the 2000s and now making a comeback. Paying homage to the popularity of karaoke in Japan at the time, Jun’s CD will feature both singles and their instrumental versions, with artwork created by Korean illustrator tree13, known for his new-retro style paintings. The release date marks Tanabata, the Star Festival, a day that celebrates the meeting of deities and lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair), who the Milky Way separates, and only meet once a year on the seventh day and the seventh month.

Calling on hallmarks of 80’s City Pop and retro Japanese sentimentalism, infused with his recreations of 2000s Neo City Pop, Jun explores bittersweet summertime romance in his single ‘Summertime Silhouette’. Keywords in the track are written in Katakana, a Japanese script used for foreign loanwords, ‘By carefully selecting katakana words, I ensured the song's narrative could fit any era, from the '80s to 2024, giving the story a timeless quality’, says Jun. The track was produced by Japanese producer Rillsoul, and features the soulful voice of Laura Loise on backing vocals.

Japan born and Australian grown, Jun has always had an inseparable connection with all things retro, groovy, and mellow from the '70s and '80s. Currently based in the rural coastal town of Portland, Victoria, he is passionate about Retro Tokyo sounds and the musical style of “City Pop.” Through his bilingual lyrics, he intertwines Australian landscapes, seascapes, and borderless urbanism with Japanese retro sentimentalism, exploring universal themes of love, loss, and the philosophy in between. He has performed across music festivals in Australia and Japan, collaborating with creators from around the world on visuals, music videos, and sound and performing in Lyon, France in 2023. His music has captured audiences through widespread global radio play, featuring in numerous Japanese radio shows, and major national radio stations in Australia including SBS, ABC, Triple J, and Double J. 

Boost your love luck this July in celebration of Tanabata, and be whisked away by Jun Parker’s summer romance.

Out Tanzaku CD and Tanabata (Star Festival) - Sunday 7 July
'Summer Silhouette' & 'If You’d Only Known'

'Summer Silhouette' out Sunday 7 July on Digital Streaming Services + Bandcamp 

'If You’d Only Known' out Sunday 21 July on Digital Streaming Services + Bandcamp

MONDAY 15 JULY - TANZAKU CD FESTIVAL 2024
A gathering of idols and musicians organised by:  Tanzaku CD Release 36th Anniversary Support Committee
Sponsored by: Tanzaku CD Day Management Office

LIVE:
Ashiuki Nako
SBQ Idol Club
XOXO EXTREME
Jun Parker
Tnaka
d-girls
Tokyo Bargain Club
Nikorisan
Miyuyun from Kasugai Idol
LILY&YU

DJS:
Disk Yurion
Tnaka
Ticket Link

UPCOMING SHOWS:
Sunday 4 August
Noodledoof Brewery, Koroit, VIC 
5.00-8.00 pm 

Wednesday 7 August 
Retreat Hotel Brunswick, VIC 
Doors 7.00 pm