What happened to Tofu Records?
By Shay • Jul 18th, 2007 • Category: Japan, internet, musicWell, maybe I’ve been “out of the loop” for a little too long but I ask this: What the hell happened to Tofu Records?
They’ve seemingly dropped off the face of the Earth (Earth in this case = internet). Those great guys that were dedicated to bringing good, popular Japanese music to America — where have you gone?
I wasn’t really a big fan of many of the artists on Tofu Records but I liked some, namely L’arc~en~Ciel. Nontheless they were doing fans a great service. Affordable CDs, DVDs, and more; it was great.
I remember Tofu having a really cool site (I actually used some of the design as inspiration for some of my other web works). One day, Friday March 23, 2007 they relaunched the site. This time it was nice looking but “powered by Blogger”. Really? That seemed like a step down from the killer design they previously had. I didn’t think much though. I just sat back and said, “cool, I’ll wait for some more updates”. Well, it’s Wednesday July 17, 2007 and the site hasn’t changed one bit.
Moreover, when I went to visit their official MySpace page I got that lovely “Invalid Friend ID” page. WTF? I know I’m not one to criticize someone for going on hiatus, but Tofu Records is a legitimate record company, not some punky Asian entertainment blog (Who said that?). I’d just like to know what’s up.
If anyone finds the answer within their infinite wisdom or your know what the deal is, please feel us in. Thanks!
Shay is eating Yen and Won for breakfast.
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I check back on the site every once in awhile, but it hasn’t changed since the ‘relaunch’ notice. I’m actually thinking about digging up the old support email and asking them if they ever plan on coming back.
I hated 99% of the people on the forums, but I do miss it, and the store was cheaper than buying from overseas (even though I always order from overseas >.>)
Also, I think they helped bring HYDE over here so I’m eternally grateful - I hope they come back.
Yeah, I’m still waiting — at least for some word.
I’m use to buying import CDs too but it was nice to buy some domestically. I loved buying CDs from Polysics, Laruku, and TM Revolution from actual record stores. Good times. What happened? :P
I don’t know of any direct reasons why they’d “go under” being that things seemed successful.
[...] What happened to Tofu Records? [...]
They weren’t THAT successful.
Their distribution SUCKED. For a label that had a loose afilliation with Sony-BMG here in the USA, they had access to masters owned by labels of Sony Japan (for which Sony-BMG here in the US had first American rights) but when the only place product could be found was in the anime section of Suncoast, rather than in bins at record stores (The American release of Puffy AmiYumi’s “Splurge” was nowhere to be found in the Puffy AmiYumi bin in the Pop/Rock department of Virgin Megastore in New York’s Times Square, but their Bar-None and Epic releases were, and the Japanese edition of “Splurge” was in the world music department.
Tofu knew somewhat what to do as far as releasing material, but they didn’t know how to market their product to music fans (which is what EVERY record label is supposed to do!) or make sure their CD was easily available in all record stores. And that was their downfall.
I did a whole column about this awhile back on my blog. Check it out.
Well that’s helpful and pretty much answered my questions. Thanks CJ ^-^.
They ended back in February of this year. Well, the official word was “hiatus”. I asked a friend and he said that they are looking towards online digital but no word for now.
Alot of the people on the forums sucked. They pretty much flamed your ass for stating your opinion which is what you’re supposed to do on forums, but whatever. I stopped visiting it because people just pissed me off which is unfortunate because it WAS a great site until all of those jerks started popping up.
Invoke: I think I remember you ^^
I agree there is a lot of people there that flames yet they think they are better then everyone else. ahmm Even if a member did something wrong there is no need to bash.
I wonder what happened to tofu also~ I checked in the site but it was gone.
I hope tofu comes back soon~ With the forum :)
I miss Tofu Records. I used to be big on TMR and back in ‘03, I bought coordinate and a lime green Tofu Records shirt in which I still have.~ and they sent me flyers and stickers too. They were great.
Yeah I hear you. Tofu introduced me to TMR when I picked up “SEVENTH HEAVEN”. That was cool :)
yeah, i was wondering the same thing. they even had a myspace that i cannot seem to find.
i too went their website only to say that there was an error that occurred.
hope they come back.
good people, check out http://www.soulcommune.com
HEY EVERYONE!!
tofu records closed down back in march 07 for those of you who still don’t know.
=]
If any of you are interested in one of Tofu’s past releases, the Boom Boom Satellites are starting a US campaign today to promote their last album and upcoming tour. “Easy Action” single out with the Vexille movie may 20 or so. Add yourself and get updated on the Boom Boom at http://www.myspace.com/bbsamerica
…Hold on to that lime green t-shirt… maybe it’ll be worth something someday… ::looks over at the Amp’d Mobile T-shirt in the closet:: XD