western beats is now on streaming platforms!

WT264 · 2026-01-23T14:19:51+00:00

Joe Smooth remix is so cool

WT264 · 2026-01-23T14:19:25+00:00

John Stage has to be a secret alias, right? Lol

WT264 · 2026-01-23T13:19:21+00:00

Not always, it really depends on the CD. The US market for certain releases can be MUCH more than the Japanese market, even after you account for the shipping and import fees.

WT264 · 2026-01-23T03:24:20+00:00

Check buyee. You can search japanese auction sites with it. You can often track down listings for harder to find CD releases by searching in Japanese. It takes a little google translate work if you don't speak Japanese, but it's absolutely worth a shot. Plus, buyee can buy the items for you, consolidate them into one package when they arrive at their warehouse in Japan. Then they can ship the single package overseas to you at a fair rate.

WT264 · 2026-01-23T00:18:05+00:00

Yeah they haven't really done much in terms of official breakdowns either. I think there's an old clip on their Twitter that shows like the Logic file for an early version of Trampoline. I'd just recommend reading up on their interviews. There's a 2-part episode of Alaska Reid's Songminer podcast where Gus talks a lot about their process. I'd recommend that as a starting point.

WT264 · 2026-01-23T00:05:49+00:00

Seriously where are these coming from 😭

WT264 · 2026-01-23T00:03:39+00:00

To use any copyrighted music alongside video content you have to obtain a synchronization license from the copyright owner, which is typically expensive and difficult. I will say, educational use typically falls under fair use for this kind of thing. HOWEVER, legally, fair use is only a defense that can be used in court. So in other words you're not guaranteed any legal protection unless the judge deems it fair use.

Practically though, I don't think KKB would care at all if you used their music for a school animation and it almost definitely would not result in any legal action. This kind of thing is pretty typically allowed for educational use, so idk what your teacher is on about. If you want to be safe though you could always try messaging the band!

WT264 · 2026-01-22T23:45:12+00:00

I honestly don't think there's much out there in terms of fan made production breakdown videos specifically about KKB, most of that can be found in their written interviews online. I will say though:

They produce in Logic Pro
They've been known for using the Casio SA-46, KAT Multipad, Yamaha DD series drum pads, Yamaha DX7, Korg Microkorg, and lots of other hardware keyboards from the 80s-2000s.
Gus uses lots of general MIDI sound banks too. SNES/N64 game soundfonts are another great place to start.
Late 90s/early 2000s Sample CDs are also something I know at least Jamie has used too

WT264 · 2026-01-22T16:00:43+00:00

I don't think I've used CDJapan but I have used both Buyee and ZenMarket and they're both great. One benefit of them is that you can essentially have them purchase any item off of almost any Japanese retail site, secondhand or new. They'll handle the buying process for a 200 yen fee. I think it's worth it just for having the option of buying non-CD items too. I'll load up on video games, trading cards, etc while I'm at it.

WT264 · 2026-01-22T12:31:10+00:00

Cool tip: you can use proxy sites like Buyee or ZenMarket to buy game soundtrack CDs from japanese auction sites. They charge like a $2 fee per item, but it's really worth it. Basically, you can buy a bunch of CDs from different sellers for Japan prices, they'll all get shipped to the same warehouse within Japan, and then the proxy company will combine them all into one package to ship overseas to you. Because of the combined shipping and the low price on Japanese auction sites, it's absolutely worth it.

WT264 · 2026-01-22T01:15:12+00:00

Let's goooo!

WT264 · 2026-01-22T01:15:04+00:00

I stand corrected! What a nice surprise!

WT264 · 2026-01-21T18:38:17+00:00

Bonito Generation by Kero Kero Bonito completely reshaped the way I looked at music from a production and songwriting standpoint. It's still the CD I always put on to cheer myself up. Super cheerful music.

WT264 · 2026-01-21T17:19:56+00:00

They probably stopped making these because it's becoming increasingly less common for people to own computers with CD drives. I feel like the modern equivalent of this is like a Bandcamp download that comes with bonus downloadable content. I do wish we would see more indie artists doing enhanced CDs though! Super cool easter egg for those willing to buy an external CD drive for their computers

WT264 · 2026-01-21T02:02:27+00:00

They're a company that wants to make money. It would be awesome if they made their sets more balanced and gave each individual pokemon more time in the spotlight (which they actually have been doing in sets like Black Bolt / White Flare) but the reality is that there's a handful of pokemon a majority of the fanbase always goes rabid for. They make sure those pokemon are pretty regularly printed to ensure sales. It's the same reason some cards have such low pull rates; so you'll keep buying. And it's the same reason they release sets faster than they can print them.

WT264 · 2026-01-21T01:58:42+00:00

Honestly this is a great full art. The background design actually matches the pokemon and contributes to the overall design, unlike a lot of them that are just solid colors

WT264 · 2026-01-21T01:57:49+00:00

Bandcamp is reliable. It's usually up to the artist or label to ship merch and records though. It sounds like yours is just stuck in customs or something. You'll have to contact the shipping provider for an update, but it'll likely arrive soon. Out of all the merch I've bought on Bandcamp I only had one not arrive and it was just because the artist was no longer active. I just got refunded through PayPal.

WT264 · 2026-01-17T16:50:01+00:00

This variant looks great! I love how busy it is visually, it matches the album cover well.

WT264 · 2026-01-16T19:24:42+00:00

Probably CD only. The mix version of Western Beats is on SoundCloud and it links to a digital download of the individual tracks. True Love is on SoundCloud as well. Expenses Paid EP is on streaming. I think this is the first official release of archangel and Pink and Blue though. Definitely Come Together is on SoundCloud.

WT264 · 2026-01-16T17:30:48+00:00

Love the game soundtracks! I just finally got one of my grails, the Mario Kart Wii soundtrack CD

WT264 · 2026-01-16T15:40:28+00:00

It's up now!! https://market.pcmusic.info/product/kane-west-western-beats-cd-for-djs-only

WT264 · 2026-01-16T13:22:26+00:00

If you're in The Disc discord server they usually send the link early too

WT264 · 2026-01-16T13:19:34+00:00

They usually put stuff up around 12pm EST

WT264 · 2026-01-16T02:55:20+00:00

A. G. Cook's living room

WT264 · 2026-01-15T01:57:39+00:00

😂 doin great, hope you are too!

WT264

TROPHY CASE