The Slants to Perform at Otakon Matsuri 2017
Washington, D.C. (May 24, 2017) – Portland's The Slants, the world's first and only all-Asian-American dance rock band, will perform at this year's Matsuri, to be held before Otakon 2017.
The Slants offer up catchy dance beats, strong hooks, and a bombastic live show. The music is the perfect combination of Eighties driven synth pop with hard-hitting indie, floor-filling beats which fans affectionately dub as “Chinatown Dance Rock.”
In addition to the music, the band is actively involved with helping marginalized communities, leading discussions on race and identity, and raising awareness of social justice issues.
They've been featured on Conan O'Brien's Team Coco, BBC, NPR, NBC, IFC TV, Huffington Post, MTV, TEDx, and over 1,500 radio stations, TV shows, magazines, and websites across 82 countries.
Twenty international tours, including appearances in 48 of the 50 U.S states, have led to headlining showcases at major festivals such as SXSW, MusicfestNW, San Diego Comic-Con, and Dragon Con. The band has also provided support for The Decemberists, Mindless Self Indulgence, Girl Talk, Apl.De.Ap (of Black Eyed Peas), Blindpilot and Shonen Knife. In 2011, The Slants worked with the Department of Defense for a series of shows at U.S and NATO bases in Eastern Europe, dubbed “Operation Gratitude.”
Every one of their last nine music videos has gone viral, gaining tens of thousands of views within days. Their single, “You Make Me Alive” has nearly 350,000 views.
Two recent music videos featured martial arts choreography by Sammo Hung ("The Matrix," "Ip Man" & "Enter the Dragon") and feature international stars Daniel Wu and Shu Qi.
They've won “Album of the Year” and “Editor's Choice” from dozens of magazines, including "Willamette Week," "L.A. Weekly," "Shojo Beat," "Village Voice," "City Beat," and "Rockwired."
As a bit of a different spin on the previous years' iterations, 2017's Otakon Matsuri will take place alongside Otakon throughout the entire convention weekend of August 11-13 within the Washington Marriott Marquis (901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001). The exciting programming track will feature a vast array of entertainment including panels, demonstrations, special guests and the incredible musical performances that the Otakon Matsuri is known for.
Otakon 2017 will be held from August 11 to 13 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
ABOUT OTAKON AND OTAKORP, INC.: Now entering its twenty-fourth year, Otakon is an annual celebration of Japanese and East Asian popular culture, and also one of the largest gatherings of fans in the United States. Otakon celebrates popular culture as a gateway to deeper understanding of Asian culture, and has grown along with the enthusiasm for anime, manga, video games, and music from the Far East. Historically, Otakon has drawn up to 34,000 people for three days each year (for a paid attendance of over 100,000 turnstile attendees). Otakon is a membership based convention sponsored by Otakorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based, 501(c)3 educational non-profit whose mission is to promote the appreciation of Asian culture, primarily through its media and entertainment. Otakorp, Inc. is directed by an all-volunteer, unpaid staff – we are run by fans, for fans.
For more information about Otakorp, Inc., see: http://www.otakorp.org/
For more information and the latest news on Otakon 2017, see http://www.Otakon.com/
