November 10, 2006
When Scott Novosel, a former Kansas University basketball player, moved to Tokyo seven years ago, he didn’t know much, if any, Japanese.
“The only words I knew were ‘domo arigato’ from the song ‘Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto,’” Novosel said about the 1983 Styx hit.
It’s fitting the 33-year-old Novosel alluded to music. That’s where he found his passion in Tokyo — being the front man of Jai Live, a band that fuses the rock ‘n’ roll and rap genres.
Jai Live formed in February with some of the same members from Novosel’s former band, Niceguy Jin. The old band sold more than 40,000 records. Novosel is hoping Jai Live will be an even bigger attraction. The band’s first album is due out in the spring. Jai Live’s “Out of Sight” is already a candiate for Youtube’s Best Underground Music Video. You can visit jailive.com for details on how to vote. Public voting will last until Nov. 16.
“If we win, we’d get a free trip to New York City and be on Good Morning America,” Novosel said. “It’d be perfect timing to come home for those KU (basketball) games.”
Competition is fierce, though. Jai Live’s video is one of 2,264 entered in the contest.
Jai Live represents only a fraction of what Novosel has accomplished in his dream-filled career. At the same time the band formed, John Youngman of Fighting Entertainment approached Novosel about a TV show. Novosel also co-hosts Jai Live TV, which discusses Japanese culture and lifestyle. The show is mainly done in English, but includes some Japanese.