Learning Culture Through Music: the brilliant green

One of my favorite ways to learn a culture is through its music.
In California, where all of my classes are multi-cultural, it's a great ice-breaker to have Hindi-pop or Okinawan folk music pop up during a break.

There's a lot of disposable pop made in Japan, but there is also some very good music.
The Boom, Cocco, Chara, and Nagabuchi all rank high on my list, but the brilliant green is right there as well.
Time magazine named them one of the best bands in the world a few years ago.

the brilliant green answers the musical question, "What would happen if you combined a Japanese girl raised on The Bangles with two Japanese guys raised on Seattle Grunge?"

So, you might ask, how does watching this video help to learn culture?
Here are some reflection questions... feel free to post your responses!

1. Would the title "Ash Like Snow" have resonance with a Japanese audience? Explain why or why not in 500-750 words.
   
2. Read this previous post on Japan's culture of 'kawaii'. Identify at least three 'kawaii' aspects of this video. 
   
3. Can you identify a band or artist in the US that would offer parallels to the brilliant green?Compare /contrast the brilliant green with US performers in 750 - 1000 words.
   
4. the brilliant green are also known to their fans as 'buri-guri'. Discuss the brilliant green's use of English, using their band name as one discussion point.
   
5. Extra credit for question 4 - Discuss the phrase, "I'm feeling myself again" from the video "Tsumetai Hana".