A conversation with Ziggy Alberts – singer/songwriter (and surfer) who was in Japan in October 2024 for live shows together with Donavon Frankenreiter after the two collaborated on the song "I'll Come A-Runnin'". Alberts talks about his passion for music, words and writing, getting back to nature, and first time catching a wave in Japan.…

A conversation with Mike Pruss – Hollywood producer of Ridley Scott's juggernaut Gladiator II who was in Japan in November 2024 for the red-carpet reception and screening at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Pruss shares behind the scenes stories of the “sword & sandal” epic, plus moments from his creative journey, and how Japan has had an imp…

A conversation with Tom Daley – British diving Olympic gold medalist who was in Japan in November 2024 for his first ever Made with Love knitting exhibition. Daley talks about the meditative parallel between diving and knitting, being an advocate for mental health and marriage equality, and why Tokyo has a special place in his heart.…

A conversation with Mikolas – pop star who represented the Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, and in 2024 was in Japan recording his new collaboration with J-rapper SKY-HI. Mikolas shares stories about his life journey starting out cleaning music studios in return for recording time, busking his way around Europe, the challenge of …

A conversation with Soness Stevens - voice actor, writer and stand-up comedian, who has been the voice of anime character Hello Kitty, written for TEDx talks, and made her debut appearance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2024. Stevens shares stories from her creative journey, how living in a car as a child with her mother shaped her writing …

A conversation with Matthew Halsall - trumpeter and founder of Gondwana Records label who creates beautiful, dreamy ambient music and was in Japan for live shows at Peter Barakan's Live Magic and Blue Note Tokyo in October 2024. Halsall discusses being inspired by the spiritual side of Japan, recording the sounds of nature for his music, the power …

A conversation with Lisle Wilkerson - AKA Lisle Weapon, Blonde Geisha - former Tokyo and now Los Angeles based radio DJ, voice actor, game & animation convention MC, and red-carpet reporter. Wilkerson shares the time we first met as in-store DJ's in Tokyo back in the 90’s, plus moments as a pioneering bi-lingual radio broadcaster, showbiz moments w…

A conversation with Chris Mosdell – poet and lyricist who has written for a vast array of musicians including Yellow Magic Orchestra, Michael Jackson, Sarah Brightman, Tatsuro Yamashita and many more, and in 2023 was honoured with Japan's Classics Day Cultural Foundation Prize, presented by a member of the Imperial family. Mosdell shares the proces…

A conversation with Plush – all female rock group from the US on a mission to bring rock back to the forefront of the music industry, who were in Japan for the first time for live shows in October 2024. All four members talk about the joy of being in a band and getting inspiration from each other, supporting some legends in rock including KISS and …

A conversation with Timmy Byrne – dance music lover, DJ and owner of dance music radio station Kiss FM in Melbourne Australia who was in Japan in July 2024 to talk, walk, go clubbing and dance. Byrne expresses his love for the shared communal experience of listening to radio and being on a dance floor, and delight of being in Japan for the first ti…

A conversation with Jimmy Mullins – music loving teen student at the School of Rock in Portugal who is discovering the joys of becoming a future rock star and was in Japan for summer break in August 2024 together with his parents eating their way around the world. Mullins talks about why music is such a powerful way to make teen life and the world …

A conversation with Maisy Kay – singer inspired by fantasy worlds, the oceans of our real world, and emotions of the heart including challenging teen years moving from rural England to the hub of showbiz Los Angeles, who was in Japan for live shows in August 2024. Kay shares her thoughts on why adults need a little more whimsy, why we all need to t…

A conversation with Jordan Dobson – stage / screen actor and musician whose Broadway debut was as the standby in the role of Tony in West Side Story, and movie debut was in Maestro the story of Leonard Bernstein West Side Story’s composer, and was in Japan in August/September 2024 starring in the role of Angel in the Broadway and Japanese productio…

A conversation with Mikah - singer born and raised in Hawaii who moved to Japan after being scouted for boyband Intersection, then to China for audition reality show and joining the group Into1, now pursuing a solo career and was in Japan to perform live at Summer Sonic music festival in August 2024. Mikah shares thoughts on his musical journey so …

A conversation with Stephen Sanchez - singer inspired by the music of the 1950's & 60's with the swagger of Elvis to match, who was in Japan to perform at Summer Sonic music festival in August 2024. In our allotted five minutes (standard for music festival press) Sanchez shares his thoughts on performing with Elton John at Glastonbury Festival, why…

A conversation with Olivia Dean – soulful singer/songwriter who creates some beautiful smooth soul, was named BBC Music Introducing Artist of the Year 2023, and was in Japan to perform at Summer Sonic music festival in August 2024. In our allotted five minutes (standard for music festival press) Dean shares thoughts on her favourite theatre musical…

A conversation with Ricardo Bacelar - composer and multi-instrumentalist who has collaborated with an array of musicians and released a number of albums inspired by the vast range of Brazilian music who was in Japan for a series of live shows in July 2024. Bacelar talks passionately about how composers "feel" music flow, why the first take when rec…

A conversation with Joao Caetano and Francis Hylton - percussionist and bassist respectively with legendary acid jazz group Incognito and side project Citrus Sun who were in Japan for shows at Blue Note Tokyo in July 2024. The two discuss how performing with Bluey's two major music groups has given them the chance to see the world and build a globa…

A conversation with Kitty Liv – one third of sibling music trio Kitty, Daisy & Lewis who released her debut solo album Easy Tiger the same week as her live show at Fuji Rock Festival in Japan in July 2024. Kitty shares thoughts on her solo venture, music festivals, why she loves Fuji Rock and how a bad relationship can inspire good music.…

A conversation with Carlos O’Connell guitarist of Fontaines D.C. – UK chart-topping, Brit Award-winning Irish rock stars who were in Japan for Fuji Rock Festival 2024. Three days before their Red Marquee set at the festival O'Connell shares his favourite music festival moment, thoughts on purposely not looking at the band's global tour schedule, wa…

A conversation with Mark Johnson – co-founder of Playing For Change, a foundation and global collective of musicians who offer education and opportunities through the power of music. Johnson shares human success stories from his travels and how music is used not only for education, entertainment and healing but also in an African village for confli…

A conversation with Ai Futaki – Guinness World Record holding free diver, speaker, documentary maker and oceans advocate who talked at a World Ocean Day 2024 event at the Canadian Embassy Tokyo and in summer 2024 has an exhibition creating an ocean in an inland town in Japan. Chatting on the beach at Hayama, Kanagawa prefecture near Tokyo Futaki sh…

A conversation with Nick Wood – musician, composer, music producer and SYN Studio in Tokyo founder who has created the audio for a vast array of projects and collaborated with artists including Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran, Julian Lennon, Maxi Priest, Bebel Gilberto, Ariana Grande, Katy Perry and more. Wood shares stories of the joys and challenges …

A conversation with Margaret Glaspy - singer/songwriter inspired by a wide range of American music including blues and folk, and stories inspired by life experiences who has released a number of critically acclaimed self-produced solo albums and EP’s. Backstage at Blue Note Tokyo before two live shows in June 2024 Glaspy shares stories about writin…

A conversation with Rob Dickinson – singer/songwriter with 90’s Brit rock band Catherine Wheel plus solo projects, and founder of Singer Vehicle Design a company that remodels and re-imagines Porsche 911’s. Dickinson shares experiences on songwriting inspired by the ocean's horizon to escape a small English town, literally walking away from a pop c…

A conversation with Mami Kikuchi – City Pop singer / songwriter who’s 1982 albums have been re-released in 2024; TV commercial singer; TV show host; and interpreter for international stars visiting Japan. Kikuchi shares stories about working with music legends including Mick Jagger, J-pop legends including Akiko Yano and experiences as a woman in t…

A conversation with Cautious Clay – singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist who makes soulful music, had the courage to quit his day job and pursue music full time, has collaborated with John Mayer and been sampled by Taylor Swift. Backstage at Duo Music Exchange Shibuya Tokyo during soundcheck in May 2024 Clay shares thoughts on why he couldn'…

A conversation with Jungle – all three core members Josh Lloyd-Watson, Tom McFarland and Lydia Kitto – who make the smoothest dance music and coolest accompanying videos and were in Japan for sold out shows in May 2024. The three discuss the best and worst of a live show, the latest album Volcano long-form music movie with spectacular choreography …

A conversation with L’Rain – singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, and curator from New York who was in Tokyo for live shows featuring the unique dreamy, rhythm driven music at Billboard Live in May 2024. L'Rain shares thoughts on how performing music and dance makes her feel, how there are no bad ideas in creativity, and how live sho…

A conversation with Leslie Kee – Singapore born photographer based in Japan for most of his career who has photographed a vast array of Japanese and international stars of fashion, film, music and the arts, also creating pioneering shoots with the LGBTQ+ community together with global brand collaborators. Kee talks candidly about his childhood, how…

A conversation with Jose James - "jazz artist for the hip-hop generation", singer, songwriter and all-round cool dude who was in Tokyo in May 2024 to talk about his new album [1978], inspired by his birth year and all the amazing music of the era. James shares on-stage and in-studio stories from New York and Los Angeles to people in Tokyo who have …

A conversation with Sarah Soetaert – ballet dancer, singer, actor from London’s West End stages to Tokyo for the musical Chicago in the role of Roxie. Soetaert tells why Chicago is a brilliant show for female performers, why she loves playing Roxie and how it feels on stage in the moment when everything aligns.…

A conversation with Endigo – music producer, pink influencer and Ru Paul’s Drag Race Sweden contestant who loves spending time in Tokyo getting inspired by the city’s street fashion, game, and anime culture. Endigo shares the Drag Race backstage experience, why Tokyo has a sense of gender and fashion freedom, and reveals more about continuing the t…

A conversation with Aaydium – fashion creative director and drag queen, who lived in Tokyo as a fashion store and dance floor star for a number of years and returned to participate in Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2024 and iconic LGBTQ+ The Ring party. Aaydium shares intimately about experiencing life as a man and a woman, the importance of coming from and c…

A conversation with Karen Hill Anton – journalist, writer, and novelist who has resided in Japan for almost 50 years, in 2020 published her riveting memoir The View From Breast Pocket Mountain and recently published her first novel A Thousand Graces about a young Japanese woman. Hill Anton shares stories from her life "unplanned but well lived", in…

A conversation with Calum Scott – singer who shot to stardom after performing on Britain’s Got Talent in 2015, has toured as opening act for Ed Sheeran, performed at Windsor Castle, and was in Tokyo for a live show at Zepp Diver City (or Diversity!) in March 2024. Scott talks with great energy about his musical journey, honesty about the challenge …

A conversation with edbl - real name Ed Black - music producer, beat maker and DJ who creates very cool electro tracks with a vast array of guest vocalists, singers and rappers who was in Japan for sold out live shows at Blue Note Tokyo and a DJ set at Blue Note Place in March 2024. edbl shares stories from behind the decks and on stage, making edi…

A conversation with Wednesday – country, grungy, dreamy indie rock band who were in Tokyo for a live show at Shibuya Club Quattro in March 2024. The four members talk about songwriting inspired by friends and family, admiring the stamina of festival-goers, and being nourished in Japan.بقلم Guy Perryman

A conversation with Christian Saville, guitarist and Simon Scott, drummer from Slowdive – dreamy indie rock band who were part of Britpop culture of the early 90’s, had a 20 year hiatus and returned with new albums and live shows for the 21st century. Recorded backstage at Toyosu Pit Tokyo in March 2024 the two share their thoughts on the power of …

A conversation with Cherri V and Natalie Duncan - soulful singers, and vocalists with acid jazz legends Incognito who were in Japan for a run of sold out shows at Blue Note Tokyo in March 2024. The two share stories about their solo music, why they love performing and recording with Bluey of Incognito, and the power of music celebrating Internation…

A conversation with Mark “Bax” Baxter – writer, music video and documentary filmmaker, and co-curator of From the Caribbean to Coventry - plotting the rise of 2Tone music exhibition at the Barbican Library in London. Baxter shares stories from his south London youth discovering the music that combined cultures and beat racism.…

A conversation with Susie Vanner – singer, actor and Bond Girl starring with 007 Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me in 1977, who has just recorded her second album of very personal original songs and a very interesting selection of cover versions. The conversation took place at Vanner's Holland Park London home where I was invited to present her w…

A conversation with Izumi Thomas – Head of Programming Projects at Japan House London, who curates exhibitions and events at the High Street Kensington cultural venue. Thomas introduces us to what you can discover at Japan House London, and shares favourite destinations in Japan and the UK.بقلم Guy Perryman

A conversation with Andrew Flynn – founder and designer of POTR Japanese origami inspired indoor plant pots with a sustainable hassle-free concept. Flynn talks about bridging Scotland and Japan through creative business, challenging the concept of "shipping air", and the joy of powder snowboarding in Japan.…

A conversation with Lenne Hardt – mixed martial arts ring announcer, voice narrator, actor and singer whose spectacular voice and personality have been part of Japanese showbiz for decades. Hardt reveals how she created her signature powerrrrful announcing voice, shares a tip for people who want to succeed in showbiz in Japan, and selects some favo…

A conversation with The Japanese House - who makes blissful synthesiser, guitar vocal pop with personal melancholic lyrics who was in Japan for live shows in January 2024. We discuss the need to make music for selfish reasons, the joy of sharing the moment with an audience, taking your dog as a travel companion, and of course visiting a house while…

A conversation with Elizabeth Bougerol and Evan Palazzo of The Hot Sardines – who remake vintage jazz and create their own snazzy jazz, with live shows that are a swinging good time made even more toe-tapping with a tap dancer. The two share thoughts on the dynamic New York jazz scene, connecting on a spiritual level through music, and the "art-mak…

A conversation with Yuto Uchino from The fin. – who create atmospheric, dreamy rock, the ideal winter season soundtrack. Uchino-san talks about the band's two tours of China in 2023, what he's looking forward to in 2024, plus diving deeper into the power of music, what colour is music, and imagining talking with ancestors.…

A conversation with Hector Fernandez – globetrotting game developer at Sony PlayStation, who is currently based in Tokyo. Fernandez talks passionately and deeply about the way games make you feel and how they can improve our lives, and shares how Japan has changed his view on life.بقلم Guy Perryman

A conversation with Bluey from Incognito – who surprised my GPS radio show listeners when he stopped by the Tokyo studio live on air 22 December 2023. It was a festive season special edition of the show and we couldn’t have asked for a better gift. Bluey shares with us a health issue and why he came to Japan for healing, talks about the new Incogni…