Guy Perryman Interviews

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 take care of our oceans, and enjoying a spicy bowl of ramen in Tokyo.

9/13/24 • 12:52

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 production of the stage musical Rent. Dobson shares serendipitous and painful showbiz moments, why musical theatre and music is so important for life, plus there's even an unscripted backstage moment minutes before Dobson is due on stage.

9/6/24 • 12:51

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 far including facing a stadium audience when being extremely shy, why he closes his eyes when singing, why music is therapy, and living life as a true internationalist.

8/30/24 • 16:59

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 music, and indeed the world, needs to be more loving and less selfish, and what goes through his mind with eyes closed while singing.

8/23/24 • 06:13

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, how songwriting is about finding understanding between people, and being an "old soul" why she loves long-form music videos.

8/23/24 • 05:49

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 recording is the best, and recommends some Brazilian music destinations. 

8/16/24 • 18:27

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 global community, provide them with a platform to launch their own solo projects and discover what soul music really means.

8/9/24 • 14:57

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.

8/2/24 • 11:19

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, walking up stairs in Japan, and a lucky horseshoe on his skin.

7/26/24 • 14:51

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 conflict resolution, something the world could learn from.

7/19/24 • 09:47

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 shares her observation of sea lions being like little puppies, dolphins cool teenagers and whales wise shaman, and gives advice about how we can all help the oceans and how the oceans can help us.

7/12/24 • 23:28

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 of the creative and business sides of music, a "happy accident" success story in Japan, and the undervalued perception of music.

7/5/24 • 39:27

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 writing music that takes her to a vulnerable place, enjoying music from different angles as a musician and a fan, and discovering macrobiotic food in Japan.

6/28/24 • 13:28

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 career at it's peak, and creating act two of life turning the passion for cars from a hobby into a business on the boulevards of West Hollywood.

6/21/24 • 24:58

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 the Japanese music and media business.

6/14/24 • 35:53

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't ignore his passion for music, creating a tribute to his parents, which one of all of the instruments he plays is a favourite, and a quirky thing about Japan he loves.

6/7/24 • 16:20

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 by Shay Latukolan, and choosing a famous cartoon character as a travel companion.

5/31/24 • 12:30

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 shows are all-encompassing multi-sensory experiences.

5/24/24 • 15:13

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 he built his career in the face of doubters, and shares deeper thoughts on giving back to community, the place of photography in a visually saturated world, and the power of music.

5/15/24 • 55:39

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 inspired his creative journey.

5/10/24 • 26:04

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.

4/27/24 • 13:53

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 transition journey.

4/26/24 • 24:29

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 creating a loving family, and designing their own name.

4/20/24 • 38:23

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", including moving on from tragedy, creating a joyful place in the Japanese countryside, her "infamous third drawer" full of unpublished manuscripts, and enjoying mealtimes with good company, wine and music.

4/14/24 • 49:35

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 of coming out in his teens, and passion about how it feels to sing, whether in the shower, on stage in front of thousands, or at karaoke in Japan.

4/5/24 • 15:25

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 edible decibels - music that is good enough to eat, and enjoying vegan food in Japan.

3/29/24 • 14:41

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.

3/23/24 • 11:34

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 music overcoming negative press, and the joy of quitting their day jobs.

3/15/24 • 12:06

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 International Women's Day.

3/9/24 • 13:34

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.

3/2/24 • 10:09