Guy Perryman Interviews

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 process of writing words for music, the story of why one of his most famous pieces was locked in Michael Jackson’s vaults for decades, being inspired by Kyoto's 10th century "social media", and how the hum of cities has an impact on his words.

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 Slash, and what from Japan they want to take back home with them.

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 time after studying the language and culture back in his school days.

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 happier and healthier and spontaneously sings a bassline for us.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.