Guy Perryman Interviews

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.