THE KIMI KATO SHOW with Jeremiah - Featuring Sugizo

Sugizo and Kimi TALK ABOUT their road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to see U2 perform live at Sphere. Sugizo compares driving to Vegas with Kimi to his road trips during his youth in Japan.

Sugizo was born Yasuhiro Sugihara (杉原 康弘), better known by his stage name Sugizo.

He is a Japanese musician, songwriter, composer, and record producer.

He is probably best known as the lead guitarist and violinist of the rock band Luna Sea since 1989, but he is also a member of X-Japan, Juno Reactor, and The Last Rockstars. Luna Sea became one of Japan's most famous rock bands, selling more than ten million records and performing in China and Taiwan.

Luna Sea's NEW album is "Mother Style." Luna Sea is celebrating its 35th Anniversary, a milestone few bands can claim. Check out the 2024 tour dates, merchandise, music, and more at https://www.lunasea.jp

https://www.instagram.com/sugizo_official/

https://www.instagram.com/lunaseaofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/xjapanofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/xjapanofficial/

https://www.facebook.com/lunaseareboot

THE KIMI KATO SHOW

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

Theme Music for The Kimi Kato Show - Yamagen “Joyride”

Kimi Kato on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Project Asteri Website: https://projectasteri.com

evolve entertainment network - www.thejeremiahshow.com

Pantheon Media - http://pantheonpodcasts.com/

Radio Candy Media - https://www.facebook.com/RadioCandyMedia/

All Inquiries: 

Jeremiah D. Higgins | Executive Producer

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

GRAHAM PALMER’S SOCIALS

Find Graham Palmer Surprise Studio on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE KIMI KATO SHOW with Jeremiah - Featuring Jonnie Forster | Founder of The Penthouse + Music Manager

Kimi and Jonnie have known each other for 20 years and share space at The Penthouse, an inspirational address where creatives and entertainment executives intersect. Jonnie's passion is assisting his entertainment clients in storytelling across all media platforms. The Penthouse includes recording studios, film and TV offices, management companies, and a legendary 2,500 sq. foot patio overlooking the Hollywood Hills, where all are invited to collaborate and celebrate. 

https://www.thepenthouse.life/

https://www.instagram.com/atthepenthouse/

https://www.facebook.com/ThePenthouseLA

Jonnie Forster became a music entrepreneur when he joined A&M/Tuff Break Records. He implemented marketing plans for the hip-hop roster before moving to Capitol Records.

As a marketing executive, he was instrumental in campaigns for the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, The Beach Boys, Tina Turner, Pink Floyd, and many others. His first break came as executive producer for George Clinton’s “Greatest Funkin’ Hits” album, where he secured artists like Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Coolio, and Digital Underground.

At 23, he was promoted to Director of A&R/New Business Development, one of the youngest to hold this title in the company’s history.

Jonnie and his brothers established the premier music supervision company for the video game industry with clients including EA Sports, Sony Playstation, and Activision while representing the Palms Casino, the Gallo Winery, and The Bob Marley Estate, launching Marley Coffee. The management side of the business has seen clients ranging from global icons, including Lauryn Hill, social media influencers, platinum and Grammy record producers, and current country cross-over stars, such as RVSHVD and WILLIE JONES.

Jonnie is also managing Hailey Welch, an internet sensation. Her new podcast is "Talk Tuah."

LISTEN HERE - https://shorturl.at/CoSD2

https://www.vegaspetrescueproject.com/

https://www.instagram.com/hay_welch/?hl=en

Jonnie wrote his first book, THE BIRD and THE BEE, available everywhere.

https://shorturl.at/QEvMd

Did you like the music in the show? Jonnie Forster provided the music soundtrack. The Spotify playlist for the episode can be heard here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tkXyMaf3PxBe9YHtxVMHs?si=18baf7bb82884a80

THE KIMI KATO SHOW

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

Theme Music for The Kimi Kato Show - Yamagen “Joyride”

Kimi Kato on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Project Asteri Website: https://projectasteri.com

evolve entertainment network - www.thejeremiahshow.com

Pantheon Media - http://pantheonpodcasts.com/

Radio Candy Media - https://www.facebook.com/RadioCandyMedia/

All Inquiries: 

Jeremiah D. Higgins | Executive Producer

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

GRAHAM PALMER’S SOCIALS

Find Graham Palmer Surprise Studio on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE KIMI KATO SHOW with Jeremiah Featuring Michael Naishtut | Actor - Disney, Film, TV, Theatre - and Founder of Akaoni Daiko | Taiko Drumming

Michael was born in Brooklyn, New York. He has appeared in several productions in NYC, including at the NY Public Theater. He's performed at the EPCOT Center in Disney World and as a Puck in "Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Florida Shakespeare Festival.

Michael starred in the film, "Legal Aliens" with Julie Dreyfus.

Michael lived in Japan for 20 years, where he performed in major theaters with some of Japan's biggest stars, including famous Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizou in "Nobunaga" He was also frequently seen on television starring in popular children's programs like "Eigorian" and was active in computer game narrations, like "Shenmue" "Ace Combat" and "Resident Evil."

He is the director of the Japanese version of the show. He also wrote and starred in the bi-cultural marriage comedy, "John and Yoko," directed by Yoko Narahashi. He performed the hit Broadway solo show "Defending the Caveman" in Tokyo in English.

Michael directed the translation of the live shows at Universal Studios Japan and was often seen as an MC and Ring Announcer for Pride Bushido, K-1, and All Japan Wrestling.

He is a founding member of the Tokyo Comedy Store, instrumental in bringing improv and Western-style stand-up comedy to Japan. He performed Japanese-style stand-up and sketch comedy as one half of "The Sushi Brothers" with Yoshimoto Kogyo comedian Zenjiro.

Michael studied Taiko drumming with Miyauchi Yukihiro and founded Akaoni Daiko, performing at the KODO Earth Celebration fringe stage for ten years.

Michael also has a third-degree black belt from the Nihon Karate-do Shotokai.

Returning to Los Angeles, Michael continues his career as a bilingual MC performing in theatre, TV, and film and performing and teaching Taiko drumming.

His group, Akaoni Daiko, will perform at the OC Japan Fair on Sunday, October 20, 2024

https://akaonidaiko.com/

https://www.facebook.com/akaonidaiko

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoWxEeGlOSAghu5uCzpxrcA

https://ocfair.com

THE KIMI KATO SHOW

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

Theme Music for The Kimi Kato Show - Yamagen “Joyride”

Kimi Kato on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Project Asteri Website: https://projectasteri.com

evolve entertainment network - www.thejeremiahshow.com

Pantheon Media - http://pantheonpodcasts.com/

Radio Candy Media - https://www.facebook.com/RadioCandyMedia/

All Inquiries: 

Jeremiah D. Higgins | Executive Producer

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

GRAHAM PALMER’S SOCIALS

Find Graham Palmer Surprise Studio on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE KIMI KATO SHOW with Jeremiah - Featuring Eijiro Tsukada | Founder of World Matcha Inc., Cuzen Matcha, Cuzen Matcha Home, Cuzen Matcha Maker Pro, and Stonemill Matcha Cafe, San Francisco

Eijiro Tsukada is a serial Japanese green tea/matcha entrepreneur. In 2019, he founded World Matcha Inc. He created Cuzen Matcha and moved to the US to pursue his passion for making authentic, high-quality matcha more accessible to everyone.

He launched Cuzen Matcha Home in October 2020 and will launch Cuzen Matcha Maker Pro, a commercial-use machine for cafes and restaurants, in the Fall 2024.

Before Cuzen Matcha, Eijiro spent over two decades at Suntory, a global beverage and wellness company in Japan, where he led the successful launch of Iyemon Toku-cha green tea in Japan in 2013. Eijiro successfully opened Stonemill Matcha Cafe in San Francisco in 2018.

Born and raised in Tokyo, Eijiro studied at the University of Tokyo and later at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Get your own personal Matcha Maker Kit and a $50 discount by going to cuzenmatcha.com and entering the code KIMI50

Cuzen Matcha

https://cuzenmatcha.com

https://www.instagram.com/cuzenmatcha/

https://www.instagram.com/cuzenmatcha.japan/

https://www.instagram.com/stonemillmatcha/

https://www.facebook.com/eijiro.tsukada

THE KIMI KATO SHOW

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

Theme Music for The Kimi Kato Show - Yamagen “Joyride”

Kimi Kato on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Project Asteri Website: https://projectasteri.com

evolve entertainment network - www.thejeremiahshow.com

Pantheon Media - http://pantheonpodcasts.com/

Radio Candy Media - https://www.facebook.com/RadioCandyMedia/

All Inquiries: 

Jeremiah D. Higgins | Executive Producer

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

GRAHAM PALMER’S SOCIALS

Find Graham Palmer Surprise Studio on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Gold is the International Marketing Manager for Sony Music Entertainment Japan.

Jordan is responsible for bridging music from East to West and supporting Japanese artists' expansion into international markets. He has worked with everyone, from American hip-hop artists like Kendrick Lamar to Japanese rap artists like AK69. 

He divides his time between SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT JAPAN and the ORCHARD.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-gold-91a13557/

https://www.instagram.com/paapigold/

https://www.facebook.com/jordan.gold.395/

THE KIMI KATO SHOW 

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Jeremiah D. Higgins

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

Find Sound Engineer Graham Palmer at Surprise Studio on Instagram -

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE KIMI KATO SHOW - With Jeremiah - Featuring Toshi Sato - Fleet Manager, Master Certified, #1 Salesperson - Mercedes-Benz

He is called “The Best of The Best” in the world of Mercedes-Benz. 

He is nicknamed the "Mercedes-Benz King of Sales.” He is known worldwide as “Toshi—the Japanese man who sells the most Mercedes-Benz cars in the world.”

His name is Toshiki "Toshi" Sato. He was born in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, and spent his childhood near a US military base in Kanagawa, sparking a deep admiration for America. He began his career as an opening cast member at Tokyo Disneyland, where he worked for a decade. Following this, he joined the Rihga Royal Hotel Tokyo sales department. 

In 1997, he moved to the US and became the Customer Relations Director for a major Japanese travel agency, JTB, in Hawaii.

2003, he relocated to Los Angeles and started selling Mercedes-Benz in 2005. His exceptional performance earned him the prestigious "Best of the Best" award from Mercedes-Benz, and he is now celebrated as the "Mercedes-Benz King of Sales." As a certified Master Fleet Sales Manager, he sells over 400 cars yearly. He also actively conducts sales coaching lectures, earning recognition as "the Japanese who sells the most Mercedes-Benz cars in the world.”

https://www.instagram.com/toshimbz/

https://www.facebook.com/sato.toshiki.3/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/toshi-sato-02527516/

https://www.mbzlongbeach.com

THE KIMI KATO SHOW

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

Theme Music for The Kimi Kato Show - Yamagen “Joyride”

Kimi Kato on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Project Asteri Website: https://projectasteri.com

evolve entertainment network - www.thejeremiahshow.com

Pantheon Media - http://pantheonpodcasts.com/

Radio Candy Media - https://www.facebook.com/RadioCandyMedia/

All Inquiries: 

Jeremiah D. Higgins | Executive Producer

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

GRAHAM PALMER’S SOCIALS

Find Graham Palmer Surprise Studio on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE KIMI KATO SHOW - With Jeremiah - Featuring Hoobastank - Doug Robb + Dan Estrin 

Doug and Dan join Kimi to discuss their two-decade-plus friendship, getting signed, recording their first album, lunches at Hurry Curry of Tokyo, Rolling Stone Magazine, working and touring together in Japan, and great Summer Sonic memories.

A single embedded into pop culture history, Hoobastank’s “The Reason” just entered the elite Billions Club on Spotify as the song surpassed 1 billion streams. With just over 600 songs to surpass this milestone, Hoobastank is the latest to be added to the illustrious playlist alongside music legends AC/DC, The Beatles, Whitney Houston, Elton John, and more.

Amid the 20th anniversary of The Reason, Hoobastank re-entered the studio with Howard Benson, the producer responsible for this iconic album, for an intimate track-by-track experience. Reminiscing about this magical time in 2003, Benson, vocalist Doug Robb, and guitarist Dan Estrin take fans behind the scenes, discussing never-before-shared stories of The Reason. The episodes will debut weekly.

https://hoobastank.com/

THE KIMI KATO SHOW 

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Jeremiah D. Higgins

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

Find Sound Engineer Graham Palmer at Surprise Studio on Instagram -

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE KIMI KATO SHOW - Featuring Rob Kelso - Director of US Operations for Creativeman Productions – Japan  

Rob Kelso is the Director of US Operations for Creativeman Productions – Japan  

Creativeman Productions has established itself as one of Japan's most prominent concert promoters, with a global reach. The Summer Sonic Music Festival, a testament to this, started in 2000 in Tokyo and Osaka. It's a weekend of music that transcends borders, hosting the biggest names in music from around the world.

Rob has been the bridge that has brought many international artists, from new to popular global superstars, to Japan. He started his career as a talent buyer and tour coordinator for Creativeman Productions' Summer Sonic Festival. He is now in charge of performance contacts and settlements as the Director of US Operations for Creativeman Productions – Japan.  

Rob's highlights from SummerSonic

Memories of Summer Sonic

CREATIVEMAN PRODUCTIONS Website - https://www.creativeman.co.jp

X- https://x.com/CMP_official

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/creativeman_productions/

https://www.facebook.com/creativemanproductions/

https://www.youtube.com/user/CreativemanOfficial

THE KIMI KATO SHOW

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

Theme Music for The Kimi Kato Show - Yamagen “Joyride”

Kimi Kato on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Project Asteri Website: https://projectasteri.com

All Inquiries: 

Jeremiah D. Higgins | Executive Producer

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

GRAHAM PALMER’S SOCIALS

Find Graham Palmer Surprise Studio on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE KIMI KATO SHOW with Jeremiah - Featuring Sincere from RYUSENKEI

RYUSENKEI is a Japanese city music band consisting of Cunimondo Takiguchi and Sincere. Sincere joins us today on the show.

The story of RYUSENKEI starts back in 2001 when Cunimondo Takiguchi [クニモンド瀧口]formed the band 流線形 “Ryusenkei.” The band's name was originally written in Japanese. It began as an exciting project, and by 2003, Cunimondo, alongside Takehiro Oshizuka [押塚岳大] and Yuzo Hayashi [林有三], released the mini album “CITY MUSIC,” featuring Tomomi Sano on vocals.

Fast forward to 2006, Ryusenkei transformed into a solo project for Cunimondo, who dropped the album “TOKYO SNIPER” with Nica Eguchi [江口ニカ], also known as Hitomitoi [一十三十一]. It was highly rated amongst City Pop music fans and set the stage for their evolving sound.

By 2009, Ryusenkei was back with Atsuko Hiyajo [比屋定篤子], releasing “NATURAL WOMAN.” And just when you thought they couldn’t get any more groundbreaking, 2019 saw them collaborating with Hitomitoi [一十三十一] again for “Talio,” the soundtrack for the NHK drama series “Talio Fukushu Daiko no Futari,” marking a new chapter in their musical journey. [NHK ドラマ「タリオ 復讐代行の2人」]

In 2022, they released “Incomplete,” featuring Yasuyuki Horigome [堀込泰行], a former member of KIRINJI [exキリンジ], adding yet another layer to their rich sound.

And here’s the exciting part—2024 brings a fresh start with singer-songwriter Sincere joining the group as an official member with a new name, “RYUSENKEI,” spelled out in English. 

Their latest album, “ILLUSIONS,” just dropped from Alfa Music and is already turning heads. With their innovative style and ever-evolving sound, RYUSENKEI is set to take the music world by storm again!

Website: https://www.ryusenkei.com

RYUSENKEI's Instagram - @ryusenkei_official

Sincere's Instagram - @sinceretanyaa

THE KIMI KATO SHOW

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

Theme Music for The Kimi Kato Show - Yamagen “Joyride”

Kimi Kato on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Project Asteri Website: https://projectasteri.com

All Inquiries: 

Jeremiah D. Higgins | Executive Producer

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

GRAHAM PALMER’S SOCIALS

Find Graham Palmer Surprise Studio on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THE KIMI KATO SHOW with Jeremiah - Featuring Summer Japanese Music Festivals

In our last episode, we talked about the quintessential summer moments in Japan. One of the highlights of summer in Japan is the music festivals. We dive into the rhythm of summer by introducing some of the key music festivals in Japan.

Whether you're a music enthusiast or simply looking for an unforgettable summer experience, these festivals promise excitement, diversity, and the best of Japan's music scene.

We explore these MUST-GO music festivals in Japan:

Osaka Gigantic Music Festival - http://www.giga-osaka.com

Fuji Rock Music Festival - https://en.fujirockfestival.com

Rock in Japan Festival - https://rijfes.jp

Rising Sun Rock Festival - https://rsr.wess.co.jp/2024/

Summer Sonic Festival - https://www.summersonic.com/en/

Monster baSH Festival - https://www.monsterbash.jp/timetable.html

Sweet Love Shower Festival - https://www.sweetloveshower.com/2024/index.html

Tokyo Idol Festival in Odaiba - https://official.idolfes.com/s/tif2024/?ima=0000

Sapporo City Jazz - https://sapporocityjazz.jp

THE KIMI KATO SHOW

Host - Kimi Kato

Co-Host - Jeremiah D. Higgins

Executive Producers - Kimi Kato & Jeremiah D. Higgins

Sound Engineer - Graham Parker | Surprise Studio

Theme Music for The Kimi Kato Show - Yamagen “Joyride”

Kimi Kato on Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/kimitaka.kato/

https://www.instagram.com/project_asteri/

https://www.instagram.com/asteri_ent/

Project Asteri Website: https://projectasteri.com

All Inquiries: 

Jeremiah D. Higgins | Executive Producer

https://linktr.ee/jeremiahdhiggins

GRAHAM PALMER’S SOCIALS

Find Graham Palmer Surprise Studio on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/surprise__studio/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices