01Profile
A Antena Photo
Antena
Sendai City
03Interview
Photo (L-R): Naofumi Honda (Dr.Cho), Ryo Watanabe (Vo.Gt), Ktsuhiro Suzuki (Ba.Cho) and Koichi Ikeda (Gt.Key.Cho).
Name, where are you from?
Ryo Watanabe from Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan.
What do you do?
Vocals & Guitar in ANTENA.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Phoenix at Toyosu Pit in April 2018, seen together with all of the band. The sound quality was so solid that each individuals output sounded unique. The drums and bass, in particular, were hard to believe that they were coming from the same speakers.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Alasdair McLellan, the photographer. I found about him through a photo-sharing app where I saw quite a few nice photographers who are individually active in the UK.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
LIQUID ROOM, Ebisu Tokyo. Great vibe and the venue sound matched the current ANTENA thus making us want to go back there to play again.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
It has to be The Beatles. Although they might not been on the best terms with each other, I like the era when all four would sing together - around the time of 'Yellow Submarine'.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
No particular person but I'd rather do something that is non-music related, like bowling or playing cards.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Pretty Vicious. I like their wicked UK sound ever since I first found them on YouTube.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
Mainly UK artists but I tried to include music that is at the root of my style and how it's developed.
The first track you played on repeat?
No one else but The Beatles. An early favourite of mine was 'Help!', the first track on their best album. It was also used for the opening soundtrack for the 'Kaiun Nandemo Kanteidan', a popular Japanese TV program about the appraisal of antiques.
A song that defines the teenage you?
In terms of the derivative, it would be rooted in The Beatles, however, if I must choose then it would be 'I Will Wait' Mumford & Sons.
One record you would keep forever?
I would say 'Abbey Road' by The Beatles. Not only because of the iconic cover but also because the album has had a substantial influence on a wide range of musicians. Although cliché, I would argue that this album expresses an all-time classic feel for the whole world.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
This answer would again be The Beatles. Rather than using phrases, the simple yet emotionally striking wording on 'Yesterday' continues to inspire me even today.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Don't Look Back In Anger' by Oasis. It sounds really emo but whether you like the genre or not, I tend to sing this loud without any purpose at karaoke with friends who aren't in my band.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Certainty' by Temples.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Pretty Vicious. If I had to choose a Japanese band, I listen to Homecomings quite a lot.
03Interview
Photo (L-R): Naofumi Honda (Dr.Cho), Ryo Watanabe (Vo.Gt), Ktsuhiro Suzuki (Ba.Cho) and Koichi Ikeda (Gt.Key.Cho).
Name, where are you from?
Ryo Watanabe from Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan.
What do you do?
Vocals & Guitar in ANTENA.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Phoenix at Toyosu Pit in April 2018, seen together with all of the band. The sound quality was so solid that each individuals output sounded unique. The drums and bass, in particular, were hard to believe that they were coming from the same speakers.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Alasdair McLellan, the photographer. I found about him through a photo-sharing app where I saw quite a few nice photographers who are individually active in the UK.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
LIQUID ROOM, Ebisu Tokyo. Great vibe and the venue sound matched the current ANTENA thus making us want to go back there to play again.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
It has to be The Beatles. Although they might not been on the best terms with each other, I like the era when all four would sing together - around the time of 'Yellow Submarine'.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
No particular person but I'd rather do something that is non-music related, like bowling or playing cards.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Pretty Vicious. I like their wicked UK sound ever since I first found them on YouTube.
04Playlist Notes
How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
Mainly UK artists but I tried to include music that is at the root of my style and how it's developed.
The first track you played on repeat?
No one else but The Beatles. An early favourite of mine was 'Help!', the first track on their best album. It was also used for the opening soundtrack for the 'Kaiun Nandemo Kanteidan', a popular Japanese TV program about the appraisal of antiques.
A song that defines the teenage you?
In terms of the derivative, it would be rooted in The Beatles, however, if I must choose then it would be 'I Will Wait' Mumford & Sons.
One record you would keep forever?
I would say 'Abbey Road' by The Beatles. Not only because of the iconic cover but also because the album has had a substantial influence on a wide range of musicians. Although cliché, I would argue that this album expresses an all-time classic feel for the whole world.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
This answer would again be The Beatles. Rather than using phrases, the simple yet emotionally striking wording on 'Yesterday' continues to inspire me even today.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Don't Look Back In Anger' by Oasis. It sounds really emo but whether you like the genre or not, I tend to sing this loud without any purpose at karaoke with friends who aren't in my band.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Certainty' by Temples.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
Pretty Vicious. If I had to choose a Japanese band, I listen to Homecomings quite a lot.