01Profile
A Maika Loubté Photo
Maika Loubté
Singer-songwriter — Tokyo
03Interview
Name
Maika Loubté
What do you do?
Singer-songwriter/Trackmaker
Where are you from?
Tokyo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I have a few. First, the solo gig of David Byrne at the club “SHIBUYA-AX” 7 years ago. I like Talking Heads too. Second, the gig of the Korean band “HYUKOH” played in the music festival “Summer Sonic” last year. Third, the gig of “Underworld” in Bangkok of Thailand. I played there too, and they were a headliner. That gig was the best experience for me. Around the end of the gig, they told the audience they were going to play a traditional British folk song before playing ‘Born Slippy’, it was funny.
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
“Ghost World”, a movie I watched when high school. I was also affected by the film “AKIRA” for example, a vivid and futuristic worldview including shocking content and movie music.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Probably, the membership-based club “SILENCIO” in Paris, where I played a gig in 2016. David Lynch designed it. I felt its atmosphere like another world.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
If I could meet any person, Paul McCartney. I listened to The Beatles very much in junior high school. I went to his Europe tour when I lived in Paris.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I used to learn the classical piano. So I would like to be taught by Ravel as I like a French impressionism.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
A heroine for me is Australian electro artist Sui Zhen. She is so talented, peaceful and enlightened, and creates her own distinctive world.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
The theme song of Japanese anime “Sousei no Aquarion” would be the first one. I knew it from a compilation album when I was 6 years old before touching pop music. I didn’t watch the anime itself though and can’t understand why I liked this song at that time. On top of this, The Beatles would be the best one in terms of the number of times played. I collected and listened to all of their albums after I bought the greatest hits album “1”.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Though I could not understand its lyrics, ‘Cowboys’ by Portishead. The song has rather a dark impression, but I was healed by this.
One record you would keep forever?
Difficult question. I came up with ‘Secretly Susan’ by Sui Zhen for now. I love all of her albums, but this is the one. Having said my choice may change depend on time.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
‘STROBOLIGHTS’ and ‘OTOGI NATION’ by SUPERCAR. Sounds come first then words follow it. I also make a melody first, and lyrics arise accordingly. Not the other way around. But in their case, you can think of the melody just from the lyrics. I think the words are equally powerful as the melody.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Aozora’ by THE BLUE HEARTS
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘California Gurls’ by Katy Perry
Four new bands, you are listening to now?
George Clanton, Polo & Pan, Baths, Smerz and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
03Interview
Name
Maika Loubté
What do you do?
Singer-songwriter/Trackmaker
Where are you from?
Tokyo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I have a few. First, the solo gig of David Byrne at the club “SHIBUYA-AX” 7 years ago. I like Talking Heads too. Second, the gig of the Korean band “HYUKOH” played in the music festival “Summer Sonic” last year. Third, the gig of “Underworld” in Bangkok of Thailand. I played there too, and they were a headliner. That gig was the best experience for me. Around the end of the gig, they told the audience they were going to play a traditional British folk song before playing ‘Born Slippy’, it was funny.
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
“Ghost World”, a movie I watched when high school. I was also affected by the film “AKIRA” for example, a vivid and futuristic worldview including shocking content and movie music.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Probably, the membership-based club “SILENCIO” in Paris, where I played a gig in 2016. David Lynch designed it. I felt its atmosphere like another world.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
If I could meet any person, Paul McCartney. I listened to The Beatles very much in junior high school. I went to his Europe tour when I lived in Paris.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I used to learn the classical piano. So I would like to be taught by Ravel as I like a French impressionism.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
A heroine for me is Australian electro artist Sui Zhen. She is so talented, peaceful and enlightened, and creates her own distinctive world.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
The theme song of Japanese anime “Sousei no Aquarion” would be the first one. I knew it from a compilation album when I was 6 years old before touching pop music. I didn’t watch the anime itself though and can’t understand why I liked this song at that time. On top of this, The Beatles would be the best one in terms of the number of times played. I collected and listened to all of their albums after I bought the greatest hits album “1”.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Though I could not understand its lyrics, ‘Cowboys’ by Portishead. The song has rather a dark impression, but I was healed by this.
One record you would keep forever?
Difficult question. I came up with ‘Secretly Susan’ by Sui Zhen for now. I love all of her albums, but this is the one. Having said my choice may change depend on time.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
‘STROBOLIGHTS’ and ‘OTOGI NATION’ by SUPERCAR. Sounds come first then words follow it. I also make a melody first, and lyrics arise accordingly. Not the other way around. But in their case, you can think of the melody just from the lyrics. I think the words are equally powerful as the melody.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Aozora’ by THE BLUE HEARTS
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘California Gurls’ by Katy Perry
Four new bands, you are listening to now?
George Clanton, Polo & Pan, Baths, Smerz and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs