01Profile
A Serena Motola Photo
Serena Motola
Model/Actress — Tokyo
03Interview
Name
Serena Motola
What do you do?
Model/Actress.
Where are you from?
Tokyo.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The first gig that comes to mind is Tom Misch, around three years ago at STUDIO COAST in the Shin Kiba area of Tokyo. Having said that, I also saw him on the Green Stage at FUJI ROCK, as the coronavirus pandemic was starting to calm down — if I have to choose one of the two, then I’ll say FUJI. That show had a special glow for me because we couldn’t see any performances by international artists for such a long time because of the pandemic. His Australia and New Zealand shows were also cancelled last-minute, and I wasn’t sure if he’d ever make it to Japan, so that made it extra special.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
It is not a subculture, but I'm really into London right now. I went there for the first time just before the pandemic because there was a Fashion Week show I wanted to be at, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. People in London are similar to those in Japan in that they are not friendly to everyone on the spot; you have to make an effort to talk to them in order to get to know them. I also like the street fashion. I feel people have a good sense of style and what clothes look good on them. I went there in February, and I can't wait to go back.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I’ve only been once, but the 440 (four forty) live venue in Shimokitazawa. I saw Hanaregumi play a show there, and I liked the fact that the artist and audience experience was perfectly balanced. Everyone can have a good time, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
I'm going to say, Tricky, the UK artist with roots in Jamaica. I started getting into 90s UK culture after listening to artists like Tricky. I like the album 'Pre-Millennium Tension', and it would be cool to play bass on the track 'Makes Me Wanna Die'.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
The US artist Aretha Franklin. I’d like to go back to her early years when she sang in gospel churches and join her performance in the backing choir.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Tricky, who I just mentioned. Takashi Nagazumi from Hanaregumi told me about him and I don’t think many people in my generation know his music.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What are the themes of the playlist?
My overall theme was music from artists such as Tricky, who have roots in Jamaica, and current UK artists who have been inspired by that music and adopted it into their style.
The first track you played on repeat?
My mum used to play The Beatles a lot, and so I listened to them a lot at home. In terms of a particular song, I remember being in primary school and singing ‘Hey Jude’ with the rest of the class in our English lesson.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I thought about this long and hard, but I just couldn’t choose.
One record you would keep forever?
It’s going to be Tricky again and his album ‘Pre-Millennium Tension’. I get really into this album every now and again, and I like it because I can listen under my own steam. I never get bored of it and listen from start to finish without skipping a track. I want to collect records and would love to have this album on vinyl.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
All the songs by the Japanese band Fishmans. I had the pleasure of singing a cover of their track 'Ikareta Baby (Crazy Baby)' in 2019, and after watching the movie 'Fishmans' (2021), I got into the band even more. I sat down and listened to all the songs and realised all the tracks have great lyrics.
Best song to turn up loud?
The Little Simz track 'Point And Kill' featuring Obongjayar. I saw Obongjayar perform live when I was in London, but I didn't realise it was him at the time. I remember thinking he was a striking artist with a special performance style, and his voice and everything about him was super cool. I'd been listening to Little Simz for a while, but I was hooked when I noticed that they collaborated on this song. I even memorised all the lyrics (laughs).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
People might not expect me to listen to the ‘Point And Kill’ track by Little Simz and Obongjayar.
What new bands are you listening to now?
I like the US artist, Eartheater. I've been listening to her track 'Supersoaker' a lot after a good friend from London told me about it. I also think that Obongjayar, who I mentioned earlier, is an up-and-coming artist.
03Interview
Name
Serena Motola
What do you do?
Model/Actress.
Where are you from?
Tokyo.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The first gig that comes to mind is Tom Misch, around three years ago at STUDIO COAST in the Shin Kiba area of Tokyo. Having said that, I also saw him on the Green Stage at FUJI ROCK, as the coronavirus pandemic was starting to calm down — if I have to choose one of the two, then I’ll say FUJI. That show had a special glow for me because we couldn’t see any performances by international artists for such a long time because of the pandemic. His Australia and New Zealand shows were also cancelled last-minute, and I wasn’t sure if he’d ever make it to Japan, so that made it extra special.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
It is not a subculture, but I'm really into London right now. I went there for the first time just before the pandemic because there was a Fashion Week show I wanted to be at, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. People in London are similar to those in Japan in that they are not friendly to everyone on the spot; you have to make an effort to talk to them in order to get to know them. I also like the street fashion. I feel people have a good sense of style and what clothes look good on them. I went there in February, and I can't wait to go back.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I’ve only been once, but the 440 (four forty) live venue in Shimokitazawa. I saw Hanaregumi play a show there, and I liked the fact that the artist and audience experience was perfectly balanced. Everyone can have a good time, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
I'm going to say, Tricky, the UK artist with roots in Jamaica. I started getting into 90s UK culture after listening to artists like Tricky. I like the album 'Pre-Millennium Tension', and it would be cool to play bass on the track 'Makes Me Wanna Die'.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
The US artist Aretha Franklin. I’d like to go back to her early years when she sang in gospel churches and join her performance in the backing choir.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Tricky, who I just mentioned. Takashi Nagazumi from Hanaregumi told me about him and I don’t think many people in my generation know his music.
04Playlist Notes
What are the themes of the playlist?
My overall theme was music from artists such as Tricky, who have roots in Jamaica, and current UK artists who have been inspired by that music and adopted it into their style.
The first track you played on repeat?
My mum used to play The Beatles a lot, and so I listened to them a lot at home. In terms of a particular song, I remember being in primary school and singing ‘Hey Jude’ with the rest of the class in our English lesson.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I thought about this long and hard, but I just couldn’t choose.
One record you would keep forever?
It’s going to be Tricky again and his album ‘Pre-Millennium Tension’. I get really into this album every now and again, and I like it because I can listen under my own steam. I never get bored of it and listen from start to finish without skipping a track. I want to collect records and would love to have this album on vinyl.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
All the songs by the Japanese band Fishmans. I had the pleasure of singing a cover of their track 'Ikareta Baby (Crazy Baby)' in 2019, and after watching the movie 'Fishmans' (2021), I got into the band even more. I sat down and listened to all the songs and realised all the tracks have great lyrics.
Best song to turn up loud?
The Little Simz track 'Point And Kill' featuring Obongjayar. I saw Obongjayar perform live when I was in London, but I didn't realise it was him at the time. I remember thinking he was a striking artist with a special performance style, and his voice and everything about him was super cool. I'd been listening to Little Simz for a while, but I was hooked when I noticed that they collaborated on this song. I even memorised all the lyrics (laughs).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
People might not expect me to listen to the ‘Point And Kill’ track by Little Simz and Obongjayar.
What new bands are you listening to now?
I like the US artist, Eartheater. I've been listening to her track 'Supersoaker' a lot after a good friend from London told me about it. I also think that Obongjayar, who I mentioned earlier, is an up-and-coming artist.