01Profile
A Cony Plankton Photo
Cony Plankton
Musician — Tokyo
03Interview
Name
CONY PLANKTON
What do you do?
Musician
Where are you from?
Tokyo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I can think of a few. Radiohead on the Green Stage at Fuji Rock Festival in 2012, Hot Chip’s solo show at Akasaka Blitz in 2019, and the post-punk band Shopping in Los Angeles. I was on tour in Los Angeles at the time, and I just happened to drop by the Shopping show. I was right at the front of the stage, and they invited me up to play the tambourine.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’m unsure whether you would classify it as a subculture, but I’ll say the UK band Suede. I’m a big fan of their glamorous and decadent aesthetic style. I was around 20 years old when they played a show in Japan. I went dressed in all black in a goth-inspired get-up, channelling my best Justine Frischmann.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I've only performed overseas in the U.S at SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas. The whole event was like a huge party and I enjoyed feeling like I was in a movie.
If you could be on the lineup with any bands in history?
I’ve loved Queen since before I can remember, mainly thanks to my parent’s influence. Honestly, I can’t imagine playing music together, so I’d like to sit down at a potter’s wheel with Freddie Mercury and create something.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’d like to go vintage clothes shopping with Freddie. I heard he enjoyed coming to Japan, so I’d take him to Harajuku.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Robert Tawny, a musician I’ve collaborated with. He’s the guitarist for the band Swim Deep and his solo work is really good.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
I’d describe it as the order of songs I’m into or my history of interest. The playlist fits neatly with my solo work. The COVID pandemic has also influenced the way I listen to music.
The first track you played on repeat?
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen. When I was in nursery, my parents wrote out the lyrics for me in katakana, the simplest of the three Japanese writing systems used primarily for foreign words and I sang it all the time. Mum and dad would often play when we were in the car on the way to nursery school. I’m happy I was able to experience the gift of good music from an early age.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I’m going to say Queen’s ‘Seven Seas Of Rhye’. I had a lot more stamina back then and I got a lot of energy from grooving to this track.
One record you would keep forever?
'Live At Wembley '86' by Queen. As the title suggests, it's the band's live show at Wembley Stadium. Listening to the album, you can feel close to Freddie, and it's like a ‘best of’ album because they run through all the hits from the band's early days.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Wuthering Heights' by Kate Bush. I sometimes sing this at home it's an excellent warm-up exercise before a show when I'm going to sing falsetto. I want to be able to perform this one day, so I've been practicing a lot, and I'm finding that my voice is developing. The song holds a lot of memories for me.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I’d say ‘Orinoco Flow’ by Enya. I also like her track ‘Amarantine’. I first heard it as a ringtone on an old flip-top mobile phone.
A new band you are listening to now?
Exploded View. I added them to my playlist. It's a new project by an artist named Anika, and it has this really interesting, grating sound.
03Interview
Name
CONY PLANKTON
What do you do?
Musician
Where are you from?
Tokyo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I can think of a few. Radiohead on the Green Stage at Fuji Rock Festival in 2012, Hot Chip’s solo show at Akasaka Blitz in 2019, and the post-punk band Shopping in Los Angeles. I was on tour in Los Angeles at the time, and I just happened to drop by the Shopping show. I was right at the front of the stage, and they invited me up to play the tambourine.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’m unsure whether you would classify it as a subculture, but I’ll say the UK band Suede. I’m a big fan of their glamorous and decadent aesthetic style. I was around 20 years old when they played a show in Japan. I went dressed in all black in a goth-inspired get-up, channelling my best Justine Frischmann.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I've only performed overseas in the U.S at SXSW (South by Southwest) in Austin, Texas. The whole event was like a huge party and I enjoyed feeling like I was in a movie.
If you could be on the lineup with any bands in history?
I’ve loved Queen since before I can remember, mainly thanks to my parent’s influence. Honestly, I can’t imagine playing music together, so I’d like to sit down at a potter’s wheel with Freddie Mercury and create something.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’d like to go vintage clothes shopping with Freddie. I heard he enjoyed coming to Japan, so I’d take him to Harajuku.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Robert Tawny, a musician I’ve collaborated with. He’s the guitarist for the band Swim Deep and his solo work is really good.
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
I’d describe it as the order of songs I’m into or my history of interest. The playlist fits neatly with my solo work. The COVID pandemic has also influenced the way I listen to music.
The first track you played on repeat?
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen. When I was in nursery, my parents wrote out the lyrics for me in katakana, the simplest of the three Japanese writing systems used primarily for foreign words and I sang it all the time. Mum and dad would often play when we were in the car on the way to nursery school. I’m happy I was able to experience the gift of good music from an early age.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I’m going to say Queen’s ‘Seven Seas Of Rhye’. I had a lot more stamina back then and I got a lot of energy from grooving to this track.
One record you would keep forever?
'Live At Wembley '86' by Queen. As the title suggests, it's the band's live show at Wembley Stadium. Listening to the album, you can feel close to Freddie, and it's like a ‘best of’ album because they run through all the hits from the band's early days.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Wuthering Heights' by Kate Bush. I sometimes sing this at home it's an excellent warm-up exercise before a show when I'm going to sing falsetto. I want to be able to perform this one day, so I've been practicing a lot, and I'm finding that my voice is developing. The song holds a lot of memories for me.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I’d say ‘Orinoco Flow’ by Enya. I also like her track ‘Amarantine’. I first heard it as a ringtone on an old flip-top mobile phone.
A new band you are listening to now?
Exploded View. I added them to my playlist. It's a new project by an artist named Anika, and it has this really interesting, grating sound.
Always You feat. Cony Plankton - "All I Wanted Was You" (Japanese version) [Official Audio]
TAWINGS - 水仙 Suisen (Official Music Video)
TAWINGS - POODLES feat. fLuffY anGeLs ＜3 (Official Audio + English & Japanese Subtitles)