01Profile
A Jenes Photo
Jenes
Dancer — Sendai
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Jenes, Sendai.
What do you do?
Dancer.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I haven’t been to many live shows in person, but something fresh in my memory is the Wembley Stadium scene from the film 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. I saw it twice at the cinema. I start welling up as soon as Freddie plays the opening piano line to the film’s title track. My dad is a big fan of Queen and followed them during their pomp, so he played their music to me, and I’ve loved them since I was a child. They have so many big hits. Coincidentally there have been times when I’ve danced to their music.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The photographer Mark Borthwick. It seems he became famous for his fashion work, but I’m a big fan of his portraits. I’m into photography, I like looking after plants and animals, I play basketball so I work out and play at tournaments, and I love the feeling of synergy I get between these very different cultures —I appreciate all of them. The sense of high abstract and romance I feel from photography appeals to me, and I like to take pictures and view them.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I represented Tokyo at the DANCE ALIVE HERO’S competition at the Ryogoku Kokugikan (sumo arena). Qualifying rounds take place all over Japan, and winners of the event are crowned the top street dancers in the country. The sumo ring area is repurposed into a stage, and we dance in front of a capacity crowd of 20,000 people — with some spectators sitting very close. The high ceiling, huge stage, and professional lighting and visuals make for an incredible experience.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
Looking at it from a dancer’s point of view, I’ll say the contemporary band Incognito. The album they released a little while ago was super cool. I’d like to join some kind of session with them — me dancing to a live version of 'You Are In My System'. That would be unreal.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’m going to say John Lennon in a small music studio with incredible acoustics. I’d like to sit up close and listen to him play — just him and his guitar. In this scenario, John is a similar age to me.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The singer-songwriter Dai Takanashi. He’s the same age as me and a mate, and I like to support him. I love listening to his voice — even in high registers, you can hear these solid bass tones.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
That would have to be Queen. My dad would often have their music playing in the car. When I was in the early years of primary school, the track 'I Was Born To Love You' was in a TV drama, and I loved listening to it. The way the song just seems to burst through — it makes me feel good.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Don’t Stop Me Now' by Queen. I grew up among rice fields — a young kid obsessed with basketball and desperate to pursue my wanderlust. I feel this song fits me perfectly. I wasn’t one of the show-off kids at school; I’d just love to go deep into nature without any particular reason. I’d jump on my bike and pedal off to some new scenery. And whenever I could, I’d spend hours playing basketball, longing to be one of the super cool NBA players. That was my childhood.
One record you would keep forever?
'We Will Rock You' by Queen. The song reminds me that there will be challenges for the rest of my life. It will keep me prepared for battle.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I don’t pay too much attention to individual lyrics. But there are song titles that pack an emotional punch for me. For example, 'Don’t Stop Me Now' or 'Let It Be' by The Beatles. I like those tracks.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Let It Be' by The Beatles. It’s a song that just seems to come to mind when I’m driving. I like the phrase, “let it flow”, and I think the song carries a similar nuance.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
There’s an expectation that dancers are into high-octane tracks, but I’m a big fan of ballads, so there are many songs people might find unexpected. 'Yesterday' by The Beatles, for example. I like listening to tracks that I don’t feel the urge to move around to.
New music you are listening to now?
They are not new at all, but I listen to a lot of Jamiroquai and Ed Sheeran.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Jenes, Sendai.
What do you do?
Dancer.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I haven’t been to many live shows in person, but something fresh in my memory is the Wembley Stadium scene from the film 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. I saw it twice at the cinema. I start welling up as soon as Freddie plays the opening piano line to the film’s title track. My dad is a big fan of Queen and followed them during their pomp, so he played their music to me, and I’ve loved them since I was a child. They have so many big hits. Coincidentally there have been times when I’ve danced to their music.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The photographer Mark Borthwick. It seems he became famous for his fashion work, but I’m a big fan of his portraits. I’m into photography, I like looking after plants and animals, I play basketball so I work out and play at tournaments, and I love the feeling of synergy I get between these very different cultures —I appreciate all of them. The sense of high abstract and romance I feel from photography appeals to me, and I like to take pictures and view them.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I represented Tokyo at the DANCE ALIVE HERO’S competition at the Ryogoku Kokugikan (sumo arena). Qualifying rounds take place all over Japan, and winners of the event are crowned the top street dancers in the country. The sumo ring area is repurposed into a stage, and we dance in front of a capacity crowd of 20,000 people — with some spectators sitting very close. The high ceiling, huge stage, and professional lighting and visuals make for an incredible experience.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
Looking at it from a dancer’s point of view, I’ll say the contemporary band Incognito. The album they released a little while ago was super cool. I’d like to join some kind of session with them — me dancing to a live version of 'You Are In My System'. That would be unreal.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’m going to say John Lennon in a small music studio with incredible acoustics. I’d like to sit up close and listen to him play — just him and his guitar. In this scenario, John is a similar age to me.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
The singer-songwriter Dai Takanashi. He’s the same age as me and a mate, and I like to support him. I love listening to his voice — even in high registers, you can hear these solid bass tones.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
That would have to be Queen. My dad would often have their music playing in the car. When I was in the early years of primary school, the track 'I Was Born To Love You' was in a TV drama, and I loved listening to it. The way the song just seems to burst through — it makes me feel good.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'Don’t Stop Me Now' by Queen. I grew up among rice fields — a young kid obsessed with basketball and desperate to pursue my wanderlust. I feel this song fits me perfectly. I wasn’t one of the show-off kids at school; I’d just love to go deep into nature without any particular reason. I’d jump on my bike and pedal off to some new scenery. And whenever I could, I’d spend hours playing basketball, longing to be one of the super cool NBA players. That was my childhood.
One record you would keep forever?
'We Will Rock You' by Queen. The song reminds me that there will be challenges for the rest of my life. It will keep me prepared for battle.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I don’t pay too much attention to individual lyrics. But there are song titles that pack an emotional punch for me. For example, 'Don’t Stop Me Now' or 'Let It Be' by The Beatles. I like those tracks.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Let It Be' by The Beatles. It’s a song that just seems to come to mind when I’m driving. I like the phrase, “let it flow”, and I think the song carries a similar nuance.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
There’s an expectation that dancers are into high-octane tracks, but I’m a big fan of ballads, so there are many songs people might find unexpected. 'Yesterday' by The Beatles, for example. I like listening to tracks that I don’t feel the urge to move around to.
New music you are listening to now?
They are not new at all, but I listen to a lot of Jamiroquai and Ed Sheeran.