01Profile
A Itsuki Suzuki Photo
Itsuki Suzuki
Great Books Staff — Shizuoka Prefecture, Tokyo
03Interview
Name
Itsuki Suzuki
What do you do?
GREAT BOOKS staff.
Where are you from?
Shizuoka Prefecture (south of Tokyo).
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I've seen many UK artists live, so it's tough to pick one. But if I have to choose, I would say The Stone Roses and their show at Nippon Budokan in 2017. I'd waited a long time for them to come to Japan, so I remember it vividly. Their second album, 'Second Coming,' came out around the time I was born, so I was a bit of a late starter, but I had always wanted to see them live. It was a buzz to hear them play 'Fools Gold.'
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
It’s a culture with a deep connection to Fred Perry — Mod culture. I watched the film ‘Quadrophenia’ and thought they were all so cool, and I was also a big fan of bands like The Who when I was in secondary school. I must have been around 20 when I saw the film.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Nippon Budokan. It’s not really about the sound quality, but more about the venue itself — it’s a special place. I saw Noel Gallagher there, and I have great memories from going to gigs there. The Beatles played there when they came to Japan, and I think that’s part of the charm.
If you could be on the lineup with any band in history?
I'd like to be in 'The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus,' the concert show featuring John Lennon, the Rolling Stones, and a host of others. In this scenario, I'd be able to play the guitar, and I'd perform 'Yer Blues' with them all in that rock and roll supergroup.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’d like to hang out with David Bowie in Japan. I heard that he loved Japan and came here a lot during his later years. It seems he was into novels by Yukio Mishima and other Japanese writers, so I’d like to go somewhere quiet and discuss all the books he’d read.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Lew Lewis. I love listening to pub rock, and I think he should be more well known as an artist in that field. I distinctly remember Hiroto Komoto (Japanese rock singer) wearing a Lew Lewis t-shirt.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What are the concepts / important points of the playlist?
I'm not a musician myself, but I chose songs from UK artists who influenced me over the years. There are pub rock tracks, 1960s band sounds, American R&B, and blues cover songs. I'm a fan of 90s music, so I chose songs from 1994 — the year I was born.
The first track you played on repeat?
The Beatles. I remember hearing ‘Lady Madonna’ for the first time in a vintage clothes shop in Kichijoji (Tokyo). That was the first time I consciously looked up a song and listened to it.
A song that defines the teenage you?
If we are talking about a song that sums up my teenage life, I would say 'Wild Horses' by The Rolling Stones. I listened to a lot of Stones in my late teens, and I also thought the darkish feel of that song was teenage-like (laughs).
One record you would keep forever?
The Beatles album, ‘Abbey Road.’ I remember listening to it many times. Although it is one band playing the same songs, you can tell the individuality of each member during the latter half of their career. It's an album I really enjoy listening to.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
The Oasis track, ‘Supersonic.’ I like the “I need to be myself, I can’t be no one else” line at the beginning (laughs).
Best song to turn up loud?
That would be Oasis again and their song “Don’t Look Back In Anger.” It’s a huge stadium anthem, but also one that’s really easy to hum.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I tried to avoid him because of his pop music image, but I’ve recently started appreciating the talent of Elton John. Especially the title track of the film ‘Rocket Man.’ It’s a fantastic song.
What new bands are you listening to now?
I'm a bit out of the loop when it comes to new bands, but some groups that I've recently discovered and enjoyed are Black Midi, Dry Cleaning, and Black Country, New Road. I was introduced to them in a post-punk context.
03Interview
Name
Itsuki Suzuki
What do you do?
GREAT BOOKS staff.
Where are you from?
Shizuoka Prefecture (south of Tokyo).
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I've seen many UK artists live, so it's tough to pick one. But if I have to choose, I would say The Stone Roses and their show at Nippon Budokan in 2017. I'd waited a long time for them to come to Japan, so I remember it vividly. Their second album, 'Second Coming,' came out around the time I was born, so I was a bit of a late starter, but I had always wanted to see them live. It was a buzz to hear them play 'Fools Gold.'
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
It’s a culture with a deep connection to Fred Perry — Mod culture. I watched the film ‘Quadrophenia’ and thought they were all so cool, and I was also a big fan of bands like The Who when I was in secondary school. I must have been around 20 when I saw the film.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Nippon Budokan. It’s not really about the sound quality, but more about the venue itself — it’s a special place. I saw Noel Gallagher there, and I have great memories from going to gigs there. The Beatles played there when they came to Japan, and I think that’s part of the charm.
If you could be on the lineup with any band in history?
I'd like to be in 'The Rolling Stones Rock And Roll Circus,' the concert show featuring John Lennon, the Rolling Stones, and a host of others. In this scenario, I'd be able to play the guitar, and I'd perform 'Yer Blues' with them all in that rock and roll supergroup.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’d like to hang out with David Bowie in Japan. I heard that he loved Japan and came here a lot during his later years. It seems he was into novels by Yukio Mishima and other Japanese writers, so I’d like to go somewhere quiet and discuss all the books he’d read.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Lew Lewis. I love listening to pub rock, and I think he should be more well known as an artist in that field. I distinctly remember Hiroto Komoto (Japanese rock singer) wearing a Lew Lewis t-shirt.
04Playlist Notes
What are the concepts / important points of the playlist?
I'm not a musician myself, but I chose songs from UK artists who influenced me over the years. There are pub rock tracks, 1960s band sounds, American R&B, and blues cover songs. I'm a fan of 90s music, so I chose songs from 1994 — the year I was born.
The first track you played on repeat?
The Beatles. I remember hearing ‘Lady Madonna’ for the first time in a vintage clothes shop in Kichijoji (Tokyo). That was the first time I consciously looked up a song and listened to it.
A song that defines the teenage you?
If we are talking about a song that sums up my teenage life, I would say 'Wild Horses' by The Rolling Stones. I listened to a lot of Stones in my late teens, and I also thought the darkish feel of that song was teenage-like (laughs).
One record you would keep forever?
The Beatles album, ‘Abbey Road.’ I remember listening to it many times. Although it is one band playing the same songs, you can tell the individuality of each member during the latter half of their career. It's an album I really enjoy listening to.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
The Oasis track, ‘Supersonic.’ I like the “I need to be myself, I can’t be no one else” line at the beginning (laughs).
Best song to turn up loud?
That would be Oasis again and their song “Don’t Look Back In Anger.” It’s a huge stadium anthem, but also one that’s really easy to hum.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I tried to avoid him because of his pop music image, but I’ve recently started appreciating the talent of Elton John. Especially the title track of the film ‘Rocket Man.’ It’s a fantastic song.
What new bands are you listening to now?
I'm a bit out of the loop when it comes to new bands, but some groups that I've recently discovered and enjoyed are Black Midi, Dry Cleaning, and Black Country, New Road. I was introduced to them in a post-punk context.