01Profile
A mabanua Photo
mabanua
Musician — Saitama city, Saitama
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
mabanua, Saitama city, Saitama.
What do you do?
Musician/Producer/Drummer.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Oasis at the FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL in 2009. Everything is simple, isn't it? The reason why it was so popular in Japan was because the melody was catchy and easy to listen to, and because it was so easy to play, it was easy for everyone to copy. But even though it's made up of such simple elements, it's still very strong. I really like the gap between the two. There was more of a live feel to it than I expected, including the way Liam sings.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The club scene is big. Giles Peterson, the ACID JAZZ label, TALKIN' LOUD.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
A nerdy answer, but I really like the sound of Daikanyama UNIT. There is an excessive amount of low frequency, but still not obnoxious. I also want to mention that I was really impressed by this particular venue in Kazakhstan which I played as a support member of KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE in 2009. It was a huge hall, had its wonderful vibe with a unique mixture of Europe and Asia.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
It's John Lennon. Of all The Beatles, John Lennon is my favourite, and he's the most unique of the four. He died about two years before I was born, so he was someone I would never have met, and I wish I could have been in the same room with him. I'd love to play drums while John Lennon sings and plays the piano on Casino. I also like Led Zeppelin so I'd love to be John Paul Jones as a bassist. The venue would be a small place like the control room at Abbey Road Studios. By the way, I've passed John Paul Jones in the backyard at Fuji Rock Festival.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd like to watch Liam (Gallagher) of Oasis from the back as he records a song. I'd like to be there for the recording of his early debut.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Yussef Kamaal. They are a unit of drummer Yussef Dayes and keyboardist Kamaal Williams, and they make you listen to their tone and groove rather than their technique. I think they should have been more appreciated. After all, they've only released one album and I wish they had released more.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Let It Be' by The Beatles. My parents got me to listen to the Beatles. 'The Beatles Anthology 1-3' was released when I was in junior high school, which had left a particularly strong impression on me. In particular, I listened to 'Let It Be' repeatedly. It's not directly related to the answer, but please listen to the piano chords at the beginning of it as that sound has a sense of chords that can only be felt by the instrument at that time, the texture of the EQ and the way it's played. That's why the remastered version sounds different to me. It's a sound that can't be preserved in a score, it's a chord with surrounding atmosphere.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'You Are The Universe' by The Brand New Heavies. In my late teens, black music is what I was into.
One record you would keep forever?
The Beatles' album is good, Oasis is good, but if we're talking about just one album, then John Lennon's 'Imagine'. I think it's an album that stays with you as something that's been stripped down.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'I'm Getting Ready' by Michael Kiwanuka. The lyrics can be translated as "I didn't know what to believe in" and "I'm getting ready to believe". Usually, it's the other way around. I like the simple but strong message that when you take action, when you break something, it doesn't matter if you don't start with "Believe", it all starts there.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen. I’m going to be specific but it's the part of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' when the tempo starts to crank up. I don't know why though, I sing it when I come back from a live performance as I'd be really excited (laughs).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Firestarter' by Prodigy. I don't know why, but the track makes you want to listen to it time after time.
New bands you are listening to now?
I think I first heard about Puma Blue through YouTube and Spotify recommendations, while it's not always easy to fall in love with music on its own. It's got a subtle US black music vibe with a more personal soundscape. The way it sings about loneliness, and the way it doesn't overdo it, which is very... UK style in my opinion.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
mabanua, Saitama city, Saitama.
What do you do?
Musician/Producer/Drummer.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Oasis at the FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL in 2009. Everything is simple, isn't it? The reason why it was so popular in Japan was because the melody was catchy and easy to listen to, and because it was so easy to play, it was easy for everyone to copy. But even though it's made up of such simple elements, it's still very strong. I really like the gap between the two. There was more of a live feel to it than I expected, including the way Liam sings.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The club scene is big. Giles Peterson, the ACID JAZZ label, TALKIN' LOUD.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
A nerdy answer, but I really like the sound of Daikanyama UNIT. There is an excessive amount of low frequency, but still not obnoxious. I also want to mention that I was really impressed by this particular venue in Kazakhstan which I played as a support member of KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE in 2009. It was a huge hall, had its wonderful vibe with a unique mixture of Europe and Asia.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
It's John Lennon. Of all The Beatles, John Lennon is my favourite, and he's the most unique of the four. He died about two years before I was born, so he was someone I would never have met, and I wish I could have been in the same room with him. I'd love to play drums while John Lennon sings and plays the piano on Casino. I also like Led Zeppelin so I'd love to be John Paul Jones as a bassist. The venue would be a small place like the control room at Abbey Road Studios. By the way, I've passed John Paul Jones in the backyard at Fuji Rock Festival.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd like to watch Liam (Gallagher) of Oasis from the back as he records a song. I'd like to be there for the recording of his early debut.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Yussef Kamaal. They are a unit of drummer Yussef Dayes and keyboardist Kamaal Williams, and they make you listen to their tone and groove rather than their technique. I think they should have been more appreciated. After all, they've only released one album and I wish they had released more.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Let It Be' by The Beatles. My parents got me to listen to the Beatles. 'The Beatles Anthology 1-3' was released when I was in junior high school, which had left a particularly strong impression on me. In particular, I listened to 'Let It Be' repeatedly. It's not directly related to the answer, but please listen to the piano chords at the beginning of it as that sound has a sense of chords that can only be felt by the instrument at that time, the texture of the EQ and the way it's played. That's why the remastered version sounds different to me. It's a sound that can't be preserved in a score, it's a chord with surrounding atmosphere.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'You Are The Universe' by The Brand New Heavies. In my late teens, black music is what I was into.
One record you would keep forever?
The Beatles' album is good, Oasis is good, but if we're talking about just one album, then John Lennon's 'Imagine'. I think it's an album that stays with you as something that's been stripped down.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'I'm Getting Ready' by Michael Kiwanuka. The lyrics can be translated as "I didn't know what to believe in" and "I'm getting ready to believe". Usually, it's the other way around. I like the simple but strong message that when you take action, when you break something, it doesn't matter if you don't start with "Believe", it all starts there.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen. I’m going to be specific but it's the part of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' when the tempo starts to crank up. I don't know why though, I sing it when I come back from a live performance as I'd be really excited (laughs).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Firestarter' by Prodigy. I don't know why, but the track makes you want to listen to it time after time.
New bands you are listening to now?
I think I first heard about Puma Blue through YouTube and Spotify recommendations, while it's not always easy to fall in love with music on its own. It's got a subtle US black music vibe with a more personal soundscape. The way it sings about loneliness, and the way it doesn't overdo it, which is very... UK style in my opinion.
mabanua - Blurred (Official Music Video)
mabanua - Blurred (Live at origami SAI 2019)
mabanua - MEGALOBOX (The theme of MEGALOBOX) [Official Audio]