01Profile
A Dan Isomura Photo
Dan Isomura
Artist — Tokyo
03Interview
Name
Dan Isomura
What do you do?
Artist
Where are you from?
Tokyo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I'm going to choose a live performance by Martin Creed a contemporary artist, composer, and performer from the UK. When I was in New York in 2016, I saw his solo exhibition at a large venue called The Park Avenue Armory, and the event also incorporated his music into the show. It was a fantastic exhibition, made even more special when I stumbled across Martin playing in a room where no works were on display. He was in the middle of a rehearsal. There were no visitors around, but I could look on as he played guitar and sang, accompanied by a backing vocalist. That was a very precious opportunity for me because even if there are exhibitions in Japan, it's rare to have live performances.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk and glam rock strongly influenced me during my adolescence when I was in secondary school and university. I first came across the Sex Pistols when I borrowed a CD from my older sister. I suppose, strictly speaking, they are not in the same category but I'd also say bands like the Eurythmics and their use of makeup. I enjoyed watching music videos by Kate Bush, David Bowie, and Queen with video, so their highly personalised styles and performances likely influenced me, too.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I'd say ageHa in Shin ¥Kiba, east Tokyo. I had the opportunity to exhibit my work at an event celebrating the 60th anniversary of Keith Haring's birth. I remember staying there until the morning and having a great time.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
I'd like to perform with Kate Bush around the time she released 'The Dreaming'. She has this mysterious way of dancing while she sings, but I can relate to the fact that her shyness makes her perform that way. I'd like to sing and dance together in a forest somewhere in the UK.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd like to sit down for a chat with the musician, Sophie, who is sadly no longer with us. We'd go somewhere casual and commonplace, like an eat-in section of a Japanese convenience store, and have small talk. I'd ask a few questions on topics that she’d be comfortable discussing.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
Usually, when I listen to music, I'm not overly conscious of where the artist comes from. However, when researching for this playlist, I realised that I listen to much more UK music than I realised, which helped narrow down the list. There are tracks on there that I want to listen to again later myself, but also ones I can dance to, and then after dancing, look up to the heavens and relax.
The first track you played on repeat?
If it’s something I consciously chose to listen to, I’ll say ‘Sweet Dreams’ by the Eurythmics. I wonder what it was that got me hooked on that track. I was living in Australia then and had just started learning English, and English was becoming a bit of a thing for me. I probably enjoyed the contrast between the blip-bleep sounds of the track and the lyrics that were like an old fairytale. The music video probably played into it, too, as the visuals had a feel of Clovis Trouille, a painter I liked at the time.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I would say Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’. It was the theme song to ‘Much Ado About Love’, a Japanese TV show from the ‘90s. I really wanted this song to suit who I was as a person.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Immaterial’ by Sophie. When I’m feeling unmotivated, I sing it to give me the shot
of energy I need. I started listening to it last year, and it worked really well.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘House Of The Rising Sun’ by The Animals. It’s on my playlist and the only song by The Animals that I listen to. I knew the song because Japanese singers Maki Asakawa and Naomi Chiaki did a version, but I like The Animals’ take on it the best.
A new act you are listening to now?
Tsunari. She’s a Thai/Trinidadian singer, and she samples Molam music, traditional folk music from North-eastern Thailand and Laos which is a blast.
03Interview
Name
Dan Isomura
What do you do?
Artist
Where are you from?
Tokyo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I'm going to choose a live performance by Martin Creed a contemporary artist, composer, and performer from the UK. When I was in New York in 2016, I saw his solo exhibition at a large venue called The Park Avenue Armory, and the event also incorporated his music into the show. It was a fantastic exhibition, made even more special when I stumbled across Martin playing in a room where no works were on display. He was in the middle of a rehearsal. There were no visitors around, but I could look on as he played guitar and sang, accompanied by a backing vocalist. That was a very precious opportunity for me because even if there are exhibitions in Japan, it's rare to have live performances.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Punk and glam rock strongly influenced me during my adolescence when I was in secondary school and university. I first came across the Sex Pistols when I borrowed a CD from my older sister. I suppose, strictly speaking, they are not in the same category but I'd also say bands like the Eurythmics and their use of makeup. I enjoyed watching music videos by Kate Bush, David Bowie, and Queen with video, so their highly personalised styles and performances likely influenced me, too.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I'd say ageHa in Shin ¥Kiba, east Tokyo. I had the opportunity to exhibit my work at an event celebrating the 60th anniversary of Keith Haring's birth. I remember staying there until the morning and having a great time.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
I'd like to perform with Kate Bush around the time she released 'The Dreaming'. She has this mysterious way of dancing while she sings, but I can relate to the fact that her shyness makes her perform that way. I'd like to sing and dance together in a forest somewhere in the UK.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd like to sit down for a chat with the musician, Sophie, who is sadly no longer with us. We'd go somewhere casual and commonplace, like an eat-in section of a Japanese convenience store, and have small talk. I'd ask a few questions on topics that she’d be comfortable discussing.
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
Usually, when I listen to music, I'm not overly conscious of where the artist comes from. However, when researching for this playlist, I realised that I listen to much more UK music than I realised, which helped narrow down the list. There are tracks on there that I want to listen to again later myself, but also ones I can dance to, and then after dancing, look up to the heavens and relax.
The first track you played on repeat?
If it’s something I consciously chose to listen to, I’ll say ‘Sweet Dreams’ by the Eurythmics. I wonder what it was that got me hooked on that track. I was living in Australia then and had just started learning English, and English was becoming a bit of a thing for me. I probably enjoyed the contrast between the blip-bleep sounds of the track and the lyrics that were like an old fairytale. The music video probably played into it, too, as the visuals had a feel of Clovis Trouille, a painter I liked at the time.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I would say Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’. It was the theme song to ‘Much Ado About Love’, a Japanese TV show from the ‘90s. I really wanted this song to suit who I was as a person.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Immaterial’ by Sophie. When I’m feeling unmotivated, I sing it to give me the shot
of energy I need. I started listening to it last year, and it worked really well.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
‘House Of The Rising Sun’ by The Animals. It’s on my playlist and the only song by The Animals that I listen to. I knew the song because Japanese singers Maki Asakawa and Naomi Chiaki did a version, but I like The Animals’ take on it the best.
A new act you are listening to now?
Tsunari. She’s a Thai/Trinidadian singer, and she samples Molam music, traditional folk music from North-eastern Thailand and Laos which is a blast.