01Profile
A Xiangyu Photo
Xiangyu
Artist — Yokohama
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Xiangyu, Yokohama.
What do you do?
Artist.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
It’s not a gig I’ve seen live, but a music video by FKA Twigs. Her pole-dance performance in 'Cellophane' is really striking. Until I saw that video, I didn't think of her as someone who could move so musically. However, due to her background as a dancer, she can link physical expression with musical expression, which is impressive. She is someone I would love to see perform live
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The UK garage scene has been a huge influence. I started playing music around four years ago, and it was around that time I discovered Disclosure. Their track 'Ultimatum' has stayed with me. When I began to go out partying, I realised I wanted to make the type of music I was hearing — UK garage. When I'm working on a project, I make a playlist of the kind of songs I want to create, and artists like Jorja Smith are on that list.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Liquidroom in Ebisu. I’ve only played the main stage once, but it made me want to fill the place with people off my own back someday. Also, as I started to venture out to different music venues, I realised that the artists on the bill at LIQUIDROOM were super cool and I wanted to be one myself. Venues with large capacities are good, but Liquidroom offers much more than that.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
He’s not a musician in any way but I’d like to perform with Taro Okamoto (the Japanese avant-garde artist). The Taro Okamoto Museum of Art is pretty close to my hometown, and I love going there. I always find myself wondering where his expressive energy came from. I wonder what kind of art would be born from our collaboration; him with a paintbrush and me with a microphone. This isn’t possible now, but I get the impression he was constantly reinventing himself, and I'm sure he was full of energy even in his later years. I would love to have performed with him at such a time.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’m going to say Ino Tadataka (1745–1818), a Japanese historical figure who completed the first map of Japan using surveying techniques. Outside of my musical life, I walk around the city streets to do fieldwork — something that Tadataka was doing many many years before me. I'd like to ask him how he felt when measuring distances with his own feet. It would also be fun to look at modern maps together and wander through the hustle and bustle of Shibuya.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Bo Ningen. They're a super cool live band, and I feel they deserve to be more well known. I have a lot of respect for this group.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'I Can Talk' by Two Door Cinema Club. The first CD I ever bought was their 'Tourist History' album. I didn’t know anything about the band, but I picked up the CD because it was on sale in the rental CD shop and the album cover was fun. I’d only really listened to J-POP up to that point, but 'I Can Talk' reeled me in with its catchiness.
A song that defines the teenage you?
When I was a kid, I was extremely passionate about creating things by myself. Whatever idea came into my mind, I had to do it right there and then. I was just head down and straight into it. So that’s why I’m going to choose 'Bad Girls' by M.I.A. I’ve no idea where the confidence came from. but during my teenage years I felt invincible, so I guess this song fits the bill.
One record you would keep forever?
'Tourist History' by Two Door Cinema Club. Getting hold of the album was such a memorable experience — it’s as if it's imprinted on my soul. I got to know plenty of different music after that, but even today, I’ll get the urge out of the blue to listen to that album.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I can't think of a specific song, but when I sit down to write lyrics, I pay a lot of attention to the sound of words. In that regard, I find comfort in songs that repeat the same phrases, like 'Matangi' by M.I.A. I’m more interested in the sound of the words than the meaning behind them.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Etcetera (Electric Beach Fever)' by Japanese artist Puffy Ami Yumi. I remember being a kid, belting out this song while climbing right to the top of the climbing frame. Even as an adult, I get the urge to start singing it when I’m in the car.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Perhaps a song like 'Hey Boy Hey Girl' by The Chemical Brothers. I was too young to hear it when it first came out, but I think it’s pretty cool how it boosts everybody's mood whenever it’s played.
New music you are listening to now?
Shygirl. The cover to her EP Alias caught my attention and I started listening to her after that. I like the upbeat track, 'Slime'.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Xiangyu, Yokohama.
What do you do?
Artist.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
It’s not a gig I’ve seen live, but a music video by FKA Twigs. Her pole-dance performance in 'Cellophane' is really striking. Until I saw that video, I didn't think of her as someone who could move so musically. However, due to her background as a dancer, she can link physical expression with musical expression, which is impressive. She is someone I would love to see perform live
Which subcultures have influenced you?
The UK garage scene has been a huge influence. I started playing music around four years ago, and it was around that time I discovered Disclosure. Their track 'Ultimatum' has stayed with me. When I began to go out partying, I realised I wanted to make the type of music I was hearing — UK garage. When I'm working on a project, I make a playlist of the kind of songs I want to create, and artists like Jorja Smith are on that list.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Liquidroom in Ebisu. I’ve only played the main stage once, but it made me want to fill the place with people off my own back someday. Also, as I started to venture out to different music venues, I realised that the artists on the bill at LIQUIDROOM were super cool and I wanted to be one myself. Venues with large capacities are good, but Liquidroom offers much more than that.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
He’s not a musician in any way but I’d like to perform with Taro Okamoto (the Japanese avant-garde artist). The Taro Okamoto Museum of Art is pretty close to my hometown, and I love going there. I always find myself wondering where his expressive energy came from. I wonder what kind of art would be born from our collaboration; him with a paintbrush and me with a microphone. This isn’t possible now, but I get the impression he was constantly reinventing himself, and I'm sure he was full of energy even in his later years. I would love to have performed with him at such a time.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I’m going to say Ino Tadataka (1745–1818), a Japanese historical figure who completed the first map of Japan using surveying techniques. Outside of my musical life, I walk around the city streets to do fieldwork — something that Tadataka was doing many many years before me. I'd like to ask him how he felt when measuring distances with his own feet. It would also be fun to look at modern maps together and wander through the hustle and bustle of Shibuya.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Bo Ningen. They're a super cool live band, and I feel they deserve to be more well known. I have a lot of respect for this group.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'I Can Talk' by Two Door Cinema Club. The first CD I ever bought was their 'Tourist History' album. I didn’t know anything about the band, but I picked up the CD because it was on sale in the rental CD shop and the album cover was fun. I’d only really listened to J-POP up to that point, but 'I Can Talk' reeled me in with its catchiness.
A song that defines the teenage you?
When I was a kid, I was extremely passionate about creating things by myself. Whatever idea came into my mind, I had to do it right there and then. I was just head down and straight into it. So that’s why I’m going to choose 'Bad Girls' by M.I.A. I’ve no idea where the confidence came from. but during my teenage years I felt invincible, so I guess this song fits the bill.
One record you would keep forever?
'Tourist History' by Two Door Cinema Club. Getting hold of the album was such a memorable experience — it’s as if it's imprinted on my soul. I got to know plenty of different music after that, but even today, I’ll get the urge out of the blue to listen to that album.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I can't think of a specific song, but when I sit down to write lyrics, I pay a lot of attention to the sound of words. In that regard, I find comfort in songs that repeat the same phrases, like 'Matangi' by M.I.A. I’m more interested in the sound of the words than the meaning behind them.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Nagisa ni Matsuwaru Etcetera (Electric Beach Fever)' by Japanese artist Puffy Ami Yumi. I remember being a kid, belting out this song while climbing right to the top of the climbing frame. Even as an adult, I get the urge to start singing it when I’m in the car.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Perhaps a song like 'Hey Boy Hey Girl' by The Chemical Brothers. I was too young to hear it when it first came out, but I think it’s pretty cool how it boosts everybody's mood whenever it’s played.
New music you are listening to now?
Shygirl. The cover to her EP Alias caught my attention and I started listening to her after that. I like the upbeat track, 'Slime'.
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