01Profile
A CHAI Photo
CHAI
Artists — Nagoya
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
MANA and KANA of CHAI. Nagoya, Japan.
What do you do?
M & K: Artists.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
M: The one I have the strongest feelings for is Superorganism, since we were the opening act for their UK tour. As for the best live act, it's The xx.
K: Same here.
M: I saw The xx at the FUJI ROCK 2017 and I just couldn't stop crying. It was so emotional. Especially when they played 'I Dare You'.
K: 'Angels' for me. It was the last track they played, finished without an encore. Amazing location, too.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
K: I think of the weather in the UK! I believe that cloudiness somewhat represents UK music. I must say, I admire that a bit.
M: I get that feeling too, but what I’ve also found from visiting there five times, that everyone on the street seems stylish overall.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
M: If you're looking for a festival, the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago is a good one. I've been told by a lot of my friends that you can't go wrong with Pitchfork, so it was great to be at that festival, and the line-up was really good. There were only three stages, but just the right size, plus it was really easy to watch. There were also a lot of creators exhibiting their work, adding a great vibe to it.
K: I remember when we had a solo gig in London at a live house called the Moth Club. The stage was so pretty with glittery lights. I guess you could say it was like a cabaret-like, or an urban glitter (laughs). Oh, and the Village Underground in London was also super cool with a high ceiling and all. You don't really have that in Japan.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
M & K: The xx! We like them so much.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
M: I want to be a member of the Gorillaz, even if it's only for an hour! I love them so much that I dreamt of being one before I started CHAI.
K: I wish I was attending Damon (Albarn) during the scene from Blur’s early video clip where he vomits. For some reason, I’m still wondering what sort of a state he was in.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
M: Romy (Madley Croft) from The xx. She must be known but I’d say should be known even more.
K: The one who’s standing on left usually, guitar/vocal. I like her guitar sound so much.
M: It’s the only sound I can think of. Very famous, already but I just want more people to know about it
K: The revolutionary tone and phrasing.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
M & K: Must be the Gorillaz.
M: 'Feel Good Inc.' especially. I have their best album and found it, played on repeat.
K: We pretty much share every moment, so that’s my answer too.
A song that defines the teenage you?
K: 'Help!' by The Beatles.
M: I know! I’ve always been asking for help!
K: It's teenage emotions, but I went to school thinking it sucks all the time (laughs). Anyway, the word "cute" was all over the place and it was quite annoying at some point but, you know, that's why I'm here now.
One record you would keep forever?
M: 'Sprorgnsm' by Superorganism.
K: Same! Or, 'Love Me / Love Me Not' by HONNE.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
M: 'Good Together' by HONNE.
K: It was the track we listened to together as a band on the flight back from our very first US gig, where CHAI met Sean (Bohrman) and Lee (Rickard), the founders of the Burger Records for the first time since they signed us. We all hugged each other after the gig too, and I’m very fond of the track.
M: It was the gig that got us the grip that we could do it in the US. It was the moment when away game became the home. The track still makes me cry just to remember the moments. The lyrics were so relevant but we only knew about it later on though! (laughs).
Best song to turn up loud?
M: 'Night Time' by Superorganism.
K: 'I Dare You' by The xx. I do it just before the gig sometimes.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
M: Jamiroquai.
K: I’ve never said in any interviews but The Beatles are my fav.
New bands you are listening to now?
K: I’d say Dua Lipa. Mana told me about her (laughs).
M: Dua Lipa, too. I saw her on the “Tiny Desk Concert” of NPR. Got me hooked by her unique vocal.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
MANA and KANA of CHAI. Nagoya, Japan.
What do you do?
M & K: Artists.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
M: The one I have the strongest feelings for is Superorganism, since we were the opening act for their UK tour. As for the best live act, it's The xx.
K: Same here.
M: I saw The xx at the FUJI ROCK 2017 and I just couldn't stop crying. It was so emotional. Especially when they played 'I Dare You'.
K: 'Angels' for me. It was the last track they played, finished without an encore. Amazing location, too.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
K: I think of the weather in the UK! I believe that cloudiness somewhat represents UK music. I must say, I admire that a bit.
M: I get that feeling too, but what I’ve also found from visiting there five times, that everyone on the street seems stylish overall.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
M: If you're looking for a festival, the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago is a good one. I've been told by a lot of my friends that you can't go wrong with Pitchfork, so it was great to be at that festival, and the line-up was really good. There were only three stages, but just the right size, plus it was really easy to watch. There were also a lot of creators exhibiting their work, adding a great vibe to it.
K: I remember when we had a solo gig in London at a live house called the Moth Club. The stage was so pretty with glittery lights. I guess you could say it was like a cabaret-like, or an urban glitter (laughs). Oh, and the Village Underground in London was also super cool with a high ceiling and all. You don't really have that in Japan.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
M & K: The xx! We like them so much.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
M: I want to be a member of the Gorillaz, even if it's only for an hour! I love them so much that I dreamt of being one before I started CHAI.
K: I wish I was attending Damon (Albarn) during the scene from Blur’s early video clip where he vomits. For some reason, I’m still wondering what sort of a state he was in.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
M: Romy (Madley Croft) from The xx. She must be known but I’d say should be known even more.
K: The one who’s standing on left usually, guitar/vocal. I like her guitar sound so much.
M: It’s the only sound I can think of. Very famous, already but I just want more people to know about it
K: The revolutionary tone and phrasing.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
M & K: Must be the Gorillaz.
M: 'Feel Good Inc.' especially. I have their best album and found it, played on repeat.
K: We pretty much share every moment, so that’s my answer too.
A song that defines the teenage you?
K: 'Help!' by The Beatles.
M: I know! I’ve always been asking for help!
K: It's teenage emotions, but I went to school thinking it sucks all the time (laughs). Anyway, the word "cute" was all over the place and it was quite annoying at some point but, you know, that's why I'm here now.
One record you would keep forever?
M: 'Sprorgnsm' by Superorganism.
K: Same! Or, 'Love Me / Love Me Not' by HONNE.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
M: 'Good Together' by HONNE.
K: It was the track we listened to together as a band on the flight back from our very first US gig, where CHAI met Sean (Bohrman) and Lee (Rickard), the founders of the Burger Records for the first time since they signed us. We all hugged each other after the gig too, and I’m very fond of the track.
M: It was the gig that got us the grip that we could do it in the US. It was the moment when away game became the home. The track still makes me cry just to remember the moments. The lyrics were so relevant but we only knew about it later on though! (laughs).
Best song to turn up loud?
M: 'Night Time' by Superorganism.
K: 'I Dare You' by The xx. I do it just before the gig sometimes.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
M: Jamiroquai.
K: I’ve never said in any interviews but The Beatles are my fav.
New bands you are listening to now?
K: I’d say Dua Lipa. Mana told me about her (laughs).
M: Dua Lipa, too. I saw her on the “Tiny Desk Concert” of NPR. Got me hooked by her unique vocal.