01Profile
A Nozomi Kurokawa Photo
Nozomi Kurokawa
Hatter — Nagoya City
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Nozomi Kurokawa, Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture.
What do you do?
Japanese Hatter.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
In 2014, I went to see The Rolling Stones at Tokyo Dome. I hadn’t been to many live gigs before that, but this was the first time for me to see such a huge band. I was in my early 20s and strapped for cash, but I remember thinking I might not get another chance to see them. I knew I’d regret it more if I didn’t go. With Charlie Watts passing away recently, it proves I made the right decision. From the moment they came on stage and hit the riff to ‘Start Me Up,’ it was exceptional. I'll never forget the impact of that gig; watching a band I've seen and heard so many times right in front of my eyes.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’d say fashion that’s entwined with music. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’ style from the '70s/'80s. David Bowie, too. I’m inspired by that aesthetic, and I try to create the type of hats they were wearing back then.
Of all the venues you’ve visited, which is your favourite?
Karnells Bar — a music bar in my hometown of Nagoya. Dad used to DJ there, mainly playing black music tracks, and he would take me along pretty regularly as a kid. He puts on an annual end-of-year event, and I’ll always show up. I try to pop in every time I’m back home.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
A band I’d kind of like to mix in with is Cream. It’d be great to be in the recording studio when they were making the 'Wheels Of Fire' album and play some saxophone, something they didn’t have on the original tracks. 'White Room' would be cool to play on.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
It’s a completely impossible situation, but I’d like to be in a scene I saw at The Rolling Stones photo exhibition. Keith Richards was swamped by fans on a tour bus, and I’d like to be one of those fans taking Keith’s order for a hat.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Someone I think deserves a lot more shine is Sonny J. I got into his music after hearing his track 'Can’t Stop Moving', a kind of Jackson 5 inspired electro-funk arrangement.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'I Was Born To Love You' by Queen. It was the theme song to 2004 Japanese drama Pride with Takuya Kimura and my brother had the CD. I’m not sure why but I loved that track and would play it all the time.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'In The City' by The Jam. This song takes me right back to my teens, leaving my hometown and arriving in Tokyo with a headful of fashion dreams. I think I’m still pretty stubborn today, but I certainly was at that time. I was convinced of my direction, and that my way was the right way. I’d be very vocal about my dreams. I feel this song tells a similar story. The meaning of the track for me is about being in Tokyo.
One record you would keep forever?
'Sticky Fingers' by The Rolling Stones album. It's my favourite album because I want to listen to it every chance I get. I’ve been getting into buying records over the last couple of years, and I have this album on vinyl too.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'A Horse With No Name' by America. The lyrics are pretty difficult to decipher, so I’m not saying I know exactly what they mean… But the song is about a desert journey on an unnamed horse and during this journey, we get to feel life and reincarnation in everything and gain some understanding about ourselves. The lyrics make me think about my way of life. They have a deep influence on my style as a hat maker because the lives of animals are directly connected to what I do.
Best song to turn up loud?
I’m a sing-it-loud, sing-it-proud type of person. 'Country Girl' by Primal Scream.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I sometimes get the urge to listen to the 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' by Wham. It’s just a straight down the line happy song.
New music you are listening to now?
Sonny J, who I mentioned a bit earlier. A lot of his stuff is subscription-only so there isn’t much out there in the public domain, but I’d like more people to search for his music and listen to him.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Nozomi Kurokawa, Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture.
What do you do?
Japanese Hatter.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
In 2014, I went to see The Rolling Stones at Tokyo Dome. I hadn’t been to many live gigs before that, but this was the first time for me to see such a huge band. I was in my early 20s and strapped for cash, but I remember thinking I might not get another chance to see them. I knew I’d regret it more if I didn’t go. With Charlie Watts passing away recently, it proves I made the right decision. From the moment they came on stage and hit the riff to ‘Start Me Up,’ it was exceptional. I'll never forget the impact of that gig; watching a band I've seen and heard so many times right in front of my eyes.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
I’d say fashion that’s entwined with music. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’ style from the '70s/'80s. David Bowie, too. I’m inspired by that aesthetic, and I try to create the type of hats they were wearing back then.
Of all the venues you’ve visited, which is your favourite?
Karnells Bar — a music bar in my hometown of Nagoya. Dad used to DJ there, mainly playing black music tracks, and he would take me along pretty regularly as a kid. He puts on an annual end-of-year event, and I’ll always show up. I try to pop in every time I’m back home.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
A band I’d kind of like to mix in with is Cream. It’d be great to be in the recording studio when they were making the 'Wheels Of Fire' album and play some saxophone, something they didn’t have on the original tracks. 'White Room' would be cool to play on.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
It’s a completely impossible situation, but I’d like to be in a scene I saw at The Rolling Stones photo exhibition. Keith Richards was swamped by fans on a tour bus, and I’d like to be one of those fans taking Keith’s order for a hat.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Someone I think deserves a lot more shine is Sonny J. I got into his music after hearing his track 'Can’t Stop Moving', a kind of Jackson 5 inspired electro-funk arrangement.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'I Was Born To Love You' by Queen. It was the theme song to 2004 Japanese drama Pride with Takuya Kimura and my brother had the CD. I’m not sure why but I loved that track and would play it all the time.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'In The City' by The Jam. This song takes me right back to my teens, leaving my hometown and arriving in Tokyo with a headful of fashion dreams. I think I’m still pretty stubborn today, but I certainly was at that time. I was convinced of my direction, and that my way was the right way. I’d be very vocal about my dreams. I feel this song tells a similar story. The meaning of the track for me is about being in Tokyo.
One record you would keep forever?
'Sticky Fingers' by The Rolling Stones album. It's my favourite album because I want to listen to it every chance I get. I’ve been getting into buying records over the last couple of years, and I have this album on vinyl too.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'A Horse With No Name' by America. The lyrics are pretty difficult to decipher, so I’m not saying I know exactly what they mean… But the song is about a desert journey on an unnamed horse and during this journey, we get to feel life and reincarnation in everything and gain some understanding about ourselves. The lyrics make me think about my way of life. They have a deep influence on my style as a hat maker because the lives of animals are directly connected to what I do.
Best song to turn up loud?
I’m a sing-it-loud, sing-it-proud type of person. 'Country Girl' by Primal Scream.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I sometimes get the urge to listen to the 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' by Wham. It’s just a straight down the line happy song.
New music you are listening to now?
Sonny J, who I mentioned a bit earlier. A lot of his stuff is subscription-only so there isn’t much out there in the public domain, but I’d like more people to search for his music and listen to him.