01Profile
A Maiko Shibukawa Photo
Maiko Shibukawa
Stylist/Director of THE FOUR-EYED Clothing Shop — Tokyo/Iwate
03Interview
Name
Maiko Shibukawa
What do you do?
Stylist/Director of THE FOUR-EYED Clothing Shop in Kabukicho.
Where are you from?
Tokyo/Iwate (Northern Japan).
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
King Krule was midway through a world tour in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic forced the organizers to cancel it. However, I managed to catch a live show at L'Olympia in Paris just before the tour was axed, and the opening act was Jerkcurb. That was genuinely the most moving live show I have ever seen. The whole crowd, including me, bubbled over with excitement when they played their famous tracks, and I felt happy to be alive.
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
That would have to be club culture. When I lived in London, I was pretty much out clubbing every weekend. While I couldn't go to famous places like Fabric every weekend, I went to fashion parties and loads of other events. I remember there was an event where Bjork was DJing. I found the fashion very inspiring during my time in London, and I think I still carry those influences in my current work.
What is your favourite venue?
I think the best live show I ever saw was at LIQUIDROOM in Ebisu.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
Radiohead are important to me because they laid the foundations for my musical experience while I was in the UK. I'd join the band at a gig in the Royal Albert Hall and play the keyboard on 'Everything In Its Right Place'. I mean, that's the part everyone remembers, right? (Laughs).
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd love to spend that hour with Freddie Mercury in the bar he went to in Shinjuku Ni-Chome. I watched the film 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and it confirmed my thoughts that he was a fantastic person and, somewhat selfishly, I admit, I think we could have been good friends.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Right now, it's Horsey, the UK band with Jacob Reed, aka Jerkcub, on guitar. I love them because they nail the UK band and UK rock sound. They have been making waves since about 2020, but they still fly under the radar, so I highly recommend that everyone check them out.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
I lived in London from 18 to 22, and even after returning to Japan, I went back quite a bit for work, so the playlist is made up of songs that have defined my history and shaped my personality.
The first track you played on repeat?
As we are talking about my childhood, I guess that would be The Beatles. Funnily enough, they used to play John Lennon's cover of 'Stand By Me' on an endless loop during lunchtime at my elementary school.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I was pretty impressionable during my teenage years, and I had some pretty bleak and mopey times, so I’ll choose ‘Karma Police’ by Radiohead. The track lifts towards the end, but it’s not exactly a feel-good sing-along (laughs).
One record you would keep forever?
From the albums I’ve listened to a lot over the last few years, I’ll say ‘Air Con Eden’ by Jerkcurb. Mainly because I actually own the record.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I tend to listen to songs with a darkish feel, and out of all of them, I like ‘Youth’ by Daughter the best. As the title suggests, the song is about the feelings of youth, saying that in the end, you are the cause of your own hurt, and you brought it on yourself — it reaches down into the roots of life.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Only Ones Who Know’ by Arctic Monkeys. It’s a really short track but a real earworm for me. The guitar lick is pretty simple, and although the song is about lost love, the lyrics are not that sad. I often find myself humming along.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I go to gay clubs a lot so I listen to artists like Dua Lipa. I’m a fan of her diva-like style and her fashion, which is still evolving from when she first came on the scene.
What new music are you listening to now?
Someone I've known for a while but hadn't really tried to listen to before recently is Beabadoobee. She caught my attention on Instagram, and her track 'See You Soon' got me hooked. I think it's the new generation of band-oriented music.
03Interview
Name
Maiko Shibukawa
What do you do?
Stylist/Director of THE FOUR-EYED Clothing Shop in Kabukicho.
Where are you from?
Tokyo/Iwate (Northern Japan).
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
King Krule was midway through a world tour in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic forced the organizers to cancel it. However, I managed to catch a live show at L'Olympia in Paris just before the tour was axed, and the opening act was Jerkcurb. That was genuinely the most moving live show I have ever seen. The whole crowd, including me, bubbled over with excitement when they played their famous tracks, and I felt happy to be alive.
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
That would have to be club culture. When I lived in London, I was pretty much out clubbing every weekend. While I couldn't go to famous places like Fabric every weekend, I went to fashion parties and loads of other events. I remember there was an event where Bjork was DJing. I found the fashion very inspiring during my time in London, and I think I still carry those influences in my current work.
What is your favourite venue?
I think the best live show I ever saw was at LIQUIDROOM in Ebisu.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
Radiohead are important to me because they laid the foundations for my musical experience while I was in the UK. I'd join the band at a gig in the Royal Albert Hall and play the keyboard on 'Everything In Its Right Place'. I mean, that's the part everyone remembers, right? (Laughs).
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I'd love to spend that hour with Freddie Mercury in the bar he went to in Shinjuku Ni-Chome. I watched the film 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and it confirmed my thoughts that he was a fantastic person and, somewhat selfishly, I admit, I think we could have been good friends.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Right now, it's Horsey, the UK band with Jacob Reed, aka Jerkcub, on guitar. I love them because they nail the UK band and UK rock sound. They have been making waves since about 2020, but they still fly under the radar, so I highly recommend that everyone check them out.
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
I lived in London from 18 to 22, and even after returning to Japan, I went back quite a bit for work, so the playlist is made up of songs that have defined my history and shaped my personality.
The first track you played on repeat?
As we are talking about my childhood, I guess that would be The Beatles. Funnily enough, they used to play John Lennon's cover of 'Stand By Me' on an endless loop during lunchtime at my elementary school.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I was pretty impressionable during my teenage years, and I had some pretty bleak and mopey times, so I’ll choose ‘Karma Police’ by Radiohead. The track lifts towards the end, but it’s not exactly a feel-good sing-along (laughs).
One record you would keep forever?
From the albums I’ve listened to a lot over the last few years, I’ll say ‘Air Con Eden’ by Jerkcurb. Mainly because I actually own the record.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I tend to listen to songs with a darkish feel, and out of all of them, I like ‘Youth’ by Daughter the best. As the title suggests, the song is about the feelings of youth, saying that in the end, you are the cause of your own hurt, and you brought it on yourself — it reaches down into the roots of life.
Best song to turn up loud?
‘Only Ones Who Know’ by Arctic Monkeys. It’s a really short track but a real earworm for me. The guitar lick is pretty simple, and although the song is about lost love, the lyrics are not that sad. I often find myself humming along.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I go to gay clubs a lot so I listen to artists like Dua Lipa. I’m a fan of her diva-like style and her fashion, which is still evolving from when she first came on the scene.
What new music are you listening to now?
Someone I've known for a while but hadn't really tried to listen to before recently is Beabadoobee. She caught my attention on Instagram, and her track 'See You Soon' got me hooked. I think it's the new generation of band-oriented music.