Nick Luscombe and Ken Nishikawa present KEF Japan Listen and believe.This episode features a discussion and live performance from Tokyo musician, singer and producer Ai Kakihira. Her sound is a unique psychedelic blend, skilfully incorporating elements of house, techno, ethnic music, chillwave, disco, soul, and dream pop. With delicate vocals and melodies infused with the beauty of the Japanese language, her music is memorable and transports listeners into a fantastical world through rich layers of sound and intricate arrangements. Additionally, she is active as a producer and remixer, providing music for various visual media productions such as documentaries and advertisements.https://gearboxrecords.bandcamp.com/album/inThis show was recorded live at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo on Thursday 7th November 2024.For more information about KEF Japan please check the website https://kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

Nick Luscombe and Ken Nishikawa present KEF Japan Listen and believe. We explore sound and music from the perspective of Tokyo-based creatives. It is recorded live in front of a small audience.This episode features a discussion with acclaimed filmmaker Nick Dwyer. Starting his career as a radio host and music television presenter in New Zealand at the age of 14, Nick Dwyer evolved to writing, directing and hosting his own long-form TV shows including ‘Making Tracks’ which went on to be picked up by the BBC and the National Geographic Channel globally, a series that saw him exploring global music culture and interviewing some of music history's most legendary names. Over the course of his career he has documented music histories in more than 70 countries around the world. In 2014 he moved to Japan to focus on his documentary work and, that same year, wrote and directed the critically acclaimed ‘Diggin’ In The Carts’ documentary series which focused on the global impact of Japanese video game music. He has gone on to write and direct short form documentaries for networks like BBC Storyworks, Vice, Nowness, Channel News Asia and extensive work with Red Bull. In 2015 he began work researching and writing “A Century In Sound” , a six part documentary series which tells a 100-year history of Tokyo through the unique-to-Japan culture of “ongaku kissa” (lit. music cafes) which has been screening at film festivals throughout 2024 to great acclaim and is set for global release in 2025.This podcast was recorded live at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo on Thursday 10th October 2024.For more information about KEF Japan please check the website https://kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

Nick Luscombe and Ken Nishikawa present KEF Japan Listen and believe. We explore sound and music from the perspective of Tokyo-based creatives. It is recorded live in front of a small audience.This edition features a discussion with Nick Wood, a British film composer, music producer and creative director of Syn Music. Nick has composed and arranged music for over 2,000 commercials as well as a host of critically acclaimed film and television projects. Some of Nick’s most recent work includes CNN’s “Why We Go” for which he won an Emmy, 14 Promax BDA awards and 2 Clio awards. Born in Liverpool, England, Nick launched his musical career in London in the mid 80’s. Whilst still a teenager, his talent for composition and music production earned him his start at the legendary Marcus Studio in London and at the age of just 19, he signed with Virgin Music. While based in London, Nick ventured to Tokyo and in 1991, co-founded the first Syn Music Studio with long-time colleague and collaborator, Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran. Nick has collaborated with artists as diverse as Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Dr. John, Julian Lennon, Robert Palmer, Chris Corner, Graham Massey, Jon Hassell, Bebel Gilberto, Maxi Priest, Simon Le Bon, Tetsuya Komuro and Van Dyke Parks. Nick is currently composing and producing the ‘Towadako Series’, Syn’s series of long form ambient soundscapes, which lovingly document the seasonal changes found along the tranquil shoreline of Lake Towada, in Honshu Japan. This five chapter release recognises the rainy season as a symbolic fifth season, reflecting a calming beauty and natural richness that is inherently connected to the spirit of Japan. 'Towadako Summer' was released at the end of August 2024.Nick lives between Tokyo and LA, with recording studios located in Culver City, Tokyo and Shanghai.Nick`s Spotify playlist that accompanies this episide is available here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2QHEVdio2bSEoKF2eyi2kf?si=732563b2e83a43fbThis podcast was recorded live at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo on Thursday 5th September 2024.For more information about KEF Japan please check the websitehttps://kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

Nick Luscombe and Ken Nishikawa present Listen and believe - the podcast from KEF Japan that explores sound and music from the perspective of the Tokyo-based creative community. It is recorded live in front of a small audience.This edition features a discussion with the multi-talented Guy Perryman -  radio broadcaster, voice actor, writer and DJ, who presents on Tokyo`s Inter FM.  He talks about his well-travelled upbringing, how he got into radio and made the move to Japan, his passion for sound and music and his new writing projects. Guy selected ten tracks, that have had a profound affect on his life, exclusively for KEF Listen and believe. The playlist features a wide mix of sounds -  from techno and soul, stage music and classical to pop, rock and African music, and is available via the link below:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7kl1kRA7TU2WVS5Dg12zer?si=5952a2a589fc45c7This podcast was recorded live at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo on 20th August 2024. For more information about KEF Japan please check the websitehttps://kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

Nick Luscombe and Ken Nishikawa present Listen and believe - the podcast from KEF Japan that explores sound and music from the perspective of the Tokyo-based creative community. It is recorded live in front of a small audience.This edition features a discussion with Hitomi "Penny" Tohyama, famed for some of the most vibrant and soulful tracks of the Japanese City Pop / Boogie era of the early 1980s, including Sexy Robot, Tuxedo Connection, Love is the Competition and SFO Oakland.  Penny also put together a Spotify playlist to accompany the discussion: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1jWgAKAYVQuZrBB6lFRr3y?si=7166def357914145 SpotifyThis podcast was recorded live at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo on 7th August 2024. For more information about KEF Japan please check the websitehttps://kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

Nick Luscombe and Ken Nishikawa present Listen and believe - the podcast from KEF Japan that explores sound and music from the perspective of the Tokyo-based creative community. It is recorded live in front of a small audience. This edition features one of our favourite new musicians, singer-songwriter XinU, who, through her laid back, natural and soulful style, has quickly built a loyal following of music fans. XinU also selects tracks for her KEF Listen and believe Spotify playlist which you can check here:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7pknsogGPPxZ2W64qK8YgR?si=R1XTCYMfRjSRV_jDXGNoSw&pi=e-m5iAhyjjQQGJXin U also plays a few tracks live at KMGXinU - Mou Yada (Live at KMG)XinU- Wherever We Go (Live at KMG)XinU - Omoiomoware (Live at KMG)For more about XinU:https://www.xinu.tokyoThis podcast was recorded live at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo on 18th July 2024. For more information about KEF Japan please check the websitehttps://kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.