KEF Japan - Listen and believe

About KEF Japan - Listen and believe

Listen and believe explores the backgrounds and musical passions of Tokyo-based DJs and designers, musicians and producers, film makers and cultural commentators across the creative spectrum. Presented by Nick Luscombe and Ken Nishikawa and recorded live in front of a small studio audience at KEF Music Gallery Tokyo.

Publisher

KEF Japan

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 May 2024

Latest episode

12 Dec 2024

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Dec 2024

   DJ Otsuka

   DJ Otsuka, Tokyo's renowned jazz expert, shares his insights on the Tokyo club scene from the late 1990s to the present day in a live conversation at KEF Music Gallery.

2. 

   14 Nov 2024

   Musician and producer Ai Kakihira

   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/in (https://gearboxrecords.bandcamp.com/album/in) This 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 (https://kef.com/) or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

3. 

   17 Oct 2024

   Filmmaker Nick Dwyer

   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 (https://kef.com/) or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

4. 

   10 Sept 2024

   Film composer and music producer Nick Wood

   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=732563b2e83a43fb This 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 (https://kef.com/) or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

5. 

   28 Aug 2024

   Broadcaster, voice actor, DJ and writer Guy Perryman

   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=5952a2a589fc45c7 This podcast was recorded live at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo on 20th August 2024. For more information about KEF Japan please check the website https://kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

6. 

   15 Aug 2024

   City Pop Legend - Hitomi "Penny" Tohyama

   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 Spotify This podcast was recorded live at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo on 7th August 2024. For more information about KEF Japan please check the website https://kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

7. 

   25 Jul 2024

   Singer-Songwriter XinU

   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-m5iAhyjjQQGJ (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7pknsogGPPxZ2W64qK8YgR?si=R1XTCYMfRjSRV_jDXGNoSw&pi=e-m5iAhyjjQQGJ) Xin U also plays a few tracks live at KMG XinU - Mou Yada (Live at KMG) XinU- Wherever We Go (Live at KMG) XinU - Omoiomoware (Live at KMG) For more about XinU: https://www.xinu.tokyo (https://www.xinu.tokyo/) This podcast was recorded live at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo on 18th July 2024. For more information about KEF Japan please check the website https://kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

8. 

   24 Jun 2024

   Architect Mark Dytham

   This episode features a chat with Tokyo-based British architect Mark Dytham MBE, recorded live at KMG on June 12th 2024. Born in 1964 in Northamptonshire, England, Dytham's early life and education set the stage for a prolific career that would eventually take him to Tokyo and in 1991, Dytham and Astrid Klein co-founded Klein Dytham Architecture (KDa), marking the beginning of a prolific partnership that has produced numerous iconic projects, including the speaker shaped KEF Music Gallery (KMG) in Aoyama . Klein Dytham Architecture (KDa)  quickly established itself as a leading architectural firm known for its bold, playful, and contextually responsive designs. The firm's work spans various sectors, including residential, commercial, hospitality, and cultural projects. http://www.klein-dytham.com/about (http://www.klein-dytham.com/about) During the conversation, Mark talks about some of the tracks featured in his exclusive KEF Listen and believe Spotify playlist. You can listen the whole thing here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/702YFE9cO301oguSlcINYN?si=ac6de438027444b0

9. 

   23 May 2024

   Broadcaster and DJ Peter Barakan

   Nick Luscombe and Ken Nishikawa present Listen and believe  -  a new podcast from KEF Japan exploring music and sound from the perspective of Tokyo-based musicians and DJs, artists and designers. Our first guest is Peter Barakan, who is well-known for his exceptional commitment to personally curated music radio with numerous long-running shows on Inter FM and NHK FM, as well as his his Live Magic festival. This edition was recorded on Wednesday 15th May 2024 at KEF Music Gallery, Tokyo. Listen to Peter`s playlist via this link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Q1tdwzRpOIJDP29qAiqXO?si=827052288dec4d96 Peter Barakan Playlist: Otis Redding “My Girl” Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul Donny Hathaway “What's Goin’ On” Live Bobby Charles “Tennessee Blues” Bobby Charles Little Feat “Two Trains” Dixie Chicken Toumani Diabate “Jarabi” Kaira Nina Simone “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” Forever Young, Gifted & Black: Songs of Freedom and Spirit Sonny Rollins “St. Thomas” Saxophone Colossus Bob Marley & The Wailers “Positive Vibration” Rastaman Vibration Dr. John “Big Chief” Dr. John's Gumbo Billie Holiday “Body And Soul” Lady Day For more information about KEF Japan please check the website kef.com or KEF Japan IG / X / Facebook / Line.

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.