Musician — Tokyo
Name
Mahiru Coda (Mappy).
What do you do?
Jazz pianist / Fashionista / Influencer.
Where are you from?
I was born in Okinawa and grew up in Tokyo.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Snarky Puppy - at Aoyama Blue Note.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Harajuku - when I was in primary school, 'kimokawaii' culture such as eyeball motifs and dolls with no heads influenced me. From there, I started to find my own identity and listened to lots of different music, outside of Jazz. Music and Fashion are so closely linked.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Shinjuku Pit Inn - where I played as the main act for the first time. I was very proud to play there - as I had been to concerts at the Pit Inn when I was younger.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Hiroto Komoto and Q-Tip. I really look up to them and would really like to play onstage with them.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
It would absolutely be Bud Powell. I would like to do a piano duet with him and perform at the highest level of the Bebop era.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Cory Henry - is my favourite musician these days. He is an organ, keyboard and vocal performance genius. Please check him out. Being raised in a church ensemble has given him a special talent.
How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
I have been influenced by hip-hop. Particularly the era of 'A Tribe Called Quest' and 'Lauryn Hill, and mainly chose music based on heavier beats and steady bass.
The first track you played on repeat?
'American Boy' by Estelle ft. Kanye West. I listened to this endlessly.
A song that defines the teenage you?
It is 'Aozora' by The Blue Hearts. I love the vocals, lyrics, and melody.
One record you would keep forever?
'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill' is my favourite record, because it introduced me to hip-hop. All songs are wonderful. Also the Jazz album, 'The Amazing Bud Powell (Vol.1)' and the track 'Un Poco Loco'.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
‘To Zion' by Lauryn Hill. When I understood the lyrics, a junior high school student, I was really moved by the song and these particular lyrics:
"But everybody told me to be smart
Look at your career they said
Lauryn, baby use your head
But instead I chose to use my heart."
Best song to turn up loud?
'The Way' by Ariana Grande. This song is in a good key for me to sing. Nowadays, her songs have become influenced by hip-hop, and their sounds and beats appeal to me. I sing my favourite Ariana Grande songs when I go to Karaoke.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
It is not a song, but I like the subculture of Goa Trance because I was influenced by my mother who used to go to rave parties in Goa. By the way, I got to go there once when I was five years old.
Any new bands you are listening to now?
King Gnu - we got to know each other through music. They are a cool band because they have a DIY spirit and create everything themselves from music and graphics to filmmaking.
Name
Mahiru Coda (Mappy).
What do you do?
Jazz pianist / Fashionista / Influencer.
Where are you from?
I was born in Okinawa and grew up in Tokyo.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Snarky Puppy - at Aoyama Blue Note.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Harajuku - when I was in primary school, 'kimokawaii' culture such as eyeball motifs and dolls with no heads influenced me. From there, I started to find my own identity and listened to lots of different music, outside of Jazz. Music and Fashion are so closely linked.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Shinjuku Pit Inn - where I played as the main act for the first time. I was very proud to play there - as I had been to concerts at the Pit Inn when I was younger.
If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
Hiroto Komoto and Q-Tip. I really look up to them and would really like to play onstage with them.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
It would absolutely be Bud Powell. I would like to do a piano duet with him and perform at the highest level of the Bebop era.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Cory Henry - is my favourite musician these days. He is an organ, keyboard and vocal performance genius. Please check him out. Being raised in a church ensemble has given him a special talent.
How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
I have been influenced by hip-hop. Particularly the era of 'A Tribe Called Quest' and 'Lauryn Hill, and mainly chose music based on heavier beats and steady bass.
The first track you played on repeat?
'American Boy' by Estelle ft. Kanye West. I listened to this endlessly.
A song that defines the teenage you?
It is 'Aozora' by The Blue Hearts. I love the vocals, lyrics, and melody.
One record you would keep forever?
'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill' is my favourite record, because it introduced me to hip-hop. All songs are wonderful. Also the Jazz album, 'The Amazing Bud Powell (Vol.1)' and the track 'Un Poco Loco'.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
‘To Zion' by Lauryn Hill. When I understood the lyrics, a junior high school student, I was really moved by the song and these particular lyrics:
"But everybody told me to be smart
Look at your career they said
Lauryn, baby use your head
But instead I chose to use my heart."
Best song to turn up loud?
'The Way' by Ariana Grande. This song is in a good key for me to sing. Nowadays, her songs have become influenced by hip-hop, and their sounds and beats appeal to me. I sing my favourite Ariana Grande songs when I go to Karaoke.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
It is not a song, but I like the subculture of Goa Trance because I was influenced by my mother who used to go to rave parties in Goa. By the way, I got to go there once when I was five years old.
Any new bands you are listening to now?
King Gnu - we got to know each other through music. They are a cool band because they have a DIY spirit and create everything themselves from music and graphics to filmmaking.
