01Profile
A Kan Sano Photo
Kan Sano
Musician — Kanazawa
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Kan Sano, Kanazawa.
What do you do?
Keyboardist / Track maker / Producer.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Oh, it’s difficult to choose just one musician since I’ve got into music by The Beatles. If I was to choose somebody who I currently get inspired by then it’d be Giles Peterson. Once when he was in Japan my friend was interviewing him and I happened to be present as an assistant for the photographer. After a good long while, I was eventually invited to play at Worldwide Festival 2016, a festival which takes place in France, organized by the man himself.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Stanley Kubrick, a US-born filmmaker who spent his life in the UK. I’m fascinated by the fact he is one of the most well-known directors in the film industry, yet at the same time is portrayed as a maverick. I usually feel the urge to rewatch 'The Shining' once a year.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I have to give 2 venues. I hope that’s okay. Lete in Shimokitazawa is a cosy place where I regularly play fully-unplugged with no microphone. Almost like an origin, it’s the space where I first began singing in front of an audience. Another one is the Theatre De La Mer in Sete, France - a venue for the aforementioned Worldwide Festival. It’s essentially an old theatre though it’s crazy playing in such a great location, surrounded by the audience in front of me and the sea at my back.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
The Beatles again. It would be during their later phase when Billy Preston and Nicky Hopkins were in the studio with them, and it would be cool to join their studio session. Not like a journalist but I’m curious about the relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
A quick chat in a café with Ringo Starr in the late '60s. He seems to be the one who would actually listen and focus on the conversation (laughs). I would ask him questions about the personal relationships between the band members.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Floating Points. Definitely a talented guy who should be put into the spotlight more. I must also mention Dego from 4hero, especially towards the young generation.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
How did you choose the tracks for this playlist?
A historical path of music and those that inspired me from my teens up to now.
The first track you played on repeat?
Again, it’s The Beatles. I often listen to albums on loop, to recall the track precisely it might have been 'Revolution'.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Rock was the genre I used to listen to back when I was in my early teens so Rod Stewart’s 'Maggie May'. I was then exposed to the club culture in my late teens so 'A Brighter Day – Edit' by Ronny Jordan with Mos Def as a guest on the DJ Spinna remix.
One record you would keep forever?
Again, and again, it’s The Beatles but this time 'The Beatles', also known as 'The White Album'. It’s a great album that I appreciate differently every time I hear it. It’s got that hazardous balance where it almost isn't even pop music.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Kenichi Hasegawa, a Japanese singer-songwriter from Kyoto. On the track called 'Yoakemae (Before Dawn)', he expresses in a kind of abstract context how different interpretations are possible.
Best song to turn up loud?
'I Might' by HONNE. I sing this tune a lot in the car.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Heart Of The Sunrise' by YES from the playlist. I started to like more when I found out that It’s used effectively in the film 'Buffalo ‘66' directed by Vincent Gallo.
Any new bands you are listening to now?
HONNE, Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch. These are who my friend (and music journalist) Mitsutaka Nagira told me about but there is also a free musical education program that started in 2010 and it seems like the students are blossoming into the mainstream.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Kan Sano, Kanazawa.
What do you do?
Keyboardist / Track maker / Producer.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Oh, it’s difficult to choose just one musician since I’ve got into music by The Beatles. If I was to choose somebody who I currently get inspired by then it’d be Giles Peterson. Once when he was in Japan my friend was interviewing him and I happened to be present as an assistant for the photographer. After a good long while, I was eventually invited to play at Worldwide Festival 2016, a festival which takes place in France, organized by the man himself.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Stanley Kubrick, a US-born filmmaker who spent his life in the UK. I’m fascinated by the fact he is one of the most well-known directors in the film industry, yet at the same time is portrayed as a maverick. I usually feel the urge to rewatch 'The Shining' once a year.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I have to give 2 venues. I hope that’s okay. Lete in Shimokitazawa is a cosy place where I regularly play fully-unplugged with no microphone. Almost like an origin, it’s the space where I first began singing in front of an audience. Another one is the Theatre De La Mer in Sete, France - a venue for the aforementioned Worldwide Festival. It’s essentially an old theatre though it’s crazy playing in such a great location, surrounded by the audience in front of me and the sea at my back.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
The Beatles again. It would be during their later phase when Billy Preston and Nicky Hopkins were in the studio with them, and it would be cool to join their studio session. Not like a journalist but I’m curious about the relationship between John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
A quick chat in a café with Ringo Starr in the late '60s. He seems to be the one who would actually listen and focus on the conversation (laughs). I would ask him questions about the personal relationships between the band members.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Floating Points. Definitely a talented guy who should be put into the spotlight more. I must also mention Dego from 4hero, especially towards the young generation.
04Playlist Notes
How did you choose the tracks for this playlist?
A historical path of music and those that inspired me from my teens up to now.
The first track you played on repeat?
Again, it’s The Beatles. I often listen to albums on loop, to recall the track precisely it might have been 'Revolution'.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Rock was the genre I used to listen to back when I was in my early teens so Rod Stewart’s 'Maggie May'. I was then exposed to the club culture in my late teens so 'A Brighter Day – Edit' by Ronny Jordan with Mos Def as a guest on the DJ Spinna remix.
One record you would keep forever?
Again, and again, it’s The Beatles but this time 'The Beatles', also known as 'The White Album'. It’s a great album that I appreciate differently every time I hear it. It’s got that hazardous balance where it almost isn't even pop music.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Kenichi Hasegawa, a Japanese singer-songwriter from Kyoto. On the track called 'Yoakemae (Before Dawn)', he expresses in a kind of abstract context how different interpretations are possible.
Best song to turn up loud?
'I Might' by HONNE. I sing this tune a lot in the car.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Heart Of The Sunrise' by YES from the playlist. I started to like more when I found out that It’s used effectively in the film 'Buffalo ‘66' directed by Vincent Gallo.
Any new bands you are listening to now?
HONNE, Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch. These are who my friend (and music journalist) Mitsutaka Nagira told me about but there is also a free musical education program that started in 2010 and it seems like the students are blossoming into the mainstream.
Kan Sano | My Girl (2019)
Kan Sano | Stars In Your Eyes (2019)
Kan Sano | DT pt.2 (Music Bar Session)
Kan Sano - live digest of 'Ghost Notes Tour 2019'
Kan Sano - live in Seoul (digest)