Aoi Yamada

Dancer — Japan

01Profile

A Aoi Yamada Photo

03Interview

Name?
AOI YAMADA

What do you do?
Dancer

Where are you from?
Nagano, Japan.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw this on YouTube but the live clip of 'New York City Boys' by Pet Shop Boys was so fun to watch. I definitely want to muck into that stage.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Fashion, I’m really into vintage clothes. It was interesting to see an old man at the Sunday market in London, selling fur coats and all. I like wearing my great-grandmother’s collection actually. Like, I want to inherit them from her to keep them alive.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I flew to Istanbul, Turkey for the music video for Nulbarich’s track called 'Voice' with Tomokazu Yamada as the director. It was in the autumn of 2018 and I don’t remember the exact name of the place but you’d get the idea if you watch the clip.

If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
David Bowie. I can picture vividly in my head Bowie wearing the 'Tokyo Pop', the famous jump-suit by Kansai Yamamoto. I had a chance to wear a costume with the same pattern and went on stage as a statue of Aun at 'Japan Genki Project' produced by Mr.Yamamoto himself. Ah... I wish I wore it with him and we danced together.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I want to play in the park with a variety of musicians as I believe parks bring innocence to everyone. Let’s choose someone that I wouldn’t expect to see playing in the park… David Bowie.

04Playlist Notes

How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
It’s a journey from Japan through London and back to Japan again. 'Pile' by Arca, for example, would be the track for the flight to London, and I have also included a track from Dope Lemon’s record that I spotted there. Bjork is big in the UK so I have included Hatis Noit as a Japanese take.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Bad Guy' by Billie Eilish. Only teens know how teens feel.

One record you would keep forever?
It’s going to be a Japanese musician and it’s Yumi Arai’s 'COBALT HOUR'. I got to know about her through the movie called 'Kiki’s Delivery Service' and she was speaking on the radio about the story of her vocal character that it became such a distinctive sound after hearing the pipe organ at a church. I had to become her fan.

Best song to turn up loud?
If only I could sing, though, 'We Are The Champions' by Queen hah! It must feel amazing to be able to sing like him.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Star Guitar' by Chemical Brothers. It’s a rare choice of genre for me but it does get my groove on when I listen to it sometimes. The music video really fits the track, ever so smooth.

New bands you are listening to now?
Superorganism. Orono, the vocalist might be younger than me... but she’s so calm while the rest of the band members age seem uncertain and their laid back attitude makes me like them so much. They do play with the sound and I like that too.

03Interview

Name?
AOI YAMADA

What do you do?
Dancer

Where are you from?
Nagano, Japan.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw this on YouTube but the live clip of 'New York City Boys' by Pet Shop Boys was so fun to watch. I definitely want to muck into that stage.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Fashion, I’m really into vintage clothes. It was interesting to see an old man at the Sunday market in London, selling fur coats and all. I like wearing my great-grandmother’s collection actually. Like, I want to inherit them from her to keep them alive.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I flew to Istanbul, Turkey for the music video for Nulbarich’s track called 'Voice' with Tomokazu Yamada as the director. It was in the autumn of 2018 and I don’t remember the exact name of the place but you’d get the idea if you watch the clip.

If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
David Bowie. I can picture vividly in my head Bowie wearing the 'Tokyo Pop', the famous jump-suit by Kansai Yamamoto. I had a chance to wear a costume with the same pattern and went on stage as a statue of Aun at 'Japan Genki Project' produced by Mr.Yamamoto himself. Ah... I wish I wore it with him and we danced together.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I want to play in the park with a variety of musicians as I believe parks bring innocence to everyone. Let’s choose someone that I wouldn’t expect to see playing in the park… David Bowie.

04Playlist Notes

How did you select the tracks for this playlist?
It’s a journey from Japan through London and back to Japan again. 'Pile' by Arca, for example, would be the track for the flight to London, and I have also included a track from Dope Lemon’s record that I spotted there. Bjork is big in the UK so I have included Hatis Noit as a Japanese take.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Bad Guy' by Billie Eilish. Only teens know how teens feel.

One record you would keep forever?
It’s going to be a Japanese musician and it’s Yumi Arai’s 'COBALT HOUR'. I got to know about her through the movie called 'Kiki’s Delivery Service' and she was speaking on the radio about the story of her vocal character that it became such a distinctive sound after hearing the pipe organ at a church. I had to become her fan.

Best song to turn up loud?
If only I could sing, though, 'We Are The Champions' by Queen hah! It must feel amazing to be able to sing like him.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Star Guitar' by Chemical Brothers. It’s a rare choice of genre for me but it does get my groove on when I listen to it sometimes. The music video really fits the track, ever so smooth.

New bands you are listening to now?
Superorganism. Orono, the vocalist might be younger than me... but she’s so calm while the rest of the band members age seem uncertain and their laid back attitude makes me like them so much. They do play with the sound and I like that too.

 

05Videos

Co・ro・na

LITE / Double

A Country Just Dancing

Nulbarich – VOICE

Anonymouz - No NAME

Caffeine