Karin Okoso

Painter / Model — Tokyo

01Profile

A Karin Okoso Photo

03Interview

Name

Karin Okoso

What do you do?

Painter / Model

Where are you from?

Tokyo

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

Arctic Monkeys at the Summer Sonic festival back in 2014. I was already a fan because of that crisp sound they have and the way their music makes you want to move. At the gig, their set was mainly songs from their last AM album and they kicked off their set with the crunchy riff to ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ The energy in the crowd was off the scale from the first few notes of that riff.

Which subcultures have influenced you?

I would say fashion and vintage clothes. I have some UK music on my playlist mainly thanks to my brother, who is six years older than me. He heavily influenced me when I was in primary and secondary school, and he was really into UK music. In my mind, the UK scene is all about skinny denim and band and raglan t-shirts.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?

The Fuji Rock festival, deep within the mountains, is a great place to listen to music. I love the main stage (Green Stage), but I’m also a big fan of the Day Dreaming stage, which flies under the radar. The high altitude means it’s a bit chilly in the evening, but I love the nighttime there. Can you think of anything better than music and food with your friends surrounded by greenery

If you could be on the line up with any band in history who would it be?

I'd like to meet Noel and Liam from Oasis when they first formed the band. I'd then like to hang out with them now and again as the band got bigger. I'm not really thinking about performing together, but I'd like to be there when the album was being mixed. I don't have any experience as an engineer, and I have no clue about adding and mixing sounds, but I'd like to be there for the mixing process, so I can hear their intentions and understand Oasis's ideas better.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history who would it be?

It would be cool to chat to Thom Yorke around the time he released the album ‘Anima’. I’m really interested in finding out what was going through his mind when he was creating that album.

Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?

I’d say the London band, Sorry. The band is a group of childhood friends, and while they are constantly reinventing themselves, they stay true to their roots.

04Playlist Notes

What is the concept of the playlist?

The playlist is mainly composed of songs I listened to before I became the person I am today when I didn't have a profession or job title. It's the British music I would listen to on my way to school and includes some tracks I listened to when I started painting.

The first track you played on repeat?

That would be ‘Your Song’ by Elton John. I have multiple brothers and sisters, so we had to travel by car when we went somewhere, like visiting my grandma or something. We would often have the ‘70s and ‘80s hits on in the car, and I remember that song the most.

A song that defines the teenage you?

The Keane song, ‘This Is The Last Time.’ It includes a lot of the teenage angst and rebelliousness I felt during those years.

One record you would keep forever?

The Coldplay album, ‘Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends’. This album brings me up, whatever I’m feeling or goin g through. There is an authentic natural sound to the album, which I like.

A song lyric that has inspired you?

‘Please Don’t Say You Love Me’ by Gabrielle Aplin. It brings back memories of a guy I was going out with when I was a student. I look at things a bit differently now but at the time, he and I were at different stages on the spectrum regarding love.

Best song to turn up loud?

‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ by Oasis. On those days when I have to get up early for work, singing along to this track gets me up and out of the house. The intro and first verse get my blood pumping.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?

Perhaps a song on my playlist called 'That's Not My Name' by The Ting Tings or the Superorganism track, 'It's All Good'. I have some anime and manga culture influences, too. I guess I’m just into lots of different music.

A new band you are listening to?

I’m not sure where he’s from, but I’m listening to Jeffrey Amor. I first heard his track, ‘I’ll Never Let Go’ on the TV show ‘Atypical’.

03Interview

Name

Karin Okoso

What do you do?

Painter / Model

Where are you from?

Tokyo

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?

Arctic Monkeys at the Summer Sonic festival back in 2014. I was already a fan because of that crisp sound they have and the way their music makes you want to move. At the gig, their set was mainly songs from their last AM album and they kicked off their set with the crunchy riff to ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ The energy in the crowd was off the scale from the first few notes of that riff.

Which subcultures have influenced you?

I would say fashion and vintage clothes. I have some UK music on my playlist mainly thanks to my brother, who is six years older than me. He heavily influenced me when I was in primary and secondary school, and he was really into UK music. In my mind, the UK scene is all about skinny denim and band and raglan t-shirts.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?

The Fuji Rock festival, deep within the mountains, is a great place to listen to music. I love the main stage (Green Stage), but I’m also a big fan of the Day Dreaming stage, which flies under the radar. The high altitude means it’s a bit chilly in the evening, but I love the nighttime there. Can you think of anything better than music and food with your friends surrounded by greenery

If you could be on the line up with any band in history who would it be?

I'd like to meet Noel and Liam from Oasis when they first formed the band. I'd then like to hang out with them now and again as the band got bigger. I'm not really thinking about performing together, but I'd like to be there when the album was being mixed. I don't have any experience as an engineer, and I have no clue about adding and mixing sounds, but I'd like to be there for the mixing process, so I can hear their intentions and understand Oasis's ideas better.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history who would it be?

It would be cool to chat to Thom Yorke around the time he released the album ‘Anima’. I’m really interested in finding out what was going through his mind when he was creating that album.

Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?

I’d say the London band, Sorry. The band is a group of childhood friends, and while they are constantly reinventing themselves, they stay true to their roots.

04Playlist Notes

What is the concept of the playlist?

The playlist is mainly composed of songs I listened to before I became the person I am today when I didn't have a profession or job title. It's the British music I would listen to on my way to school and includes some tracks I listened to when I started painting.

The first track you played on repeat?

That would be ‘Your Song’ by Elton John. I have multiple brothers and sisters, so we had to travel by car when we went somewhere, like visiting my grandma or something. We would often have the ‘70s and ‘80s hits on in the car, and I remember that song the most.

A song that defines the teenage you?

The Keane song, ‘This Is The Last Time.’ It includes a lot of the teenage angst and rebelliousness I felt during those years.

One record you would keep forever?

The Coldplay album, ‘Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends’. This album brings me up, whatever I’m feeling or goin g through. There is an authentic natural sound to the album, which I like.

A song lyric that has inspired you?

‘Please Don’t Say You Love Me’ by Gabrielle Aplin. It brings back memories of a guy I was going out with when I was a student. I look at things a bit differently now but at the time, he and I were at different stages on the spectrum regarding love.

Best song to turn up loud?

‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ by Oasis. On those days when I have to get up early for work, singing along to this track gets me up and out of the house. The intro and first verse get my blood pumping.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?

Perhaps a song on my playlist called 'That's Not My Name' by The Ting Tings or the Superorganism track, 'It's All Good'. I have some anime and manga culture influences, too. I guess I’m just into lots of different music.

A new band you are listening to?

I’m not sure where he’s from, but I’m listening to Jeffrey Amor. I first heard his track, ‘I’ll Never Let Go’ on the TV show ‘Atypical’.