01Profile
A Luby Sparks Photo
Luby Sparks
Musicians — Tokyo
03Interview
Name
Natsuki and Erika Murphy (Luby Sparks）
Where are you from?
Natsuki: Tokyo
Erika: Tokyo/Hyogo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Erika: Yuck. It’s a fairly recent one but we invited them to play at Daikanyama LOOP for a gig organized by ourselves in 2019 and that’d be the one. I remember listening to the band at the time I’d moved to Tokyo so I was literally crying to see them live. We played before them so I was able to watch them as a fan in the crowd.
Natsuki: My number 1 goes to The 1975 who, in my opinion, stands at the top of all other bands during this era when bands aren’t the most popular scene across the globe. They don’t just stick with pure rock, but they blend ‘90s grunge or Britpop, ‘80s guitar/indie pop or elements of post ’00 club sound while mixing them nicely with tracks of their old and new releases. SUMMER SONIC 2019 gig felt as if all their goodies were summed up into one. Everything sounded super-rich, probably did cost a lot to sound so rich, I mean in a good way. The last track was ‘Sex’ and a slogan ‘ROCK & ROLL IS DEAD GOD BLESS THE 1975’ showed up on the back screen. I thought of it as their irony. British thing isn’t it?
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Erika: Punk. I was listening to punk music as soon as I was born thanks to my mum. She lived punk during her youth and it inspired me to go study abroad to the UK. I do like punk fashion too of course. Clash…I’ve been listening all these years.
Natsuki: My influence comes from my parents too and it’s British new wave for me. I used to live in a house where you could find the tour flyer of Echo & the Bunnymen. They used to teach me since I was in primary school.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Erika: Socore Factory in Minami Horie, Osaka. It’s a unique space with the stage set up way higher than usual. I remember playing around the area back in high school and it’s also close to where my mum worked so I kept admiring the place since then.
Natsuki: For me, it’s the venue for ‘Indietracks Festival’ in Derbyshire where we played at. I think it usually operates as the railway train warehouse and it was about the size of a normal second stage with some nice DIY details. Such a good memory to remember…That positive catchy reaction from the crowd.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
Natsuki: Luby Sparks as warm-up for Cocteau Twins reunion gig. This is going to be impossible but let’s say it will take place in STUDIO COAST in Shinkiba.
Erika: I wish I could sing ‘Dreaming’ with Blondie’s Deborah Harry, maybe for an encore (laughs).
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Natsuki: Breakfast with Bobby Gillespie at his house. I’m usually yearning for breakfast though, I think the best one was the English breakfast that I had during a month stay in UK for our recording. Simple is the best I suppose.
Erika: I’d love to have Ewan McGregor sitting beside me in a seashore somewhere like Portsmouth, listening to my concerns. He would tap on my head if I start weeping haha. He seems like a supportive man.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Natsuki: Bobby Gillespie. The fact that I’m a fan of Primal Scream and The Jesus And Mary Chain counts as one in terms the music career but young generation should pay attention to him as a fashion icon too.
Erika: They are getting big these days but I like Sorry, with their British alternative sound, plus they have cool looks so it’d be great if both of us get together to do something.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Erika: 'What a Wonderful World' by Joey Ramone. It's a cover of a popular song of course, but I think it's better than the original including their own MV. I think I was still in year 3!
Natsuki: 'Manifest Destiny' by Jamiroquai. Looking back, Stuart Zender was still in the band at the release of this track and that’s how I took up the bass.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Natsuki: When I look back my teenage years I’d think 'Why’d You Only Call Me When You're High?' by Arctic Monkeys. It's a memorable one since 'AM' was the very first foreign music that I could enjoy in real time since the release.
Erika: 'Time Baby III' by Medicine which was included the soundtrack for the most shocking film 'The Crow'. I was into films back then… Well, it's a remix done by Robin Guthrie but I also like the scene when the song comes on. I'd love to do a cover one day.
One record you would keep forever?
Natsuki: 'Darklands' by The Jesus And Mary Chain. It's my most favourite sound from UK bands after all. I'm influenced by how they linked visuals and music. Their sound quality is also excellent.
Erika: 'Loveless' by My Bloody Valentine. I even have tattoos of the title name! This album got me to listen to dream pop and shoegaze.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Natsuki: I was inspired by 'When You Sleep' by My Bloody Valentine when I started writing lyrics in English for the very first time. It's just three verses of words that repeat but the lyric supports the melody when they combine. It emphasizes the way it's heard rather than the meaning, and I also like how the first verse comes on casually.
Erika: 'Nellie The Elephant' by Toy Dolls. I do like thoughtful lyrics but their lyrics are quite surprising while still being punk.
Best song to turn up loud?
Natsuki: 'Trash' by Suede. I kind of like to sing along to the chorus of Britpop tunes (laughs).
Erika: 'Girls And Boys' by Blur. It doesn't always receive positive reviews by the critics. It's addictive though.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Natsuki: 'Shiver' by Coldplay. I was looking for western music in general and I came across this song without having any bias.
Erika: 'New York City Boy' by Pet Shop Boys. After all these years, this danceable track gets my mood going these days.
New bands you are listening to now?
Erika: Beabadoobee who's signed by the same record label with The 1975. I can totally relate to her '90s vibe look.
Natsuki: I've already mentioned but Sorry. I think they stand out in this resurgence of UK bands with a great sense of mixing different styles of sound.
03Interview
Name
Natsuki and Erika Murphy (Luby Sparks）
Where are you from?
Natsuki: Tokyo
Erika: Tokyo/Hyogo
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Erika: Yuck. It’s a fairly recent one but we invited them to play at Daikanyama LOOP for a gig organized by ourselves in 2019 and that’d be the one. I remember listening to the band at the time I’d moved to Tokyo so I was literally crying to see them live. We played before them so I was able to watch them as a fan in the crowd.
Natsuki: My number 1 goes to The 1975 who, in my opinion, stands at the top of all other bands during this era when bands aren’t the most popular scene across the globe. They don’t just stick with pure rock, but they blend ‘90s grunge or Britpop, ‘80s guitar/indie pop or elements of post ’00 club sound while mixing them nicely with tracks of their old and new releases. SUMMER SONIC 2019 gig felt as if all their goodies were summed up into one. Everything sounded super-rich, probably did cost a lot to sound so rich, I mean in a good way. The last track was ‘Sex’ and a slogan ‘ROCK & ROLL IS DEAD GOD BLESS THE 1975’ showed up on the back screen. I thought of it as their irony. British thing isn’t it?
Which subcultures have influenced you?
Erika: Punk. I was listening to punk music as soon as I was born thanks to my mum. She lived punk during her youth and it inspired me to go study abroad to the UK. I do like punk fashion too of course. Clash…I’ve been listening all these years.
Natsuki: My influence comes from my parents too and it’s British new wave for me. I used to live in a house where you could find the tour flyer of Echo & the Bunnymen. They used to teach me since I was in primary school.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Erika: Socore Factory in Minami Horie, Osaka. It’s a unique space with the stage set up way higher than usual. I remember playing around the area back in high school and it’s also close to where my mum worked so I kept admiring the place since then.
Natsuki: For me, it’s the venue for ‘Indietracks Festival’ in Derbyshire where we played at. I think it usually operates as the railway train warehouse and it was about the size of a normal second stage with some nice DIY details. Such a good memory to remember…That positive catchy reaction from the crowd.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
Natsuki: Luby Sparks as warm-up for Cocteau Twins reunion gig. This is going to be impossible but let’s say it will take place in STUDIO COAST in Shinkiba.
Erika: I wish I could sing ‘Dreaming’ with Blondie’s Deborah Harry, maybe for an encore (laughs).
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Natsuki: Breakfast with Bobby Gillespie at his house. I’m usually yearning for breakfast though, I think the best one was the English breakfast that I had during a month stay in UK for our recording. Simple is the best I suppose.
Erika: I’d love to have Ewan McGregor sitting beside me in a seashore somewhere like Portsmouth, listening to my concerns. He would tap on my head if I start weeping haha. He seems like a supportive man.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
Natsuki: Bobby Gillespie. The fact that I’m a fan of Primal Scream and The Jesus And Mary Chain counts as one in terms the music career but young generation should pay attention to him as a fashion icon too.
Erika: They are getting big these days but I like Sorry, with their British alternative sound, plus they have cool looks so it’d be great if both of us get together to do something.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
Erika: 'What a Wonderful World' by Joey Ramone. It's a cover of a popular song of course, but I think it's better than the original including their own MV. I think I was still in year 3!
Natsuki: 'Manifest Destiny' by Jamiroquai. Looking back, Stuart Zender was still in the band at the release of this track and that’s how I took up the bass.
A song that defines the teenage you?
Natsuki: When I look back my teenage years I’d think 'Why’d You Only Call Me When You're High?' by Arctic Monkeys. It's a memorable one since 'AM' was the very first foreign music that I could enjoy in real time since the release.
Erika: 'Time Baby III' by Medicine which was included the soundtrack for the most shocking film 'The Crow'. I was into films back then… Well, it's a remix done by Robin Guthrie but I also like the scene when the song comes on. I'd love to do a cover one day.
One record you would keep forever?
Natsuki: 'Darklands' by The Jesus And Mary Chain. It's my most favourite sound from UK bands after all. I'm influenced by how they linked visuals and music. Their sound quality is also excellent.
Erika: 'Loveless' by My Bloody Valentine. I even have tattoos of the title name! This album got me to listen to dream pop and shoegaze.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
Natsuki: I was inspired by 'When You Sleep' by My Bloody Valentine when I started writing lyrics in English for the very first time. It's just three verses of words that repeat but the lyric supports the melody when they combine. It emphasizes the way it's heard rather than the meaning, and I also like how the first verse comes on casually.
Erika: 'Nellie The Elephant' by Toy Dolls. I do like thoughtful lyrics but their lyrics are quite surprising while still being punk.
Best song to turn up loud?
Natsuki: 'Trash' by Suede. I kind of like to sing along to the chorus of Britpop tunes (laughs).
Erika: 'Girls And Boys' by Blur. It doesn't always receive positive reviews by the critics. It's addictive though.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Natsuki: 'Shiver' by Coldplay. I was looking for western music in general and I came across this song without having any bias.
Erika: 'New York City Boy' by Pet Shop Boys. After all these years, this danceable track gets my mood going these days.
New bands you are listening to now?
Erika: Beabadoobee who's signed by the same record label with The 1975. I can totally relate to her '90s vibe look.
Natsuki: I've already mentioned but Sorry. I think they stand out in this resurgence of UK bands with a great sense of mixing different styles of sound.
Luby Sparks - 'Somewhere'
Luby Sparks - 'Birthday'
Luby Sparks - Somewhere - Robin Guthrie Remix
Luby Sparks - Perfect
Luby Sparks - Look on Down from The Bridge (Live at Shibuya WWW X)
Luby Sparks - Cherry Red Dress