01Profile
A Ryo Matsuura Photo
Ryo Matsuura
Actress / Model — Tokushima
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Ryo Matsuura, Tokushima, Japan.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
JUDY AND MARY’s final gig before splitting. I've loved them since I was in primary school. I watched the DVD until it was worn out but by the time I was old enough to remember, they had already split up. I loved them so much that I thought I was possessed. They are the reason why I wanted to form a band.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
'Chungking Express', the film. As an actress, I usually pay a lot of attention to details when I watch a film so I am usually very tired, mentally and physically, after watching a film and I used to think that's how films are supposed to be. For 'Chungking Express', on the other hand, I liked it intuitively and felt I had always wanted to see a film like this. I only saw it for the first time maybe four years ago but that is when I began to look for more films like that. I also like 'Happy Together' and 'Fallen Angels', also directed by Wong Kar-wai though, I still think 'Chungking Express' is the best of all.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I have been in a band for some time, and I have participated in a national music contest called 'Music Revolution' organized by Yamaha three times. Zepp DiverCity TOKYO was the venue which is the biggest stage I have ever been on. I did not get so much light shined one me to the point where I literally cannot see the audience at all. It was different stage lighting from what we have for a theatrical play, and I think I will never experience anything like that again in my life.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
I would like to perform with YUKI from JUDY AND MARY before the band had split up because, simply, she is my idol. I have heard that she does not like to hear anyone saying they like her when she had been in the band so, my apology for saying that. Cheeky attempt but I'd really like to sing with YUKI.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
The first thing that came to mind was Oasis. I would like to ask Noel Gallagher, who wrote 'Don't Look Back In Anger', how he felt about it or what was the story behind it. Or I would also like to be present in the control room when they were recording.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My immediate opinion was that everyone is in the limelight at some point. I think that would be my answer.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Highway Star' by Deep Purple. This was also the first foreign music I ever copied, which was recommended by my teacher. Up until then, I had been playing Ringo Sheena’s music, so I remember being very confused by the completely different musical style. I did not really understand the quality of the music at the time. I just had the impression that it was very difficult musically.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I was in a band from the age of ten to nineteen so I think it would be 'Burn' by Deep Purple because it was the last song we played live. People around us thought we were a band that tries to bring energy with 'Burn', and we really relied on it (laughs).
One record you would keep forever?
'Melancholy Mellow I' by Kirinji, not just because Kirinji is my favourite artist but it had the same impact on me as the movie 'Chungking Express'. I really listened to it all the time, as I was a Kirinji addict (laughs). It is a treasured one for me.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Kofukuron' by Sheena Ringo. I really like the lyrics in the chorus. I think her lyrics are often far-fetched, but around the time of her first album she was very straightforward, and I like 'Kofukuron' the best out of all of them.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Don’t Stop Belivin’' by Journey. It just makes me sing (laughs).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Not a particular track, but CHINZA DOPENESS. I do not usually listen to much hip-hop except for his music, and I think I have seen almost every CHINZA DOPENESS-related video on YouTube.
Any new music you are listening to now?
He is already famous though, Daichi Yamamoto. He was also in the ending of the TV drama called 'Omameda Towako and Her Three Ex-Husbands' a while ago.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Ryo Matsuura, Tokushima, Japan.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
JUDY AND MARY’s final gig before splitting. I've loved them since I was in primary school. I watched the DVD until it was worn out but by the time I was old enough to remember, they had already split up. I loved them so much that I thought I was possessed. They are the reason why I wanted to form a band.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
'Chungking Express', the film. As an actress, I usually pay a lot of attention to details when I watch a film so I am usually very tired, mentally and physically, after watching a film and I used to think that's how films are supposed to be. For 'Chungking Express', on the other hand, I liked it intuitively and felt I had always wanted to see a film like this. I only saw it for the first time maybe four years ago but that is when I began to look for more films like that. I also like 'Happy Together' and 'Fallen Angels', also directed by Wong Kar-wai though, I still think 'Chungking Express' is the best of all.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
I have been in a band for some time, and I have participated in a national music contest called 'Music Revolution' organized by Yamaha three times. Zepp DiverCity TOKYO was the venue which is the biggest stage I have ever been on. I did not get so much light shined one me to the point where I literally cannot see the audience at all. It was different stage lighting from what we have for a theatrical play, and I think I will never experience anything like that again in my life.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
I would like to perform with YUKI from JUDY AND MARY before the band had split up because, simply, she is my idol. I have heard that she does not like to hear anyone saying they like her when she had been in the band so, my apology for saying that. Cheeky attempt but I'd really like to sing with YUKI.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
The first thing that came to mind was Oasis. I would like to ask Noel Gallagher, who wrote 'Don't Look Back In Anger', how he felt about it or what was the story behind it. Or I would also like to be present in the control room when they were recording.
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
My immediate opinion was that everyone is in the limelight at some point. I think that would be my answer.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Highway Star' by Deep Purple. This was also the first foreign music I ever copied, which was recommended by my teacher. Up until then, I had been playing Ringo Sheena’s music, so I remember being very confused by the completely different musical style. I did not really understand the quality of the music at the time. I just had the impression that it was very difficult musically.
A song that defines the teenage you?
I was in a band from the age of ten to nineteen so I think it would be 'Burn' by Deep Purple because it was the last song we played live. People around us thought we were a band that tries to bring energy with 'Burn', and we really relied on it (laughs).
One record you would keep forever?
'Melancholy Mellow I' by Kirinji, not just because Kirinji is my favourite artist but it had the same impact on me as the movie 'Chungking Express'. I really listened to it all the time, as I was a Kirinji addict (laughs). It is a treasured one for me.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Kofukuron' by Sheena Ringo. I really like the lyrics in the chorus. I think her lyrics are often far-fetched, but around the time of her first album she was very straightforward, and I like 'Kofukuron' the best out of all of them.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Don’t Stop Belivin’' by Journey. It just makes me sing (laughs).
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Not a particular track, but CHINZA DOPENESS. I do not usually listen to much hip-hop except for his music, and I think I have seen almost every CHINZA DOPENESS-related video on YouTube.
Any new music you are listening to now?
He is already famous though, Daichi Yamamoto. He was also in the ending of the TV drama called 'Omameda Towako and Her Three Ex-Husbands' a while ago.