Itaru Wada

Florist — Saitama

01Profile

A Itaru Wada Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Itaru Wada, Saitama, Japan.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Jamiroquai for the first time at the Nippon Budokan in 2017. They played quite a few of my favourites including 'Virtual Insanity', 'Space Cowboy' and 'Little L'. I was able to see them well even from the upper level. Jay Kay has put on some weight, but his dance was solid and the live arrangements of each song were superb.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
'Trainspotting'. I watched it when I was in junior high school. I was particularly struck by the scene where Ewan McGregor bursts into the toilet, thinking they filmed and showing it (laughs). When I rewatched it at university, I had a very different impression of it, but the impact it had on me when I first saw it was incredible.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Aoyama Hachi. I used to go there a lot when I was a student, so I got to know the staff members very well and I just felt at home.

If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
This will be Jamiroquai, too. I would like to see him dance on the stage up close, but maybe when he was just a bit younger around 2001 when 'A Funk Odyssey' was released (laughs).

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Bearded John Lennon with long hair. I would like to be just near John and just have a coffee. I think he's edgy, but I think he's kind. I don't want to have a conversation with him because I'm sure I'll be super nervous, so I want to enjoy his presence in person.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Yellow Submarine' by The Beatles. When I was in junior high school, we had to sing it during every English class. I didn't notice how good it was at the time, but when I listen to it now, I could feel the coolness from the beginning of the intro song.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Virtual Insanity' by Jamiroquai. I listened to 'Travelling Without Moving', the first song on the album, on cassette tape all the time when I was a teenager. I listened to it until it was really worn out.

One record you would keep forever?
It's Jamiroquai again, but 'The Return Of The Space Cowboy'. It was an instant decision to choose it because they are my favourite band in UK music, but I think Jay Kay's voice on this album is one of the best of his career.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
The one that immediately came to mind was 'Hello, Goodbye' by The Beatles. I think I feel the contradictions of life, or ...... the more I got older, the more I understand the depth of it.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Virtual Insanity' by Jamiroquai. I can't sing it very well at all. I often watch videos of Jamiroquai's live performances, and I can't dance like that at all (laughs).

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'The Rockafeller Skank' by Fatboy Slim. I heard the track being played on a football TV programme but I didn't know it was a Fatboy Slim song until I was in junior high school.

Any new music you are listening to now?
Joe Armon-Jones. A friend of mine told me about this jazz keyboardist. I really like his melodious sound.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Itaru Wada, Saitama, Japan.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
I saw Jamiroquai for the first time at the Nippon Budokan in 2017. They played quite a few of my favourites including 'Virtual Insanity', 'Space Cowboy' and 'Little L'. I was able to see them well even from the upper level. Jay Kay has put on some weight, but his dance was solid and the live arrangements of each song were superb.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
'Trainspotting'. I watched it when I was in junior high school. I was particularly struck by the scene where Ewan McGregor bursts into the toilet, thinking they filmed and showing it (laughs). When I rewatched it at university, I had a very different impression of it, but the impact it had on me when I first saw it was incredible.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Aoyama Hachi. I used to go there a lot when I was a student, so I got to know the staff members very well and I just felt at home.

If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
This will be Jamiroquai, too. I would like to see him dance on the stage up close, but maybe when he was just a bit younger around 2001 when 'A Funk Odyssey' was released (laughs).

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Bearded John Lennon with long hair. I would like to be just near John and just have a coffee. I think he's edgy, but I think he's kind. I don't want to have a conversation with him because I'm sure I'll be super nervous, so I want to enjoy his presence in person.

04Playlist Notes

The first track you played on repeat?
'Yellow Submarine' by The Beatles. When I was in junior high school, we had to sing it during every English class. I didn't notice how good it was at the time, but when I listen to it now, I could feel the coolness from the beginning of the intro song.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Virtual Insanity' by Jamiroquai. I listened to 'Travelling Without Moving', the first song on the album, on cassette tape all the time when I was a teenager. I listened to it until it was really worn out.

One record you would keep forever?
It's Jamiroquai again, but 'The Return Of The Space Cowboy'. It was an instant decision to choose it because they are my favourite band in UK music, but I think Jay Kay's voice on this album is one of the best of his career.

A song lyric that has inspired you?
The one that immediately came to mind was 'Hello, Goodbye' by The Beatles. I think I feel the contradictions of life, or ...... the more I got older, the more I understand the depth of it.

Best song to turn up loud?
'Virtual Insanity' by Jamiroquai. I can't sing it very well at all. I often watch videos of Jamiroquai's live performances, and I can't dance like that at all (laughs).

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'The Rockafeller Skank' by Fatboy Slim. I heard the track being played on a football TV programme but I didn't know it was a Fatboy Slim song until I was in junior high school.

Any new music you are listening to now?
Joe Armon-Jones. A friend of mine told me about this jazz keyboardist. I really like his melodious sound.