01Profile
A Chikako Takemoto Photo
Chikako Takemoto
Dancer — Hiroshima
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Chikako Takemoto, Hiroshima.
What do you do?
Dancer
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Sarah Brightman. Even though her gig was one of the few gigs in general that I have been, I saw her at Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall with my mother in 2013 when I was still in high school. My mother took me there because she works in the music industry as a vocalist. It was like waves of direct vocals in the hall which definitely struck me.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
UK classics. I have not gone through rock or band sound in general, so UK classics within just a handful that I have been through.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
If you mean a place where I have experienced the music, not that I have danced, then that is a hotel bed in Istanbul. I like to travel abroad usually and I was once in Amsterdam with a group of people I've become friends with at the spot, and the conversation of the moment led as to go check out Istanbul. Two weeks later, the person had to return back home, but we were there at the dawn when music synchronized with… Something I have never felt before, a feeling I can't describe.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
FKA twigs. She is a singer and a dancer at the same time, her voice is amazing and she is inspirational in every way. I'd be happy to be part of the landscape of her performance. I would imagine the desert would be ideal if I were to perform with her.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I beg for vocal coaching by Sarah Brightman!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
They are definitely famous around my circles, Arca and James Blake could be bigger. I wish their music would penetrate more into everyone's lives.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Anywhere Is' by Enya from Ireland. I have been listening to the big speakers at home, blasting away in the dark since I was a child.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'The Wilhelm Scream' by James Blake. You think of a teenager as being loud and wild, but I was a rather calm one so I was always at home. This track just reminds me of the sensation of falling.
One record you would keep forever?
'The Memory of Trees' by Enya. If I were to listen to it forever.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Truth Is' by Sabrina Claudio. Exactly like my adolescent self.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Gekko' by Chihiro Onitsuka. I grew up in a family which treated singing strictly with regards to the skill so I kind of stopped, but I like to sing along to 'Gekko', a dark track that suits my vocal cords.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Wannabe' by Spice Girls. I like the music video in particular. It lifts my creative desire and it makes fantasize about the teenager I wanted to be.
New bands you are listening to now?
Coucou Chloe, who is currently based in London. I heard her track during the dance class. I felt weird at first only to find her tracks are addictive.
03Interview
Name, where are you from?
Chikako Takemoto, Hiroshima.
What do you do?
Dancer
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Sarah Brightman. Even though her gig was one of the few gigs in general that I have been, I saw her at Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall with my mother in 2013 when I was still in high school. My mother took me there because she works in the music industry as a vocalist. It was like waves of direct vocals in the hall which definitely struck me.
Which subcultures have influenced you?
UK classics. I have not gone through rock or band sound in general, so UK classics within just a handful that I have been through.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
If you mean a place where I have experienced the music, not that I have danced, then that is a hotel bed in Istanbul. I like to travel abroad usually and I was once in Amsterdam with a group of people I've become friends with at the spot, and the conversation of the moment led as to go check out Istanbul. Two weeks later, the person had to return back home, but we were there at the dawn when music synchronized with… Something I have never felt before, a feeling I can't describe.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
FKA twigs. She is a singer and a dancer at the same time, her voice is amazing and she is inspirational in every way. I'd be happy to be part of the landscape of her performance. I would imagine the desert would be ideal if I were to perform with her.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I beg for vocal coaching by Sarah Brightman!
Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
They are definitely famous around my circles, Arca and James Blake could be bigger. I wish their music would penetrate more into everyone's lives.
04Playlist Notes
The first track you played on repeat?
'Anywhere Is' by Enya from Ireland. I have been listening to the big speakers at home, blasting away in the dark since I was a child.
A song that defines the teenage you?
'The Wilhelm Scream' by James Blake. You think of a teenager as being loud and wild, but I was a rather calm one so I was always at home. This track just reminds me of the sensation of falling.
One record you would keep forever?
'The Memory of Trees' by Enya. If I were to listen to it forever.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
'Truth Is' by Sabrina Claudio. Exactly like my adolescent self.
Best song to turn up loud?
'Gekko' by Chihiro Onitsuka. I grew up in a family which treated singing strictly with regards to the skill so I kind of stopped, but I like to sing along to 'Gekko', a dark track that suits my vocal cords.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
'Wannabe' by Spice Girls. I like the music video in particular. It lifts my creative desire and it makes fantasize about the teenager I wanted to be.
New bands you are listening to now?
Coucou Chloe, who is currently based in London. I heard her track during the dance class. I felt weird at first only to find her tracks are addictive.