KAI (GLIIICO)

Human — Asakusa, Tokyo

01Profile

A KAI (GLIIICO) Photo

03Interview

Name

Kai (Gliiico)

What do you do?

Human.

Where are you from?

Grew up in Vancouver, now living in Asakusa (east Tokyo).

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

The Easy Life gig I saw recently at Shibuya O-EAST was really good. However, the best live show I've ever seen is probably Skepta. I saw him at Fortune in Vancouver, and it blew my mind.

Which sub-cultures have influenced you?

UK punk. I’m really into skinhead culture. When I used to work as a photographer, I would look at vintage UK punk rock books for inspiration.

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

It's pretty recent, but Fukui's Millennium Deadstock Festival venue was brilliant. The MIND TRAVEL Festival in Niigata was also really cool. They are both relatively small festivals, but the locations were great, and I enjoyed the fact we could travel as a team. The food was so good that I put on 5kg by the end of the tour.

If you could be on the lineup with any bands in history?

The Beatles. I’m a fan of peaceful music.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?

Queen’s Freddie Mercury. I think I’d like to watch him box.

Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?

Jai Paul deserves more of the spotlight.

04Playlist Notes

What are the concepts of the playlist?

When I made this playlist, there was no concept or rules — it was created out of chaos. Music gives me a daily hit of energy, so I put together the playlist based on my mood that day.

The first track you played on repeat?

Probably ‘The Sweetest Taboo’ by Sade. My mum really loved listening to that track.

A song that defines the teenage you?

It’s tough to pick one. Based on my feelings right now, I’ll say ‘Knights Of Cydonia’ by Muse. I listened to that song before Muse became massive; I loved the music video.

One record you would keep forever?

I’m not sure. Right here right now, I’ll say Arctic Monkeys and their album, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not’.

A song lyric that has inspired you?

In terms of lyrics, I’m a rap fan. If I can pick a recent artist, I’d say John Glacier and his track ‘Icing’.

Best song to turn up loud?

My own track, ‘Tragedy’.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?

I really listen to everything and focus on the sound or the way a song is mixed. One track that might come across as surprising is Adele's 'Make You Feel My Love'. She sings this song in a different kind of way, so I listen to it almost as an educational tool.

What new bands are you are listening to now?

I’ve realized that recently, I’ve just been listening to my own music. But New Jeans are pretty outrageous.

03Interview

Name

Kai (Gliiico)

What do you do?

Human.

Where are you from?

Grew up in Vancouver, now living in Asakusa (east Tokyo).

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

The Easy Life gig I saw recently at Shibuya O-EAST was really good. However, the best live show I've ever seen is probably Skepta. I saw him at Fortune in Vancouver, and it blew my mind.

Which sub-cultures have influenced you?

UK punk. I’m really into skinhead culture. When I used to work as a photographer, I would look at vintage UK punk rock books for inspiration.

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

It's pretty recent, but Fukui's Millennium Deadstock Festival venue was brilliant. The MIND TRAVEL Festival in Niigata was also really cool. They are both relatively small festivals, but the locations were great, and I enjoyed the fact we could travel as a team. The food was so good that I put on 5kg by the end of the tour.

If you could be on the lineup with any bands in history?

The Beatles. I’m a fan of peaceful music.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?

Queen’s Freddie Mercury. I think I’d like to watch him box.

Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?

Jai Paul deserves more of the spotlight.

04Playlist Notes

What are the concepts of the playlist?

When I made this playlist, there was no concept or rules — it was created out of chaos. Music gives me a daily hit of energy, so I put together the playlist based on my mood that day.

The first track you played on repeat?

Probably ‘The Sweetest Taboo’ by Sade. My mum really loved listening to that track.

A song that defines the teenage you?

It’s tough to pick one. Based on my feelings right now, I’ll say ‘Knights Of Cydonia’ by Muse. I listened to that song before Muse became massive; I loved the music video.

One record you would keep forever?

I’m not sure. Right here right now, I’ll say Arctic Monkeys and their album, ‘Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not’.

A song lyric that has inspired you?

In terms of lyrics, I’m a rap fan. If I can pick a recent artist, I’d say John Glacier and his track ‘Icing’.

Best song to turn up loud?

My own track, ‘Tragedy’.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?

I really listen to everything and focus on the sound or the way a song is mixed. One track that might come across as surprising is Adele's 'Make You Feel My Love'. She sings this song in a different kind of way, so I listen to it almost as an educational tool.

What new bands are you are listening to now?

I’ve realized that recently, I’ve just been listening to my own music. But New Jeans are pretty outrageous.

 

05Videos

Gliiico - Dealer feat. Grace Aimi [Official Video]

Gliiico - Nonchalant [Lyric Video]

Bullet

Gliiico - Nonchalant (Rakuten Tokyo Fashion Week 2021 A/W)

Gliiico - Around [Official Video]