01Profile
A Kouki Arima Photo
Kouki Arima
Skater — Yokosuka
03Interview
Name
Kouki Arima
What do you do?
Skater.
Where are you from?
Yokosuka (a port area south of Yokohama).
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The DJ Dom Whiting — I watched his videos on the Internet. He DJs on platforms like BOILER ROOM, but his big thing is DJing while riding a bicycle. He has a DJ controller mounted on his handlebars, and a huge crowd also on bikes follows him (laughs). I learned about him almost a year ago, and I like him because his music is cool.
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
I've been watching the Harry Potter series since I was 5 or 6 years old, and I'm so addicted that even as an adult, I collected all the movies on DVD. If I had to pick one film, it would be 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'. I like how the story shifts from focusing internally on the school to the wider world.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favorite?
A DJ bar called SHELL in Yokosuka. I go there for drinks even on days when there are no events. I also recently visited studio Bapple in Kobe, which had a really cool vibe.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
It's not a UK person at all, but Michael Jackson. I've listened to him since I was very young, and all his live performances are off the scale. Rather than performing with him, I wanted to actually be Michael Jackson and perform live. His perfectionism is on a different level, and I really admire him for that.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would love to chill with the rapper 21 Savage (laughs). I think he lives in the US now, but it'd be cool to hang out around Big Ben in London, where he's from.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
The Japanese rapper Sparta. We were initially friends through skateboarding, but now he is an artist. I really like the way he brings his own life experiences into his music. Simply put, I respect him.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
My playlist is inspired by the UK, so to that end, I filled it with as many UK artists as I could.
The first track you played on repeat?
That would have to be The Beatles because my parents listened to them. I remember hearing ‘Let It Be’ a lot — it’s such a classic song.
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Imagine’ by John Lennon.
One record you would keep forever?
It’s a Japanese artist, but ‘Passion’ by Hikaru Utada. It was the first CD I bought when I was in primary school, and I still listen to it a lot today.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
It’s the song ‘Turn (who do)’ by the Japanese artist, KID FRESINO. I like the lines (translated) “I have faith in what I believe in” and “I’m an idiot who forgets the simplest things.” The track is a mood booster for me on a sunny day when I’m about to go out somewhere.
Best song to turn up loud?
I'm not a singer by any means, but I've recently got back into the US rapper Tyler, the Creator. I remember listening to him a lot when I lived in Canada in Vancouver. I like his track 'Who Dat Boy'.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I have artists like The Beatles or Sex Pistols playing pretty much on an endless loop.
What new music are you listening to now?
It’s a DJ, the guy I mentioned a little earlier, Dom Whiting. I’ve been following him for a while now and enjoy listening to the “bicycle raves” he puts on about once a month. I get a feel for the seasons from his sets (laughs).
03Interview
Name
Kouki Arima
What do you do?
Skater.
Where are you from?
Yokosuka (a port area south of Yokohama).
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The DJ Dom Whiting — I watched his videos on the Internet. He DJs on platforms like BOILER ROOM, but his big thing is DJing while riding a bicycle. He has a DJ controller mounted on his handlebars, and a huge crowd also on bikes follows him (laughs). I learned about him almost a year ago, and I like him because his music is cool.
Which sub-cultures have influenced you?
I've been watching the Harry Potter series since I was 5 or 6 years old, and I'm so addicted that even as an adult, I collected all the movies on DVD. If I had to pick one film, it would be 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'. I like how the story shifts from focusing internally on the school to the wider world.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favorite?
A DJ bar called SHELL in Yokosuka. I go there for drinks even on days when there are no events. I also recently visited studio Bapple in Kobe, which had a really cool vibe.
If you could be on the line up with any bands in history?
It's not a UK person at all, but Michael Jackson. I've listened to him since I was very young, and all his live performances are off the scale. Rather than performing with him, I wanted to actually be Michael Jackson and perform live. His perfectionism is on a different level, and I really admire him for that.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
I would love to chill with the rapper 21 Savage (laughs). I think he lives in the US now, but it'd be cool to hang out around Big Ben in London, where he's from.
Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?
The Japanese rapper Sparta. We were initially friends through skateboarding, but now he is an artist. I really like the way he brings his own life experiences into his music. Simply put, I respect him.
04Playlist Notes
What is the concept of the playlist?
My playlist is inspired by the UK, so to that end, I filled it with as many UK artists as I could.
The first track you played on repeat?
That would have to be The Beatles because my parents listened to them. I remember hearing ‘Let It Be’ a lot — it’s such a classic song.
A song that defines the teenage you?
‘Imagine’ by John Lennon.
One record you would keep forever?
It’s a Japanese artist, but ‘Passion’ by Hikaru Utada. It was the first CD I bought when I was in primary school, and I still listen to it a lot today.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
It’s the song ‘Turn (who do)’ by the Japanese artist, KID FRESINO. I like the lines (translated) “I have faith in what I believe in” and “I’m an idiot who forgets the simplest things.” The track is a mood booster for me on a sunny day when I’m about to go out somewhere.
Best song to turn up loud?
I'm not a singer by any means, but I've recently got back into the US rapper Tyler, the Creator. I remember listening to him a lot when I lived in Canada in Vancouver. I like his track 'Who Dat Boy'.
A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?
I have artists like The Beatles or Sex Pistols playing pretty much on an endless loop.
What new music are you listening to now?
It’s a DJ, the guy I mentioned a little earlier, Dom Whiting. I’ve been following him for a while now and enjoy listening to the “bicycle raves” he puts on about once a month. I get a feel for the seasons from his sets (laughs).