Yoshiro Sakuma

Actor — Tokyo

01Profile

A Yoshiro Sakuma Photo

03Interview

Name

Yoshiro Sakuma

What do you do?

Actor.

Where are you from?

Tokyo.

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

I have to say Queen and their famous live performance at Wembley Stadium in 1985. I watched it after seeing the film 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'  It got me thinking about whether there was a band with that kind of star power in Japan. The film was brilliant, but the band's overwhelming sense of presence stayed with me. It inspired me so much that I read the band's biography and watched loads more of their live performances.

Which subcultures have influenced you?

The film ‘Quadrophenia’ has been huge as well as the fashion from ‘Trainspotting,’ which was a hit among people of my generation. The first time I watched the film, it was pretty shocking, but I still enjoy watching it after having a lot more life experience. I went to see the sequel, ‘T2: Trainspotting’ at the cinema.

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

When I was 18, I moved out of my home and started living alone. My friend took me to Lion Cafe (Meikyoku Kissa Lion) — a retro, almost legendary cafe in the heart of Shibuya. I love the sense of togetherness you have with other customers because you are not allowed to talk, and everyone waits patiently for the music to play. I often go there to memorize scripts or read books.

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

My instant reply would be The Beatles. I hear on the grapevine that bass players are the hottest members in a band, so I'd like to join on bass (laughs). I'd love to duet with Paul McCartney on 'Hey Jude'; somewhere in London would be cool. Queen would also be amazing, but whichever way I look at it, I just can't imagine myself singing those vocals.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?

I’d love to hang out with Freddie Mercury.

Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?

A musician who I think deserves a bit more shine is Cosmo Pyke. He’s a hip young artist putting out music videos wearing mod-style clothing, and I like his baritone voice.

04Playlist Notes

What are the important points of the playlist?

My main goal was to create a playlist that’s not deliberately off the wall. I start with Queen and finish with The Beatles and chose not to add any Oasis tracks. The rest is simply made up of UK music that I enjoy.

The first track you played on repeat?

‘Yellow Submarine by The Beatles. My dad was a big Beatles fan and used to play their music a lot, but I think the catchy nature of this particular track caught my attention when I was a little kid. I watched the film when I was in secondary school, but I wasn’t really into it (laughs).

A song that defines the teenage you?

I would have to say The Beatles again and ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’. The age doesn’t mean anything to me, but the tune seems to fit.

One record you would keep forever?

'The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society' by The Kinks. I picked this out because it was the first record I ever bought. I was in the sixth form and went to the Disk Union record store in Kichijoji (west Tokyo). I was actually looking for the album 'Hard Candy' by Ned Doheny, but I couldn't find it. I didn't realize it then because everything I listened to was in the shadow of the Beatles, but this is one of my favourite records. I also like that the needle jumps on the 14th track, 'Monica,' because I've listened to it so much (laughs).

A song lyric that has inspired you?

I’ve never actually read a Japanese translation of the lyrics, but I like the chorus of ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’.

Best song to turn up loud?

‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ by Oasis. It’s such a huge anthem to belt out.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?

Imogen Heap. She’s probably not on the radar for many, but I’d like more people to listen to her music.

What new music are you listening to?

The British rapper Stefflon Don. I was in a bar with a friend, and they played some of her music; that’s how I first got into her.

03Interview

Name

Yoshiro Sakuma

What do you do?

Actor.

Where are you from?

Tokyo.

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

I have to say Queen and their famous live performance at Wembley Stadium in 1985. I watched it after seeing the film 'Bohemian Rhapsody.'  It got me thinking about whether there was a band with that kind of star power in Japan. The film was brilliant, but the band's overwhelming sense of presence stayed with me. It inspired me so much that I read the band's biography and watched loads more of their live performances.

Which subcultures have influenced you?

The film ‘Quadrophenia’ has been huge as well as the fashion from ‘Trainspotting,’ which was a hit among people of my generation. The first time I watched the film, it was pretty shocking, but I still enjoy watching it after having a lot more life experience. I went to see the sequel, ‘T2: Trainspotting’ at the cinema.

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

When I was 18, I moved out of my home and started living alone. My friend took me to Lion Cafe (Meikyoku Kissa Lion) — a retro, almost legendary cafe in the heart of Shibuya. I love the sense of togetherness you have with other customers because you are not allowed to talk, and everyone waits patiently for the music to play. I often go there to memorize scripts or read books.

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

My instant reply would be The Beatles. I hear on the grapevine that bass players are the hottest members in a band, so I'd like to join on bass (laughs). I'd love to duet with Paul McCartney on 'Hey Jude'; somewhere in London would be cool. Queen would also be amazing, but whichever way I look at it, I just can't imagine myself singing those vocals.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?

I’d love to hang out with Freddie Mercury.

Your greatest unsung hero (or heroine) in music?

A musician who I think deserves a bit more shine is Cosmo Pyke. He’s a hip young artist putting out music videos wearing mod-style clothing, and I like his baritone voice.

04Playlist Notes

What are the important points of the playlist?

My main goal was to create a playlist that’s not deliberately off the wall. I start with Queen and finish with The Beatles and chose not to add any Oasis tracks. The rest is simply made up of UK music that I enjoy.

The first track you played on repeat?

‘Yellow Submarine by The Beatles. My dad was a big Beatles fan and used to play their music a lot, but I think the catchy nature of this particular track caught my attention when I was a little kid. I watched the film when I was in secondary school, but I wasn’t really into it (laughs).

A song that defines the teenage you?

I would have to say The Beatles again and ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’. The age doesn’t mean anything to me, but the tune seems to fit.

One record you would keep forever?

'The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society' by The Kinks. I picked this out because it was the first record I ever bought. I was in the sixth form and went to the Disk Union record store in Kichijoji (west Tokyo). I was actually looking for the album 'Hard Candy' by Ned Doheny, but I couldn't find it. I didn't realize it then because everything I listened to was in the shadow of the Beatles, but this is one of my favourite records. I also like that the needle jumps on the 14th track, 'Monica,' because I've listened to it so much (laughs).

A song lyric that has inspired you?

I’ve never actually read a Japanese translation of the lyrics, but I like the chorus of ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’.

Best song to turn up loud?

‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ by Oasis. It’s such a huge anthem to belt out.

A song people wouldn’t expect you to like?

Imogen Heap. She’s probably not on the radar for many, but I’d like more people to listen to her music.

What new music are you listening to?

The British rapper Stefflon Don. I was in a bar with a friend, and they played some of her music; that’s how I first got into her.

 

05Videos

WurtS - 分かってないよ (Music Video)

Vicke Blanka / 『HokutoShichisei』(official music video) ※NHKドラマ10「群青領域」主題歌

Vicke Blanka / 'Ponytail' (Official Music Video)

カノエラナ 「グラトニック・ラヴ」Music Video

ayutthaya "そうでもない" MV