Tokyo Indie

Tour promotion heavyweights Creativeman recently announced their new live music event “Radars”. With an exciting line-up including Everything Everything, Is Tropical, and Miami Horror, it seems that Creativeman are on a quest to expose Japan to the newest trends in the alternative music scene. Tokyo Indie caught up with Creativeman’s Yoshinari Hirayama to find out more about this exciting new live show.

What is the concept behind Radars and what do you hope to achieve with this kind of show?
We want to bring international artists, who are at the forefront of their respective music scenes, to Japan. By showcasing emerging foreign talent we hope to make it easier for these kinds of artists to tour Japan independently and feature at larger music events, such as our summer festival, “Summer Sonic”.

How do you go about selecting the bands? Is it difficult to predict if a western band will be popular with a Japanese audience?
We try to choose the bands who represent “the now” and are at the forefront of the latest trends in music. It’s difficult to predict how the entire audience will feel about any one act, but by showcasing many bands we feel there’s a bit of something for everyone. We hope that people who originally come to see a specific artist, will end up hearing something new and get switched onto it in the process – that’s what Radars is all about.

Japan is a notoriously difficult place for up and coming artists to break into. Why is this? Do you think Radars can help change this trend?
There are still a lot of successful western artists here, so whilst it can’t be said as a rule, I think that falls in record sales has made the promotion of foreign artists less realistic. If starting events such as Radars can help us change this state of affairs it would be great for everyone involved in the music industry here.

Creativeman used to organize “British Anthems” a show exposing bands from the British underground music scene, Radars is much more international. Where would you say the most exciting music scenes are in the world right now?
Due to the number of artists originating from the UK and America people often think of them as having the best music scenes. I actually feel that we’re starting to move away from national music scenes, with the differences between one scene and another having become much less clear. I think we’re in a period where, rather than belonging to any one scene, bands really have to make an impact around the world if they’re to enjoy successful careers. It’s much more important for artists to be independent, stimulating and original.

Although western alternative music has a large following in Japan, there are many Japanese who have little experience of it. What would you say to persuade them to attend a show like Radars?
Whilst you may not have heard much of it before there’s really a lot of great Western music just waiting to be heard. Of course in the future it’s also possible that we will have Japanese and other Asian artists perform at the event. This time we have a really great show set up for you at a really reasonable price – it’s a great opportunity to discover new music. We hope to see you there.

Hirayama-san, it’s been great talking to you, thanks for your time.

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RADARS will be held on the 30th April at Shinkiba Studio Coast

Everything Everything (UK)
Miami Horror (Australia)
Is Tropical (UK)
Little Red (Australia)
Minitel Rose (France)

Open: 13:00 Start: 14:00
Entry: 5000 w/1d

Tickets can be bought via the Creativeman website – click here for tickets and more info.

Words & Translation: Sam Mokhtary & Mizuki Oyama