Tokyo Indie

By virtue of its location it is a costly business getting Western bands into Japan, indeed for many years it has been the luxury of established acts to come and tour here. Recently however, promoters have been taking more chances on emerging talent in a fresh hope to capture the minds of the Japanese people, who are developing a broader and more demanding palette thanks largely to the internet revolution. Hostess Entertainment are a relative newcomer to the promotion circuit in Japan, but have announced a weekend music festival in the heart of Tokyo which will see several acts visit Japan’s shores for the first time.

Youth Lagoon is one of the acts lucky enough to be making the journey. Youth Lagoon is better known as 22 year-old Trevor Powers from Boise, Idaho who was until fairly recently a bedroom musician. His debut, The Year of Hibernation, is a dreamy album with heartfelt lyrics draped over soft pianos and reverberating guitars. Trevor is refreshingly open about his personal battles with anxiety and his inner demons – demons which were the inspiration for this record. We had the chance to get a little closer to him and find out more about Youth Lagoon.

It’s a long way from Idaho to Tokyo, what are your expectations of Japan and how do you feel about playing here?

I’m thrilled. I really don’t have many expectations because I have absolutely no idea what it will be like. It will be my first time in Japan or anywhere close.

Your debut LP, The Year Of Hibernation, has garnered much support and has been well received by the critics, when you were writing it did you think it would have this kind of impact?

Absolutely not. I wrote it and recorded it because it really meant something to me. I always have had really high goals for myself and the music I create but I never would have imagined that things would have started off this rapidly. Music will always be a personal affair for me. Just writing what I enjoy writing or feel the need to write, ’till I die. I can’t see it happening any other way.

The title of the record hints at allegory, was it a case of locking yourself away for twelve months to record the album?

No, more so a mentality of hibernation. The idea of even when you are with people or surrounded by other things or events, still feeling a sense of isolation. That tends to happen a lot and during this time, it was extremely applicable.

When you meet a stranger and they ask “what kind of music do you play?”, how do you describe it?

I don’t. (laughs) I usually tell them some of the different elements I include, such as mixing a lot of electronic sounds with organic sounds and watch as they have a confused look on their face because that means nothing to them. I always hate that question.

Listening to the record it is very personal and there is a unique depth of sound. Do you find it difficult to do it justice live?

Actually I’m very confident with how it is presented live. I tour with one of my best friends who plays guitar, and I handle the keys and the electronic programming when I sing.

Your records are clearly based on self-reflection; as fame rises do you think this is something that may be more difficult for listeners to connect with?

No matter who you are, you have secrets. So whether you’re Elvis or the kid next door who doesn’t have a middle name, there are things inside of you that only you know. Feelings that only you can truly feel. I think self-reflection has played a huge part in music since it began. Music is personal to me, but it is also a way for me to view the world around me.

I have read that you consider yourself a spiritual person, in what way and how do you feel this influences your work?

I definitely am a spiritual person and strive to know who God really is rather than what people say He is. This world has come to know the fact that many “spiritual” people, those who seek out whether or not we have a soul and what that means, are sometimes the most close-minded people that exist. Everything is an argument or a judgment, and many express ‘love’ with a hidden agenda. That is always so frustrating to me. So yes, since my spiritual journey influences my life, it definitely has an impact on whatever I create.

Is there anyone you will be playing with in Tokyo that is a particular influence or you are looking forward to performing alongside?

There are so many I’m excited to see. As far as current artists go, one I really respect and admire is Bradford Cox so I definitely want to meet and speak with him.

Youth Lagoon will appear in Tokyo as part of the Hostess Weekender at Ebisu Garden Palace. Tickets are available for each day, as well as a special two day pass for those who want to catch all the action.

Date: Feb 18 2012(Sat) & Feb 19 2012 (Sun) OPEN 13:00/START 14:00

General Advance Tickets : See the Hostess website for more details.

Words: Mark Birtles

Translation: Asuka Ozutsumi

February 3, 2012