ADSR Inspirations pod

Yuri Nagahori is a Tokyo-based DJ, promoter and producer who has been captivating hearts and dancefloors with her infectious beats. Music has been a constant throughout Yuri's life, with early expressions through piano, drums, and dance. Her journey led her to study abroad in Canada, the USA, and the Philippines, immersing herself in clubbing and electronic music culture. Upon returning to Japan Yuri discovered her true calling as a DJ. After honing her skills, she slowly but surely started playing parties herself. Her sets are unique, blending genres from techno to hip-hop, house, and trance. Yuri has graced major clubs in Japan and international venues, and her events have earned a devoted following. More recently Yuri has taken on the challenge of producing her own music to bring her passion to new heights. In today’s chat, James and Yuri recall her early exposure to music and clubbing adventures in the USA, Canada, and the Philippines. Yuri shares her unique entry into Japan's music scene and the spark that ignited her passion for DJing. The discussion spans topics like pursuing music as a full-time career, gender dynamics in the industry, music production, and her dreams within the realm of music. Yuri also sheds light on how she stays at the forefront of DJing trends and the profound role of music in her life.Connect with Yuri: WebsiteFollow us on IG @adsrpodMore from us ADSR Collective♡  Please show some love by rating our show on Spotify, Apple or Google podcasts ♡

Ian Lynam is the product of a life lived with post-modern art and endless curiosity. Originally from the small town of Averill Park, New York. He holds a BSc in Graphic Design from Portland State University and an MFA in Graphic Design from CalArts. Since 2005, he has led his Tokyo-based design studio, Ian Lynam Design, specializing in identity design, cultural research, and typography. Currently, he serves as faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts and Temple University Japan, offering his experience and knowledge in art and design. Ian is also a prolific writer and co-founder of the critical cultural online journal Néojaponisme, which fosters creative dialogue and exchange on Japanese culture, society, art, and design. When you visit Sailosaibin in Sasazuka, Tokyo, you'll see some of Ian's creations coming to life alongside stacks of books and a carefully curated selection of handcrafted pieces and clothing from talented collaborators, all contributing to a collection that resonates with the contemporary zeitgeist.In the interview, James and Ian touch on his early days in upstate New York, his childhood passion for art and design, and the influence of the American West Coast and Asia on his design sensibilities. Ian's deep involvement in design education and his profound connection to mentoring young designers show how passionate he is about art, cultural affairs and developing ideas. Ian’s latest book “The Failed Painter” is a bite-size exemplification of his storytelling approach that combines design and writing in ways that are compelling and relatable for the artist in all of us.Connect with Ian:Studio Website // Instagram Follow us on Instagram @adsrpodMore from us ADSR Collective on Facebook Please show some love by rating our show!

Meet May Inoue, the remarkable young Japanese jazz guitarist known for his electrifying sound and dynamic career. Hailing from Kawasaki in Kanagawa, May's journey into jazz began at just 15 years old inspired by a Mike Stern concert. He later honed his craft at Berklee College of Music and has since garnered recognition from legendary guitarists like Kazumi Watanabe and Kurt Rosenwinkel. Leading the innovative band project Stereo Champ, May skillfully fuses jazz, rock, funk, and psychedelic elements, offering a unique and refreshing musical journey. Despite a five-year hiatus, his latest release, "The Elements," has been well received.In today’s chat James and May discuss pivotal moments such as May's transformative experiences as a youth, his early rock guitar influences, and the profound impact of studying under renowned jazz guitarist Yoshiaki Miyanoue. May reflects on his Berklee College of Music experience, the confidence boosts from his debut album's acclaim, and the evolution of his genre-blurring band project, "Stereo Champ." The pair also delve into May's latest album, "The Elements,". May shares insights on managing a busy schedule and collaborations, his perspective on the global jazz scene, future aspirations, and valuable advice for aspiring musicians seeking unconventional sounds in their work.Connect with May Inoue:Website // Instagram // TwitterFollow ADSR Inspirations on Twitter + Instagram @adsrpodMore from us ADSR Collective on Facebook

Originally from sunny Australia, Will Robinson first came to Japan on a working holiday visa as a way to take a break from studying graphic design. Fast forward 14 years, and Will has established himself entirely in Japan. He dedicated himself to mastering the language and earned a Bachelor's degree in Arts. Will currently works as a freelance custom furniture creator and craftsman. He draws inspiration from Japan's nature and traditional craftsmanship. Over the past few years, his nomadic lifestyle has taken him from Tokyo to Southern Chiba's seaside, to Nagano's mountainside and currently to the enchanting Amami Islands. In each place, he has embraced a specific extreme solo sport like skateboarding, snowboarding or surfing that aligns with the local culture and geography. This diverse range of experiences has undoubtedly enriched his artistic perspective, enabling him to find inspiration in different aspects of Japanese life and nature while continuously honing his craft.In this episode, James and Will chat about what it took to gain a firm grasp on language skills in Japan and how Will got accepted into a Japanese art university. Throughout their conversation, they discuss essential turning points in Will’s life, his approach to art, as well as his current passion, woodworking. Will emphasizes the importance of preserving and honouring disappearing traditions and crafts, not only in Japan but globally. He discusses the potential of bringing a foreign perspective to Japanese art and how he wants to promote artisanal techniques and their stories. In this episode, Will subtly reveals how Japanese aesthetics influence his lifestyle and art.Connect with Will: Portfolio // Instagram // Food pop-upSome of Will’s mentors and lumber inspiration in Tokyo: 株式会社　京和木材 + 京和木材　加工場Follow us on Twitter + Instagram @adsrpodPlease show some love by rating our show!

Drew Damron's journey took an unexpected turn when he arrived in Japan from Grand Rapids Michigan over seven years ago. Originally planning a brief stay while pursuing his Master’s of Library and Information Sciences degree, Drew's fascination with the country’s culture, traditions and nature has captivated him ever since. As a community-oriented librarian and archivist, Drew has already left his mark on two major Tokyo libraries, bringing his skills for archiving and connecting people to the forefront. Beyond his dedication to libraries, Drew's adventurous spirit extends to his love for outdoor activities. An avid trail runner, rock climber, and skier, he finds solace and mental fortitude in Japan's natural beauty. Drew also channels his outdoor experiences into his role as a contributing writer for The Japan Times, where he shares his adventures and insights within the realm of outdoor lifestyle content.In this episode of ADSR Inspirations, we dive into Drew's exceptional career path, from his early days as a library assistant to his current role as Senior Librarian at Temple University. Drew shares insights on how to work at foreign libraries in Japan. He also speaks about the role and connections between libraries and artists while sharing his own passions for drawing and writing. Drew gets into his love for outdoor activities and exploring the mountains of Japan. He connects the physical to the mental and speaks to the balance of the body and mind in art and in everyday life.Connect with Drew: Website // Instagram // YouTubeMore from us on ADSR CollectiveFollow us on Twitter + Instagram @adsrpodPlease show some love by rating our show!

Originally from Sweden, Mikael Senninge’s journey took him from mechanical engineering in Gothenburg to film school in Paris, where he kindled his passion for visual storytelling. Now based in Tokyo, Mikael has become an accomplished freelance camera operator, cinematographer and filmmaker. His specialty includes commercials, music, narrative, and documentary films. He has lent his expert eye to prestigious clients such as Adidas, Porsche, Google and Red Bull.In this episode, Mikael shares the inspiring story of his career transformation, taking calculated risks to pursue his artistic calling. From leaving a secure engineering path to embark on a meaningful career in film Mikael emphasizes the importance of embracing risk with responsibility and measured planning. James and Mikael explore his creative process, where he finds fulfillment in capturing emotions and different perspectives through his visuals. Mikael walks through critical moments in his career and acknowledges how building upon past experiences has provided opportunities for success and skill refinement. Connect with Mikael:Website //IG @msenninge //VimeoMore from us ADSR Collective  on Instagram @adsrpod

Kyle Broyles is a video editor, a podcaster, a YouTuber, a tech gadget freak, an amateur musician and a lover of craft beer. Since arriving in Japan in 2016 Kyle has been working full-time as a video editor in Tokyo and dabbling in his own creative pursuits. It wasn't until last year with some persistence from Yuki, his wife, that they opened Pintology, a craft beer bar and art space. Just earlier this year, the bar achieved a significant milestone as Kyle reached a point where he felt prepared to leave his day job and dedicate himself fully to their own business.In the episode, Kyle shares the inspiring story of his journey toward independence and embracing entrepreneurship. He describes how he utilizes the space to not only pursue his artistic goals and endeavours but also foster connections within the vibrant local arts community. Along the way, Kyle candidly discusses the challenges he encountered when venturing into the world of business for the first time. He delves into the strategies he employed to attain success in a bustling marketplace, specifically within the craft beer industry. Moreover, he emphasizes the importance of building a community of like-minded individuals through various bar-hosted events. However, he acknowledges the delicate balance required to engage this community without alienating his core customer base of craft beer enthusiasts. Follow Kyle @kairubii and visit Pintology in Tokyo!More from us ADSR Collective on Facebook or SoundCloudListen to our music on Bandcamp Follow us on Twitter + Instagram @adsrpodPlease show some love by rating our show!

Joe Oliver is an adventurous designer and DJ. He was formally educated in Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent University. Shortly after schooling, Joe took the freelance route with his design skills and illustration. Working short-term contracts meant Joe could work, then travel for months through Europe, Australia, South America and Asia. Joe’s nomad lifestyle finally slowed down when he reached Japan’s megacity.In the present episode, Joe acknowledges the multifaceted opportunities that come with being a freelancer, enabling him to engage in diverse projects and cultivate his skills, leading him to venture into UI/UX design. He also talks about his bold move to Tokyo and the challenges he encountered while unexpectedly settling here, especially as a freelancer. Joe and James explore the inception of his music brand Yes Chef! hosting a monthly party series and his weekly radio show with Tim Lambourne aka Good Company Broadcast Group. The chat wraps up by looking into the future to discuss how Joe would like further serve the music community and how designing will always be part of his life.Joe's spirit radiates both adventure and creativity. He blends innovation, imagination, and a dash of design expertise to concoct remarkable experiences in his work and DJ pursuits. Find the secret recipe in this episode!Connect with Joe Oliver:Instagram @joeolivr // SoundCloud // Resident Advisor //Keakie RadioMore from us ADSR Collective on Facebook or SoundCloudListen to our music on Bandcamp Follow us on Twitter + Instagram @adsrpodPlease show some love by rating our show!

Charlie Abbott, originally from just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, had a deep curiosity about pushing the boundaries of music and live performances from an early age. This curiosity led him to formal studies at Oberlin Conservatory and conglomeration with many like-minded individuals. Together they produced projects that existed on the fringes of electronic music. Charlie's passion soon led him to the discovery of Japanese underground electronic music and shortly after that led him to immigrate to the country. In today’s episode, Charlie speaks to his experiences growing up around music and defying expectations surrounding music placed upon himself and others. He details how he was drawn to Japan initially and what it took to get him here some 8 years ago. James and Charlie also discuss his extensive time living in the northern part of Japan, and how he thrived and engaged with music and communities in Aomori. They talk about his eventual relocation to Tokyo, then work and collaboration he’s done with other artists and brands such as Vogue and Nylon. The discussion turns to his work in other art forms such as 3D modelling and game design before getting to his recent album release, the massive, 84 track project, "Music To Put On In The Background While You Do Something Else".  Connect with Charlie:Bandcamp / Instagram / Soundcloud / YouTubeMore from us ADSR Collective on Facebook or SoundCloudListen to our music on Bandcamp Follow us on Twitter + Instagram @adsrpodPlease show some love by rating our show!

Born in Saitama, Japan, but having grown up in Singapore, Matthew "MZA" Sekiya has built a life immersed in music. MZA is a beatmaker, a DJ, a record label founder, a radio show host on HKCR, and a big part of the Japanese jazz blog ZŪJAGO. All of this is in addition to his day job as a vinyl and music lifestyle manager. While MZA's style initially paid homage to early 90s to 2000s American hip hop, Japanese rap, and downtempo, it has evolved over the years to include elements of house, techno, reggae, hardcore and jungle.In this episode, Matthew reveals an interesting tidbit about his label roster. Discover how he finds creative freedom by using aliases to distinguish his music projects. James and Matthew delve into his label, Yen Disco Soundsystem and discuss the driving forces that motivate him to keep pushing forward while juggling different roles. Matthew shares how he continues to find musical inspiration in vintage Japanese gear and instruments. The expanse of Matthew’s craft has no bounds to genre or space, but he continues to explore his roots in Singaporean culture as well as Japanese heritage in the process.Connect with MZA and dive into Yen Disco Soundsystem’s sound:Bandcamp / Instagram / Soundcloud / Spotify More from us ADSR Collective on Facebook or SoundCloudListen to our music on Bandcamp Follow us on Twitter + Instagram @adsrpodPlease show some love by rating our show!