Toyama
2 artists
Local Scene
NAho
What is happening in your local music scene right now?
Not in Toyama, these days, an impressive number of music bars have opened in downtown Kanazawa. Some people even say there are too many. But with so many new venues, I think it would be exciting if one of them became a good home for the world music parties that my friends and I organize.
What local spots would you recommend?
Listening Bar
bar monos— 高岡 / Takaoka
A music bar in Takaoka, Toyama. It has a carefully designed sound system, and every weekend guest selectors play music from a wide range of genres. Young local DJs also perform there, and it's steadily growing into a new gathering place for music lovers. I've watched the place since it first opened, so it holds a special place in my heart.
Record Shop
everyday records— 金沢 / Kanazawa
A record shop in Arimatsu, Kanazawa. If you're looking for new world music releases in the Hokuriku region, this is the place to go. The owner is also a DJ, so it's a popular meeting spot for fellow DJs, and it's a great place to hear about upcoming parties and events.
RECORD JUNGLE— 金沢 / Kanazawa
A legendary record shop in Kanazawa that hardly needs an introduction. It has an excellent selection of used records, especially Latin music, and I always enjoy reading the owner's handwritten recommendations. The prices are very reasonable too.
Café
cafe & music bar bom— 南砺 / Nanto
A café bar in Nanto, Toyama, and the closest place to my home with a DJ booth. In a sparsely populated area like this, it's an incredibly valuable space. They host not only DJ parties but also live performances, dance events, markets, and even rakugo shows. Since the owner is also a DJ, music is an essential part of almost every event. They put just as much care into the food and drinks as they do the music, and everything is wholesome and delicious. There's even accommodation upstairs, so after eating, drinking, and dancing, you can head straight to bed.
Label / Series
ANALOG AFRICA
They mainly focus on archival releases and reissues rather than contemporary music, but the sheer number of recordings they have, along with the incredibly detailed booklets that accompany them, is outstanding. It's packed with old music that's still amazingly cool.
Artists
Artist Interviews
What are your musical roots?
When it comes to world music, one of the biggest impressions on me was seeing UKANDANZ perform at SUKIYAKI.
Which artists or labels are you most excited about right now?
- 1.南米のクンビア・サルサを中心としたラテン音楽シーン / the Latin music scene centered around South American cumbia and salsaThere are simply too many great artists to single out just one!
- 2.Habibi Funk RecordsI always keep an eye on their releases. In addition to reissues and archival discoveries, they consistently put out excellent music by contemporary artists.
- 3.ACID ARABThis is probably my favorite label in the world of club music. They frequently collaborate with contemporary artists from the Middle East and neighboring regions, and following those connections always leads me to exciting new musical discoveries.