Guy Perryman Interviews

A conversation with cast members of Blast - the big brassy stage show touring Japan in summer 2026 discussing their personal musical journeys, what they love about the show, the immersive "massage" the show will give you, and more. The chat was recorded in Tokyo in June 2026 with cast members bouncing back and forth in English and Japanese - a truly cultural-crossing musical community!

A conversation with Nation of Language – three-member synth pop group transporting us back to the future via the sound of 80's new wave discussing - during the 2026 cherry blossom season in Tokyo - the power of music, the love of performing live, how to switch off 21st century distractions, recommended New York destinations and more.

A conversation with Arlo Parks – singer/songwriter visiting Tokyo in May 2026 for a secret fashion event discussing nocturnal moments and the communal spirit of a dance floor inspiring her latest album Ambiguous Desire, plus the power of music, upcoming show at Fuji Rock Festival 2026, a recommended music destination in London and more!!

A conversation with Royel Otis - indie pop duo during their live tour to Tokyo in February 2026 discussing love bites, meeting the right people for creative projects and making music in Byron Bay, Australia, how fame alters everything, a murder on the dance floor and more.

A conversation with Nao Yoshioka – soul singer talking in Tokyo during a cherry blossom filled change of season about positive change through music, plus writing and performing the music to match life changing experiences in New York, London, a rainforest in Sydney, around the world and more.

A conversation with Samantha Fish – guitarist/singer/songwriter backstage at Blue Note Tokyo in February 2026 discussing her blues rock music, live stage experiences in Japan, recording experiences in the studio with Jon Spencer (note T-shirt) and what to do if there is an air guitarist in the audience!!

A conversation with Little Barrie & Malcolm Catto - fuzz guitar superstar Barrie Cadogan and his bandmate Lewis Wharton with producer/drummer Malcolm Catto chatting about their live shows in Japan in February 2026, studio moments recording their collaborative album Electric War, contributing to Peaky Blinders and Better Call Saul TV series' theme songs and more.

A conversation with Tony Momrelle and Cleo Reign Stewart - singers with acid jazz group Incognito chatting backstage at Blue Note Tokyo in January 2026 about why they love working with the group’s founder and leader Bluey, their side projects with various artists including Sade and London Community Gospel Choir,  solo projects, the power of music, recommended music spots in London and more.

A conversation with Calum Scott - singer whose career took off by auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent in 2015 and has gone on to global stardom chatting backstage at Toyosu Pitt Tokyo in January 2026 before a live show about his latest album Avenoir inspired by the ability to look at your future memories, plus why he's performing in so many large and smaller cities around the world, how he copes with the madness of the music business, bringing his mum up on stage on tour, and more.

A conversation with Jung Jaeil - musician and composer who created the soundtracks for screen blockbusters including Parasite, Squid Game and Mickey 17 discussing how he approaches writing music for the screen, his "failed" first music project, learning to love live experiences with full symphony orchestras, how the power of music heals the wounds between countries, never giving up and more.

A conversation with Elizabeth Bougerol - of fabulous New York City jazz band The Hot Sardines backstage at Cotton Club Tokyo in December 2025 chatting as bubbly as Champagne about her new projects inspired by more fabulous jazz, noir movies, plus French and Japanese cuisine, motherhood, and living life in the moment!!

A conversation with Iain Gillie - Executive Producer and CEO at PW Productions who brought the stage show of Spirited Away from Tokyo to London. At the PW Productions London office in the heart of the West End in November 2025 Gillie discusses Spirited Away, winning a British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) British Business Award, how he got on his theatrical journey, what he looks for to green-light a show, getting lost in Japan, and more!!

A conversation with Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers - online from the InterFM studio Tokyo to Denver USA ahead of their January 2026 Tokyo live show talking about their latest album Automatic, how 1000 live shows helped Schultz overcome stage fright, how the power of music helped him with the grief of losing a sibling, and more.

A conversation with Yuto Uchino of The fin. – indie dreamy pop group from Kobe during the new year 2026 season with chat to warm you up about music inspired by winter and their latest album [Somewhere Between], global touring and the differences between global audiences, meeting fans, flying and more.

A conversation with Michael Bradley - stage actor/singer who stars in Broadway Christmas Wonderland musical direct from Broadway in Tokyo at Theatre Orb Shibuya for the 2025 festive season run. Bradley shares his showbiz journey, what he loves about being on stage, and keeps us guessing - with those rosy, red cheeks and jolly laugh which festive season character he's playing in the show.

A conversation with Thanassis Karathanos – producer of the film Hen, screened in competition at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival 2025, talking about what it’s like to work on set with chickens, plus the hen’s parallel narrative with the humans in the film, why he loves the collaborative process of filmmaking, Greek islands and more. 

A conversation with Michael Kam, director and Lim Kay Tong, lead actor of the film The Old Man And His Car - screened at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival 2025, sharing thoughts about the film, their careers in filmmaking and the Singapore film community.

A conversation with Victoria Broackes - curator and writer sharing fascinating behind the scenes stories in November 2025 about the David Bowie archive now with a permanent home at the V&A Museum East Storehouse London, the accompanying book, and some exciting, surprising discoveries that were locked away in Bowie's study until recently.

A conversation with Stephen Jones – milliner who has created hats for a vast array of people including Boy George, David Bowie and Princess Diana whose career began in a squat on Warren Street in London together with the Blitz club kids, shares recollections at Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s exhibition at The Design Museum London in November 2025.

A conversation with David Keech - designer/musician chatting about his British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) British Business Awards 2025 nominations, new EP inspired by Tokyo and a recommended iconic music destination if you're heading to London. The chat took place in November 2025 at a Great Portland Street hotel foyer, which coincidentally has a print on the wall rather appropriate for the UK-Japan connection.

A conversation with me – I’m sitting on the other side of the mic at BBC Radio London with Robert Elms on his Sunday morning show on November 16th 2025 when I was in London for my live katsuben show Mic! Projector! Action! at Regent Street Cinema with Japanese silent films on the big screen and me on stage voice acting all of the characters. It was a joy to be invited to BBC Broadcasting House and chat briefly with Robert live on air... stand by for a curry dad-joke!!

A conversation with Jeremy Zucker – singer / songwriter whose incredibly prolific and beautifully crafted bedroom (or garage home studio) music has touched millions around the world, chatting about his personal life, in particular his childhood in New Jersey inspiring his music journey. The conversation took place online with Zucker in California and me at the InterFM studio Hanzomon, Tokyo in November 2025 just prior to Zucker's Asia tour.

A conversation with Gwenno – singer / songwriter who writes and performs music in three languages – Welsh, Cornish and English, who was in Japan in October 2025 for live shows, sharing stories of her extremely varied life (or lives) as a Riverdance performer in Las Vegas as a teen, a member of pop group The Pipettes, touring as keyboardist with PNAU and Elton John, and her latest solo music journey.

A conversation with Remo Anzovino – pianist and composer who has written music for an array of media projects, theatre and cinema including a vast number of silent films. Maestro Anzovino was in Japan in November 2025 for concerts in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto and joined me live on the air at the Hanzomon, Tokyo studio on my InterFM morning show broadcast across Japan.

A conversation with Dex Mitchell – morning radio DJ on Hot 104.5 in Florida who was broadcasting his show live from Tokyo in September 2025. I always love meeting fellow radio broadcasters from around the world and we shared experiences of our morning shows plus Dex’s journey to the mic, what he loves about radio and his audience.

A conversation with Shozo Ichiyama - Programming Director of the 38th edition of the Tokyo International Film Festival sharing his highlights for 2025 and thoughts on why film is so important to bridge people and cultures.

A conversation with Liam Ramshaw - Executive Director of Tokyo Weekender magazine which has been part of the Tokyo international community for 55 years and in October 2025 is celebrating. Ramshaw shares his story of how he joined the Weekender, some stories from the vast archives, plus upcoming events for Tokyoites.

A conversation with Nduduzo Makhathini - South African jazz musician sharing his wisdom of not only the power of music, but the power of three, water, family, the Blue Note Records Africa jazz connection, and on visiting Japan for the first time in July 2025 noticing the water and energy of Tokyo.

A conversation with Lick-G - freestyle rapper in Japan who's first album Trainspotting released when he was 17 years old went to the top of the Japanese hip-hop charts, sharing stories about his music journey, what inspires his Japanese and English lyrics - which are memorised entirely with no notes and go a lot deeper than just partying, and celebrating the release of his second album Anything You Want.

A conversation with Zebulon Ellis – gospel singer based in Atlanta who performed live with Acid Jazz legends Incognito in Tokyo in December 2024 and sung on their music track Strangers Become Friends released in July 2025. Ellis shares his musical and spiritual journey, the joy of collaborating with Incognito's Bluey, his happiest place, enjoying all the cuisine in Japan, and more all with a hearty laugh.

A conversation with Bnnyhunna – musician from the Dutch R&B scene whose soulful music has West African influences and was in Japan for the first time for live shows in September 2025. Bnnyhunna shares stories about his musical journey including winning the 2025 Edison Pop Award (the Dutch equivalent of the Grammy Awards) in the Soul/R&B/Funk category.

A conversation with Joya Mooi - singer/songwriter from the Dutch R&B scene with a soulful voice and songs who was in Japan for the first time for live shows in September 2025. Mooi shares stories of her musical journey including her writing being inspired by historical moments and people including a pioneering doctor in South Africa and a portrait in the Netherlands.

A conversation with Kayoko Jones – Public Relations Planner at APU – Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Kyushu sharing why the campus is a unique place in Japan bringing together students from around the world into a multi-cultural multi-lingual environment of learning, not to mention the wonderful onsen environment of the location! Jones was in Tokyo in August 2025 participating in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development and came to the InterFM studio to chat.

A conversation with Zero Fes team - a bunch of really inspiring teens from Japan and around the world who created and performed at the first Zero Fes, a club music event by teens for teens held in Tokyo in July 2025 - DJ's - Elfigo, Otek, Michelle; DJ drummer Cezary; music producer Riki; rapper MC Millaray;  dancers - Mamadou & Papa; drone racer Yuki; and the teen entrepreneur who put it all together Gaito Amano. Listen to brief conversations and messages in various languages sharing thoughts on music culture, the event and first impressions of Tokyo.

A conversation with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis – legendary production duo who have collaborated, and had massive chart hits with Janet Jackson, Alexander O'Neal, The SOS Band, Mariah Carey, Vanessa Williams, Chaka Khan, The Human League, Sounds of Blackness and so many more... we only had ten minutes together backstage before their live show at Summer Sonic 2025 in Tokyo but it was an insightful and inspiring conversation with two all true gentlemen who also selected their own favourite music tracks.

A conversation with Stomp cast – from the West End and Broadway productions in Japan for shows in August 2025 talking about their journey with this spectacular explosion of a stage show, plus a spontaneous live performance with tiny drum sticks!!

A conversation with James Ross – British radio broadcaster and Lightning International media distribution company CEO based in Hong Kong chatting on my live morning radio show GPS in Tokyo in August 2025. James shares what he loves about radio, gives some tips on enjoying nature in Hong Kong, and we put his music skills to the test with Intro Quiz challenge on GPS!!

A conversation with Parlor Greens - Hammond organ-based trio chatting at Fuji Rock Festival 2025 before their show on the Field of Heaven stage about having a blast at the Fuji Rock pre-open party, respect for each other by "staying out of the way" when playing together, how a musical instrument's personality changes depending on who has been playing it, and more.

A conversation with Ziggy Alberts – surf rock singer/songwriter chatting at Fuji Rock Festival 2025 before his show on the Gypsy Avalon stage about the connection between mountains and sea, an Australian coast drive, discovery at music festivals and more.

A conversation with Femi from Ezra Collective - jazz soul superstars chatting at Fuji Rock Festival 2025 before their show on the Field of Heaven stage about giving young people access to music, the power of music to unite, dancing like no one's watching, and more.