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Presents |
Pictures from some recent gigs we've hosted:
29 March 2013 - Brixton, London
Viv Albertine, VuVuVultures, Left Leg, Mickey Gloss, Big Wave, No Cars, Arthur Gunn, Simon Love ( Pictures)
8 March 2013 - Lexington, London
R.Ring, Golden Grrrls, Slushy Guts and Equinox ( Pictures)
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Our iPod |
 Parquet Courts - Light Up Gold (album)
Antony Harding - Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear (album)
Black Angels - Indigo Meadow (album)
Thee Oh Sees - Floating Coffin (album)
Still Corners - Strange Pleasures (album)
Savages - Silence Yourself (album)
Mikal Cronin - MC II (album)
Can’s Ege Bamyasi played by Stephen Malkmus and Friends(album)
Victoria and Jacob - Festival 7"
Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City (album)
Sauna Youth - False Jesii Part II 7”
Lightning Bolt - Oblivion Hunter
Robyn Hitchcock - There Goes The Ice (2x 12") |
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Justin Nozuka
Article written by
John S - Apr 1, 2007
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The new kid on the block, Justin Nozuka, has just released his debut album, Holly, on Outcaste Records. I caught up with him after his March set at the 12 Bar Club in Londons Tin Pan Alley where we talked about being naked on stage, ex-girlfriends influences as well as finishing school
SoundsXP: So, the album came out on the 19th [March], youre 18 years old, how are you feeling?
Justin Nozuka: I feel great man, really, really great.
SoundsXP: And is the CD what you hoped it would be?
Justin Nozuka: Yeah its like I had no idea what the recording would be like. I mean its crazy to look back and be like holy smokes, I have these songs, those are my songs, but its like just happened so quickly, so naturally.
SoundsXP: Do you think youve caught the essence of what you are on stage on the CD?
Justin Nozuka: Its hard to judge yourself on a CD. Its really difficult, but there are times when I try to stand back and be like a different person and it just goes up and down. Sometimes Im like this is shit, I hate this but other times I love it, Im really happy with it. So it just switches, but I mean I trust it and I was there in the room and we created it together and it felt magical and I guess its all you can really hope for
SoundsXP: So how do you go about the song writing process?
Justin Nozuka: It just rolls on inspiration for me personally. So I finish a line that I really like and it fires me up for the next line. It just keeps firing off and its like that, really. But it comes from different places always, you know, sometimes its a song and I go into it not knowing what the songs about, end the song not knowing what its about, sing the song two months later and be like I know what this song is about! Im like how the fuck did this song come about?! If Im inspired I wanna write a song whether it be because Im depressed as fuck or whether Im excited or whether Ive just seen the best show of my life or saw a wicked movie and I love that story, its like different inspirations you know.
SoundsXP: When you first started writing songs were they mostly about things that you were feeling or had happened to you?
Justin Nozuka: I used to write songs that mimicked other songs that I would hear as a kid, cos I was 12 years old when I was writing those, right. And you hear a radio so all Id write about was [sings] hey girl, look at you, you know what I mean. I think that even doing that made it easier for me to write non-personal songs because, from a kid, I never wrote personal songs, they were always like mimicking. And now Im just trying to understand my writing and where its coming from.
SoundsXP: You mention on your Myspace page about breaking up with a girl that youd been in quite a long term relationship with was that when it started or did that just happen to be almost a turning point?
Justin Nozuka: That was at the start of my real writing. There were a few that were really truthful and Supposed to Grow Old is really truthful to what it was like. We used to say that were gonna grow old together and it was real, you know what I mean. Songs like that come so easy because its just like right there. Other songs come easy as well, but its just feels more personal.
SoundsXP: Towards the end of Criminal you sing about spending time moving to Mexicowould that have anything to do with the fact that it was Mexicans that taught you how to play guitar?
Justin Nozuka: Yeah, I think so. It was a little joke, but I never told my Mexican friends. I keep in touch with them periodically, but I dont tell them much about my music and whats happening.
SoundsXP: Theres a self-assuredness and almost a steely intent with how you come across on stage, so where does that confidence on stage come from?
Justin Nozuka: I dont know man. I think that watching artists, soulful artists, they get into it. Its always the way I perform, so when Im on stage I just try to get into it Im in my own world. Thats the whole thing about the stage, its like a sacred place. Theyre [the audience] watching into the different world, right, so its like you see performers and theyre in the same room, so its a different vibe. Sometimes its great, but I try to separate it, you know, I wanna separate it cos otherwise I feel naked. It just feels natural.
SoundsXP: So the stage is almost like a shield, like a cloak?
Justin Nozuka: Totallytotally.
SoundsXP: How is all this fitting in with your schooling and more to the point, seeing as you named the album after your mum, what does your mum think?
Justin Nozuka: No, its all great man, everyone is really supportive. I go to an art school, so its all about, OK were sending you off to the professional worldnow that youre doing it, its like do your thing man. Well take care of your school work, well do all the homework for you!
SoundsXP: LaughterLife is good sometimes
Justin Nozuka: Nah, you know, they send me all my homework, I do all the homework.
SoundsXP: So you do it on tour?
Justin Nozuka: Yeah, I only got a couple of months, so I was like Im just gonna fucking sprint it out, then its done.
SoundsXP: What are your plans UK wise for getting out and about and getting your name heard?
Justin Nozuka: Really just going with the flow, seeing what happens with the CD and radio and all that, but next step is coming back in May and bringing some players with me as well.
SoundsXP: Are you going to be back with a band?
Justin Nozuka: Yeah, doing some more promo stuff, you know what I mean, doing some shows, I gotta finish school right!
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