Description

Due to rights issues, the audio of this interview is not available online. Please contact San Diego State University, Special Collections and Archives if you wish to be granted access to the original audio. Larry McCaffery and Sinda Gregory interview the Japanese singer Kōryū, the singer and leader of the band Shang Shang Typhoon with translation assistance. The interview begins with a discussion of the way the band interacts with its fans and tries to create a community for the fans at their shows. Kōryū discusses his range of influences, specifically Bob Dylan. The history of the band’s formation and work together is discussed. The influence of Okinawa on Kōryū’s music is mentioned. The concept of music being able to be a force of change is discussed in-depth. There is discussion of the difference between musicians being part of a subculture in America as opposed to the music industry in Japan. The interview concludes with a discussion of the origin of the band’s name.