Covox～チュップチューン界の貴公子！？(5ページ目)

Remix Works

Portable Disco - 8bit edition

--I actually came to know about Covox when I bought Ram Rider's "Portable Disco - 8bit edition". This album has such a brilliantly unique concept as remix. Initially I thought all remixes or remaking are done by Japanese Chiptune artists. Somehow, Covox sounded different, and I found your website. When Fantabulous Music contacted me, I was surprised and pleased! How did you end up joining this?

Ram Rider got a tip of me as remixer from Yokemura of YMCK, who had heard my remix of Blasterhead's "Killbots". I was really enthusiastic when I was asked to remix! I had never heard his music before, but he sent me the tracks and I felt it was going to be a lot of fun! Ram Rider's music is usually happy and disco, so it was interesting to have this feeling meet my more dark and melancholic ideas.

Do You Like Japan?

Covox in Live!

--As I checked your website, you started gigs in 2002 and you were in Osaka in 2003! So far, you visited Japan three times. How do you enjoy doing gigs in Japan? How do you compare the audience reaction between Japan and Europe.

I really love playing in Japan. The crowd is very enthusiastic! I wish I could speak more Japanese however! Audience reactions in Europe can be very varied. Germany for example is more "cool", while Belgium is really nice, with a lot of crazy people. But I am surprised how similar crowd response can be all over the world. For a lot of people this kind of music is a new thing, but they like it! And become curious about the whole thing, so I try to tell and show them as much as possible if they ask afterwards.

--Are you also connected with other Japanese Chiptune artists like YMCK?

I got to know YMCK during the 2004 tour. I love their music! I'm very happy for their success. Japan has managed to build a very strong Chiptune scene, with lots and lots of really good artists. So coming to Japan to be able to listen to all these artists in a live situation is very nice, and also to meet them and talk. There is great diversity between styles and sounds, and with a rich game music legacy, it's a very interesting country for this kind of music.

--What do you like about Japan? Do you like Akihabara? Anything particular you often buy in Japan?

Besides Sweden, Japan is my favourite country! I like that people are so well-behaved and nice! The mentality and mindset of the Japanese is very friendly and interesting. There is a level of courtesy and respect for your fellow man that's very inspiring and impressive. I also really like the diversity and spirit of Japanese culture, especially pop culture. There are so many interesting things, and so many good artists and creators. Akihabara is interesting as well. The heart of Japanese otaku culture! I like to shop for games and game accessories. I really love the Drummania arcade game too! Arcades are rare in Europe, so it's nice to be able to see and experience the latest music games. Otherwise my favourite area is Harajuku, the smaller street-fashion stores, and music stores.

--Do you like any particular Japanese Techno Pop artists? Maybe, Yellow Magic Orchestra?

I really like YMO, but I haven't discovered much other Japanese Techno Pop. I would like to hear what Japanese 80's synth sounded like, but it's hard to find. There's a lot of other Japanese music I love though; Polysics, Cornelius and Sketch Show are my favourite acts. Did you know that on Sketch Show's "Loophole" album there's a lot of Swedish? In the song "Chronograph" they were listing their top 10 favourite Swedish words! I was really amazed when I heard this.