INDEX
The Yurufuwa Gang shocked me at “Fuji Rock”.
Celeina: We’ve been asking about your work, Max, but you were at the “Fuji Rock Festival ’23” just recently, weren’t you?
Max: Yes, I was at THE PALACE OF WONDER (the free area in front of the entrance gate that was suspended during the Corona Disaster) for the first time in four years, running a bar called “Legacy Milk” with friends. I’ve been doing it for about 20 years now.
Takano: Were you a DJ there?
Max: Yes, I was. I was DJing every night.
Takano: I might have been dancing (laughs). I wish I could have greeted you.
Celeina: On the topic of “Fuji Rock,” what was the best act of the year for you, Max?
Max: The act that made the biggest impact on me was YuruFuwa Gang, a band I saw for the first time and who performed before I started DJing at THE PALACE OF WONDER.
Takano: Yurufuwa Gang, yes. I heard a rumor that they were playing live, but it was a secret.
Max: They were not on the lineup. I heard they were going to start a live show out of the blue, too.
Takano: How did you feel when you saw them for the first time?
Max: I was very impressed with Yurufuwa Gang, a young Japanese generation that seems to resonate globally within the hip-hop culture. They mixed punk, rap, and electronic music, and their live show was great.
Takano: I wish I could have seen them!
Max: It was a lot of fun.
Takano: They have an established worldview, don’t they?
Celeina: What was your best act?
Takano: You want to ask me too? (laughs) But it’s difficult. (laughs) But it’s difficult, because there are various categories, such as “Emotional” or “Emotional”.
Celeina: Putting those excuses aside, please tell us your best act (laughs).
Takano: A mysterious rehearsal at the RED MARQUEE behind THE STROKES! I don’t know who it was; they were doing some kind of VJ check, but the sound and images were really cool. I don’t know who it was, but isn’t it good to keep that moment in your mind without knowing?
Max: I think the best thing about “Fuji Rock” is that there are bands you want to see, and that kind of discovery you make while wandering around. Who was the best act?
Celeina: There are many, but Rickie-G was the best. I had heard the soundtrack, but this was my first time seeing them live. I hope this doesn’t sound rude, but it was a live performance. Of course she played well, but she sang really well, too. I would like to see them live again.
Takano: What all three of us have in common is a sense of chance: Celeina had heard the soundtrack but saw the band live for the first time, and Max had never heard of YuruFuwa Gang but saw the band live for the first time.
Celeina: Takano-san didn’t know who they were, but he saw them rehearse (laughs). We had such a “Fuji Rock” roundtable discussion.
Takano: Thank you very much for the wonderful talk.
Celeina: “FIST BUMP”, a circle of friends connected by goofing around, and you are introducing your friends to us, who are you introducing to us, Max?
Max: It is Yurisa Ueno of ULTRA STUDIO, who introduced me to Kammui when it was launched.
Takano: What kind of work does she do?
Max: She is an architect at ULTRA STUDIO and also works with an organization called TŌGE on various activities through culture and art. It’s hard for me to explain.
Takano: I see. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.
Celeina: If you had to sum it up in one word, how would you describe yourself?
Max: Innovator. I wanted to be an architect, so I am an innovator that I admire.
Takano: Tomorrow, I will connect with Yurisa Ueno of ULTRA STUDIO.
Celeina: “FIST BUMP”, today we have Max McKee, founder of Kammui, an outdoor guide. Thank you very much.
Max: Thank you very much.
GRAND MARQUEE
J-WAVE (81.3FM) Mon-Thu 16:00 – 18:50
Navigator: Shinya Takano, Celeina Ann
