INDEX
Nariaki Obukuro’s Link to Ikebukuro and Shibuya PARCO
Takano: So, I heard that after starting your career as an artist, you’ve been involved in various creative projects with PARCO.
Celeina: In 2019, you worked on the music for the campaign movie celebrating Ikebukuro PARCO’s 50th anniversary. Did you used to visit Ikebukuro PARCO?
Obukuro: I used to commute to university using Ikebukuro Station, so I visited there quite often. I mostly just wandered around, but that was the most enjoyable part.
Celeina: Since you used Ikebukuro PARCO during your student days, it must have been quite meaningful for you to be involved with the campaign movie.
Obukuro: I was really happy that the opportunity came my way. It was very touching to have been remembered since my debut, and I’m very grateful for that.
Takano: By the way, Ikebukuro PARCO is said to be the flagship store of PARCO.
Obukuro: Oh, so Ikebukuro is the flagship store.
Takano: Considering that, it seems like a perfect match for you to have been involved in the 50th anniversary campaign after using Ikebukuro PARCO.
Celeina: And in 2023, you also curated the in-store BGM for Shibuya PARCO. The reason you took on that role was because of your involvement with the program “FLIP SIDE PLANET,” which is familiar to listeners of “GRAND MARQUEE,” right?
The music radio show “Music Hub,” hosted by Nariaki Obukuro, began airing on J-WAVE in November 2017. In July 2020, it was revamped and became “Flip Side Planet” with new members. From January 2022, Obukuro took on the role of curating the in-store BGM at Shibuya PARCO for a year. In November 2023, he hosted the DJ event “PLAZA” at Shibuya PARCO.
Obukuro: That’s right. As a member of “FLIP SIDE PLANET,” I created playlists for the in-store music and had them played for a year.
Celeina： What were the key points you focused on when creating this playlist?
Obukuro: I believe the areas where music is most audible are the restrooms, smoking areas, and escalators. People who frequent PARCO are often highly attuned to music, so I wanted to create moments where they would notice, even just for a second, that “music is playing properly.” Instead of well-known hits, I chose hidden gems, like tracks found as the seventh song on an album.
Takano: That’s great. Having had the chance to air “FLIP SIDE PLANET,” I was really impressed by the breadth of your musical selections. When you played a song by Motoharu Sano, it was truly moving.
Obukuro: Thank you. Since “FLIP SIDE PLANET” is pre-recorded in London and broadcasted, I don’t get the direct feedback that comes with live shows. So, I rarely have a chance to hear how people are listening to the show. For eight years, it felt like broadcasting into the void, so hearing feedback like this is really rewarding [laughs].
Celeina： I imagine you’re constantly taking in new music. How do you go about discovering new sounds?
Obukuro: Lately, I’ve been digging through records a lot. Of course, I use streaming services too, but I find that I come across a lot of great music through records.
Celeina： Do you have any favorite record spots in London?
Obukuro： There are many great record stores, and I’m part of a DJ community that plays records, where we often exchange information.
Takano: I’d love to come check it out sometime.
