Discover FILTER: An Emerging Band from Japan (JGIG Interview)

Intro

Japan’s next wave of young bands isn’t happening in stadiums—it’s being built night after night in small, loud, intimate live houses across Tokyo and Osaka. If you’re visiting Japan and want to experience the scene up close, interviews are one of the fastest ways to discover what’s new, what’s real, and what’s worth catching live.

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Interview Questions

Q1: What genre do you feel your music is closest to?

It’s a mix of different things, but I’d say we’re closest to punk / indie / dance.

Q2: How would you describe your music to people outside Japan?

I think FILTER’s defining feature is that we take wide, sing-along melodies and combine them with traditional rhythms, then output it as punk. I believe it’s music that can touch an instinctive, human musical desire, regardless of country. Please give it a listen and come to our shows.

Q3: Which overseas artist has influenced you the most, and in what way?

Coldplay has influenced me in terms of their mysterious scales and the way they create a vast atmosphere. I like artists who have a unique sense of atmosphere.

Q4: Where do you think someone should go first if they want to experience indie music in Japan?

In the sense that it’s always open and hosts all kinds of genres, I think Shimokitazawa SHELTER is an easy place to start.

Q5: What live houses do you recommend? And are there any good nearby shops or spots?

Shimokitazawa BASEMENT BAR might be a good recommendation, since it’s next to another live house called THREE—so you can visit two venues in one trip.

This isn’t a live house, but I also organize an outdoor festival called CAMPASS once a year. It’s a local festival held in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, so compared to large-scale festivals, I think you can get a more indie, more local experience.

Also, in Kitasenju—an old downtown area of Tokyo—I run a café called PECKHAM. We hold DJ events and acoustic events there day and night. The neighborhood is “local among locals,” so I think it’s interesting because you can really see everyday life in Japan.

Q6: What should first-time visitors to Japanese live houses know?

Many venues basically don’t allow re-entry. Come to think of it, I feel it isn’t always clearly announced, so it might be something to watch out for.

Q7: Do you have a message for people who are listening to Japanese indie music for the first time?

Japan really has an incredibly diverse range of bands, so I want you to listen widely. There are bands like FILTER that take in a lot of influence from overseas, and there are also bands that are not influenced by overseas music at all. For listeners from abroad, the latter might feel especially fresh.

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Ready to Experience the Scene in Person?

If FILTER’s story made you want to step into a live house, you’re already doing it the right way: discover the sound → pick a venue → show up prepared. Japan’s underground moves fast, and the best nights are often the ones you didn’t plan months in advance.

To keep exploring with JGIG, jump to the pages that match your trip plan:

• Live Houses (Tokyo & Osaka): find small venues by area and vibe, and build your own venue list
• Gig Schedule: check what’s on while you’re in town and save shows you don’t want to miss
• Culture & Etiquette: quick tips for first-timers (so you can focus on the music, not the rules)
• Japanese Phrases for Gigs: simple lines to use at the door, at the bar, and after the set

And if you want more discoveries like this, browse our latest JGIG Interviews—we’re continuously spotlighting Japan’s most exciting young bands, one live house night at a time.