The JPU Records Podcast
JPU Records, the biggest label for music from Japan outside of Asia, has launched its own podcast on YouTube. Entitled The JPU Records Podcast, the series aims to introduce new music from Japan; bring attention to international news, such as tours and upcoming releases; and offer a unique glance into the industry by speaking to the artists, bands and managers involved, as well as stories from JPU Records’ CEO and podcast host Tom Smith.
The JPU Records Podcast launched with three episodes, each roughly one hour in length. The first episode covers music and international tour news for LOVEBITES, Mary’s Blood, Survive Said the Prophet, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION and more. Episode two features an interview with LADYBEARD taken during METAL MATSURI in London and further music news. Episode three spends the entire time talking to the organisers of METAL MATSURI, the two-day heavy metal festival of Japanese bands that took place in London in October, exploring how they became involved in organising tours, which bands they’re influenced by and what they’re listening to now.
Episode four will premiere on Tuesday 5 November at 2pm GMT and feature news on the newest song from SCANDAL as well as interviews with JPU Records customers during London MCM Comic Con last weekend, talking about their favourite bands and which CDs they picked up during the event. Listen live to the premiere and join the chat to comment about songs and news in real time with other listeners.
On the creation of the podcast, host Tom Smith comments, “I’ve been a big fan of podcasts for several years, regularly listening to the likes of Scroobius Pip, Adam Buxton and Joe Rogan, but I felt something was missing when it came to podcasts about music from Japan. I was asked to produce a radio show about Japanese music, and when this didn’t materialise, I decided to take the format and bring it into the podcast realm. It’s designed as something you can just put on in the background and let us take you on an audio journey through news and exciting music and more. At the moment it will only be on YouTube, as this platform allows the artist to get paid for each song used. As soon as we can figure out a way to do this on other platforms, the podcast may expand to those platforms too."