Upclose with Yukimi Nagano
She’s played live with singer/guitarist Jose Gonzalez and Swedish electronic-jazz outfit Koop, and is now the singer of Swedish band Little Dragon. Yukimi Nagano talks to Matt Lee about coming to Hong Kong and what inspires her music.
HK Magazine: How would you describe your musical style?
Yukimi Nagano: Electric trance disco dreamy soul pop.
HK: Does your cultural/ethnic background shape your music at all?
YN: I feel Swedish more than anything, even though my dad is Japanese. I’m probably more influenced by American music but my Japanese side has influenced me more on the aesthetic issues such as the art for my album cover and graphics.
HK: What do you think of Hong Kong?
YN: We know people that have been and they say it’s really vibrant and the food is amazing. I’ve only transferred at the airport in Hong Kong before but the view looked great from the airplane, so I’m looking forward to a closer encounter.
HK: Who influences your music the most?
YN: We have eclectic tastes from pop songs by Prince, classic soul like James Brown and Marvin Gaye and even different types of African music from mysterious old Ethiopian sounds to South African house. We love minimal house music because it can give you a trance-like feeling that makes you forget time, and we admire contemporary artists like; LCD Soundsystem, TV On The Radio, Wild Birds and Peace Drums, who aren’t afraid to try something new.
HK: Where did you draw your inspiration for your hit songs “Twice” and “Turn Left”?
YN: I wrote “Twice” pretty spontaneously in the studio. There was a lot going on in my life at the time, so writing the song was kind of like therapy. I didn’t think much of it after recording it but oddly enough it ended up being one of the songs that reached out to people the most. “Turn Left” is a positive look at feeling lost and misplaced in the world.
HK: What is your favorite band of all time?
YN: That’s a really difficult question! I’m sure everyone in the band would say someone different, but if you’re asking me personally then I would say Depeche Mode, but I might change my mind tomorrow.