What was the best experience you had whilst in Japan?

There are too many to name but here are a few highlights.
Having the opportunity to see the local music scene first hand was splendid and I couldn’t ask for a better excuse to travel to Japan. I didn’t have to discover the music scene through blogs or guidebooks which was refreshing, touring with Lions at your door was amazing especially when we are all friends that get along well.

The contemporary art galleries in Tokyo were out of this world, every little independent space was so well curated and their presentation is nothing short of immaculate.

We also got invited by the Tokyo Vice kids to come to their Fuji Rock party at Le Baron de Paris which was a very indulgent occasion. It was rather strange when we ran into Midnight Juggernauts and The Vines there, they had just got off the plane and we were all knocking beers down together which was surreal. Kele from the Bloc Party was also there getting loose with a few of the Lion kids, that was pretty special too.

Oh lastly I got an amazing traditional Japanese Tattoo from Horitoshi @ Ink Rat, again totally unexpected. I had this little sketch book with me, where I doodle and write thoughts down, I had doodled a chubby Buddha down and we ran into an artist from the US who tipped us off about the studio so thanks to Google – we emailed and chatted about the design idea, Hori digged the design. A day later I was laying down letting Hori tattoo me with a bamboo stick, the technique and colouring is spectacular!

(Image Lillies and Remains, Jeff Yiu)