Fluid Japan News

SPOTLIGHT ON FLUID JAPAN COLLABORATOR JAN LINTON

INTERVIEW WITH JAN LINTON

April 13, 2024

Recording artist Jan Linton has a long history with Fluid Japan. Jan and Fluid Japan have performed many shows together (Fluid Japan’s Todd Lewis also used to be a member of Jan’s live band), done radio appearances together, and have been released on two of the same indie compilation CDs in Japan.  More recently Jan and Fluid Japan have collaborated on new songs (“Melatonin” and “Equilibrium”), with more in the works, which has been a thrilling endeavor.

We caught up with Jan for a quick interview:

YOU’VE DONE A LOT OF MUSIC AND ALBUMS OVER THE YEARS.  NAME YOUR BEST SONG OR ALBUM FOR SOMEONE NEW TO JUMP INTO JAN LINTON MUSIC.

"Alienshamanism" is the one I was happiest with, but I would recommend "I Actually Come back " the 3rd release with the bonus disc because it covers so much more recent material.

YOU’VE COLLABORATED WITH AN IMPRESSIVE LIST OF TOP-DRAWER MUSICIANS.  THOMAS DOLBY/THOMPSON TWINS BASSIST MATTHEW SELIGMAN, BRIAN ENO/IMOGEN HEAP GUITARIST LEO ABRAHAMS, PORCUPINE TREE/JAPAN KEYBOARDIST RICHARD BARBIERI, DURAN DURAN’S JOHN TAYLOR, BILL NELSON, AND MASAMI TSUCHIYA TO NAME A FEW.  WHAT WAS THE COLLABORATION YOU ENJOYED THE MOST?

John Taylor of Duran Duran, because he is such a nice guy, a genuine music fan, and I got to meet the reformed Duran Duran at the Budokan. These kinds of meetings still crop up in my dreams.

Photo:  Jan Linton (left) and Fluid Japan’s Todd Lewis (middle) performing live in Tokyo

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?

Yet another Scott Walker cover, but with a futuristic flavor. And a new version of my old song "Stream of Consciousness"

WHERE DO YOU FIT IN THE MUSICAL LANDSCAPE?

At first glance people tend to group me with the company I have kept, so the new wave romantic/post punk retro movement, but my forays into World Music confound this description. Logan Sky, (himself an ex-member of Visage) would describe it as European electronic dance music (EDM??) but I am bringing an exotic flavor to that. Electronics definitely play a part in all the music I do though. And it’s definitely never heavy metal!

WHAT’S YOUR PROUDEST MUSICAL MOMENT?

At the time, it was probably walking into HMV and hearing my own song playing on heavy rotation. Another high spot was when my first CD came out- I had been slaving away for a decade as a teen and to finally hold my own album in my hand was an amazing feeling. That first album (大いなる 世界) was by no means perfect and under produced in places but it was important to just release something.  Finally, mastering the album "Planet Japan" at King Records under contract to them was an achievement as unbeknown to them I had had an abortive first project with the same record company a decade before. Things had come full circle.

Photo:  Jan Linton (left) and Thomas Dolby/Thompson Twins bassist Matthew Seligman (right)

DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT STUDIO SETUP.

I have just moved again so it is not set up currently but I am moving more towards software like Ableton for composition then arranging in Reaper. My drum machine is increasingly unreliable so I am importing as much of it as I can into Ableton before it dies again.

I recently acquired a Suzuki Taisho Koto synth which has made an appearance on a recent release from Logan Sky and Steven Jones. I pepper my electronic recordings with exotic instrumentation. Matthew Seligman said his favourite album is "Tin Drum" and I like to think we have been continuing in that style.

WHAT’S IN YOUR HEADPHONES RIGHT NOW?

The cat's fur! The Scott Walker track I mentioned. "Come Back Tonight" by Logan Sky and Steven Jones because that would be a great live opener that I play on.

Bowie's second album sometimes titled "Space Oddity" especially "The Wild eyed Boy from Freecloud" because it so operatic and tells a story, like a real song should. I would like to compose more like this instead of four chord pop/dance tracks.

I don't actually usually listen much to music in a normal way, instead I walk around with a Kaoss Pad which I use as a music player, and manipulate the effects while I am listening.

JAN LINTON ON BANDCAMP

FLUID JAPAN ON ELECTRONIC CAFÉ MARCH 2024 SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

“100% love this! “Afterlife” sounds stunning! Tinges of very early Simple Minds; this is quality. Have a listen!” - ELECTRONIC CAFÉ

— ELECTRONIC CAFÉ YOUTUBE CHANNEL: FOR THE LOVERS OF ELECTRONIC MUSIC

Fluid Japan, Electronic Café March 2024 Spotify Playlist, Psymon Spine, Not Me But Us, Black Nail Cabaret, Echo Machine, Aircooled

ELECTRONIC CAFÉ MARCH 2024 SPOTIFY PLAYLIST FEATURES“AFTERLIFE”

March 31, 2024

Electronic Café, YouTube channel for the lovers of electronic music, has included Fluid Japan’s song “Afterlife” on their Electronic Café March 2024 Spotify playlist!

This is an exceptional playlist that includes the amazing bands that were the talk of the Electronic Café fan community for March:

Human League, GusGus, Psymon Spine (who we met after their absolutely amazing gig last week and are the nicest people you could ever meet), Fluid Japan, Yello, Borris Blank, The Blue Nile, Cigarettes After Sex, Debbie Harry, OMD, Blancmange, Rinse, Teleman, Elbow, Paranoid London, Not Me But Us, Black Nail Cabaret, Echo Machine, Aircooled, L.U.S.T., Paranoid London, Telman, Tiny Magnetic Pets, Pharmaceutical Industry, Tycho Brahe, Secret Cameras, Seja, Walt Disco, Anja Huwe

You can listen to the playlist on Spotify by hitting the button below.  While you’re there, please follow us on Spotify.  Also, please check out and subscribe to the Electronic Café YouTube channel (and Facebook group) for the very best in music reviews and interviews with your favorite artists.

STREAM THE ELECTRONIC CAFÉ MARCH 2024 PLAYLIST ON SPOTIFY

Fluid Japan's Todd Lewis on New Jan Linton Release