Nathan Reaven, founder and president of www.hearjapan.com, first became interested in Japanese music when he was in Japan as a high-school exchange student.

Returning a few years later he decided to bring the music of Japan to the world, by setting up an online MP3 music store, which now features DRM-free tracks from over 2000 Japanese artists.

In this interview Nathan provides us with some insights into the music industry in Japan, talking about the closed networks and difficulties he faced in convincing labels to sign up to what was at that point an unknown marketing model.

Now well established, Hear Japan is adding 100 new albums a week, catering for all manner of tastes.

As well as talking about the music industry specifically, Nathan provides some advice for others looking to set up business in Japan.

Music played in the interview included Water On feat. Akino Arai, Ant’s Planet, Okane o haratte! and Kobune Okiba no Ie, 4 Gatsu ni Nareba, Saboten, Sakura River.

How to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:54 — 13.6MB)

1 Comment | In: Business Owners, Internet, Musicians | tags: download, drm, ecommerce, hearjapan, japanese, mp3, music, nathanreaven, store. | #

This week’s interview is with Kat McDowell

Kat is a professional singer song writer who has just released her first full album – Echoes over the Ocean – here in Japan. She has also provided music for numerous commercials in Japan, and can be heard on the Starbucks Compilation (Japan 2009)

The story of her journey is an inspiring one. In this interview we hear who her early inspirations were, how she went about refining and promoting her music, and how she finally secured a record deal with Sony.

Kat also has advice for other aspiring singers in Japan.

We are then played out with two songs performed live – Bokura ni wa (the title track from her new album), and Ride with Me.

This interview was first broadcast on Japan Podshow Series 1 Episode 10

Kat links:

Kat’s official music site: www.katmusic.jp
Kat’s MySpace page
Kat’s YouTube channel
Kat’s new album on CD Japan
Video: Singing with grandma
Kat on Twitter

How to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:58 — 16.5MB)

1 Comment | In: Broadcast Media, Musicians | tags: entrepreneur, japan, katmcdowell, music, Musicians, podcast. | #