October 18th, 2009
Nathan Reaven – Hear Japan
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)