Fujiya and Miyagi’s name deceives; it is not a Japanese manufacturing conglomerate, or a high power Asian Law firm, rather F&M is the moniker of an electronic pop quartet hailing from Brighton (the Southern Coast of England). Their affinity for vintage synths, motorik beats and stream of consciousness lyrics keeps the listener on their toes and provides a unique voice in the arena of pop music. David Best, lead singer and guitarist , took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few of Evil Monito’s questions. He was quite a good sport, considering the absurdity of certain queries.

EM: Your music has been said to romanticize the Anglo-Germanic relationship that began during the early Saxon settlement of Britain, do you feel that to be a fair assessment? If yes why, if no why not?

BEST: I don’t think it is as grand as that. I think the nationality of the groups we like are irrelevant. Music is music, that’s the great thing about it. I like soul music from the 60’s and Serge Gainsbourg just as much as I like Kraftwerk, for example. On our travels to Germany we were surprised to discover that groups such as Can or Cluster are still very much seen as outsiders. Pop and minimal techno seem to be the most popular types of music. I think the German media are more interested in our Germanic influences as it is a good angle to write about.

EM: Please tell me about Brighton to Bedford in 10 words or less.

It takes two hours and 16 minutes on the train.

EM: What working musicians have the most influence or your music? If you could be any currently performing band, who would it be?

Lyrically I like MF Doom and Ghostface a lot, but I think you would be hard-[pressed] to notice any influence. We all like Robert Wyatt and Beck, but again, I don’t think either’s influence is apparent. For one reason or another we feel more comfortable taking some inspiration from the past rather than the present. To answer your last question I’d probably say: My Bloody Valentine.

EM: Do you consider the groups affection for Japanese culture and German Krautrock to be derived from the bands affinity for fascism, or does this fascination have more modern roots?

None of us have an affinity for fascism. The German musicians from the 60’s and 70’s were from the next generation who rebelled not just through music but their lifestyles too. If you take away our name, I think any Japanese influence is pretty much non-existent.

EM: If Fujiya and Miyagi had written a manifesto, what would its title have been?

"No Guitar Solos: An Exploration of Taking Away Rather Than Adding"

EM: Is the album title Lightbulbs an homage to Thomas Edison, or simply a comment on modern civilizations reliance on electricity? How do propose to power said lightbulbs, is clean coal technology the promising prospect, or do you feel nuclear power is a more practical solution?

I’d say it has more to do with the reliance on electricity rather than an homage to how it came about. It may also have been me being somewhat contrary. A lot of groups who talk about ecological issues fly around the world to play shows powered by what they claim to be fighting against. It’s almost saying, these issues are really bad, so you should do this and that, whilst we carry on regardless. I find it [sic] patronising. I think people are better off reading what scientist or ecological groups have to say rather than pop groups. I don’t understand the issues well enough to confidently talk about it.

Q: In the in the song "Knickerbocker" a delicious desert, a deceased child star, a fictional historian and a film director feature prominently; in a perfect world, which of the four would you choose to share a dinner table with

It would have to be Emeric Pressburger, especially if he could bring Michael Powell along. Those two made some of my favourite films such as The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp , Red Shoes and A Matter of Life and Death . I think they would make very interesting dining companions. Maybe the Knickerbocker Glories could come along in time for dessert.

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For more on F&M, visit their site at: http://www.myspace.com/fujiyaandmiyagi

Their well-received sophomore full-length, Light Bulbs is out now on Deaf, Dumb + Blind Recordings, you can nab a copy at: http://www.deafdumbandblind.net/recordings.html

via Bowstrong Bostrow, 7 November 2008 11:41am | 1 |