The subscription-based premium membership service provided by ZAIKO, "ZAIKO Premium", started broadcasting the late-night radio-style program "MIDNIGHT RADIO" from December 2021. This project features ermhoi, Chameleon Lime Woopie Pie, Shokuhin Matsuri a.k.a foodman x Taigen Kawabe (Bo Ningen), SUKISHA, notable musicians who present a mix of talk and performance in video content, with a different musician appearing in each episode.

https://youtu.be/SMcgni76-3o

Being the only collaboration between two artists in "MIDNIGHT RADIO", we interviewed Shokuhin Matsuri and Taigen Kawabe (Bo Ningen). The discussion covers a wide array of topics, including alternative artist identities and the "sauna theory" mentioned in the main show.

They have been active in "away places" both in Japan and abroad for a long time. Challenging their craft beyond the confines of clubs and live houses, and categories like band music and club music, they are producing works and performances that expand those boundaries. While they aim for alternative artist identities, it is not uncommon for that to become an end in itself, but they do not fall into that trap.

To those reading this article, I hope you consider it like a bonus track of "MIDNIGHT RADIO". Whether you read this article before or after listening to (or watching) MIDNIGHT RADIO, I think you'll find enjoyment either way. Additionally, for this interview, we collaborated with Shokuhin Matsuri a.k.a foodman x Taigen Kawabe to create a special playlist. Please enjoy that as well.

Interviewed by: Tomoki Kawasaki
Photographed by: Magic Kobayashi

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6N4b6keg4tL8hhmP1gryTh?si=924cef8d57b54bb6

— As you mentioned on "MIDNIGHT RADIO", your alternative stance (being away wherever you go) is quite encouraging. There seems to be an increasing understanding of such artist identities lately, but how do you feel as a party involved?

Taigen Kawabe:
Fortunately, I’ve seen more situations where I really feel that. When people seek artists like us, I think they often desire