Running a music blog can be so much fun sometimes. I mean, how many times do you get the opportunity to speak with an actual rock and roll star from Japan? And that`s before the band gets so big so we don’t need enhanced DBS checks just to do an interview! World, please meet Shoutaro Nishida of the incredible SAHAJi. A man who will be bigger than The Beatles. Or at least he will try his best. We sat down with Shoutaro to speak about his love for British culture, his rainy hometown and SAHAJi`s chart success. There`s also a bit about the Gallagher brothers and football. So put your bucket hats on and enjoy the ride.
Official bio: Sahaji are an epic Japanese rock’n’roll band poised to make a big mark in the British music industry. Expect big epic soaring choruses with melodies harking back to classic 90’s britpop bangers with a modern twist.Influenced by Oasis, Tom Petty, The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix amongst others. The Sahaji brothers have been honing their sound since their early songs were recognised at a YAMAHA Music audition in Japan. This led to various magazine covers and their songs being used in TV ads across Asia.
You are a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, lyricist, solo artist and a band member – that’s a resume worthy of Order of Culture. Please introduce yourself to the readers of Indieterria.
Shoutaro Nishida: Hello, I am the lead guitarist and singer of Japanese rock band SAHAJi. I am many things but also a top lad! (laughs)
You are based in Liverpool, but originally you come from Japan. How long have you been living in the UK? Is it easy for a Japanese citizen to find oneself in a country where trains are never on time and it constantly rains?
Shoutaro Nishida: I don’t live in the UK just yet. My approach is to travel to the UK whenever there are live gigs opportunities or recording sessions.
I’ve been to Liverpool three times. This place is The City of the Beatles, which I’ve always longed to visit. The rain and the proximity to the sea reminds me of Toyama in Japan, where I was born and raised. You can say that Liverpool reminds me of my hometown.
When I’m in the UK, I often travel to Wales as well, since this is where our producer is based.
What inspired your interest in the North of England? We know you are a massive Beatles and Oasis fan, but was there any other reason besides the music?
Shoutaro Nishida: I’ve always loved British music, such as Oasis and The Beatles, and I’ve long wanted to pursue a career in music in the UK.
I’m a practitioner of Buddhism, I used to pray and recite the Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō sutra every day.
Then, through a chance encounter with someone, I was able to put my plans into action and go to the UK, where I seized the opportunity to pursue a career in music.
You are also a member of SAHAJi alongside your brother, Yoshiro. You seem like a Japanese answer to Liam and Noel Gallagher, only without the parkas! Tell us about the very beginnings of the band. Did you always wanted to collaborate together? Is your relationship even half as stormy as the G brothers?
Shoutaro Nishida: It’s often said that in Japan there can`t be a band like Oasis. But I don’t take it the wrong way, you know. After all, I love Oasis. After all, people have always said that Oasis are similar to the Beatles, so I take it all in a positive light.
It’s been 25 years since we started our band as brothers. We began playing guitars because our parents were music lovers and that’s how we formed our family band!
Right now, my younger brother Yoshiro and I are in the middle of a massive row. (laughs) It’s not exactly better than the Gallagher brothers’ situation! But trouble’s part and parcel of rock ’n’ roll, isn’t it?
It’s got nothing to do with the Gallagher brothers – mind you – I reckon that’s just how it is with brothers: things are great, when they’re great and they go sour when they’re bad. So, I’m doing this interview and waiting for him to get in touch.
SAHAJi is signed to Flip Flop Records – alongside Dodgy. We are very curious how you find working with Nick Brine. He`s one of the top names in the UK at the moment, having produced Oasis, Stone Roses and Bruce Springsteen. Were you nervous or maybe excited to cooperate with Nick?
Shoutaro Nishida: Nick is the world’s number one producer. I felt nothing but excitement, rather than nervousness. I believe SAHAJi simply wouldn’t be the same without him. He’s a wonderful person, too!
Very few independent artists can boast about their debut single landing on the British national chats, and in the Top Ten for that matter – yet this is exactly what you did with SAHAJi’s “Future In The Sky”. This quintessential British tune mixes Brit pop, power pop, Mersey sound with The Cast/Oasis psychedelia and calming string arrangements that remind us of “Lucky Men” by the Verve. What inspired you to pen it?
Shoutaro Nishida: I’m truly proud to have become the first Japanese artist to reach the Top 10 of the UK Official Charts. I wrote “Future In The Sky” when I was 14. This song is about living your life with self-belief. I strongly believe in the fact that a song I wrote when I was a teenager ended in the Top 8 in the UK charts 20 years later is something I achieved precisely because I never gave up on music.
We have to say we are absolutely mesmerized by your videos. It`s so very rare for artists to have distinct visual flair so early in their career. Your singles “I Wanna Be There” and “Future in the Sky” are accompanied by panoramic footage that’s both very atmospheric and breathtaking. Can you tell how they were filmed? We can see a drone being used for the footage. Who filmed both videos, please give the director a shout out!
Shoutaro Nishida: All our music videos are filmed by just four people: director Yoshitsugu Takeuchi, his assistant, myself and my brother. The finished videos are so spectacular that no one would ever guess it was filmed with such a small crew.
That was only possible because the director is such a brilliant person. We’ve filmed music videos for every track on our album. I’d be delighted if you could have a look at them all.
You have recently toured with American trap/alternative rock quintet, Love Ghost. Where are you going to play next? Let us know about your incoming tour dates.
Shoutaro Nishida: I’m heading back to the UK in September to record a collaboration with a major UK artist. My next gig will be on 17 October in Tokyo, where I’ll be performing at the birthday concert of Japanese shamisen player – Sayo Komada.
You write not only for your own band, but also for other artists as well. Your collaboration with shamisen player Sayo Komada proves that are an incredibly versatile and unorthodox creator. Your first song together, “Claim Your Sky“, can be classified as trip pop, alternative EDM, and “cider” is more traditional East meets West instrumental composition. What inspires you to create? And what genre of music is your favourite?
Shoutaro Nishida: I absolutely love doing all sorts of collaborations and I find that through them I can discover a new side to myself. In any case, I believe it’s important to make the most of every opportunity I’m given. Whilst music, fashion and culture are certainly sources of inspiration for my creative work, I think that engaging in conversations with each and every individual is my greatest source of inspiration. If there’s anyone who’s struggling, even just a little, I’ll listen to them, pray for their happiness and sing for them.
My favourite genre of music is rock ’n’ roll.
We need to ask about SAHAJi playing with the giant of thrash metal, Marty Friedman! After leaving Megadeth, Marty moved to Japan and is known for collaborating with a huge number of Japanese artists. You played with him at Guitar Monsters Japan Vol. 2 in 2025 and ended up covering Bryan Adams’ classic “Summer of 69”. Tell us more about the gig. How did you find sharing a stage with Mr Friedman?
Shoutaro Nishida: It was another strange twist of fate that led me to play a gig with Marty! He was a fan of SAHAJi, so we ended up performing together. There were actually four guitarists – including me – playing “Summer of ’69” together (laughs).
The power of the sound was incredible and being able to sing alongside him was the happiest thing of all. I do keep in touch with him from time to time. We don’t know many Japanese artists that recently took residency on the UK rock circuit. There is Rio from Re: O, Kai from D`Esprit Air, Sachiko from The Dirt and maybe recently the members of MIKA BOMB. Did we miss out on anyone? We are keen to know if you keep in touch with other compatriots or artists in the UK?
Shoutaro Nishida: I don’t really know many Japanese artists who are active in the UK. My favourite Japanese artist based over here is Grimm Grimm.
He’s a friend of mine. And Taka, the bassist in Feeder, is brilliant too.
Last questions at Indieterria are fun. Let’s say that you are organizing a big friendly British vs Japan football match. Your budget is large enough to secure big names, the tricky part is, both teams must be entirely composed of musicians! Who is playing for Japan and who is playing for England? And the most important thing – which rock star is the referee?
Shoutaro Nishida: The Japanese team consists of the two members of SAHAJi. The British team is just the two brothers from Oasis, isn’t it obvious? (laughs). It’s just the brothers playing against each other. The judge is Paul McCartney. It’s going to be a brilliant match!
You can follow SAHAJi on socials:
https://sahaji.bitfan.id
https://www.facebook.com/SAHAJi.Band
https://www.instagram.com/sahajiofficial
https://www.threads.com/@sahajiofficial
https://sahajiofficial.stores.jp
https://www.youtube.com/@SAHAJiMusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@sahaji_official
https://www.flipfloprecords.com/sahaji
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7qXqIlwSGT8kMUZ20a8ATU
Shoutaro on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/shotaro_sahaji
https://x.com/ShoutarouN
https://www.facebook.com/shoutarou.nishida.1
Malicia and Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 