Suzanne Dowling talks to David on Australian TV show Rock Arena This is part 1. Watch part 2 here: • Rock Arena interview D... Broadcast on November 22nd 1988.
Suzanne understated, and gentle interviewing style that allows David Sylvian to open up and share his thoughts freely. It's nice to see that the subject is the important person, not the interviewer - unlike the loud, brash and egocentric style of interviewers today.
Such an interview style didn't exist in the UK at the time. It was either patronising and given by someone with a posh accent who hadn't listened to their music before interviewing them; or the other end of the spectrum - a giggly interviewer who doesn't ask any decent questions, relies on the audience for laughs, while making cheap pins, and who fidgets with their hair/hands/shuffles around in their seat too much.......no I was never thinking of Paula Yates. 🤔🤨
Wow, what a lovely interview...David Sylvian comes across as a total gentleman with not a hint of ego, arrogance or condescension...How refreshing considering the modern day standards of so many manufactured acts with only a fraction of his talent.
Suzanne Dowling had a great interview style... this how we got know our favourite artists in the 80s... good interview styles that brought us closer to our favourite bands... don’t get the same feeling with modern day social media platforms unfortunately. I actually have this interview on VHS. I was living in japan at the time and i asked my sister to ‘tape it for me off the TV’ and post it to me... those were the days !!
It is incredible to think such a quiet and gentle man was the lead singer on albums like Obscure Alternatives and Adolescent Sex and has such a spell binding singing voice that has enthralled people all over the world for so many years.
My friend John was a huge Japan fan in the early 1980s. I didn't know the band at all but 'discovered' them last year and now adore them. John died aged 26 in 1996. When I listen to Japan I think of John...Thanks so much for posting this - Sylvian is clearly an erudite and thoughtful man.
Music is a great time machine, it makes the dead live again. Couple of songs remind me of passed friends, Despair by Japan and Do You Know Me Now? by David Sylvian.
His first solo album Brilliant Trees is an amazing work of art. IMO it transcends commercial pop/rock music form. He created a framework of mood words and sound then invited some amazing musicians in to interact with it. It works so well on so many levels. Just beautiful ... like nature, like trees.
I had the cd years ago but sold it, along with many others. I have, however, bought a 2nd hand copy off eBay which should be delivered in the next day or two.....fantastic album.
@@jgvfyufcgvk9234whatttt? i'm surprised, a lot of people i've showed him to don't think he's good looking... contradictorily, i'm very fond of his looks and voice!
I saw Japan on their 82 tour at the Hammersmith Odeon, the place was electric and women screamed wildly as David came on stage in darkness apart from one spot shining on him wearing a silver calf length coat which dazzled everyone there, the gig needless to say was fantastic 😎👍
Stephen I was also at Hammersmith for that gig , had also seen them in brussels not long before , Brussels gig stands out as the best sounding gig I have ever been to.
I still remember this interview. Secrets of the Beehive had come out about a year earlier. It's still one of my all-time favourite albums. Suzanne Dowling was such a great interviewer, she had this knack of being able to get the best from her interviewees. Her passion and dedication to music always shone through.
I saw Japan in 1981 at UEA, The Art of Parties Tour. They were spellbinding, no tapes, totally live and on it. Skilked musicians too. They didnt suffer from a lack of musical training, the absence allowed their raw skills to develop without barriers. By the time they split, their musicianship was still top notch ; they could really play. Proper pro's
Susan Dowling, definitely so underrated. I remember this show so well. What a wonderful interview, or chat really. David was so refreshing and open. I thought he'd be alot more guarded or unenthused, but he was the perfect English gent.
I listen to his music all the time. I could listen to him talking for hours as he is always on point. So sorry I missed seeing him perform in Tokyo. Y home.
What a sweet interviewer. She comes across in a really attractive way. She is so different from the usual people. I think she is lovely and of course David Sylvian is out of this world lovely himself! I was just looking at Steve Jansen too and I never used to notice the others because of David Sylvian, but he is quite the beautiful looking man too. I think all of them were really attractive but I was obsessed back then!
Quiet Life is one of the three best albums I've ever heard. Once, every so often, I just sit down, headphones on and listen to Pyramid by Alan Parsons Project, Quiet Life and Avalon by Roxy Music, back to back and get lost.
Oh Suzanne....you are so lovely....alone with you late at night in a darkened room on a tiny TV ....I miss your gorgeous voice and warmest smile....ooh.
@@nickgodfrey1148 But has he got a proper south east London accent? Ik he's from Lewisham but I think he sounds a bit posh considering that he grew up in a working class environment (not from the UK so I haven't got much of a clue on the accents there)
@@EnnuiOn depends. You have a place called Blackheath which is in South East London and it’s very affluent in places and the accents can be quite posh. Just down the road you have Lewisham and Lee Green and the accents are definitely not posh. I read Sylvian (real name Batt!) grew up around Catford and Beckenham which is in Kent just outside of SE London so I think he has adopted this accent somewhat.
Not that smart ...he stole the bass players girfriend and trashed what could have been a very successful band.. Instead they imploded justvas they were getting into their stride. What has he done since?...not much at all. Lived off the royalties of japan.
A good interview and there is another Australian interview done on the CountDown show with Molly Meldrum. David visited Australia to promote GTE as he was on a "record contract ". Unfortunately he did not play ( perhaps due to the "contract" ) and only gave interviews promoting the wonderful Silver Moon Video and masterful GTE Album. He has never performed live in Australia and there are still many music lovers to fill the Sydney Opera House awaiting to listen to him. Of one of his many experiences he wrote about Australia is track 2 on the SotB CD.
My girlfriend in the mid-80s _loved_ Japan's glam long-haired image before the 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids' era/image... she saw something in those early days that I just never _saw_ in their image and looks.
Ingrid Chávez brought me here.its cool how he named his band Japan for no reason at all. And somehow ended up working there. I'm gonna listen to this guy's music now.
Now? Like now, now? I don't see him doing much lately other than unexpectedly sharing an old demo recorded with joan wasser and sharing music and writing liner notes for other, niche or avant garde musicians he enjoys. I do wish he picked up his guitar and made some more music
Great job from both. ..... Japan. .. They say a bamd! unrecognised. .... only the great last for a short time..... then they spread their wings and impress us with brilliance
This is a great interview - thanks. 1. The questions are great. 2. David S is engaged and engaging and has not reached his withdrawal years yet. 3. all questions on the band Japan. but is there no English documentary on Japan ?
I think Gone to Earth was released late 1986, so my guess would be it was recorded sometime in early '87. And, BTW, Gerrit, thanks for posting this. Watched both parts-good interview.
Amazing to see how much more intelligent interviews were in those days. How shallow our culture has become! On the other hand, hairstyles have definitely improved.
No way. The bob is the most classic hairstyle for women, not the unflattering fashion for long, lank hair draped and parted in the middle. As for the guys, the hipster Ned Kelly (long beard) look or ponytails or messy long hair of today is the biggest turn off. Men looked soooooo good in the 1980s. Short hair, no facial hair.
@@angelaattenbon4788 I agree with you, men looked so suave, sovely in the 80s. The Hugo Boss adverts sum up that look. Beards and long hair make me feel nauseous, beards are dirty and smelly (my best friend's bf has a huge beard and it smells like cheese.😆 I've come full circle and started buying 80s clothes off ebay and using more coloured makeup and jewellery- I'm 50 now and feel more confident regarding colour and loud prints. I'm definitely in a nostalgia phase but its making me happier during these bland, asinine, miserable times!☺💔
@@jake-fj2ziRichard knew a few chords, no music theory, couple of scales but like a sculptor removes the stone to reveal the image, Richard just found what needed to be played. Pure genius and my favorite synth player
I was always curious as to how Japan’s name “went over”. My better, solid bands gained our titles through sudden pressure for immediate billing after inception, as in a week later! All fun
@@scottdavis0801 just found a gem with ryuichi and him and Ingrid Chavez.. so different from forbidden colours.(Meryl xmas mr.L) ANYways..he is a otherworldly creature and has evolved and matured quietly . Bless him..he is a gift to those who can appreciate his gift
The late Mick Karn stated in his book that Sylvian took money/ royalties that were due to the other members including his brother Steve Jansen and stole it to be blunt !!! I take an extremely dim view of that sort of behavior to put it mildly. That’s why they broke up !!!
Mixed feelings I always had with David. Japan had a big future ahead but he wanted to go solo. Karn was too prominent for his taste. Sylvian was the main composer but the sum of the brilliant musicians was timeless. When looking back at both Japan and Sylvian records Japan's output is far above Sylvian's
@@damianb2374 That Mick Karn was the real genius in the band. I can't see what you don't understand from that statement. As I'm sure that you'd acknowledge, it's all too common for the vocalist and the guitarist to get the credit while the rhythm section are not even spoken about. Japan are a classic case with Karn and Jansen not getting the acclaim they deserve.
This host, Suzanne Dowling seems so damn sincere. I like her.
Suzanne understated, and gentle interviewing style that allows David Sylvian to open up and share his thoughts freely. It's nice to see that the subject is the important person, not the interviewer - unlike the loud, brash and egocentric style of interviewers today.
I wish interviews today were more like this. Open & free-flowing. The audience learns so much more about the subject.
@@xajaso djvlad's not bad
Yes, she has a quiet confidence in her vast musical knowledge and respect for the artists that bring out the best in them.
👱♀️❤
Such an interview style didn't exist in the UK at the time. It was either patronising and given by someone with a posh accent who hadn't listened to their music before interviewing them;
or the other end of the spectrum - a giggly interviewer who doesn't ask any decent questions, relies on the audience for laughs, while making cheap pins, and who fidgets with their hair/hands/shuffles around in their seat too much.......no I was never thinking of Paula Yates. 🤔🤨
Wow, what a lovely interview...David Sylvian comes across as a total gentleman with not a hint of ego, arrogance or condescension...How refreshing considering the modern day standards of so many manufactured acts with only a fraction of his talent.
so true...
what a completely original statement you make that has *never* been made in the history of pop music
Suzanne Dowling had a great interview style... this how we got know our favourite artists in the 80s... good interview styles that brought us closer to our favourite bands... don’t get the same feeling with modern day social media platforms unfortunately. I actually have this interview on VHS. I was living in japan at the time and i asked my sister to ‘tape it for me off the TV’ and post it to me... those were the days !!
He does take Polaroids
It is incredible to think such a quiet and gentle man was the lead singer on albums like Obscure Alternatives and Adolescent Sex and has such a spell binding singing voice that has enthralled people all over the world for so many years.
Brilliant albums shame they hated the early material
he has a really lovely voice, I could listen to it for hours
lunah lulah, A world away from Catford.
@@UFO_computersthe sarf london accent only a tinge
The young David Sylvian is what I imagine angels look like. Such a ridiculously beautiful man.
My friend John was a huge Japan fan in the early 1980s. I didn't know the band at all but 'discovered' them last year and now adore them. John died aged 26 in 1996. When I listen to Japan I think of John...Thanks so much for posting this - Sylvian is clearly an erudite and thoughtful man.
Music is a great time machine, it makes the dead live again.
Couple of songs remind me of passed friends, Despair by Japan and Do You Know Me Now? by David Sylvian.
His first solo album Brilliant Trees is an amazing work of art. IMO it transcends commercial pop/rock music form.
He created a framework of mood words and sound then invited some amazing musicians in to interact with it. It works so well on so many levels. Just beautiful ... like nature, like trees.
I had the cd years ago but sold it, along with many others. I have, however, bought a 2nd hand copy off eBay which should be delivered in the next day or two.....fantastic album.
Brilliant trees 1984.
Great album “Nostalgia” is my favourite track.
Love that album. Love your description
Most beautiful man. My God
He was actually voted the most beautiful man back in the day.
@@jgvfyufcgvk9234whatttt? i'm surprised, a lot of people i've showed him to don't think he's good looking... contradictorily, i'm very fond of his looks and voice!
@@alistairmuzak I guess it was in his bleached blonde hair and make up days.... I'm with you on the voice tho'.
@@jgvfyufcgvk9234I really have a thing for androgenous beauty, in terms for male 😅
Not only I love how this man sings and writes music but also love the way he talks and chuckle. He's so beautiful.
I saw Japan on their 82 tour at the Hammersmith Odeon, the place was electric and women screamed wildly as David came on stage in darkness apart from one spot shining on him wearing a silver calf length coat which dazzled everyone there, the gig needless to say was fantastic 😎👍
Stephen West , very lucky.
Stephen I was also at Hammersmith for that gig , had also seen them in brussels not long before , Brussels gig stands out as the best sounding gig I have ever been to.
I still remember this interview. Secrets of the Beehive had come out about a year earlier. It's still one of my all-time favourite albums. Suzanne Dowling was such a great interviewer, she had this knack of being able to get the best from her interviewees. Her passion and dedication to music always shone through.
David is a very intelligent man. Thanks for the upload. I had not seen this interview before.
I saw Japan in 1981 at UEA, The Art of Parties Tour. They were spellbinding, no tapes, totally live and on it. Skilked musicians too. They didnt suffer from a lack of musical training, the absence allowed their raw skills to develop without barriers. By the time they split, their musicianship was still top notch ; they could really play. Proper pro's
What a nice man. Really impressed by his gentle and polite demeanour.
Susan Dowling, definitely so underrated. I remember this show so well. What a wonderful interview, or chat really. David was so refreshing and open. I thought he'd be alot more guarded or unenthused, but he was the perfect English gent.
Underated by who? She was on national tv.
gosh i love his voice so much
What an entertaining and intelligent interview. I have not seen something like this for ages. Great personalities.
I listen to his music all the time. I could listen to him talking for hours as he is always on point. So sorry I missed seeing him perform in Tokyo. Y home.
What a sweet interviewer. She comes across in a really attractive way. She is so different from the usual people. I think she is lovely and of course David Sylvian is out of this world lovely himself! I was just looking at Steve Jansen too and I never used to notice the others because of David Sylvian, but he is quite the beautiful looking man too. I think all of them were really attractive but I was obsessed back then!
Because they are brothers
His speaking voice is so beautiful ?!
Quiet Life is one of the three best albums I've ever heard.
Once, every so often, I just sit down, headphones on and listen to Pyramid by Alan Parsons Project, Quiet Life and Avalon by Roxy Music, back to back and get lost.
Well, I love Quiet Life and Avalon, so I guess i’ll just have to check out Pyramid then… thanks for the tip 👍
was a fan of suzanne dowling. thanks for those days of radio you Were great
Wow goodi interview.. Sylvian seems quite relaxed and chirpy
Oh Suzanne....you are so lovely....alone with you late at night in a darkened room on a tiny TV ....I miss your gorgeous voice and warmest smile....ooh.
What
I still have the video cassette I recorded this interview on, from way back when. So glad to see it on YT.
Wow what a beautiful soul I love everything about him.
God , he is just adorable to watch and listen to 😍
if he wasn't a successful singer, writer, and composer he could make an absolute mint doing narration or voice overs on projects.
great voice
That accent always makes me smile.
SoulStylistJukeBox sarf East London!
@@nickgodfrey1148 nah, south London. Catford. Listen to his brother too.
@@c.w_ Eh? Catford is in south east London…
@@nickgodfrey1148 But has he got a proper south east London accent? Ik he's from Lewisham but I think he sounds a bit posh considering that he grew up in a working class environment
(not from the UK so I haven't got much of a clue on the accents there)
@@EnnuiOn depends. You have a place called Blackheath which is in South East London and it’s very affluent in places and the accents can be quite posh. Just down the road you have Lewisham and Lee Green and the accents are definitely not posh. I read Sylvian (real name Batt!) grew up around Catford and Beckenham which is in Kent just outside of SE London so I think he has adopted this accent somewhat.
The interviewer is so adorable and relaxing 🥺🖤🖤
Wow I have this on VHS somewhere, never thought I'd find it, and here it is...
Rock arena used to be my favorite music program and Suzanne Dowling an intelligent presenter.
What a cool cat David is.
very interesting ! smart guy
Not that smart ...he stole the bass players girfriend and trashed what could have been a very successful band..
Instead they imploded justvas they were getting into their stride.
What has he done since?...not much at all.
Lived off the royalties of japan.
A good interview and there is another Australian interview done on the CountDown show with Molly Meldrum. David visited Australia to promote GTE as he was on a "record contract ". Unfortunately he did not play ( perhaps due to the "contract" ) and only gave interviews promoting the wonderful Silver Moon Video and masterful GTE Album. He has never performed live in Australia and there are still many music lovers to fill the Sydney Opera House awaiting to listen to him. Of one of his many experiences he wrote about Australia is track 2 on the SotB CD.
My girlfriend in the mid-80s _loved_ Japan's glam long-haired image before the 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids' era/image... she saw something in those early days that I just never _saw_ in their image and looks.
Ingrid Chávez brought me here.its cool how he named his band Japan for no reason at all. And somehow ended up working there. I'm gonna listen to this guy's music now.
Who else misses the late 70s-early 80s?
Yes, I do.
I never lived in those times but I miss them.
Musically yes, and being young, but the country was in a s##t state ecinomically and politically.
I'd swap it for now though😃
No sense of mystery in todays music 🎵🎵
David Sylvian is doing some of the best music of his life now.
Now? Like now, now? I don't see him doing much lately other than unexpectedly sharing an old demo recorded with joan wasser and sharing music and writing liner notes for other, niche or avant garde musicians he enjoys. I do wish he picked up his guitar and made some more music
yeh now
where have the interviewers who were obviously sensitive to music more than schluck gone..what a nice lady..mr sylvian say stuff even..
It's pretty obvious that Suzanne had a massive crush on David. I think it became increasingly obvious to him too as the interview progressed.
Every woman he met did so he was unconcerned.
''Well done Suzanne''
Rock Arena was a great tv show much like countdown and Totp. David was very articulate like David Bowie and Nick Rhodes
This is a wonderfully insightful interview with David, even if I disagree with a few of his statements on Japan. Really appreciate this
He reminds me of Bowie somewhat.
As cool as Bowie
South East London , Beckenham, Catford areas
Great job from both. ..... Japan. .. They say a bamd! unrecognised. .... only the great last for a short time..... then they spread their wings and impress us with brilliance
he was somewhat ridiculously beautiful, wasnt he?
He is 😊
His actual voice is really different from his singing voice
You're a genius
So was Pavarotti’s.
This is a great interview - thanks. 1. The questions are great. 2. David S is engaged and engaging and has not reached his withdrawal years yet. 3. all questions on the band Japan. but is there no English documentary on Japan ?
David Sylvian would never cooperate with such an endeavour.
Suzanne Dowling 😍
David sylvan was offered to join King crimson and refused
I think Gone to Earth was released late 1986, so my guess would be it was recorded sometime in early '87.
And, BTW, Gerrit, thanks for posting this. Watched both parts-good interview.
Amazing to see how much more intelligent interviews were in those days. How shallow our culture has become! On the other hand, hairstyles have definitely improved.
No way. The bob is the most classic hairstyle for women, not the unflattering fashion for long, lank hair draped and parted in the middle. As for the guys, the hipster Ned Kelly (long beard) look or ponytails or messy long hair of today is the biggest turn off.
Men looked soooooo good in the 1980s. Short hair, no facial hair.
@@angelaattenbon4788 I agree with you, men looked so suave, sovely in the 80s. The Hugo Boss adverts sum up that look. Beards and long hair make me feel nauseous, beards are dirty and smelly (my best friend's bf has a huge beard and it smells like cheese.😆 I've come full circle and started buying 80s clothes off ebay and using more coloured makeup and jewellery- I'm 50 now and feel more confident regarding colour and loud prints. I'm definitely in a nostalgia phase but its making me happier during these bland, asinine, miserable times!☺💔
Interesting chair they sat him on. Was this interview conducted in a care home?!
ugh i need those glasses!
thanx! top!
Lisa Kudrow? Good interview.
Suzanne Dowling was hot lol, I remember the week before starting high school and watching Rock Arena.
1:50 no training at all? not even richard? he plays like he was born to do it, find that hard to believe but impressive if true
no im thinking about this, not even mick?????? wow
Mick was classically trained on bassoon.
@@jake-fj2ziRichard knew a few chords, no music theory, couple of scales but like a sculptor removes the stone to reveal the image, Richard just found what needed to be played. Pure genius and my favorite synth player
I was always curious as to how Japan’s name “went over”. My better, solid bands gained our titles through sudden pressure for immediate billing after inception, as in a week later! All fun
..I was half expecting the interviewer to whip out an acoustic guitar and start singing the song she wrote called Smelly Cat ...
Sylvian looks weirdly like Mike Reed in the thumbnail.
😂 Every time I see it I think it's him too.
Haha so true i expect him to say " Welcome to Pop Quiz " lol
Did Sylvian ever do the Australian project?
👍👍
Looks like Princess Di brother or he is the male version of her....
Rock Arena was a brilliant show!
Banshees, Bauhaus and clips other 'music' shows wdnt air.
Yeah... I thought that too. I wonder what year that was recorded?
It's a shame David got fed up with wearing make-up.
Those tinted glasses just moved the layers to over his eyes rather than sitting on his skin, and practically, a lot easier to apply or remove.
Very popular in Japan. Plus being gorgeous
Gentlemen take Polaroids is up there with Hunky Dory, Dark Side, NMTB.
when was this interview broadcast? was it before the band broke up?
After
Dark hair = after 😃
long after
It’s from about ‘88
Nick Rhodes = David Sylvian
David (as shown here) and Nick Rhodes were separated at birth...
Damn i thought the same thing
Only because Nick Rhodes based his image on Sylvian.
Based on Bowie
Why the TV producer not requesting DS to take off his glasses ? Half of DS face be covered up.
I think naming the band Japan is fucking genius!
And you know and love their music?
@@adielkamalie5252 yep
@@scottdavis0801 just found a gem with ryuichi and him and Ingrid Chavez.. so different from forbidden colours.(Meryl xmas mr.L)
ANYways..he is a otherworldly creature and has evolved and matured quietly .
Bless him..he is a gift to those who can appreciate his gift
she looks like she's hunching a bit, but it's just the giant 80s shoulder pads :P :P :P
The late Mick Karn stated in his book that Sylvian took money/ royalties that were due to the other members including his brother Steve Jansen and stole it to be blunt !!! I take an extremely dim view of that sort of behavior to put it mildly. That’s why they broke up !!!
Compare this level of thought and articulation compared to todays musical “artists”
what artists?
Mixed feelings I always had with David. Japan had a big future ahead but he wanted to go solo. Karn was too prominent for his taste. Sylvian was the main composer but the sum of the brilliant musicians was timeless. When looking back at both Japan and Sylvian records Japan's output is far above Sylvian's
Really looks like her doesn't it?
He was 30 years old here.
Mick Karn was the real genius in the band without question
every band member played a part. It's not sports. What's your point?
@@damianb2374 That Mick Karn was the real genius in the band.
I can't see what you don't understand from that statement.
As I'm sure that you'd acknowledge, it's all too common for the vocalist and the guitarist to get the credit while the rhythm section are not even spoken about. Japan are a classic case with Karn and Jansen not getting the acclaim they deserve.
@@micktomazou credit from where? I was there from the start and all 5 members were appreciated evenly. It's not sports.
I do miss TV. Now this would on some bland podcast.
David Sylvian talking rubbish about his (Japan's) best album...
lol yes we call the band Japan ,because we don’t like that name ,? Makes sense
How earnest does Suzzane sound?! Never noticed at the time. Maybe she's intimidated by Dave.
She's clearly a fan!
Matt Damon?
?
so many Bowie clones in the 80s
I loved Japan, but Sylvian's solo work has been mainly pretentious avant garde music.
Hell....well it's just creative exploration..if we are not musicians ourselves..maybe it's easy to criticize?
He ripped off Mick Karn enough said
This sounds like pretentious bullshit, and then he wrote Orpheus...
He might look very handsome, but lets face it, his interviews and language are absolute word salad, and rubbish.
Dude must be dying of guilt in this day.
lol yes we call the band Japan ,because we don’t like that name ,? Makes sense