Dylan Fujioka is a Japanese-American composer, performer, actor, and model most known for his work on the drum kit. He has recorded and toured with Chelsea Wolfe, Best Coast, Mangchi, Veggiehammerr, Meatbodies, and Upsilon Acrux. He also releases solo records and composes for TV and film. His work has appeared on HBO, FX, Hulu, Disney, Nowness, and Electronic Arts productions. Born and raised in Los Angeles to immigrant parents, his work is heavily influenced by family history and spirit.
Dylan Fujioka, Los Angeles, CA, and this playlist is all about flavors. I love flavors: distinct flavors, variety of flavors. Taste is one of the most important aspects of developing individual style and personality. Combining flavors makes you who you are. This playlist is all about flavors and taste and my personal favorites. Basically, I love these songs, and they are a part of who I am.
“Contigo Quiero Estar” by Selena
One of my favorites by Selena. Love songs are always so much better in Spanish. I adore all the tones on this one. The keyboard lead, the tom fills, and the kick pattern are all perfect. I play this song full blast in the car all the time. The ending outro blast is particularly important to me. It’s like the entire song rolled up into one note, all at the same time. RIP the queen.
“The Regulator” by Bad Brains
Best bass intro of all time. There’s no record that sounds like this. Everytime I hear it, it’s like the first time over and over again. Bad Brains is my favorite band without question. They changed the way I think about music. I watched that Live CBGB 1982 DVD a million times. Was lucky enough to see them in 2008 at HOB Anaheim. They were old brains but still good brains! I won tickets calling into Suicide Girls radio and I took my friend Noah, we had a great time.
“Sacred Springs” from Mothra vs Godzilla Original Soundtrack by Akira Ifukube, Performed by The Peanuts (Emi and Yumi Ito)
This might be the first song I truly fell in love with. The vocals and instrumentation are just perfect. The pacing floats and flutters around. The lyrics are in modified Tagalog. I’ve been a huge Gojira fan my entire life. I heard this song when I was five or six, and I’m still stunned everytime I hear these melodies. Ifukube definitely shaped my ears. I am forever grateful for his and The Peanuts music.
“Ya Lo Se Que Te Vas” by Juan Gabriel
Juanga is one of my all time favorite vocalists and songwriters. So many ideas. He never lets anything get in the way of the complete vision for the song. They are always a wild adventure, like his life. He has the best vibrato that lasts to infinity. I really love the guitar panning during the intro. A melancholy song that takes a turn towards acceptance and somewhat bitter towards the end. Then yes, back to sadness. RIP Juanga. We miss you so much.
“Hymn 5” by Ocrilim
THE BEST RIFFS!! Mick Barr is one of a kind. This song means a lot to me. I put this on during long rides in the tour van, looking out the window, preferably at snowy Swiss alps. On repeat for hours. I’ll fall asleep and wake up. Just two guitars with delay and distortion. Perfection. Thank you for this one, Mick!
“Corazón De Poeta” by Jeanette
This song is perfect. 10/10. The little UFO keyboard riff at 1:12. The way she says “que tenga.” The string melodies kill me. I really love the production of these 70’s / early 80’s sad Spanish ballads.
“Into The Light” by Siouxsie And The Banshees
Another incredible riff by the underrated John McGeoch. Apparently he used a gizmotron on the verses? That chorus riff is next level. Budgie’s drums are so fun and innovative. There are no snare wires on the entire song. Snares can be so annoying. Refreshing to hear a rock song without it. When he brings the ride in, it feels so good. There is a time and place for everything and this band knew where to place it all.
Invisible by Ornette Coleman
Ornette is my favorite horn player. The invisible riff is a standout in my mind. The solos are tremendous. I love Ornette the horn player and Ornette the human. I enjoy his speaking voice. The most innovative musician there was. Go watch Ornette: Made in America.
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