Michael is an illustrator and animator based in Tokyo.
Hey Michael. Can you tell us a little bit about your tape and your song selections?
Mono-culture forests, power lines everywhere, concreted river banks and coasts lined with tetrapods! These are some of the things that I’ve become increasingly aware of since moving to Japan. The concept for my playlist is the absurd relationship between nature and machines.
I picked some fun New Age and Jazz Fusion tracks that make use of electronic instruments to reflect this.
What direction did you take with your cover art, and what was your process?
I wanted to make the cover art playful and nostalgic. I drew on 70s style electronics mixed with graphic floral patterns for it.
I like Masayoshi Takanaka’s album covers. He plays really easy-going, breezy guitar, and his album art is usually just a photo of him vibing whether it be with a guitar, standing in the desert or whilst skydiving.
All Of Me – Masayoshi Takanaka
1979, Kitty Records
What did you listen to growing up?
Honestly I didn’t listen to much growing up. I watched a lot of anime and played a lot of games though. A lot of that kind of music has similarities with jazz fusion, which is probably why I was led to that genre of music later in life.
And what’s on heavy rotation for you at the moment?
The soundtrack to Commando (1985).
What’s happening in your creative world at the moment?
I’m looking to get some risograph prints made, that and just putting out occasional small personal projects on my IG ︎︎︎
Where can we find you?
instagram.com/michael.towers
michael-towers.com
Thanks Michael 👋🏽
TRACKLISTAnd what’s on heavy rotation for you at the moment?
The soundtrack to Commando (1985).
What’s happening in your creative world at the moment?
I’m looking to get some risograph prints made, that and just putting out occasional small personal projects on my IG ︎︎︎
instagram.com/michael.towers
michael-towers.com
Thanks Michael 👋🏽
Jellyfish Blues - Buffalo Daughter / Glass Chime - Inoyamaland / Pier Walk - Jacob Mann / Textures - Herbie Hancock / Image - Masataka Matsutoya / Coral Reef - Shigeru Suzuki / Soft Meadow - Green-House / Flutter - upsammy / Unity - Hiroki Ishiguro / The World - Sekitoo Shigeo / Portofino 2 - Raymond Scott / Cindy Alternate (Pop Rock) - Raymond Scott / Take no Michi - Dream Dolphin / Just Chuckle - Masayoshi Takanaka ︎