Reach For The Stars

What a year it’s been for Derry dance heroes The Japanese Popstars. Over the last 12 months or so, the trio have seen their stock continue to rise in the music world thanks to their stellar second album Controlling Your Allegiance, and their incendiary live show has also made them an in-demand act across the globe. One of NI’s hardest working outfits, it comes as no surprise to learn that when Hot Press caught up with band member Gary Curran, he was just about to dash out the door to catch a flight to Italy to play another gig.

“This time when I’m in Italy I might actually go and see some of the sights… I might even give the Pope a high-five,” he laughs. “When it comes to touring, sometimes I don’t know if I’m coming or going, but it’s been great for the most part. After Italy we’re playing a festival in Ibiza and Sting is headlining it. I didn’t think I’d ever be on a line-up with Sting, so we’ll see how that goes…”
All this globe-trotting, of course, is part and parcel of success, and while it means that Gary doesn’t get home as often as he’d like, he’s loving the opportunity to perform his music to thousands of fans.
“I love getting home,” he confesses. “That’s where I write my music. I’ve always written in my bedroom. My girlfriend’s here for the moment too, and people always ask me, ‘Do you still go and party and do all this, that and the other?’ and I’m like, ‘Nah, to be honest I have to get up and get a flight at 6am and it’s not worth it.’ I can’t complain too much though as the shows are amazing and this is what I’ve always wanted to do.”
Thankfully on July 21, he won’t have to worry too much about getting a flight or a bus, as Gary and fellow members Decky McLaughlin and Gareth Donoghue will be preparing to put on a sure-to-be-special show in their home county when they take to the stage at the Glasgowbury festival.
“We’ve never played Glasgowbury before,” begins Gary. “I know all about the festival though. It’s good that we’re finally free to play it. All my mates’ bands have performed at it and everyone I know goes to it, so I’m looking forward to it. I’ve heard great reports and it’s brilliant to see it grow in size every year.
“I noticed that Therapy? are above us on the poster and I’m looking forward to seeing them for the first time,” he continues. “It’ll be good to see the Derry heads too. I know Cahir [O’Doherty from Fighting With Wire] and he’s a maniac and I know his brother Niall and all that crowd, so it’ll be a great day out.”
And while in the past Gary may have been too busy to sample the delights of the Sperrin Mountains-based bash, he tells us that he feels events like Glasgowbury provide an important opportunity for many up-and-coming Irish acts.
“I think events like Glasgowbury are great because it gives a lot of bands starting out a platform and a chance to get some festival gigging experience under their belts. It’s also a good pat on the back for local musicians that are never recognised.”
And speaking of “pats on the back,” the Japanese Popstars have recently been winning rave reviews for their brand new track ‘Day Of Rest.’ Featuring American singer/songwriter Stephanie Dosen on vocals, the chilled-out tune (which was debuted online on June 11) is one of the band’s best yet and has suitably whetted the appetites of all and sundry for a third album.
“Yeah, the new track is getting a lot of hype at the minute,” smiles Gary. “Our manager used his charm again and managed to get us into a studio with Stephanie, so I went over to London and recorded with her. The way she works is that she writes in the studio there and then. It was an amazing experience to see this talented girl crouch down on a wee cushion and come up with something straight away. As far as an album goes, we haven’t talked about it. One will be on the way at some point, don’t worry.”

The Japanese Popstars play Glasgowbury on July 21. ‘Day Of Rest’ is out now.