“To me, the blues is the root of all popular music, and it is undeniably the root of my own musical life. However, as an artist born in Japan whose journey started from a place of pure admiration, I want to live my life while always maintaining the utmost respect for the legends who came before me.”

Shoka Okubo: The Blues is Alright!

The highly accomplished Japanese blues-rock guitarist, drummer, singer, and songwriter Shoka Okubo started playing the drums at 7 years old, before moving on to learn the guitar at age 13. After watching a movie on the BLUES BROTHERS, she developed an interest and love for blues music. Some of her favorite blues musicians include T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Inez Andrews, and Laura Lee. In 2014, she formed the SHOKA OKUBO BLUES PROJECT with bassist JUNA SERITA and drummer MAKOTOMO SONOHARA. SHOKA OKUBO BLUES PROJECT is a Japanese trio band formed by three session musicians who were all inspired by roots music. The band is composed of the guitarist Shoka Okubo, drummer Makotomo Sonohara, and bassist Juna Serita. Having performed at Fuji Rock, one of the biggest music festivals in Japan, the band has now set their sights on eventually going worldwide.

(Photo: Japanese blues-rock musician Shoka Okubo)

In 2024, drummer MiMi (Mahumi Kawakami) joined the band as an official member, and the band started new vigorous activities as the new SHOKA OKUBO BLUES PROJECT. The band has made a fresh start as a three-piece female band, with all three members able to take lead vocals, so please pay attention to the stage, which is different from the past. Instead of traditional, full-length studio albums, the group chooses to release their music in shorter formats; their discography features their self-titled debut EP SHOKA OKUBO BLUES PROJECT (2021/2022) containing six tracks like the signature song "ZING ZING ZING", alongside digital singles, including "Game Over" (2024) and the double single "YELL / Raining in my heart" (2025).

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world? What keeps a musician passionate over the years in rock and blues music?

When I was in elementary school, I was practicing basic 8-beat rhythms as a drummer. One day, I happened to watch the movie The Blues Brothers. That was the exact moment I fell head over heels for Chicago and Texas blues. I completely fell in love with the swinging feel of shuffle and boogie rhythms. The beat seemed to bounce and roll in an oval-shaped motion, unlike anything I had ever felt before.

I believe that all music, regardless of genre, is rooted in entertainment. When there are fans and audiences who genuinely want to hear my sound and my voice, and I am playing right in front of them, I feel a profound sense of purpose. Many of my fans deeply love rock and blues and have a great knowledge of music. I feel very fortunate and grateful to have supporters like that. Their deep knowledge fires me up and drives me to constantly refine and brush up on my music.

How do you describe your sound and music philosophy? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

When it comes to my guitar sound, I am always conscious of making it "fat and deep." I think the same applies to my vocals. My absolute heroes—Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker—all have that incredibly fat, deep quality. As an elementary school student admiring these bluesmen, I used to mimic their low voices and practice every single day. I remember seriously stressing out as a kid, wondering, "Why can't I get my voice to sound like that?!" (laughs). As for guitarists, I absolutely love that fat tone exemplified by Warren Haynes of The Allman Brothers Band.

What is the balance between technique and soul in music?

I deeply respect artists who master the art of subtraction—knowing what to leave out. I love musicians who have incredible chops but choose not to show off; those who can play all kinds of styles but can captivate your soul with just a single, powerful tone. Artists who know how to leave things out and let the music breathe are the ones I truly admire.

Also, I love artists like B.B. King, Albert King, and Freddie King, who can strike just one note, and you instantly know, "That tone belongs to him!" Their sound has an undeniable persuasiveness. I perform every day hoping to achieve that exact level of expressiveness.

“As for myself, I want to try everything I can to spread roots music to the younger generation in Japan. My biggest hope is to keep the flame of the blues alive so it continues to be passed down decades from now. Through my music, I want to inspire as many people as possible to wonder, "Hey, what is the blues?" That’s really all I want.” (Photos: Shoka Okubo)

What does the blues mean to you? How easy or difficult is it for the younger generation to relate to the blues?

To me, the blues is the root of all popular music, and it is undeniably the root of my own musical life. However, as an artist born in Japan whose journey started from a place of pure admiration, I want to live my life while always maintaining the utmost respect for the legends who came before me.

In Japan, the younger generation doesn’t really know much about the blues. To be honest, it hasn't permeated the mainstream at all. Perhaps because young people don't know much about it, they may actually experience it as something completely fresh and new. I am constantly searching for a breakthrough to spread the blues across all generations.

At the same time, I live by the philosophy that "cool is cool." I strongly believe we should avoid boxing ourselves into narrow worlds by creating walls between genres. Many people around me are very knowledgeable about music, but honestly, listeners don't need to know the history or technicalities at all! It’s totally fine if they just casually think, "Hey, I kind of like this!" I just want everyone to freely interpret and enjoy it in their own way. Even if someone says, "I don't really get it, but it's cool," that's more than enough for me.

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your career so far?

It has to be the day I discovered The Blues Brothers movie. My parents loved films and used to rent a bunch of them, and that was just one of the many tapes they brought home. I don't think either of them expected me to get this hooked!

Another major highlight was my very first trip to the U.S., which happened around the time of the 100th anniversary of Robert Johnson's birth. I visited Robert Johnson's grave, recorded at the same studio where Al Green used to record, and played at Club Ebony in Indianola—the historic venue bought by B.B. King. Experiencing that dream-like journey engraved roots music deeper into my soul than ever before. If I can, I would love to go back and perform in America again with the musician I am today.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future?

By the time I came to my senses and fell in love with the blues, many of the legendary blues musicians I looked up to had already passed away. There is an endless list of great musicians I wish I could have seen live. One moment that left a devastating impression on me was when B.B. King passed away. I felt a huge, gaping hole in my heart, as if something monumental had vanished from this planet.

Unfortunately, looking around the Japanese music scene, there are very few young people playing the blues. Because of this, I’m constantly working to connect with more young musicians and build a larger community around the blues. The band I formed, the SHOKA OKUBO BLUES PROJECT, consists of musicians from my generation. We place a high value on keeping roots music alive and exciting together. I fully intend to keep expanding this community moving forward.

“My absolute heroes—Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker—all have that incredibly fat, deep quality. As an elementary school student admiring these bluesmen, I used to mimic their low voices and practice every single day.” (Photo: Shoka Okubo)

Could you give us an account of the blues scene in Japan? Why do you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Japan?

I believe it's because the blues played by the founding legends possesses an inherent energy and power that moves human hearts, transcending race, nationality, or country. Put simply, the blues is inherently magnetic.

On another note, Japan has developed its own unique blues scene. The easiest way to describe it is a fusion of traditional Japanese music, culture, and our distinct four seasons, blended with American roots music. We understand that we come from a different cultural background than artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, or Albert King. However, Japan has many incredible, soulful veteran musicians who deliver the blues they deeply love right from the heart, infused with their own Japanese identity. And there is a passionate blues fanbase supporting them as well.

Because these musicians and fans have cherished the blues so deeply, I am able to play my own kind of blues here in 2026. I am filled with deep gratitude for that.

To reference James Brown, what is it like to be a female artist in a 'man's world'? More broadly, what is your view on the current status of women in the music industry?

I play guitar in an 8-piece all-female band, and my own project is about 90% women. Since I am constantly surrounded by stories and examples of women thriving, the current Japanese music industry doesn't really feel like a "man's world" to me. In fact, I’m surrounded by incredibly powerful and talented women who inspire me every day. So, I simply move forward with confidence and pride as an artist. While there might be few female blues guitarists in Japan, honestly, there aren't that many male blues guitarists either.

Besides, think about Koko Taylor, Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Etta James, and Bonnie Raitt—they are all just too damn cool! I absolutely love them!!

What is the impact of the Blues music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want it to affect people?

As I mentioned in my third answer, the blues is the foundation of all popular music. Historically speaking, its influence has been enormous.

As for myself, I want to try everything I can to spread roots music to the younger generation in Japan. My biggest hope is to keep the flame of the blues alive so it continues to be passed down decades from now. Through my music, I want to inspire as many people as possible to wonder, "Hey, what is the blues?" That’s really all I want.

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(Photo: Japanese blues-rock musician Shoka Okubo)