Hi there!
We’ve got some info on upcoming live shows—but first, it’s time to announce a great new podcast!
Primer: A new music podcast from the producer of Heat Rocks
Longtime MaxFun producer Christian Dueñas hosts an exploration of Japanese City Pop!
Are you familiar with City Pop? You probably are, even if you don’t recognize the name—if you like modern pop music, if you’re a fan of anime, or if you’ve been on TikTok at all over the past few years, there’s a good chance you’ve been vibing to City Pop beats without realizing it. From G Perico to Harry Styles, from Vampire Weekend to Tyler, the Creator, this Japanese music genre from the ‘70s and ‘80s has had a global influence on modern artists and media.
If this sounds intriguing to you, you’re in luck: MaxFun producer (and worker-owner!) Christian Dueñas is hosting a sound-rich podcast about music from outside the English-speaking world, and our first season is all about City Pop.
“I’m so happy to finally have this out in the world and for people to listen to these often overlooked records and artists. I’m very proud of what we’ve created, and I hope this show resonates with both record geeks like myself and non-geeks who like great music.”
— Christian Dueñas, host of Primer
Christian and this season’s co-host, Yosuke Kitazawa, will guide listeners through an insightful exploration of the past and present of City Pop— its history, the lives of its artists, and its global influence on musicians far outside of Japan. Primer is inviting to City Pop newcomers, but dives deep enough to fascinate the genre’s most dedicated fans.
Each week, a new guest joins to explore the history of an iconic City Pop album—and the personal significance it holds for them.
We’ve got some great guests, including Oscar Montoya, Devendra Banhart, and UMI! |
→ Listen to the first episode
Live shows in May and June!
The Flop House has two shows in Oxford this Friday! | Triple Click is performing in Los Angeles on June 8! | |
MBMBaM is headed to Missouri and Virginia in late June! | Go Fact Yourself is playing in Burbank and Pasadena in June! |
You can always keep up with upcoming live shows, convention appearances, and other events on our website!
→ MaxFun Events Calendar
Stay with me and we’ll be back soon with more fun stuff!
— C.N. and your friends at MaxFun
Want to get these updates sent directly to your email? Subscribe to the Maximum Fun newsletter!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads!