Made in Japan-- Conversations with Meljo Catalan

Meljo Catalan
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This is not your run-of-the-mill "Cool Japan" podcast. I want to explore the side of Japan outside of sushi & sumo ; anime & video games. People from all walks of life living in Japan sharing their stories, their trials and tribulations and their successes. People who are hungry for making it and People who have made it. This podcast is about my conversations with them.

  1. 12/26/2025

    Ep. 81– Eto returns! Reggaeton singer based in Japan

    On my final episode this season we revisit a guest that has been the Puerto Rican ambassador of Japan through the lens of his music. Eto, (@boicuaenjapon) has been spearheading and showcasing the essence of Reggaeton in Japan while collaborating with local like-minded artists expressing their love for Puerto Rican music and culture. I was fortunate enough to have Eto on before our New Year holiday to catch up and continue to bring the fiesta vibes en Japon. You can listen and catch up what Eto’s up to here: IG: @boricuaenjapon and YouTube: https://youtube.com/@boricuaenjapon?si=vokh14yQKwMwidrw Check out Eto here: boricuaenjapon.com For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/ To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast: https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast Email:  japanmademepodcast@gmail.com

    44 min

  2. 11/19/2025

    Ep. 80– Demsky, Triphop Beatmaker & album review of “Jugaad”

    To quote the poet, Robert Frost, “ Two roads diverged in a wood and I— I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.” I’m back once again with another musical artist who has took the road less traveled. Meet Demsky, a Canadian beat maker based in Tokyo yet traversed the globe and soundscapes in life. I’m fired up to promote his latest album, “Jugaad” as well as he being the co founder of a one day festival held at a Tokyo public bathhouse called @sentosensations , celebrating the culture of independent artists at a Japanese public bathhouse. We sit down together at the @nakamegurotaproom to listen to his story while I do a breakdown review of his album track by track. If you’re interested in Demsky’s music , check out https://linktr.ee/Demsky?utm_source=linktree_profile_share and his IG: @demksymusic For info of Sento Sensation events including the album release party on Nov.22nd check out their IG page here: @sentosensations For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/ To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast: https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast Email:  japanmademepodcast@gmail.com

    1h 15m

  3. 10/15/2025

    Ep. 79– Michael Parker, Pro Basketball Player of the Japanese B. League

    It’s been awhile posting up an athlete worth showcasing but growing up from a US state that injected basketball at such a young age, I’m hyped to introduce you to Michael. He’s been making a name for himself on the court in this country even before the inception of the Japanese B. League, Japan’s top men’s pro basketball league. This is the story of one of Japan’s most successful professional athlete imports and it doesn’t sound like he’s hanging his sneakers up yet. We both come from a generation of the same invigorating cloth and his accomplishments will fire up the future generations of Japanese basketball prospects. You can check out Michael’s basketball and fashion brands here: Mp3international For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/ To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast: https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast Email:  japanmademepodcast@gmail.com

    44 min

  4. 09/25/2025

    Ep. 78– Keagan Raphael, Artist, Singer and Producer.

    To quote Maya Angelou, “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” Meet my new “Boet”, Keagan. He arrived to Japan with an arsenal of songs waiting to be unleashed. Little did I know that he would be the minstrel bird this country didn’t know it deserved as well as humor that I didn’t expect. He channels bards of the past and present and I’m sure ears will perk when they hear his music. Keagan’s charm and aura are forces we should all embrace. To check out Keagan’s music and his debut album 1DK: Who I AM, you can listen here : https://linktr.ee/keaganraphael?fbclid=PAZnRzaANCFpNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp7n4h8kGE-giKenrZvl3evWiPLz6VGJC8Xnbkh2O3RzOaMTETT4AnMCjQi8s_aem_-6-tU5tz8t9dFQJ9G-j23A For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/ To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast: https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast Email:  japanmademepodcast@gmail.com

    1h 24m

  5. 08/28/2025

    Ep. 77– Lucas and Nayokenza of Moondahlia

    Sweet dreams are made of these and who am I to disagree. I’m back with a fresh new band dropping in the Tokyo scene. Meet Lucas and Nayokenza, two artists/musicians that have unbreakable musical synergy which led them to create Moondahlia, a lo-fi, chillout project which I’m happy to promote. Unsurprisingly we all had similar tastes and I felt these were two rad dudes with vision, purpose and creativity worth sharing. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I had “talking shop” with other like-minded musicians. Here is their passion on a musical plate. Bon appétit. To check out Moondhalia’s first ep, “The View on Midnight” you can find it on all music streaming platforms as well as their YouTube channel : https://youtube.com/@moondahliamusic?si=DGozxvDzixvudKnu Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1GwUm01fS5mAOD1YVpUoWV?si=DfRyOn4-T0qUdfSIw4gzNw Apple: https://music.apple.com/jp/artist/moondahlia/1810533462?l=en-US Website: moondahlia For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/ To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast: https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast Email:  japanmademepodcast@gmail.com

    56 min

  6. 07/25/2025

    Ep. 76– Brandon Matsumoto, founder of Tokyo Vibes

    There’s an old Japanese proverb “ennoshita no chikaramochi” (縁の下の力持ち),  “the powerful person that holds up the house“ or “the unsung hero”.  Meet Brandon, I don’t know if he can carry a house but he is the founder of Tokyo Vibes. An event/ community space which brings together art and music lovers in the Tokyo area.  This social gathering is a wonderful opportunity for those looking to network, make new friends and give artists from all mediums a platform.  This episode is for those who feel let down to create as well as for those in Japan who want to connect.  Brandon is the wizard behind the curtain urging you to never give up.    You can find more info on Tokyo Vibes through their Instagram, here. For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/ To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast: https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast Email:  japanmademepodcast@gmail.com

    59 min

  7. 04/08/2025

    Ep. 75– Made (and Served) in Japan— Kousuke and Tomomi Chujo, owners of Nihonbashi Philly

    On the seventh season of Made In Japan Podcast, we start with equating the first capital of the U.S. , Philadelphia with the OG downtown center of of commerce in Edo/Tokyo , Nihonbashi. Meet Kousuke and Tomomi, who’ve glued both city areas from opposite ends of Earth with a hoagie; the Philly cheesesteak. To my surprise yet unsurprisingly, they’ve managed to make this beloved Philly sandwich a magnet for both locals and tourists visiting Japan come to their welcoming bar/ restaurant and teleport them to the city of brotherly love. This is their story and love through the food. Go Birds! For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/ To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast: https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast You can follow Nihonbashi Philly on Instagram here @nihonbashi_philly IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast Email:  japanmademepodcast@gmail.com

    38 min

  8. 12/25/2024

    Ep. 74– Kei Nagata , Model and Baker at Brownies.shots

    From the volcanic region of Bicol, Philippines to the quiet shores of Shizuoka, Japan, meet Kei, who exemplifies the fire and water of Philippines and Japan.   I’m honored to share her story of blending roots as well as her discovering new shades of her identity as she starts her modeling career in Japan.   She also happens to be an excellent brownie baker with her new business called “ Brownie Shots”.  This was definitely a treat to have her on, speak her truth and meditate on the perfect brownie bite.   Check out Brownie Shots on IG: @brownie.shots For more info on the Nakameguro Taproom and other Baird Beer taprooms, please visit:  http://Bairdbeer.com/ To donate and buy drinks for the guests  of my podcast: https://ko-fi.com/madeinjapanpodcast IG & FB:  @madeinjapanpodcast Email:  japanmademepodcast@gmail.com

    1h 3m
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About

This is not your run-of-the-mill "Cool Japan" podcast. I want to explore the side of Japan outside of sushi & sumo ; anime & video games. People from all walks of life living in Japan sharing their stories, their trials and tribulations and their successes. People who are hungry for making it and People who have made it. This podcast is about my conversations with them.

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