I LIVE IN JAPAN / Jocelyn Guzman / Musician, Artist & Vocal Coach.

Were you hesitant to relocate to Japan?

I am a professional Musician and Artist. I play in my band called “Thee BlackDoor Blues”, a Garage-punk, Psychedelic- Blues, Art-noise two-piece band. Working as an international artist promoter in Japan and Cd & Record seller for a company here in Japan plus being a Vocal Coach, DJ And also model to time to time.

I am full time musician; I play in my band doing concerts around Tokyo and recently outside it too. The work with my band is playing guitar and singing, composing, recording, expanding our sound and making new friends and contacts to one day also go around the world. Working with other musicians, collaborating as a choir singer, writing songs with other artist, organizing music events and gathering new and innovative bands of the underground music seen of Tokyo and Japan.

As Mexican I grow in an environment in where people are always doing noise, neighbors’ music, the music from a car, your own music, screams of the kids, or a fight, dance. Anyway, is not a “quiet” place but still no body complains about each other noise. Before coming to Japan, I had no idea what I was going to face in these terms. Renting an apartment first of all, one of the rules is no noise after 8pm!!! and people sometimes complains about other people TV “volume” even during the day, or complain about kids playing noise in the park, no noisy phones talk in the train.

Spontaneity to do something with friends, without planning it with months in advance. Just feeling like meeting your friends, then just do some calls and BOOM, you have a party at home or you to someone’s party, or just go for a coffee etc. Here people have to planned one month in advance and sometimes even thou you planned… it doesn’t happen.
I miss my mom food of course!!
I miss just dancing to the music anywhere and time you listen to it.
I miss the Mexican slangs and expressions and jokes, sharing that with someone that gets it just right away.

This amazing balance between the old and the new! They are open to the future, to technology, development etc., but at the same time they protect and respect the old traditions such as “Tea ceremony”, wearing a kimono on summer for fireworks festivals, the protection of the temples, big and small, and just right next you can have super new and futuristic building but still the temple is in amazing conditions.

After moving to Japan did you have any funny experiences?

It’s funny that since I came here, everyone things that either I am Japanese or half Japanese. Even though when I just arrived and I didn’t have the language, people just talk to me really fast and without this “foreigner” consideration manners. And it became even more now that I am fluent as a natural speaker.

I will stay here FOREVER! I love my life here. Living the dream! No dream No life! As simple as it is! So please be kind to me Japan!!
I Love You.