Eric Nakamura is a co-founder of Giant Robot, an influential zine that spotlighted Asian popular culture and had an incredibly wide audience from 1994-2011. That publication morphed into Giant Robot retail stores in LA, New York and San Francisco selling eclectic products and art, again spotlighting Japanese culture. Definitely go to giantrobot.com and purchase every single thing on the website;)

This conversation with Eric Nakamura was recorded several months ago so I want to apologize for the delay in its' release, as I had to focus on other business ventures. I’m honored to have this episode with Eric as the finale for Season 1 and I think you will appreciate his creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and the importance of Giant Robot throughout the US. 

Topics covered: Giant Robot formation, early creation of the zine and its' distribution, Japanese culture, immigrant parents, foray into the restaurant industry, indie bands, interviews he did on Giant Robot, My Bloody Valentine (we REALLY nerded-out here), The Swirlies, Gwar interview (funny), Giant robot stores openings and closing (pandemic), post-its project (democratization of local art with famous and unknown artists), among so much more...

www.GiantRobot.com

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Podcast produced by Michael Robinson

Music by Dana Wachs: "Preetyland" https://vorhees.bandcamp.com/album/preetyland

Big thanks to the listeners financially supporting this podcast. It means a lot.

Thanks to Laris Kreslins for marketing, production, and booking guidance. contact: [email protected]

Thanks to Justin Geller for technical audio support. contact: [email protected]