🎧 Legend Channel Vol.1: Music Producer Shota Nakama, Making Waves Around the World
Legend Channel is a podcast that dives into the stories of true legends in the world of sound—music, audio, instruments, and beyond.
Our very first guest is Shota Nakama, a music producer from Okinawa, now based in Boston, known for bringing the iconic music of Sonic the Hedgehog to fans across the globe.
In this episode, we explore how his funky yet disciplined journey in music took him from a small island in Japan to the world stage.
✈️ Crossing the Ocean for the Sound
With the conviction that “real music is in America,” Shota left school and moved overseas.
He started by attending ESL classes at a local college and eventually made his way to Berklee.
He says, “Anyone can learn to write an orchestral score. But what really matters is the kind of music you want to create.”
His journey reflects not just technical skill, but strong intuition and belief in his own path.
🎮 From Game Music to Global Audiences
In 2008, Shota organized his first game music concert in Boston. It was free—and completely packed.
Word spread fast, and soon his performances reached Taiwan, Japan, Europe, and the U.S.
His current project, the Sonic Symphony live tour, draws fans of all ages—from kids to adults in their 60s.
“Live shows bring me the most happiness. Playing for 300 people gives me 300 times the energy back.”
Shota performing at D23 Brasil, using Eco Pick of course!
🧠 Funky But Fierce: His Standards Are No Joke
Though known for his fun and energetic vibe, Shota has strict standards when selecting musicians.
He refuses edited audio or flashy reels. Instead, he asks for unedited one-take iPhone videos.
“If you can’t play a full piece live, it doesn’t count. Performance is about the real thing.”
While most of his followers are international, he recently began posting in Japanese again to stay connected with his roots and improve his language skills.
💬 A Message to Aspiring Creators
“I didn’t finish high school, and I made it.
If you really want something and don’t give up—you’ll get there. Especially in today’s world with the internet.”
🌍 What’s Next
The Sonic Symphony World Tour is expanding further across the globe, with a return to Japan scheduled for 2025.
Just search “Sonic Symphony” online to find upcoming tour dates.
Shota continues to work on international projects, including a recent recording trip to South Africa, collaborating with unique local vocalists.
From Boston to the world—Shota Nakama’s story is just getting started.
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Stay tuned for the next episode of Legend Channel—more legends to come.
BIOGRAPHY ~ Shota Nakama
Shota Nakama is a music producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist originally from Okinawa, Japan. He is currently based in Boston, Massachusetts, where he leads soundtrec, a music and concert production company. He is also the executive producer of the Video Game Orchestra (VGO).
After leaving school in junior high and not enrolling in high school, he earned his high school equivalency at the age of 16 and moved to the United States at 18.
He graduated from Pierce College in Lakewood, Washington, and later relocated to Boston. In 2008, he completed his studies in Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music, and in 2011, he earned his master’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance from The Boston Conservatory.
Shota has worked on a wide variety of music projects across genres, including video games, anime, films, and artist albums.
In 2018, he served as the orchestration and orchestral recording director for Jason Becker’s album Triumphant Heart, which featured legendary musicians such as Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, and Richie Kotzen.
Thank you so much, Shota!
His Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, X
Here is the full episode on YouTube
🎙 What Is "Legend Channel"?
Legend Channel (a.k.a. Lege-chan) is a podcast series that interviews legends from the world of sound—music, acoustics, instruments, and more.
From fascinating behind-the-scenes stories to deep production secrets known only to true audio maniacs, you’ll hear insights that can only be shared now, after years of experience.
Interviewers:
Isao Kumano, CEO of PHONON Inc. and Motoaki Sayama, CEO of Nice Company Inc.