friqtao – Woke up in Japan By Jesse Koch, Matthew Magnus

Directors Matthew Magnus and Jesse Koch deliver a quietly cinematic portrait of place and emotion in Woke up in Japan, the latest music video from rising pianist and composer friqtao. Shot entirely on location, the film traces the artist’s journey through Japan’s bustling streets and serene natural spaces, reflecting the track’s meditative exploration of memory and imagination. Drawing inspiration from the dreamlike tone of Studio Ghibli films, the video balances city life’s frenetic energy with moments of calm and introspection. It forms a visual counterpart to friqtao’s debut EP Lifestream — a collection that fuses classical piano with ambient textures and storytelling, establishing the artist’s distinct cinematic sound.