The sensibility that cannot be fully captured through music often seeps into the way one chooses clothing. WEEAVE’s new series, “What We Wear, Why We Wear,” is an attempt to explore the layers of a person and their cultural strata through the question of what they wear and why.
For the first installment, we spoke with MurphyErika (vocal) and Natsuki (bass/vocal) from Luby Sparks—a Tokyo-based five-piece band formed in 2016 that draws from the lineage of shoegaze and alternative rock, singing exclusively in English.
Q1. First, tell us about yourselves. What kind of band is Luby Sparks?
Natsuki: We’re a five-piece band formed in Tokyo in 2016. Singing in English, we play guitar-based music rooted in shoegaze and alternative, with a two-guitar setup. We’ve released two albums and several EPs, and have been active not just in Japan but across Asia and beyond.
Q2. If you had to name a piece that influenced you?
MurphyErika:
A vintage velvet (velour) dress passed down from my mother.
I wore it during our very first live show as Luby Sparks. It felt more like a ritual than just an outfit. Since then, wearing dresses on stage has become a core part of who I am. It’s a lifelong treasure for me.
Natsuki:
Two pairs of pants. One is a striped skinny from the Hedi Slimane era of Saint Laurent, which I got secondhand in high school or college. They’re so slim I can’t wear them now, but I’m keeping them in case skinnies make a comeback.
The other is a pink snake-patterned pair from 90s Hysteric Glamour. I bought them before the price skyrocketed. They’ve been in our artist photos and music videos, and I even wore them for our appearance at Hysteric Glamour’s 40th anniversary last year. They hold a lot of meaning for me.
Q3. What first got you into fashion?
MurphyErika: Reading NYLON JAPAN and GOSSIPS magazines during junior high. Also, going vintage shopping in Osaka’s Horie area with my mom. I’d get inspired by magazines and go check things out in person.
Natsuki: Choosing a coat from SHIPS for my 6th-grade birthday changed everything. I liked the feeling of standing out. I also wore Vans from a young age, and eventually that, with skinny jeans, became my go-to “uniform.”
Q4. Style evolution and the stores you’ve frequented
MurphyErika: I used to shop at MINERAL in Osaka and faithtokyo in Harajuku. Lately I visit Curios to look for early 1900s antique dresses. I like mixing dresses with military or punk accessories when I perform.
Natsuki: I was into SHIPS ADVANTAGE CYCLE’s punk-inspired line in junior high. In high school, I got into UK rock and shifted to skinnies + Vans. In college, I started frequenting secondhand shops around Harajuku—like BUD, SPROUT 2nd, and KINSELLA. I recently got my hands on a pair of secondhand gold Saint Laurent boots too.
Q5. Influences—people or cultures that shaped you
MurphyErika: I love the hybrid style of Alice Glass from Crystal Castles. Also, the Y2K-to-goth/grunge layering aesthetics of Courtney Love, Sky Ferreira, and Kittie.
Natsuki: Franz Ferdinand, Peace, and other indie bands from the 2010s. I also loved couple shots of Zachary Cole Smith and Sky Ferreira. Musically, my touchstones are The Smiths, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Cocteau Twins, and Sonic Youth (especially Kim Gordon). Alex Knost’s effortlessly stylish attitude is also inspiring.
Q6. Your stance on trends?
Natsuki: I like staying a half-step ahead. I bring archive pieces into the “now,” and when something gets too mainstream, I move on. Even pant silhouettes—I’m always updating.
MurphyErika: My standard is whether I can love it long-term. I watch trends but only adopt a few. I often rediscover old brands or music through conversations.
Q7. Eras or styles you’re drawn to or want to re-evaluate?
MurphyErika: I’m drawn to the color palettes and graphics of the 2000s–2010s. On stage, I like clashing dresses with military or punk accessories.
Natsuki: The spirit of “Indie Sleaze” (a DIY, lo-fi, nightlife-rooted style popular from 2006–2012 during the MySpace and Tumblr era) feels like it’s coming back. Personally, I’ve started revisiting early 2010s pieces I once wore. I’m still figuring out how to bring back Hedi-era gems from Dior Homme and Saint Laurent.
Q8. Message for those who come to live shows
Natsuki: Clubs often have that “dress up for a special night” vibe among younger crowds. If people brought that energy into live houses, I think it would elevate the whole experience.
MurphyErika: Live houses are open to everyone, but just a little effort to dress up can create a better atmosphere for all. I’d love to see that kind of culture spread.
Music and fashion are both standalone expressions, yet when layered together, they bring out the full silhouette of a person. What Murphy and Natsuki shared wasn’t just about what they wear—but about clothing as a vessel for sensibility and story.
“What We Wear, Why We Wear” will continue to explore the aesthetics and cultural memories embedded in the garments artists choose. Stay tuned for the next episode.