Best James Catchpole Podcasts (2026)

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STILL Standing Men! [Live from Pithecanthropus] 27:44

Play Pause

6d ago27:44

27:44

*TW: Intense ASMR-style chewing at the beginning of the episode* A milestone that no one expected to see! Least of all us… We finally reach the 100th episode of the podcast, and where else to mark the occasion than the project’s spiritual home, Kamata’s inimitable Chokuritsu Enjin (Pithecanthropus Erectus).…

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Back in Black 45:49

12d ago45:49

45:49

A double tap on the new and improved Incus and the usual chasm of James’s pop culture knowledge, followed by a few old and familiar friends, as our May 2025 adventures come to an end.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Ryukyu Rhythms 47:30

17d ago47:30

47:30

Philip's map-reading skills desert him before an awkward intro at Eagle. We also discuss two incredible Okinawa joints as the project finally expands to the fifth of Japan's major islands.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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NOT a tourist attraction 1:03:40

1M ago1:03:40

1:03:40

Mostly talk about bananas, with a jazz kissa soundtrack.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Another Bricks in The Wall b/w The Bird Has Flown 44:48

1M ago44:48

44:48

In Episode 96, after a subterranean trip to Japan's bubble-economy yeatrs, we survive our very own Squid Game on the way to see an old friend – and all the mixed emotions that stirs up.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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One mug, and adult hot chocolate in a cup (not mug) 45:56

2M ago45:56

45:56

Good stories told badly as we take bickering to the level of an Olympic sport, and get deep into the true nature of crockery with the truly ying and yang of Kyoto jazz joints.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Third Egg of the Day Drives Coltrane Away 56:28

2M ago56:28

56:28

We are California dreamin’ on this episode until Philip’s ideal world is shattered by some devastating breaking news. Was it merely a mirage?By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Double-Edged Coin 49:02

3M ago49:02

49:02

James continues to offend people with mixed metaphors and cultural pitfalls before we end up whiling the evening away in an absolute gem of a spot to cap a long first day back in Osaka.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Blueberry Submuffins 49:17

3M ago49:17

49:17

Reunited in Kansai we hit the trail with a shaky start for nearly not quite three joints, well sort of three...By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Northern Exposure Pt.2 1:08:21

4M ago1:08:21

1:08:21

A marathon episode for a marathon day hunting kissa up north, where it's far from grim. Epic joints!By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Northern Exposure Pt.1 1:02:17

4M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Topless TJJ with some of Sapporo's finest.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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And Then I Saw Her Face 50:34

5M ago50:34

50:34

An evening of two halves that starts on a slow boat to...a hectic finish with one new joint and two very old friends. And accidental meetings with actual friends!By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Jazz Is My Battery 46:20

5M ago46:20

46:20

If you ever wondered what Sandra Bullock, Colonel Sanders, Mr T.Pott and Taylor Swift have in common, Chiba has the answer.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Marilyn Jazz Quotient 1:07:34

6M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

And just like that…deepest Chiba reveals some well-hidden treasures and Philip battles with mixed messages, having solved his camdram.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Camateur Dramatics 49:54

6M ago49:54

49:54

Philip defies the bookmaker's odds by avoiding the mother of all meltdowns in Yokohama, while James watches on, and invents a name for a kissa that no one will ever steal. Ever.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Fertile Crescent 58:41

7M ago58:41

58:41

In addition to some bonus DIY content, three absolutely banging Tokyo joints to get us back on the trail for May 2025!By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Girlz N Boyz N The Hood 42:40

7M ago42:40

42:40

No passion fruit or lychee for you, but we close out 2024's shenanigans with three gorgeous joints – old and new – in Philip's old neighbourhood. Long live Shimokita!By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Ten Long Years (IG Live!) 30:43

7M ago30:43

30:43

Some cheap Prosecco and a little bad language to mark the TENTH anniversary of the project with an Instagram Live.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Fun for the Ears 34:36

9M ago34:36

34:36

Despite zero documentation, we reminisce on two lovely Tokyo joints to almost round off 2024's adventures.Thank as ever to Brian for sound assistance.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Groovy Exchanges 50:10

10M ago50:10

50:10

A final couple of belters in Okayama and one of the weirder interactions we've ever had in a joint. And James defeats a fence.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Richard Davis, Serial Signer 33:42

10M ago33:42

33:42

As the end of our latest regional adventure beckons, we takea walk down the Avenue in Kurashiki and visit the charming Gojitoma, a jewel of a joint in the middle of nowhere.Thanks as ever to Brian for his patience and assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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At the Vanguard, but not the Village 35:57

11M ago35:57

35:57

At the Vanguard, but not the Village by Philip Arneill & James CatchpoleBy Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Now That's What I Call Episode 78! 52:47

11M ago52:47

52:47

It's May 2024, and after an Onomichi underwater detour, we find ourselves in nighttime Hiroshima, where Mother Teresa and Charles Mingus meet in perfect harmony.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Sitting Men, Live from Standing Man 53:25

12M ago53:25

53:25

Taking professionalism to new heights, this week we are live (and barely audible) from the incredible Pithecanthropus Erectus, birthplace of the Tokyo Jazz Joints project, the joint featured on the slipcase cover of the Tokyo Jazz Joints photobook, and our spiritual home. Even we don't know what we talked about...…

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NKOTB 57:57

1y ago57:57

57:57

We ring in the new year with some new kids on the Tokyo jazz kissa block, and a fair bit of coughing.Thanks as ever to Brian for audio assistance.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Special 'K's 57:23

1y ago57:23

57:23

All the Ks (and a 'P') as Philip wraps up the last day in Tohoku alone and finally (!) heads home to Tokyo as a special guest makes hi presence felt.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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The Butchers at the End of the World 53:35

1y ago53:35

53:35

Planes, trains and taxis assist Philip's epic 1,500km odyssey to check out the incredible Elvin to see if James was overstating how incredible it really is. Thanks as ever to Brian for assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Miyazaki Mission Possible Pt.2 40:35

1+ y ago40:35

40:35

A mixed bag in Miyazaki with windswept Sonny Rollins photos to die for and a rather melancholic end to the visit, before Philip sets off on an epic one day journey north. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Miyazaki: Mission Possible Pt.1 58:22

1+ y ago58:22

58:22

The band breaks up to pursue solo careers, as James heads home with a man and and a squid, and Philip takes off across Kyushu in a search of four more highly-rated joints.Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Going Bananas in a Mellow Tone 1:06:12

1+ y ago1:06:12

1:06:12

We go bananas before a bowl of lemon (yes, lemon) ramen and making it at last to two deeply different old school joints in Nagasaki. Some top Japan travel hacks, and James finally reveals at last that he's a 'two t-shirt a day' man.Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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The Hard Sell at Harmony 58:56

1+ y ago58:56

58:56

We take a fast boat ride across the bay as we head for Nagasaki and Philip mistakenly masquerades as Japan's greatest living photographer. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with soundBy Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Shitamachi Britney Spears & Japanese Keith Richards 1:04:41

1+ y ago1:04:41

1:04:41

James continues to alienate local tourist boards as we suffer further frustration in Saga, and finish the night with an utterly surreal stop in US Navy-town Sasebo. Not every day can be better than yesterday! Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Kimonos in the Post 1:00:38

1+ y ago1:00:38

1:00:38

We finish our first full – and utterly epic – Kyushu day with 3 more joints, burnt records, posted kimonos, tiny whisky shots, some unexpected royal family action and our regular late night konbini run. Oh, and James offends an owner’s son.Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.…

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Love Supreme 32:59

1+ y ago32:59

32:59

Still making our way around Kyushu, it's an emotional return for us both as the project comes full circle. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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The Adams Family 59:54

1+ y ago59:54

59:54

Jam, a quick Jab and an inauguration into the Adams family in Fukuoka as a new Kyushu adventure ensues!Thanks as ever to Brian from Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound, and to Louie Lastic for the theme tune.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Can we Eigakan? Yes we can! 32:38

1+ y ago32:38

32:38

We are back! James & Philip have a catch-up of all things kissa before diving into new adventures.Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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A Bag of Bricks 32:59

2y ago32:59

32:59

We take a more free jazz approach to this episode as we waffle unashamedly for about half an hour and reflect on what's been a truly incredible year for the project. James continues to reframe the English language in his own image.Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his patience and assistance.…

1
The Last Waltz 33:55

2y ago33:55

33:55

April's trip comes to an intimate end, not in that way, and we wrap up things with two stunning, and stunningly different places in the drinking lanes of the oddly tropical-feeling city of Kochi.Thank as ever to Brian for the sound mix and Louie Lastic for our theme music.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

1
Uptown Funk 1:02:19

2y ago1:02:19

1:02:19

We are in Shikoku at last as James continues to expand his palate while Philip comes to grips with an unexpected response (and not James' this time...).Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Smoke Gets in Your Ice Pt.4 1:06:15

2y ago1:06:15

1:06:15

A powdered-up James eats mountains of the shaved stuff as Philip tentatively dips his toe in the lesser-known jazz kissa art world in this last part of our three-day Kansai adventure. Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Pt.3 1:38:13

2y ago1:38:13

1:38:13

All editing prudence goes to the wall as we fall down a deep, deep Kansai-shaped hole in this feature-length episode which is the third of a four-parter...strap in! Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Pt.2 46:35

2+ y ago46:35

46:35

Disagreement is the name of the game in this second instalment of a four-parter over three hectic days in Kansai.Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for sound assistance and to Louie Lastic for our music track.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Pt.1 54:41

2+ y ago54:41

54:41

Edible insects, jazz double entendres and some unreal Osaka joints in this first of a four-parter where we spend three hectic days in Kansai. Thanks to Brian of Grooves Ahead for sound assistance and to Louie Lastic for our music track.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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The Curtain, The Sword & The Samurai 49:26

2+ y ago49:26

49:26

After his daring diversion into curry a few weeks ago in Masako, James reverts to the old anti-jazz kissa food ways as we get back into town for a good old-fashioned Tokyo episode with three cracking Tokyo joints!This episode is dedicated to the inimitable Natori-san of Osaka's legendary Bird/56, who sadly passed away on August 7, 2023.Thanks as al…

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The North Remembered Pt. 4 39:16

2+ y ago39:16

39:16

James continues to offend in the last of a four-parter trip up north: this time it's just the whole of the European continent. Philip recaps on some book launch party highlights in Belfast while James murders French words. And we visit the epic Paragonian run by the inimitable Hiroshi!By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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The North Remembered Pt.3 50:43

2+ y ago50:43

50:43

James pisses off another regional tourist board as we hit the snowless spring streets of Aomori for another couple of contrasting but equally brilliant joints.Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for sound assistance, and to Louie Lastic for our theme music.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

1
The North Remembered Pt.2 38:21

2+ y ago38:21

38:21

In this second of four on a northern tour, we visit Morioka, officially the next best city after NYC apparently, for two great joints. And Philip has a serendipitous encounter with a certain Johnny...Thanks to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his help with all things sound.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

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The North Remembered Pt.1 53:53

2+ y ago53:53

53:53

It's the turn of James to live vicariously in this first episode of a four-part sojourn to colder climes with teachers, taxi and a treasure trove of joints. Oh yeah, and The Crusaders.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

1
Das Buch! 44:08

2+ y ago44:08

44:08

James chats to Philip about the mind-blowing experience he had seeing the Tokyo Jazz Joints photobook finally being born at the printers near Heidelberg in Germany! Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead, and to Louie Lastic for our theme music.By Philip Arneill & James Catchpole

1
Reunion! 49:00

2+ y ago49:00

49:00

Two men weep uncontrollably as they meet in a Shibuya hotel and finally recommence what they love doing most. Five years later, post-pandemic, we reunite to hit three Tokyo joints that symbolise the old and the new, and somewhere with the best of both!Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead, and to Louie Lastic for our theme music.…