- Thank you for your time today. Did you have a theme for this mix?
I was thinking of playing some rather unusual records, the kind that don't really come your way unless you dig for them. However, I generally don't plan my sets too much in advance, so it turned out a bit different from what I had originally imagined... It started off light, with vibes from the early '90s, and gradually moved towards a more solid beat.
- Interesting! It ended up quite trance-like. You play in clubs, but also upload mixes on YouTube and Soundcloud. Do you have a specific approach you adhere to for each mix?
For platforms like YouTube and SoundCloud, it's pretty similar. I don't particularly want to share Tracks IDs, but I do want to share the music. I often use it as a way to introduce genres, like making a mix that's 100% Garage House. It's with the mindset that if someone interested listens to it, it could be educational for them. Also, it's easy to record, so when I receive a lot of records and feel the need to release some energy, I'll make a mix. There isn't necessarily a theme at those times, so the mix might be unnamed, but I usually have a general idea of where it will end up. The same goes for clubs; I never decide on the order of tracks beforehand. My room has a vibe, or the records are nicely organized by genre, so I just go with what feels right at the moment. Ultimately, I do everything on the fly.
- Are your mixes presented in a similar way? Do you try to maintain a live feel to them?
Well, my radio shows do tend to have a club-like vibe, but fundamentally, SoundCloud and YouTube aren’t clubs, so I can make them more listening-oriented. I might include tracks that I'd find a bit intimidating for a regular club setting.
Yeah, for me, it's about getting back to basics. When you listen to someone else's mix and Shazam the tracks, that DJ has already curated the mix for you, right? And maybe that DJ did the same thing, listening to another DJ's mix and so on, so you're kind of stuck in this loop. So, instead of relying on other people's mixes, I prefer to go back to basics, like browsing through databases like Discogs, starting from a completely neutral standpoint. It's about using my own history and knowledge, or finding records with appealing artwork, starting from a point that's way back in the digging process. Getting as close to that point as possible is crucial for being able to express what I want in my music.
- I see.
It's a bit different when it comes to current music. For example, when I was DJing dubstep, there was a current scene with lots of anthems every week, so I couldn't ignore that. It's a living scene, so I had to support it while doing my thing. But now, there isn’t really a scene that I feel strongly about. Honestly, there isn’t much new music that catches my attention.haha
- Indeed.
So my approach to music digging has changed a lot. Instead of taking the stance of looking for new releases every week, I focus on digging up tracks that nobody else can find, putting in a lot of effort, and then mixing them according to my own perspective.
- Which record store do you usually visit?
I go to Disk Union the most because I live in Shimokitazawa right now. My current favorite record store is probably RANA-MUSICA RECORD STORE,their selection is really good.
- So, even there, do you mainly buy UK Garage or UK House?
No, not at all.
- What kind of music do you look for?
I buy a wide variety, like US House from around '93 to '94. I’m not particularly fixated on UK stuff. It's difficult to find them these days. Back in the day, stores like Technique had a UK House section.
- I see! Aside from DJing, are there other activities or sources that inspire you or stimulate your creativity?
When it comes to inspiration... Well, it’s a bit like this – my hobbies are clothes and music. With music, there's this element of sampling, right? Like using vocals from '90s R&B in UK Garage. Similarly, with clothes, it's about sampling from military attire from a certain era, or from a specific country, or even from a particular brand at a specific time. They're entirely different things, but they share a kind of spirit, you know? Yeah, that's quite inspiring for me.
- So, do you feed that back into your DJing, or is it more of a personal thing?
I haven't really thought about it, but I never really give feedback on anything to do with DJing. It's more like... occasionally, something just clicks, and I find myself getting closer to something that's already within me. Since music is always on my mind, I'd rather not think too much about it. So maybe it's better that way.
- So, it’s not about shutting everything out completely, but more about going somewhere unrelated to refresh yourself and then coming back?
Yeah, it's more about motivation than inspiration. Showing someone a track I think is awesome and seeing them get just as excited about it, that's a great feeling.lol
- haha
Yeah, it's really satisfying.
- For those who are just starting out, or looking to build their DJ careers, do you have any advice?
Yes, one thing I can say for certain is that people who get recognized and do well in DJing quickly after they start are those who, without exception, have spent a lot of time in clubs watching lots of DJs. Those people are always out in the clubs, and they're not in a rush; they have a persuasive presence or a kind of temperature that you can feel. Without that, I think it's hard to understand what it's all about. Sometimes there are people who say, 'I want to become a DJ, what genre do you think is good?' but honestly, those people might as well not DJ, haha.
- Is it better to figure out what you want to do before starting DJing?
Right. My sister, who is two years older than me, got into electronic music really early and shared it all with me. Listening to Warp Records and the like before my brain was even fully developed probably set me on this path. But living in the countryside, I never imagined I could or would want to become a DJ. I just loved music, and when I went to university, it felt like something I could do, too. But I think having a deep love for music from the start is crucial because being a DJ isn't always fun.
- Especially when you consider doing it for a long time, maintaining motivation can be tough without that love for music.
Sure, if it's just a hobby and you're thinking of buying a controller, that's one thing. But if you're considering getting two turntables and starting to buy records, you really need to think it through. Records are expensive, and they take up space. But one thing I can definitely say is that DJing with records absolutely trains your ear.I know this because I spent a period playing on only CDJs. Not to generalize everyone, but for example, after I finish my set and it's up to the next DJ to transition smoothly, it's the same task but some just can't do it. Probably about 80% of them.
- Oh, I see...
That's because with CDJs, you have all this visual information, like waveforms, and I noticed my ears were getting worse when I used them. That's when I realized I needed to switch back. If you're going to use CDJs, you should turn off the waveforms and BPM display and rely entirely on your feeling. There's a certain comfort in seeing the waveform, thinking 'I'll drop it in there.' If you didn't have that, you'd have to go by feeling, which is actually the right way. You don't need to match the track exactly. Also, there's the temptation to overuse loops and stuff like that.
- Feeling is the most important thing in the club, after all.
So, it's totally fine to rent a studio and just play with records for a bit. I believe using records can quickly improve that aspect. And you can totally apply those skills to CDJs as well.
- Well, moving on to the final question, do you have any plans, schedules, or ambitions?
Well, I used to organize a party called House Not House, but it hit a snag with the whole COVID situation. However, we're planning to start organizing again late 2024, under a new crew name with me and one more person. It's not official yet, though.
- Looking forward to it!
I've been thinking that being just a player might mean my contribution to the scene is somewhat limited. If I have my own stance, I feel like I need to materialize it somehow. Also, one of my biggest goals is to play at festivals. Yeah, although it's not something I can control... I'll cross my fingers..lol
