Thank you for your time today. Your set had a vibe similar to European followers of the Detroit sound.
Yes, I mixed in some genuine Detroit tunes but also played tracks from Italian followers of the genre.
Absolutely no frills! Your outfit seems very European vintage.
This outfit is actually all brand new, haha.
Haha, it was a very gentlemanly set.
I'm trying to get into that persona...
You went to Chicago recently. Did you DJ there?
It was mostly sightseeing, but I happened to get an offer to play. It was at a house party, kind of like a DJ bar, I guess?
I see. Was there a concept behind your mix this time?
I usually play house, but I made a point to include minimal techno or darker tunes. I think that's where my uniqueness lies.
How do you go about discovering new music, regardless of whether it's a new release or an older record?
<
Yes, for digital, Bandcamp is definitely the go-to. Also, I've been noticing lately, like with Lighthouse and others, that having the entire inventory available online for listening might have increased the instances where people listen online and then complete the purchase there as well. For genres other than club music, like jazz for example. I actually go to record stores to dig around.
Beyond DJing, do you have anything that stimulates your creativity?
Of course. I'm aiming to release a track this year. I also want to improve both the number and quality of my DJ sets, but really, taking the step to release a track is my goal for this year.
So, you're focusing on music production as well.
I'm in the process, but haven't reached the release stage yet.
So, you're at the demo stage. What inspires you when composing music?
I've always wanted to play the piano since I was a child. I was a sports kid, playing soccer for over a decade. After moving to Tokyo, I continued with sports clubs, but that came to an end. About a year ago, I decided to invest my own money into piano lessons. It's not just about the technique, it has also led me to explore jazz more deeply, focusing on pianists. I think it was a good decision to start.
Looking forward to listening to your debut track.
It was supposed to be out last year, haha.
Any advice for those wanting to DJ with vinyl records?
Before I started living in Tokyo, I always thought that working with analog was a high barrier to entry. Indeed, when I first started, things didn’t go well at all. However, surprisingly, after about a week of practice, there were moments when things started to take shape. It's those unexpected successes from just diving in that can really boost your confidence. I think the key is to just try it out first.
I see.
Just be careful not to overspend on records since they're quite expensive now, haha.
Haha, thank you. Lastly, and sorry for repeating a bit, but do you have any goals for 2024?
Well, besides the release I mentioned, I've never organized my own event. So, renting a space and creating my own party is a DJ-related goal for me.
