80
“I will go on as a DJ until I die”
– DJ Aki
TOKYO NEON
Our man in Tokyo brings you the Kobe beef on what’s stewing Which DJs has AKi rubbed shoulders with on Can AKi give us information on Japanese drum
on Japanese dance-floors. his intercontinental missions? “I have met & bass producers? “I think the top Japanese
almost all DJs and producers in drum & bass,” producer is Makoto. Actually, there aren’t so
DJ AKi is the biggest drum & bass DJ in Japan. AKi reveals. “D-Bridge, in particular, gave me many Japanese producers in total, but they
Pigeonholed as the “Japanese Andy C”, he an advice on track making and remixed my first are present in all cities. I will be focusing on
remains quite the individual. This is some single on 06S Records. Moreover, Futurebound releasing up-and-coming producers’ tracks on
feat – The Land of The Rising Sun isn’t exactly and Sonic also release their tracks on my my label, as well as ones from more established
renowned for its creative rebels (despite people label. I received warm support from DJ Marky beat makers like Makoto. I am also launching
dressing like them), so, to break this highly when I did the Brazil Tour, and in the last UK a website called ‘DNB Japan’, and planning to
rigid system takes courage and iron will. tour, Red One from RAM Records and Fabio make their releases available from this website.”
supported me a lot.”
“I started my career at Breakbeat Science, NYC What is AKi up to in 2009? “I will keep the
in 1996, returning to Japan in 2000. I’m the In the UK there has been a huge debate heat on my activities – I already have many more
resident for club Womb in Shibuya [one of the about vinyl dying – downloads are becoming gigs worldwide than I did in 2008. So, for
top-three clubs in the world, in case you didn’t dominant at the expense of 12” records. Has those of you reading this interview, please come
know – Ed]. I’ve played at clubs worldwide such this issue affected the Tokyo drum & bass and see me when visiting Japan… you must visit
as Fabric, The End, Nation, Paradise Factory, scene? “If I stick to the thickness and depth a drum & bass party at Womb.”
Sirena, Warung and Lov.E in Brazil, including of the sound, vinyl is the best,” AKi answers.
many venues in Asian nations. In 2006, I “However, if I have the choice to please the It’s all rather special. “The Womb crew love
launched my own label, 06S Records.” crowds and play comfortably, I accept both drum & bass. There are always good party vibes
digital and vinyl. In the far east of Japan, people when I have a gig, especially on anniversary
AKi loves the UK scene. “I think the differences used to have a hard time purchasing drum nights where I feel more laid-back – the crowd
between the UK and Japanese scenes are in the & bass vinyl. However, internet / downloads response is sharper and stronger. This year, our
crowds,” AKi gives us his credible outside-in have reduced the time-lag to our scene a lot. 06S 9th anniversary will be held on May 9th,
perspective. “UK crowds love and understand Personally, many producers send me tracks where we will have Andy C and MC GQ!”
drum & bass a lot more. Also, the quality and via AIM, so I play 70% – 80% of my gigs with
volume of sound systems in the UK are lot CDs.” Will AKi ever complete his mission? “I think
higher than Japan’s.” there is no goal as a DJ,” AKi decides. “There
What kind of technology do drum & bass DJs is always a new aim or idea coming up, after I
How do the Japanese see the UK scene? Do they use in Japan? Traktor Scratch? CDJs? Effects accomplish one thing. I will go on as a DJ until
“understand” it? “The UK scene is very much Boxes? “Traktor Scratch users are increasing I die. In ten years, the scene will become bigger
the home of drum & bass,” says AKi, “and steadily. I use the Pioneer mixer and CD-J. I – I look forward to playing at drum & bass
Japanese D&B fans respect and admire the UK am currently an official performer for Pioneer’s festivals gathering tens of thousands.”
scene. The Japanese people who experienced SVM-1000 [an insane audio / visual touchpad
the UK dance floors actually drive the scene mixer that only the elite DJs are flexing]. http://www.womb.co.jp
in Japan. I count on Japanese people who
understand and love the UK scene, more and Who are the most popular foreign drum & bass
more.” DJs in Japan? “I cannot tell who the No.1 is,
but Andy C, DJ Marky, Roni Size and Ed Rush
are very popular here.”
www.kmag.co.uk
K80_Japan.indd 80 29/4/09 13:41:50
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