We can now announce that the next in the In The House series, taking in all the worldwide party destinations will be Tokyo, with Rae and Japan's own Studio Apartment providing the mixes. Here, we speak to Studio Apartment's Masa about the burgeoning club scene in Tokyo, their epic live shows, and how he put the mix together.
Tokyo has had a fairly troubled past when it comes to clubbing, due mainly to resistance from the government. Do you think that's changing?
As it is illegal for clubs to be open from midnight until dawn in Japanese law, clubbing is still an underground culture in Japan. Recently all clubs were temporarily forced to suspend their operation in Okinawa, the southernmost island of Japan as the police often crack down on the clubs. People have been campaigning to change the law, however it hasn’t happened yet and I think that the problems may persist for some time to come.
A lot of fairly high-profile clubs were closed down in 2006, but since then some new ones have appeared. Which are the clubbing hotspots in the city?
It is difficult for me to single out one venuem but there are some great clubs in Tokyo – many of them famous around the world; ageHa, Womb, WAREHOUSE702 and Air for example. Other than Tokyo, we have also great club in Osaka like GRAND Café, where I have a residency and O/D in Fukuoka.
Studio Apartment's Masa
Many of the larger Tokyo clubs have brand sponsors, such as Nike. Why is that?
It’s actually mainly alcohol and tobacco brands that sponsor the clubs. Brands such as Nike tend to sponsored to the party itself and not venue, but there might be exceptional cases. As as to why, it’s all about the money!
Let's talk about the compilation - tell us about some of the standout tracks...
When I was putting the mix together, I was very aware that I had to take care of the flow, above anything else, so I can’t really pick up specific tracks. What I can say though is that I working on the mix made me really happy, and I hope that comes through the music when you listen to it.
How did you put the mix together (hard/software, etc..)?
I used CDJ-2000s, DJM-800 and Cubase. If I had tried to pack what I usually do in a club into an hour-long mix, it wouldn’t have been very pleasant to listen to at home! So I tried to mix it very simple and didn’t use isolator or effect on the mix.
Studio Apartment have put on some incredible live shows...are there plans to do more of the same any time soon?
We produce a party, WORLD MUSeUM at ageHa with around 30 musicians and a live band on stage once a year. We’ve did one in July and next one will happen next summer. However it’s hard to keep doing this party as we spend a lot of money putting it on!
Studio Apartment Live
You're playing at Ministry of Sound at the end of the month...are you excited?
Yes, I’m very excited! I could not enter England two years ago due to visa issues and missed my set at Ministry of Sounds so I’m really looking forward to this one…finally I will be able to make it!
What else have you got going on for the rest of the year?
I’m on tour for my new album until end of this year and will be at Amsterdam Dance Event in October, followed by a tour in Asia. Also, we are working in the studio for our next album project, featuring local pop singers in Japan to be out in next March.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about..?
As I said I have some gigs in Amsterdam…I’m playing at Little Buddha for Deepheat party and Defected In The House on 22nd at Panama, at club Home on 24th then at MoS on 30th. I cannot wait to see you guys there!
Interview by Greg Sawyer
Defected In The House Tokyo '11 is out 25th October and you can catch Studio Apartment playing at Ministry of Sound on Saturday 30th October.
