Moving on to some more personal aspects of your life/career, I was reading about your musical upbringing, in particular the collection of instruments by your father: What would you say was the most obscure instrument your father owned?
We had lots of things that are quite uncommon. A few would be the Harpsichord, Dulcimer, Autoharp, Saw with bow, Dobro Guitar, Banjo. It’s a bit funny that with so many instruments around mine turned out to be my parents MT-32 synthesizer from Roland.
I have also read about your interest in the country of Japan and its culture. What got you into Japanese culture in the first place? If/When you do make a move over there, what kind of projects would you be looking to work on?
I guess my first infatuation with Japan started with being obsessed with martial arts and watching loads of Ninja movies as a child. My first trip when I was invited to play at Air Club in Tokyo, I spent some extra days in the city and instantly fell in love.
As for my projects there. I work for Roland Corp. now and also play regular shows at the clubs and festivals. Womb has become a new mainstay and also festivals like Labyrinth and Star Festival have a significant place in my heart.
How would you describe the sound of electronic music coming out of Japan? Who are some figures to keep an eye out for, or for the Western scene to embrace further?
Dj Nobu, Dj Sodeyama (who I’m doing a remix for this week), DJ Hiyoshi, Dj So and Katsuhiko are all people to keep an eye on. I can’t wait to meet more people to add to the list this winter.
I also found it interesting that you have been spending some time living in India. (Interestingly enough, I was raised for the first ½ of my life in India – where I was born, and Japan before moving to the US and now Amsterdam). Similar to the question on Japan: what drew you to India and its culture? How did you find the creative environment there? Also, how did you find the “chillout” environment?
India immediately humbled me. It also forced me to let go of the illusion of control and security that we in the west grasp to so tightly. It is a place where the most beautiful things and most horrible things are experienced hand in hand. Somehow, no matter the caste everyone has a special glow that I have not found anywhere else in the world. The only way I can describe this is a deep connection of the heart. Looking into someone’s eyes and gaining such immediate empathy is a rare thing in most places, but rather common in India.
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