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 Japan’s hottest nu breed DJ, DJ19 is making waves across Tokyo as a DJ, producer and promoter. He talked to hkclubbing.com about his view on genre-less music and his plans for the Phuture.
Nilly: Is your DJ name DJ 19 or DJ Juke?
DJ19: Juku is nineteen in Japanese, but I go by the DJ name of DJ 19, pronounced DJ Nineteen. However, my label name is JUKUBOX and not Nineteenbox! So some people are confused.
Nilly: On your biography it states that your name was initially taken from Paul Hardcastle’s track ‘19’ that was fairly politically insensitive and even lead him to be sued by ABC networks. Was Hardcastle a major influence in your DJ/ musical career?
DJ19: Yes indeed! Hardcastle’s track ‘19’ awaked me to dance music in 1985. After hearing that track I really got into dance music and I consider him a major influence. Though lately he has diversified to making smoother music in comparison to the electro tech style he was better known for, I continue to have a strong appreciation for this talent and enjoy this style very much as well.
Nilly: How would you describe your music?
DJ19: I usually say my style is ‘Phuture Funk’. I don’t like to categorize music. I believe there are two types of music in the world; Good music and bad music! Phuture Funk means innovative / cutting edge with a dance groove. That’s also why I titled my latest release ‘Phuture Funk’.
Nilly: Who have been you major influences in music to date?
DJ19: Hum….It’s a hard question for me. I don’t pursue specific producers. But Pet Shop Boys and Trevor Horn are always in my mind
Nilly: Do you come from a musical background?
DJ19: Nope. I didn’t play any guitar or keyboards before. My first instrument was two decks. I used to collect records and needed turn tables to play them on and gradually just got into using them to mix music.
Nilly: As a nu-breed DJ you are a jack of all trades. DJ, producer, promoter. You currently run 3 labels 19 Box Recordings, Park Limited Muzik and 19 Box Ltd. How different is each one?
DJ19: 19box is a main label. The purpose is to send out quality house music to the world. 19box Limited is to release exclusively 19box music. Park Limited Muizk has a relationship with ‘PARK NIGHT’, my club nights which I will be re-starting in December. It’s based on party and partying. So Park Limited Muizk has been releasing techy tracks for DJs.
Nilly: Why did you choose those names?
DJ19: It's named after DJ 19. As "19" is pronounced "Juku" in Japanese. This is where I got the name, 19BOX(JUKEBOX). It also includes the hope for me to play music forever as a jukebox does.
Nilly: Tell us about ‘Ambrozia’ and “Trancecentral Station”.
DJ19: AMBROZIA is one of my main projects. I’m teaming up with two friends in Japan, Edison and Julianne and will release a second album titled “Real 4 Life” on November 8th on KONAMI(www.konami.jp/music/ambrozia). That is very musical project, which focuses on the world’s pop/dance market. In the beginning, the concept of AMBROZIA was to make chill out music, but we’ve been developing our career step by step. Trancentral Station is formed by Hiro Kuretani, another friend and me. When we have some time, so we embarked on this project over the vacations.
Nilly: You are well known for promoting events and like Jimmy Van M in the US, you have been instrumental for introducing progressive house in Japan. When you first introduced the sound form, what was the reaction by people in Japan?
DJ19: I have held a club night called “The Ocean”(ex:Mothership) since 1999. At that time, we didn’t have that kind of progressive house style parties in Japan. So everybody was impressed with those sounds by the likes of Nick Warren, Paul Van Dyk, Anthony Pappa, Dave Seaman…..
Nilly: How big is the dance music scene in Japan?
DJ19: To be honest, Japanese follow the trend of the times. If the media says the DJ of the music is big, everybody trusts that information. I think we have to judge without prejudice. So now is not the time for a club scene in Japan.
Nilly: Do you still have a focus on progressive house or does your music cross on to other genres
DJ19: I only play what I like. I never mind genres. So I can choose Phuture Funk tracks like before.
Nilly: How come you took a break from your PARK nights? Its back on in December, are you planning a big comeback party?
DJ19: Yes. After having closed its doors for a year, PARK is set to re-open on December 3rd with Thomas Penton at WOMB club. Thomas Penton is one of 19box’s producer and good friend of mine.
Nilly: How much time do you spend in Tokyo? Are you on the road a fair bit? If so, where do you spend most of your time?
DJ19: I don’t have a hobby except music, so I spend my time to reading many comics, because I’m Japanese, hahaha. And I love to find good restaurants.
Nilly: Tell us a little about your up and coming projects.
DJ19: There are too many projects. First one is AMBROZIA’s second album. Next is 19box new compilation CD. And I have to finish AMBROZIA’s third album, which will be out on March 18th or by end of this year.
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