Recent addition to high-end techno collective, Toi Toi Musik, is Junki Inoue of Japan. Well known as a nation for their technical ability in music, this stereotype is strongly supported. Impeccable precision in audio production and technicality, the depth of his musical knowledge shines through in his performances. Good friend of Fumiya Tanaka, the 25 year old has demonstrated and impressed dancefloors across the globe with an enviable record collection clearly gathered from a young age covering a vast spectrum of electronic fields, jazz, and funk. His sets demonstrate a clear element of excitement and drive not just for music but also for the audience. Toi Toi’s reputation proceeds them yet again with another fantastic addition to their highly talented roster of gifted producers and Dj’s. We caught up with Junki of Tokyo for his first ever press interview to find out about his past and his new position in the label and as an artist soon to be circulated around the booking scene. A talent in the hot seat, watch this space.
Hi Junki, Thanks for your time! First of all, congratulations for joining the ToiToi roster! This is very exciting news for you?
Thank you very much! I am really happy that one of my dreams has come true. In fact, it was right after the gig on my 25th birthday when Isis gave me this wonderful present with a great surprise, I will never forget that day. I feel very honored that I have joined the ToiToi roster, being supported by the ToiToi Family members who I have strong respect and love since I first met them!
Tell us a bit about yourself? How was it growing up in Japan?
I was born in Tokyo in 1989 and grew up there. I've been in love with music ever since I can remember. In my teens, I was crazy for Rock music in general including Indie/alternative/punk/garage/new wave as well as good Pop music. After school I always popped in to shops and checked second hand CDs and records, and next day I would exchanged them with my classmates whom I went to some gigs of my favorite bands with, also music festivals on weekends. When I was 16, I spent most of my weekends enjoying my favorite music at clubs or parties which I could find easily in Tokyo. I was digging more deeply not only electronic music but other various kinds of music in different parties, but one day I noticed that my way of seeking or listening to music was very like the way of DJs compared with my friends. Then, quite naturally, I started playing music as a DJ.
Is electronic music popular over there?
In Japan, with an influence of 'No Dancing Law', there is some prejudice against clubs and little understanding about club culture. So, in comparison to Europe, club culture has not prevailed yet among a wider audience. Nevertheless, you can see a lot of scenes where electronic music has taken root steadily. At various large or small clubs, parties, and festivals on every weekend, well known/underground artists come to Japan to play from all over the world.
How did your music career begun?
As I mentioned earlier, I was really into many different kinds of music and trying to play all types of music together as a DJ. However, when I first listened to Fumiya Tanaka's set at WIRE (one of the biggest Techno festivals in Japan) at the age of 18, it was a totally mind blowing experience and that's how it all began. Since that night I got more into electronic music and started to go to his party called CHAOS regularly. Then, I began to collect Techno and House records more and more. At the same time, I began to work at clubs and music bars where djs were playing music all night. These experiences made me step into Tokyo's club scene very quickly and I easily got the opportunity to kick off my party called HEIKE with my close mates who had been playing in Japanese underground scene for many years!
Who would you say influenced you the most in your musical career? And might still influence you to this day?
As Fumiya invited many guests from Perlon to Chaos,I started collecting Perlon records. I got really crazy for Perlon and Playhouse records which is super experimental and avant-garde in such a modern way and also strongly influenced by new wave music. And then, when I first listened to Zip's set at Chaos, it was really a striking experience which almost blew up all my interests in other music. It was the most influential factor that oriented me to European underground Techno/House music.
At the age of 20, I began to go to Cabaret nights run by Dj Masda, So Inagawa and Yone-ko. Basically the present style of my music has been determined since I met them and went to their parties. I was really impressed and inspired by their way of playing super deep and elegant techno / house music, impeccable techniques and wide range of knowledge developed through their long careers. Also, every year they invited Daniel Bell and Jan Krueger whose performances influenced me a lot.
After I came to London, and I saw Nicolas Lutz for the first time playing at ToiToi, I became an enthusiast of his music and learned and realised the importance to have one's original unique style.
Now, since I moved to London at the beginning of this year, I've got so much influence from djs/producers around me in our scene. I really like what is happening in our local scene at the moment. I feel so much good energy and vibes from people who genuinely love the real underground music that I'm really into!
All the time, new kinds of music are born in the UK where many different races and cultures mingle together. It is the same in underground electronic music scenes, so I feel everyone in our scene is always seeking new and fresh sound more and more these days which is really amazing.
You mentioned this to be your first interview ever, is that true? How do you feel about it?
Yes it's my very first interview. So I am very excited. I hope this will help people to get to know a little more about my background and the situation of Japan.
How and when did you first come across ToiToi?
I knew that my favorite artists were playing at ToiToi, so right after I came to London in 2012 I went to their parties. My favorite artists who I couldn't see so often in Japan were there. Every time I was there, I was dancing on the front row. After a few months there Isis always took care of me so I eventually started hanging out with them. On the day when I first played my own records with them, Isis offers me to play on her birthday party at ToiToi as my very first gig in London. Since then, I spent every weekend with them and my music as well as the destination of my life has been changed dramatically.
Before joining the roster, have you had any residency around London?
I had been doing a party called 'frontroom' with my family team mates Galvin and Lee. Frontroom is a party that organically grew from these two guys who started collecting records together and playing them in their frontroom..which is the place where I live now!
Also I had been playing regularly at 'house of sound' run by my lovely Italian boys, Mateo and Josef. They have invited many underground djs from our scene in Europe such as Fede Lijt (El Milagro Records, Uruguay), Omar (El Milagro,Uruguay) and Andrew James Gustav (Hi-fi, Uk). I played alongside Laurine and Dj tree (Slowlife/Berlin), Yone-ko(Cabaret/Berlin),and Yuki Masda (Cabaret/Japan).
When did you first play for ToiToi and what did you think of it as an experience? Was it different than other parties around the capital?
I was so impressed with the sophisticated vibes,musically educated crowds and the quality of music and soundsystem. Everything was always perfect and more professional compared to others.
When I first played there 2 years ago, I was surprised with the number of feedback and compliments given to me by their crowd. My name wasn't known at all at that time but there were many people who listened to my set. I was so happy about that. Every time I played at ToiToi, I received warm responses from the crowd, which made me feel there would be the right place for me to play and stay. Then, I started thinking seriously about DJing professionally and playing in Europe.
How would you describe your sound? If you caught the attention of Isis and Claus it is that it must be special?
It is hard to describe my sound in a word but I guess one point that caught the attention of Isis and Claus is, they say, my knowledge about music and Japanese craftsmanship in mixing for my age, but considering I have been Djing for 7 years and my lifelong dedication to music, to me is not a remarkable achievement, just natural. In London, some people say my style represents Japanese precision or sometimes they call me Machine. It's funny, actually, because I am a person right on the opposite end, except when I am mixing records. I am really a kind of careless and easy going person and way too far from neat in general. So only when I'm djing, my character changes automatically and I become a tense, careful and precise craftsman.
When did you move to London? Are you going stay here permanently now that you are part of the ToiToi family?
When I first moved to London in 2012, I lived here for 10 month and went back to Tokyo to sort out my visa things. It took me almost a year which was much longer than I had expected but finally I managed to come back at the beginning of this year. Now everything has been sorted out and I'm going to stay here permanently. I'm really happy about this as I feel London is my home.
How is your calendar looking? We saw you just played in Italy for Kulture and then straight back in London for Rework alongside Andrew James Gustav? Is all this travelling new for you?
Yes, traveling outside Japan is new for me. It's tough/different but I was happy for whole weekend playing and sharing good music with beautiful people in these places. It's the best feeling ever. I will be playing at hoxton FM for the open radio show with Campbell brothers this Friday alongside Isis who will have a chat with them before Toi Toi at Fabric with Rhadoo this Saturday.
Here at MEOKO, we would be very surprised if we don’t see you play a lot in Europe next year, which would be your top 3 clubs to play at?
Thank you, that would be really amazing. My Top 3 clubs would be Fabric, Club De Visionäre and Panorama bar! had so many unforgettable party experiences in these places.
We heard you are studying Audio engineering here in London? Do you have any future plans in this field? Do you feel under pressure to start producing?
I am planing to go to SAE from January next year. After digging records for many years, my favorite specific sound has become much clearer than before. Accordingly I have more interest in music production these days. I'm excited to find my own sound with my production.
You use to organize events back in Tokyo, and now you are only Djjing, is that right?
Aside from big parties organized by big and powerful clubs, usually the organizer is the DJ in the underground scene in Japan. In such a way all risk is on the shoulder of one person, it is tough work for me to continue sometimes.but now I'm spending my time more on djing.
Having the opportunity to be a part of the ToiToi Roster and playing alongside some of the most renowned and influential artists must be exciting for you? Or even stressful?
Very Exciting! I feel very grateful and honored that my name is listed next to the most influential artists who I admire. They are always in the front line of the underground scene and are indispensable in my music history. Playing alongside, and rather enjoying the pressure I can get more inspiration, it also keeps me on check on making sure I'm really giving my best all the time.
Do you have any upcoming projects you would like to share with MEOKO readers?
I'll be back in Tokyo in October with isis and Claus for Vman's Japan tour! I also play alongside him at Air club in tokyo. I got some other interesting gigs as well, can't wait to have my London family to my home town. Once I am back, we will have 'frontroom' and 'house of sound' parties in London.
Follow Junki on Facebook and Souncloud
Listen to Junki's Exclusive MEOKO mix here..
