March 11th Sunday, Shinagawa Tokyo, a business district where countless of international and domestic companies are located is rather quiet when in comparison to all the businessman rushing to their offices during the week. The event took place on such quiet Sunday just outside the station by former Virgin Cafe now N Cafe Diner & Music Pub.
By 15:30, next generation DJ/Producers started to gather at the venue one after another.
Future sound engineers, artists willing to play at internationally big festivals, one willing to produce for some other talents. Each participants gathered at N Cafe Diner & Music Pub to make a big step in their career towards their dream…
“DJ MAG Creators Salon Vol.1” supported by 17 other DJ MAG lincesors, world-class DJ/Producers, European labels, DJ/Producer school from the Netherlands begun.
A new project to support strictly selected 30 next generation DJ/Producers from Japan into international stardom.
16 O’Clock
First ever DJ MAG Creators Salon Vol.1 begun with the MC of editor-in-chief Yahagi and a female talent Seiko Hashimoto.
The Salon opened up with a short clip briefly showing how a consecutive DJ MAG TOP 100 DJS #1 Martin Garrix made his way to success from his early days to now flying with his private jet to the biggest shows and festivals around the world with the message “Are You The Rising Star?”.
After the short clip, DJ MAG Japan CEO, Jackie had made his talk explaining the details about the Salon itself and why we have gathered here on a peaceful Sunday.
Peeking into his speech, he mentioned that current situation of Japanese dance music scene is very much similar to Japanese football league and Formula 1 years back.
So, now would be the time to gather next generation talents with skills and abilities to push them internationally. Moreover, Jackie confidently explained how Japanese individuals have reached to the top in various different fields like dancers, make-up artists, chefs and not to mention that the CDJs and DJMs that we now frequently use is Pioneer, which originated from the tech country, Japan.
As it gets closer to the end of his talk, he mentioned the “Action 10”, which DJ MAG is willing to support throughout this Salon.
1. Bookings for Japanese clubs
2. Bookings for Japanese festivals
3. Releasing tracks from Japanese labels
4. Supports in improvements through introducing school, Labels and TOP 100 DJs
5. Track releases from International labels
6. Study abroad support by DJ MAG staff in The Netherlands or other EU countries
7. Bookings for Chinese Clubs
8. Bookings for Thai Festivals
9. Bookings for DJ MAG TOP 100 CLUBS #1 Green Valley, Brazil
10. Supports in promotion (World-wide streaming, article publishing on other DJ MAG platforms)
Jackie closes his talk by sending a message to be motivated and that it is not impossible to make your dream come true.
Thereafter, messages from top labels were aired.
In the clip from Spinnin’ Records, Meindert Kennis, Spinnin Records CMO emphasised that current industry is shifting the target to Asia and Spinnin’ Records examines Japan as the key market when entering into the Eastern market.
Nicky Romero, not only a world-class DJ/Producer but as the face of Dutch label Protocol Recordings also sent his messages to the next generation DJ/Producers in Japan.
Messages from top artists like KSHMR, Danny Avila, Florian Picasso, Julian Jordan, underground star Marco Lys and more, made new talents realise that now is the time to really push themselves to get their music out to the world and continue to pursue their originality.
Exclusive messages from top artists triggered their motivation and felt that they’ve already made a small step towards their dreams.
Lastly, the guest speaker JapaRoLL was called up on stage to talk about his success story and his releases from influential labels and how that lead to him performing in festivals.
His experiences as an event organiser. How he ended up DJing and producing dance music. Sending demos to labels over and over. The strength of streaming service and radio shows. Receiving valuable feedbacks from the labels for improvements.
The 2 hour session with full of essential contents had come to an end. After party begun with JapaRoLL’s opening act followed by the next generation DJs.
JapaRoLL
Based in Japan but is most active Japanese DJ/Producer internationally. Collaboration with the DJ master JUICY M on “RODEO” ranked #35 on BEATPORT House Chart. Opening Act for Nicky Romero’s show in ageHa, Tokyo. Released “MOVE THAT BODY” from Michael Brun’s KID COCONUT and ranked #15 on BEATPORT as well as #2 on 1001 Tracklist Chart. Released “JapaRoLL & FUNK MACHINE - JAPAFUNK” from Armada Music and was supported by Fedde Le Grande and Knife Party at Ultra Japan 2016.
Herbalistek B2B Lutez
Herbalistek, a DJ/Producer duo based in Tokyo, Japan. Producing mainly trap and dubstep music. Herbalistek is well known for their exciting and quick pace in their dj sets, mashing up multiple songs and executing unique and original transitions and edits. Their originals and edits supported by ADVENTURE CLUB and MYRNE & GTA. As B2B, other brother duo Lutez performed with Herbalistek. Lutez’ set vary from Bass House, Trap, Psy to even Hard Style. The duo, inspired by Vini Vici, Rezz, Carnage and more, were creating a fresh wave into the session.
Tha Boogie Bandit B2B Allen Mock B2B Killrina
Tha Boogie Bandit, LA-native and Tokyo-resident DJ/Producer regularly performs on the main floors of Japan’s biggest venues including ageHa, WOMB, Sound Museum Vision and more. As part of internationally known label Peak Hour Music and head of bass music label Hotslice, Tha Boogie Bandit produces hybrid Trap, future bass and bass house. Not to mention his tracks are supported by top artists such as Steve Aoki, Showtek, Afrojack, David Guetta, Ummet Ozcan, Timmy Trumpet, Dyro, MAKJ, Ephwurd to name a few.
Allen Mock is a DJ/Producer based in Tokyo and has been passionately creating Future Bass and Trap music in recent years, which resulted in #3 on BEATPORT’s Top Future Bass/Trap Chart. All 3 tracks from his latest EP “SUNA” had reached within Top 5 on Soundcloud’s New & Hot Trap Chart and has also been supported by Diplo & His Friends radio show.
Killrina, a young Dubstep DJ/Producer was inspired by skrillex and continues to pursue his original sound to make a new buzz in the Dubstep scene. Releasing originals from Canadian label Interval, he is also one of the up and coming DJ/Producers.
FUMINE
Drum N Bass female DJ/Producer, FUMINE. Her love towards Drum N Bass does not only stop within Tokyo and she takes the fresh genre to many parts of Japan.The fan base only continues to grow within in Japan as her strong music triggers something special.
Addict
A young talent from North of Japan, Hokkaido is a House DJ/Producer now based in Tokyo. His performances included mainly WOMB and Sound Museum Vision and continues to fascinate the crowd with his DJ techniques.
The Salon itself was a valuable time not only for the up and coming DJ/Producers but for all participants to share a common understanding about their future careers.
Japanese youngsters these days can see and understand the western world better compared to 10-15 years ago when it lacked in social media. Meaning that these talents have been more exposed to the western “sound” or “music” better than before. Unlike Japanese DJs in their 30s or 40s who only see the value in DJing and not producing, these talents clearly see the balance between producing and DJing to take part in this scene.
We can see how the scene is evolving and trying to rapidly catch up with the western world. DJ MAG can only support and hope that one day, they will truly make their dreams come true as a world-class DJ/Producer travelling around the world for their shows.
Let’s see who is going to be rising star!
