- Tue, 2010-04-13 15:15
Considered one of the pioneers of Japanese hip hop, DJ Krush was born in Tokyo in 1962. Kick starting his solo pursuits in 1992 following the break up of hip hop act Krush Posse, he became one of the first DJs to use turntables as live instruments, along with free sessions with live musicians on stage. Following the release of his debut album Krush in 1994, DJ Krush quickly rose to fame. Countless global releases, DJ sets, awards and accolades followed, with his 8th album Jaku released late 2004, a self remixed best of in March 2006 and a historical collection of his 12 year career released in Japan in 2007.
I Like Music sent some questions across to DJ Krush - we've were sent the answers in Japanese, so here they are coupled with a slightly dodgy translation underneath - however, minor details aside and music first, we chat tech, his record collection, future plans and wet vinyl in sweaty Bristol clubs.
"I Like Music because… it makes me honest to myself and gives me a place to face myself and be mentally naked. Therefore I can find my voice. It is very precious and scary at the same time that music brings me an unlimited space.” DJ Krush
ILM: What's been your most recent musical purchase?
DJ Krush: T RACKS 3
ILM: What's your ideal software/hardware set up?
DJ Krush: ソフト/ハードともに自分が思い描く音を忠実に再現してくれる機材が理想だね。
The one which can describe my sound correctly.
ILM: Can you describe your studio / workspace?
DJ Krush: VEETAX PMC20SL, RANE SELATO SCRATCH LIVE, Ableton Live 8
ILM: In what conditions do you make your best music?
DJ Krush: 限定するのは難しいけど、気分が落ち込んでいる時は機材の電源を入れる気がしないから やっぱり前向きな時のほうがアイデア、想像力も冴えるよね。
It is hard to say but I don't even feel like turning on my equipment when I am down. So it's better when I feel good and then good ideas and imaginations will come.
ILM: Who / what have been some of your strongest musical inspirations?
DJ Krush: 表現ジャンルは問わず大勢の人達からの影響を受けていると思う。
その中から１つ選ぶというのは難しいな。個性をしっかり持っていて前向きに怖がらないで 進んでいく様を音を使って表現するアーティストが好き。
A lot of people influence me regardless of genre. It's hard to choose one. I like the artist who has a strong style and is not scared of evolving the sound.
ILM: How do you approach your DJ sets?
DJ Krush: 自分の中にある空気感、間、景色、などなど。なるべくKrushを吐き出そうと努力している。
I describe the things which are inside me such as space, time and landscape. I attempt to shout “Krush”
ILM: Where is the best soundsytem you've ever played on?
DJ Krush: 日本だとリキッドルーム、イエローあたり、ロンドンのKOKOも大好きだよ。
Liquid room, Space Lab Yellow in Tokyo and also Koko in London is brilliant.
ILM: Out of all the DJ sets you've played, which have been the most memorable?
DJ Krush: 1994年秋のMO'WAXパッケージ・ツアーでシャドウと初めて一緒にツアーした時のブリストル公演。 客がスシ詰め状態で、換気扇も無いハコだった為、その熱気で壁が結露。レコード盤まで水滴だらけに なって、スクラッチが出来なかった。(笑)
Bristol show in 1994 which was the Mo'Wax first Tour with DJ Shadow. I couldn't scratch my vinyl because it was too packed and too humid which made my vinyl wet. Lol!
ILM: What would be your advice to anyone looking to pursue a career in the music industry?
DJ Krush: 自分にしか出せない自分自身の音を探し出しその魂が入った音を皆に届ける努力を！
Make your own sound that no one else could create, put your soul in to it and work hard to make people listen
ILM: What's your record collection like? Where do you keep your music, how much is there, any hidden gems....?
DJ Krush: レコードコレクションは自宅地下のスタジオに収納している。全部で1万5千枚位かな。 宝物は故キース・ヘイリング直筆サイン入りチェンジ・ザ・ビートのアナログ。
I got my records in my studio which is in basement in my flat. There are about 15,000. My gem is “Change the beat” vinyl with Keith Haring(RIP) signature on it.
ILM: What have you been listening to recently?
DJ Krush: 最近はDUBを聴く事が多いかな。
I listen to quite a lot of dub these days.
ILM: Out of all the DJ sets, gigs, concerts, live music events you've seen, which have been the most memorable?
DJ Krush: 自分の公演になっちゃうけど、つい最近、日本でやった6時間のDJプレイ。久々のロングセットだったから大変だったけどかなり楽しかったよ！！
It's about my Dj set but I did a 6 hours set in Japan the other day. I haven't played that long a set for a while so it was tough but I really enjoyed it!
ILM: What are your future plans?
DJ Krush: 今後の予定などを教えてください。来年は本格的なソロ活動20周年なんだ。それに向けての作品やツアーなど色々と企んでいるから 期待していてください！
Next year is the 20th anniversary of my solo project. I'm planning to put out some material and to tour so please watch out what I'm going to do.
ILM: How do you continue to push your music forward, to develop and evolve upon what you've already done?
DJ Krush: アプローチの仕方を従来のフーマットをブチ壊して、新たな道を自分で開拓して、風当たりを恐れず 自分のやり方で音を構築し産み落とす。見えないワクを取り払う事は中々難しいけど、その先にある物に 向かって行く志は大切な事だと今でも思うね。音楽を愛している一つの理由は自分自身を正直にしてくれる。精神的に裸になれ自分自身の本質と向き合う空間を与えてくれる。そこに自分を確認出来る。そんな無限の空間を与えてくれる音楽はとてつもなく愛おしく恐ろしい。
Destroy the traditional format and the way to approach things, find a new way, do not be scared of what people say, create a sound like I did. It is hard to fight with the thing that you can not see, but I still believe that it is important to be ambitious and motivated.
