Towa Tei: The Interview

[IMG:Tajima Kazunali©]

By Conan the Destroyhhher
Translation TXT by Aisha Takashima (hug inc.)


Towa Tei is a producer who is bound by no limits or defined by any genre. In fact you try put him in a category and you'll find that it's impossible when he crosses from one genre to another. His tenure in Deee-lite as a producer/DJ was a stepping stone in the right direction and made us aware about his eclecticism towards music. When he left Deee-lite around 94, Towa headed back to Japan and worked on his solo debut "Future Listening" which merged Bossa, house, hip hop and Lounge.

[IMG:Tajima Kazunali©]

His sound experimentation didn't stop there. Sound Museum and Last century Modern were albums that cemented his leftist production and eclectic sense ranging from UK Garage, Drum n Bass, house, hip hop, electronica etc..etc...

[IMG: by Yasumasa Yonehara©]

BIG FUN is Towa's 5th release and Nerdy Frames got to talk to Towa Tei, a legend and an Icon in his own right about music, futurism, brand new collaborators from the Myspace generation, hug inc., and having BIG FUN at his expense!




NF: Thank you so much for talking with us @ Nerdy Frames. So we're now up to album number 5 with the recent release of "BIG FUN." In your own words tell us what was the concept or theme behind this brand new album?

[IMG: By Barry McGee]

TT: The concept is "no concept." There is no concept and no particular genre to this album. That's how I approached to making this album this time. But this time I only worked on songs when I was feeling great or happy. So I would go to a hot springs or eat good food, just do whatever that I feel like doing and what makes me happy, so that I don't have to force myself to make music. Good music should come from natural happy feelings, right? People told me that they can feel the happiness from the album so I'm happy about that, being able to share some happiness to others.

[IMG: by Yasumasa Yonehara©]

NF: On this new album you have former Cibo Matto member Miho Hatori contributing vocals on "Mind Wall" and "Out of my Addiction of Love". How did that come about in terms of you working with her?

Miho Hatori

TT: I made the songs, and it hit me that maybe her voice would fit with them. So I contacted her through myspace. And she was like "Of course!." It was just like that.


NF: Another thing that I've notice from the liner notes was the absents of well known vocalists that you tend to collaborate with regularly (eg. Kylie, Bebel Gilberto, Maki Nomiya), but instead we're greeted with a brand new roster of artists and vocalist like Taprikk Sweezee, MADEMOISELLE YULIA, Mitsuko Koike, MEG, and Peggy Honeywell. Was this a decision from yourself to try new collaborators and give something refreshing to your fanbase?

TT: Well, I didn't really care if they are well known or not, even though I worked with well known artists and vocalists this time as well. But I just picked who I thought would be great for the songs or sounds. Also the artists who participated in BIG FUN are mostly who I could relax and work with. That's one of the reasons I came up with the words BIG FUN, because it was fun working with them.




NF: Now I want to take one example from your new album which is the track you did with Taprikk Sweezee "Taste you" which has RnB like elements. The one thing that I like mostly with your productions is your take on R&B, especially when you've worked with vocalists from your past albums such as Bebel Gilberto, Amel Larrieux, Joi Cardwell and Les Nubians. What is your philosophy in terms of how you produce RnB music from your end?

TT: My philosophy in terms of how I produce R&B music is to absorb Rhythm and Blues in my own way.



NF: Can we ask you about what music you were listening to when you were growing up, and what albums or artists from the past made an impact in your life?


TT: I started listening to techno pop at the age of 13 or 14. After I met with the music of YMO and Kraftwerk


NF: So lets talk about your current studio setup. For our technically inclined readers, what gear are you currently using to make your music today? Are you still using analogue instruments or have you upgraded to a more digital studio?

TT: I'm using mainly:

digital Performer 5
E-MU E4
Virus T1

etc...


NF: Now with that said....what about Djing? Has much changed in how you now DJ at clubs or at gigs? Do you still use vinyl?

TT: I have been using both vinyls and CDs, but recently I started using Traktor on MacBook. It's going great. You can carry so many songs in your laptop and you can access to a song that you would have never brought if you were carrying vinyls. But I still carry some vinyls too, before taking them in the computer.


NF: Now you're consider by many as something of a futurist in terms of embracing technology which was the focal point of the Last Century Modern album in which you mentioned in the lyrics of the titled track certain innovations with technology (ie email, search engine, nano, the Euro, Mp3) which was in 1999. Now that we are in the future, what are your thoughts about technology now? Is it a good thing that mankind is progressing somewhat smoothly with newer technology or should we slow down?

TT: mankind is progressing somewhat smoothly with newer technology so, it is convenient.

But on the other hand, it got easier to get caught up and drowned in too much information. I think we should spend the extra time for offline quality time, not controlled by technology, after we get such extra time from the convenience of technology.


NF: What are your thoughts about social network sites such as Myspace? Do you believe its a tremendous source in finding new music and undiscovered talent?


TT: Yes and no.


How do you feel about newer formats like MP3s? Because alot of people in the music industry have put the blame of MP3s for the decline in CD sales. Do you think its a matter of evolve or die?

TT: Yes and no.

In the past, we didn't have to spend money on distributing music, so we can also say that it got just like back then.


NF: How would you rate Japanese music today? Do you think that it's time that the western world explore more Japanese music into their aural diet?

TT: I'm not interested in the categorized Japanese music. I'm simply interested in music.


NF: Now I have to ask you about one particular collaboration that probably alot of people may not know about, and that was your collaboration with Uwe Schmidt (aka Senor Coconut). In fact I saw video footage of you and Atom™ at the Sonar Festival in 2005. How did you ended up working with Senor Coconut?

TT: Senor's 1st album was fantastic, so it happened. We released it from our label in Japan. Since then, we are friends.

NF: And will there be more of that sort of collaborating with Senor Coconut in the near future?

TT: I Hope so!!


NF: Now to backtrack here a little Towa, I've notice....maybe just after Last Century Modern that most of your album covers to date have been done by visual artists such as KAWS and now recently San Francisco based visual artists Barry McGee. What are some of your favorite visual artist that you admire either from the past or present?


TT:
Basquiat
Warhol
Robert Rauschenberg
Nam June Paik
Alex Katz
Jake&Dinos
Damien Hirst
Phil Frost
Matt Leines
Ben Jones
Jeff Koons
Shinro Otake

etc...

KAWS



Barry McGee

ESPO



More KAWS



More McGee

NF: Tell us about hug inc? Is this a lifestyle brand, a new label?


TT: hug inc. is not a label. It can be a lifestyle brand. It's management company for myself, another DJ, DJ HICO (female DJ), and Natural Calamity. hug inc. creates creative collaborated products with qualified brands, organizes events, sell apparel stuff, etc. www.huginc.net.

Natural Calamity

DJ HICO

NF: With your career spamming now for over 20 years, what is the one thing that you've learned throughout producing music that you want to instill as a life lesson to the next generation?


TT: I feel like my music has just begun. I want to open up the close minded people by telling them there are this kind of music and life.


NF: Outside your music activities, has much of your life slowed down and taking a more relaxed route or is matter of balance?

TT: I'm mostly busy with work that's not music.

NF: Lastly and probably the most important question......will you be touring the world this year,with either live gigs or DJ dates across the globe?

TT: I don't like the pressure to prepare the whole world tour, but DJing somehow sometimes can be fun.


NF:And with that.....we thank you Towa Tei

------------------------------------------------

We would like to thank Towa San for taking the time to talk to us. A special thanks to A'isha Takashima (TT manager) for not only translating the interview for us, but putting up with us over the past month or so. Domo arigato..........we love you!


If you want your fix of Towa Tei.....we have links on where you can either catch him Djing, where you can purchase his new album BIG FUN, we've got you covered!

Official weblinks:

In Japanese
http://www.towatei.com/
http://www.huginc.net/
http://www.myspace.com/towatei
http://columbia.jp/towatei/

Purchase:
BIG FUN on Amazon
BIG FUN on CD Japan
BIG FUN on Itunes
TT Singles on BEATPORT
TT Albums on HMV
Less Than Human (Eyewear)

TT Gear:
digital Performer 5
E-MU E4
Virus T1
Technics 1200s
Traktor DJ pro
Apple Mac



Discography (from TT official website)

Towa Tei Main Works

<2008>
Releases "N705i" at iTunes in February & Mobile in March (both in Japan)
Releases "A.O.R." at Beatport (World) in July
Releases "MOTIVATION 7 compiled by DJ TOWA TEI" in July

<2007>
Releases MOTIVATION 6 Adult Oriented Click Nonstop-Mix by MOODMAN
(Supervised by TOWA TEI) in December
Released Original Sound Track "DAINIPPONJIN" in November
Released "MOTIVATION FIVE compiled by DJ TOWA TEI" in June
Released "Future Listening!" with Bonus CD "Future Recall 3" in April
Released "Future Recall 3 EP" in April

<2006>
Released "Motivation 3 Compiled by Towa Tei" in April
Released "Motivation 4 Dusty Dance Hall Compiled by Towa Tei" in August

<2005>
Releases "FLASHER EP" 12inch vinyl in December.
Releases "FLASHER" (FLASH remixies + compilation album) in November.
Publishes "LOOK" (1st visual book) in March.
Releases "FLASH" (4th solo album) in April.


<2004>
Recording for new album "FLASH".
Releases "Motivation Driving Sweets" compilation album in March.
Releases "Akashic Records Official Sampler/Sratm Produced by Towa Tei" official sampling CD in March.
Releases "Different Nu Nu" 1,000 limited 7inch in December.


<2003>
Releases "Free" 12-inch in February.
Releases "Best/Korea" 5-inch in Feburuary in JPN.
Releases "Re:Towa Tei" remix album in February.
Releases "Re:Towa Tei EP1" 12inch vinyl in March.
Releases "Re:Towa Tei EP2" 12inch vinyl in March.
Releases "Motivation Songs For Make Up" compilation album in September.


<2002>
Releases "Funkin For Jamaica" 12-inch in FRA.
Releases "Towa Tei" 2nd Album under the name of "Sweet Robots Against The Machine" in March.
Releases "Towa Tei/Best/Korea" 5-inch CD in November in KOR.


<2001>
[SP-1200 productions had dissolved at the end of 20th century.]
Releases "Funkin' For Jamaica - Boris Dlugosch Remix vol.1&2" 12-inch vinyl in June and "Funkin' For Jamaica - Boris Dlugosch Remix" maxi single CD in August both for GER.
Releases "Luv Connection" 2,000 limited edition 12-inch in October.
Releases "Towa Tei/Best" (Compiled by Towa Tei) in October.
Releases "The Very Best of Deee-Lite" (Compiled by Deee-Lite) in October.
Towa Tei / Aebeit (CD / not for sale)


<2000>
Releases "Lost Control Mix" 12-inch vinyl in February.
Releases "Last Century Modern" for worldwide in March.
Releases "Lost Control Mix vol.1&2" 12-inch vinyl for worldwide in March.
Releases "Mars" 12-inch vinyl in June.
Releases "Mars" 10-inch vinyl in June. (a limited edition of 300 copies)
Releases "Mars" single CD in June.
Releases V.A. "ar" 5-inch CD in November in JPN.


<1999>
Releases "A Ring" single CD in May. (a limited edition of 500 copies)
Releases "A Ring / Congratulations! EP" 12-inch vinyl in May.
Releases "Let Me Know (feat. Chara)" single CD in June.
Releases "Last Century Modern" 3rd solo album in July.
Releases "Last Century Modern" 12-inch color vinyl in August.
Releases "Let Me Know" 10-inch color vinyl in September.
Releases "Funkin' For Jamaica" 12-inch vinyl in September. (a limited edition of 200 copies)
Releases "Funkin' For Jamaica / Last Century Modern" remix single CD in October. (a limited edition of 1,000 copies)
Releases "Lost Control Mix" remix album CD in November.


<1998>
Releases "Sound Museum" from Elektra Entertainment Group for US in February.
Releases "Sound Museum" in Australia in April.
Releases "Sound Museum" in Germany in May.
Releases "Visionary Soundtrack" in July. (a limited edition of 10,000 copies)
Releases "Butterfly" 7-inch vinyl in October.
Releases solo mini album "Butterfly" CD in October.
Releases "Butterfly" 12-inch vinyl in October.


<1997>
Releases CD album "Sweet Robots Against The Machine" in producer's name of Sweet Robots Against The Machine in February.
Releases "Sweet Robots Against The Machine" Vinyl album in February.
Releases 2nd solo album "Sound Museum" in May.
Releases "Sound Museum" vinyl album in May.
Releases "Happy" (maxi-single from "Sound Museum") in June.
Releases "Happy" Vinyl maxi-single in July.
Releases "Sound Museum" vinyl set - DJ Edition in August.
Releases "GBI (German Bold Italic)" (maxi-single from "Sound Museum") in September.
Releases "GBI (German Bold Italic)" vinyl set - DJ Edition in October.
Releases "Stupid Fresh" ("Sound Museum" remix) in November.
Establishes own label called Akashic Records in November.
Releases "Stupid Fresh" ("Sound Museum" remix) vinyl set - DJ Edition in December.


<1996>
Releases "Batucada" 12-inch vinyl in GER.
Releases Deee-Lite "Deee Remix Best" 5-inch CD in JPN.
Voltage Unlimited E.P. (12-inch / not for sale)


<1995>
Releases Deee-Lite "Dewdrops In The Remix" 5-inch CD in JPN.
Releases "Technova" single CD in March.
Releases "Future Recall 2" ("Future Listening!" remix) in March.
Releases "Technova" 12-inch vinyl in US.
Releases "Technova" CD in US in April.
Releases "Future Listening!" from Elektra Entertainment Group for worldwide in April.
Releases a single "Luv Connection" from "Future Listening!" in US and Europe from Elektra Entertainment Group in August.


<1994>
Releases Deee-Lite 3rd album "Dewdrops in the Garden".
Releases the 1st solo album "Future Listening!" in October. (also in charge of produce and art-direction)
Releases "Future Recall!" ("Future Listening!" remix) in December.
Releases Deee-Lite "Call Me" 12-inch vinyl in US.


<1992>
Releases Deee-Lite 2nd album "Infinity Within".
Releases Deee-Lite "Pussycat Meow" 12-inch vinyl in US.
Releases Deee-Lite "Thank You Everyday" 12-inch vinyl in US.
Releases Deee-Lite "Thank You Everyday" 5-inch CDs in UK.
Releases Deee-Lite "Runaway" 12-inch vinyl×2 in US.
Releases Deee-Lite "Runaway" 7-inch vinyl in US.
Releases Deee-Lite "Runaway" 5-inch CDs in UK.


<1991>
Releases Deee-Lite "How Do You Say... Love" 12-inch vinyl in UK.
Releases Deee-Lite "How Do You Say... Love" 5-inch CD in FRA.
Releases Deee-Lite "Good Beat" 7-inch vinyl in GER.
Releases Deee-Lite "Good Beat" 5-inch CD in GER and JPN.


<1990>
Releases a debut album "World Clique" as a member of 'Deee-Lite' (TowaTei, Dmitry, Lady Miss Kier) from Elektra Entertainment Group. Given 'Gold Disc Award' for Deee-Lite's "World Clique" in various countries. Deee-Lite charted No.1 on BillBoard Dance Chart for their four singles in a row.
Deee-Lite's "Groove Is In The Heart" charted No.1 on UK's and Australian pop charts, No.4 on US BillBoard Pop Chart. 'Deee-Lite' toured USA - Europe.
Releases Deee-Lite "Esp / Good Beat" 12-inch vinyl in US and UK.
Releases "Power of Love / Deee-Lite" 12-inch vinyl in US and GER.
Releases "Groove Is In The Heart / Deee-Lite" 5-inch CDs in US.
Releases "Groove Is In The Heart / Deee-Lite" 12-inch vinyl in GER.
Releases "Groove Is In The Heart / Deee-Lite" 5-inch CD in JPN.