DJ Kentaro Interview

DJ Kentaro is a name that stands out from the crowd as the crowned DMC (Disco Mix Club) World DJ competition, and not just once. At the tender age of 20 he scored the perfect score with his 6 minute set taking home 2 gold Technics 1200s and a matching Technics DJ mixer to his home country. From here he spread his wings from Japan and took the World by storm. Hitting festivals and venues from the UK to Australia and everywhere in between- Asia’s top turntablist chats from Tokyo with BBM’s Frankie Salt. With skills of scratching Hip Hop through to the roots of whoever sees him live, he is about to hit Australia’s Subsonic Festival.

Hi DJ Kentaro, how are you today?

Hi, I’m great thanks and you?

Yeah I’m good thanks. Where are you right now? Paint BBM a written picture please…

I am in Tokyo as this is where I am based. Japan is alive and kicking.

What are you up to over in Japan at the moment?

Well, I have my own festival called Basscamp 2012, which is coming up at Christmas. We still have a few acts that I am not allowed to announce, but Gothtrad and Quietstorm are on the lineups. We also have Matrix & Futurebound from the UK as well. We did a song called “North South East West ft. Matrix & Futurebound” which was included in my album called “Contrast”, and this just came out on Ninjatune.

It has been 10 years since you won the DMC World Final, how did things change after you won this award?

Well I spend a lot more time in the studio making my records nowadays. And so my ratio of technical production with showmanship time is very different to how it used to be. However, I still do old routines in my live shows sometimes.

Over the past 10 years what has been your top DJ moment? How do you feel the industry has changed through the evolution of technology and the internet?

Well with my job, I get to go to many different countries, where I get to meet new people- this is my treasure in the industry of which I am so grateful. Technology has made things a lot easier to do for instance staying close to my friends who are the other side of the World. The communication part is easier, so I have more time to work on projects. This is why I always question why projects take longer nowadays?

How did you first become involved with music as a teenager? Where did you grow up and were you always surrounded by music growing up?

I grew up in the city called Sendai and grew up with a Hip Hop crew called Gagle from the city (DJ Mitsu the beats/MC Hunger/DJ Mu-R). They were always my mentor in music from the age of 13.

Your first album ‘Enter’ contains layers upon layers of scratching and exponents of Hip Hop, how would you describe your style of music?

My first album was different as it had a slower pace and it was my first album in my career so I spent lots of time in the production. I have such an exploration of the history of the music world in my music.

Your second album ‘Contrast’, released in August this year has such an eclectic mix of genres of music and featured artists such as DJ Krush and Foreign Beggars, how long did the production of this album take?

I was pretty much working on this records for the past 3-4 years, but for the real core of it, I worked on over the last year or two.

When you signed with legendary Ninja Tune and released your first album, did you have any preconceptions of how the album would be received? This album obviously paved your way globally.

I have been really grateful to tour around the world and I thank the records for that. When making “Contrast”, I wanted to put together the tunes that I like to play when I DJ at Festivals or even indoor venues. However it was all very natural. It just came along with featuring guests that I am friends with with throughout years from festivals, labels and so on.

A highlight for you this year must have been to play amongst the kings of music at the Fuji Rock Festival, how did you choose the kind of set to play at such a festival?

Well, I have played at Fuji a few times before, and this year I co-headlined on one of the biggest stages this year- the White Stage. I just played what I usually play and enjoyed it. Also with the screen behind my set worked very well. I wanted to bring out & show the strong energy from the West (EU, USA, Oceania) to Japan !!

Where is your favourite venue in the world which you have had the pleasure of playing in?

Well, KOKO London is always great. Basscamp which I throw twice a year is at age Ha Tokyo and I really like this venue, probably the biggest venue/club in Asia. The Espy in Melbourne is great too. Coachella LA is a great festival to play at too!

You are about to hit Australia’s Subsonic Festival, do you think the crowd in Australia will differ a lot to the crowds at say, the Coachella festival which you played in 2010?

I always look forward to Australian crowds and festivals. I get to come once or twice a year, I want to bring the maximum energy and have fun with Australian people! I cannot wait!

What more can we expect from you over the coming year? We can’t wait for you to hit Australia for Subsonic, Thanks for your time DJ Kentaro!

Well, remixes from Contrast, the EP will come out mid-November, and end of December (digital only). Yes! Looking forward to seeing you guys in Australia! Thanks!

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