Ken Ishii interview

Ken Ishii comes back to Klubbers’ Day, and electromuzic.com had the privilege of talking to him. One of the better known Japanese Dj's, who has greater recognition in his country, being considered a musician, and a person who has done greatest works as the original soundtrack for the Nagano Olympic Games. With great recognition all around the world, he comes to Madrid to groove one of the most important events in Spain.

EM - First of all, at electromuzic.com we've been listening to your Sunriser album (2006). We have to congratulate you, because we think it's a fantastic album. But this is our modest opinion. In reality, has it been as successful as you were expecting?

KI - I knew it didn't follow the trends of dance music at all, but I just did what I wanted to do and to present to the current scene. I'm happy with that first. In Japan it's been a good success - sales-wise and those who know the real dance/electronic music history raved the album. In Europe I'm not really sure about that. The licensee is a French record company and it went well in France, but they couldn't handle other European countries well.

EM - Why the octopus photo on the sleeve? You say in your blog that you're an enthusiastic of them, and in Galicia you were thinking of tasting it in every single restaurant. Is it maybe because of that? It would be a pride for Galician people, but might it be also an aesthetic issue? KI - Purely because I love pulpo! I originally liked it since I was a kid but Pulpo a la Gallega made me like it even more! I had the cuisine when I visit Spain for the first time, I think. Since then I always had much love to octopus. Also, I have been thinking that octopus had an interesting shape as a graphic design material, such as its round suckers look like woofers to me etc. Anyway, pulpo I had in Galicia was top!

EM - As Europeans, sometimes we have the image of Japan to be a very traditional country. How are Dj's and electronic music scene considered there? It is more accepted in the big cities or it is a phenomena extended all over the country?

KI - Actually, Japanese culture has always been very modern since the early '80's, although we still keep some traditional customs like going to shrines to pray on New Years Day etc. I started to go to clubs in the mid '80's and we already had a techno scene before '90. It was small though at the beginning. Now, I would say the scene is all over and quite happening, but except major cities like Tokyo and Osaka clubs are small sized and the musical choice is limited.

EM - Lots of Dj's which are also producers, often diverge from the style shown on their albums to the music they play when performing a Dj session, a fact which sometimes surprises people from the audience that have only listened to the tracks, but didn't see them live. What do you think about this change? Is it really necessary? Do you feel you are consistent with your tracks style? KI - I see. In a way, it's a dilemma to artists. It's better for artists to play your own music or something close to your own music, but not everybody could enjoy it at a party or a festival because most of the people there simply want to enjoy themselves. At the same time it's pleasure for artists to see them enjoying and screaming. However, sometimes small parties in a few selected cities allow you to have complete artistic freedom. For example, at the parties I occasionally do in Tokyo called Standard, I play only what I really like to play, like old experimental electronic music from '70's to early Detroit techno stuff, and of course my own stuff.

EM - How do you feel in front of the Spanish audience? Is it very different from the audiences from Japan or other countries?

KI - I totally enjoy it! I can feel lots of energy from the crowd. Playing in Japan is the same thing. It's not different from other countries, just even better!

EM - What is your opinion about Klubbers' Day? This is the third edition of this young event; which is the image of this festival out of Spain?

KI - I played for the event two years ago. That was great. It got a good vibe in the two big halls. One of the best indoor events in the world, I think.

EM - Thank you very much to show yourself interested in the interview; don't want to take out much of your time. We hope you'll enjoy your visit to Madrid. Probably you know that, but despite we have no coastline we are one of the biggest ports in Europe so fresh octopus could be find here too.

KI - We are seafood people. Spain is the best country for it in Europe, I can easily admit it.

 

Text: Alberto Pindado Ibáñez & Javier Hidalgo García