MUSIC NIGHT SPOT: vol.1 SOUND MUSEUM VISION – Kohei Norita: “Proud to Represent Japan With Tokyo’s Nightlife Culture”
――I want to ask about your impressions of Tokyo’s club scene as a whole.
When you compare people in their early and mid-20s who are into music with those in the past, I don’t think there are that many now. On the other hand, teenagers are much more passionate about music. That’s why there’s a lot of customers everywhere when it comes to the line-up. The kids of today’s club scene aren’t too worried about the line-up, it’s more like they are going to a lively place. Not in the same vein as hanami. But I do feel that a little. Although I think clubs have their merit with people coming by after going to an izakaya, I do want people to really listen to the music. It’s a tricky feeling (laughs).
――There are clubs to hook up at and clubs to listen to music, but I get the feeling that VISION gets the best of both worlds due to its sheer size.
We do.
――If it’s a place that has a lot of promiscuous behaviour then it can be difficult for one class of people to go, and vice-versa.
And we cater to that balance. We hold parties for people unaccustomed to clubs so it’s easy for them to come, and we hold parties where we’re particular about the music. We make sure we’re not being biased.
――Please tell us of any memorable parties to date.
There’s been several, but I’d say our first-year countdown party. We had Derrick May and Jeff Mills perform, two artists involved in creating the techno scene in Detroit. Having those two perform at such a time in Japan was big news. They played on both the main and sub floors. It was so full-on and crazy that I have no recollection of it. The countdown had finished, and we were already into the New Year before I even realized it (laughs). That’s just one of the parties where we delivered an unbelievable impact.
――On the other hand, your regular parties have an at-home vibe, such as “WARP!!!” spearheaded by Yasutaka Nakata.
Yes. We originally held a party on called “trick or treat” back at Daikanyama AIR on Mondays. From there we created other events such as “RED by t.o.t” and “BLACK by t.o.t,” and then when VISION opened we gave life to “WARP!!!” No matter where you search in Japan you won’t find another event with someone like Yasutaka Nakata playing regularly on weekdays. I think the average age of our guests is a little higher than other places on weekends, but on Mondays lots of extremely young people come to play. I think that’s very typical of Shibuya. Despite being a Monday we have enough people for a rouse.
――Are there any recent performances you enjoyed?
If we’re talking DJs, then okadada and Licaxxx. I think those two stand out among DJs. No matter what genre okadada goes for he always hits a strike. As a director in charge of making the parties, I imagine in my head that how I want them to hear the artist play, but that would be rude to say to them, wouldn’t it? okadada understands without needing to say anything and he does his thing. There’s not many people out there who can still have so many people left in the crowd at 4:30am. Licaxxx is female has such a strong groove she lets out with techno and four-on-the-floor that she doesn’t even lose to guys. I’ve never met a female DJ that has done so well. She’s really up and in there with the scene. Both of them really love music and listen to DJs.
――Could you kindly tell me once more your reason for working here?
Simply put, it’s because I really like this kind of place. Music might be the biggest element to clubs, but the fashion, the art, and above all interacting with people – I believe all of these things are indispensable. I always liked being in that kind of place a so I thought it would be even more fun to try creating my own parties. I’m a non-conformist so I think a place like this suits me, where I can do and be as I please whether it’s my personality, or hair-style, without needing to explain myself.
――Finally, there are a lot of overseas visitors and local tourists who are unsure about how to have fun in Tokyo at night. Please leave a message for anyone who might be interested in going to VISION.
We have set up this venue in this location in Shibuya in Tokyo. In other words, we’re in a location that is representing Japan, and we’re proud to be. So, we won’t lose when it comes to our event content and quality. Whether you’re living in Tokyo, living in the area or coming from overseas, if you visit Shibuya and can drop by VISION to experience what we’re all about, I hope our message gets across to you. I have no doubt it will if you come! Just let me say that (laughs).
■SOUND MUSEUM VISION Recommended Upcoming Events
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Yellow CITY
2017年12月28日(木)
OPEN 22:00
<LINE UP>
LIVE:GIRIBOY / jinmenusagi
DJ:JOMMY / BIM-DJ set-(THE OTOGIBANASHI’S) / YonYon(BRIDGE) / CO-HEY / BOSE / NACKii / NORITAKE / Alex Shun Nissen / DJ NONAKA / NOVA / Shika / GAPPER / KENYA KOMATSU / SHUN TAKANO / TAKUYA KUSUNOKI / TARO IMAI / WATTER / and more
<PRICE>
ADV ¥2800
DOOR ¥3500
http://www.vision-tokyo.com/event/yellow-cit?event=club&lang
Yellow CITY
December 28, 2017
OPEN 22:00
<LINE UP>
LIVE:GIRIBOY / jinmenusagi
DJ:JOMMY / BIM-DJ set-(THE OTOGIBANASHI’S) / YonYon(BRIDGE) / CO-HEY / BOSE / NACKii / NORITAKE / Alex Shun Nissen / DJ NONAKA / NOVA / Shika / GAPPER / KENYA KOMATSU / SHUN TAKANO / TAKUYA KUSUNOKI / TARO IMAI / WATTER / and more
<PRICE>
ADV ¥2800
DOOR ¥3500
http://www.vision-tokyo.com/event/yellow-cit?event=club&lang=
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▼Mr. Norita’s comment
“Yellow CITY” is a party that began this year that centers on young artists from ASIA. I believe we must also pick up other cultures in Asia. The main act will be South Korean rapper GIRIBOY. BIM from THE OTOGIBANASHI’S and JOMMY will be hitting the DJ decks. This year’s event focuses on South Korean artists, but we want to invite artists from China and Taiwan in the future.
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VISION NEW YEARS EVE PARTY COUNT DOWN to 2018
2017年12月31日(日)
OPEN 21:00
<LINE UP>
BREAKBOT & IRFANE(DJ SET) / tofubeats(DJ SET) / JOMMY / MONKEY TIMERS(DISKO KLUBB) / YOSA / TAAR / and more
<PRICE>
21:00-23:00 ¥4000
23:00-03:30 ¥5000
03:30-05:00 ¥2000
http://www.vision-tokyo.com/event/vision-new-years-eve-party-count-down-to-2018?event=club&lang
VISION NEW YEARS EVE PARTY COUNT DOWN to 2018
December 31, 2017
OPEN 21:00
<LINE UP>
BREAKBOT & IRFANE(DJ SET) / tofubeats(DJ SET) / JOMMY / MONKEY TIMERS(DISKO KLUBB) / YOSA / TAAR / and more
<PRICE>
21:00-23:00 ¥4000
23:00-03:30 ¥5000
03:30-05:00 ¥2000
http://www.vision-tokyo.com/event/vision-new-years-eve-party-count-down-to-2018?event=club&lang
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▼Mr. Norita’s comment
This will be BREAKBOT’s third appearance at VISION. You could call this event a compilation of the past year, with disco and electro sounds. We have an elaborate line-up, so guests can enjoy themselves to the fullest. I hope people can be there to experience it.
■Information
Sound Museum Vision
Address: B1F, 2-10-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo
Contact: 03-5728-2824
Website: http://www.vision-tokyo.com/