MUSIC NIGHT SPOT is a new series that introduces the hottest spots to experience music in Tokyo at night. In this debut installment we will take a look at SOUND MUSEUM VISION, the city’s biggest underground club and live music venue located in the center of Dogenzaka, Shibuya. Spanning a floor space that covers almost 1000m² and housing a capacity of 1,500, VISION first opened on October 28, 2011 as Daikanyama AIR’s sister location. The music site consists of four unique floors – “GAIA,” “DEEP,” “D LOUNGE” and “WHITE” – as well as six bar counters and a connecting corridor to a gallery. Night after night VISION hosts genre-less and globalized parties making it a truly diverse location that almost every lover of club music has visited. VISION operations manager Kohei Norita spoke to me about the history and management of the venue.

Interview & Text: Mami Naruta

Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

■During the year the earthquake struck, I thought to transmit a new culture from Tokyo and uplift Japan as a whole

――VISION was refurbished in autumn 2011 from a 991.7m² underground space in Dogenzaka that used to house restaurants and a car park, correct?

That’s right. It was the year right when the earthquake had struck. The whole of Japan was still in low spirits, it was a lonely period. The owner chose to let me open the place during such a time to uplift Japan and transmit a new culture from this Tokyo – to do something big and overturn the mood. That’s what led to the opening of the venue. Did you know, the clock on the wall backstage here is stopped on the date October 28, 2011?

――Wow, you’re right! I’ve been here so many times and never noticed before.

Over there is a “SLOW” sign, a remnant of the car park that has been left as it is. We’ve been able to treasure a little of the original location in the interior design.

――Could you tell me about how you came to be part of the management team at VISION?

I used to be a bartender at Daikanyama AIR, VISION’s predecessor, and when the chance for this place became possible I moved here to work as opening staff. From there I became the bar manager, shop manager, and now I’m the director. From the get go I endorsed the owner’s sentiment. We spoke about what would be interesting to do, and we came up with the idea of creating a place smack in the middle of Shibuya with 4 floors where we could host different genres of things. I also took over AIR and thought to put in something else completely new… It is Shibuya anyway, a place where different cultures are mixed together, so I thought I could definitely create something interesting. VISION is, how do I put it, a place where you can do anything. We can have bands, techno, hip-hop, idol performances. I think that’s what’s great about it.

――It’s one of Tokyo’s most popular clubs that can hold 1,500 people. How are the staff broken up?

We generally have 3-4 people working on planning and booking. I’m one of them. When we’re open, there are 16-17 people bartending, 16-17 floor staff, 5 people on reception and tills, about 6 people for lighting and PA. So, there are around 40 staff working in a day.

――What is the process of booking like?

We first of all look at it on a monthly basis and consider how we should create a balance and what kind of genres to have at the parties. For example, if we have hip-hop here, then we’ll have EDM here and bass here. We’re also constantly listing what overseas artists we want to perform here, so while keeping in contact with them we decide where to prioritize for our artist schedule. But whatever we do, we consider it case by case as this venue is in Shibuya and we have four floors to play with. Even in hip-hop there’s a lot of different elements, from the hard stuff to the stuff more centered around culture. When it’s like that we’ve sometimes picked what we’re crazy on.

――Do you have any criteria when selecting a line-up?

We take on every kind here, so we don’t really have one. My roots stem from techno, house and electro, but that has no influence on our choices. We look at the scene in Japan as a whole and say, “we should do this” or “it might be a little early but let’s go with this”. But we also have a selection of parties that we cherish and hold on a regular basis, like “EMMA HOUSE” which is a house music party we’ve always done, and “WARP!!!” that we co-host with ASOBISYSTEM on the first Monday of every month.

■A place where you can enjoy one whole festival

――VISION is a driving force behind Shibuya right now. What do you think is interesting about Shibuya?

Whether it’s music or fashion, I believe Shibuya to be the center of culture. It’s a place where people of a high sensitivity gather, and it’s precisely because of that fact that we’re always on the lookout and must absorb and take on board a variety of things. VISION being in Shibuya doesn’t mean that we cater to our own personal tastes, it means that we listen to lots of other people’s stories and learn form them. That’s what I believe we are. In order for us to embrace different perspectives, we keep our eyes open so that people view us positively, whatever their background.

――VISION doesn’t fit into one box and can’t be labelled as “this” kind of place or “that” kind of place because it’s genre-less, correct? From a management perspective, what is VISION’s strength?

At other venues, the same kind of music is always playing when you go there, and there are people looking for that kind of thing. But we’re the opposite. When you come here the music is always different, and the direction is completely different depending on the day. That’s VISION’s selling point. We’re looking for people to say “VISION’s merit is that it’s different each day”.

――VISION also has four floors. The atmosphere must be different on each one, right?

That’s right. On GAIA we do really hardcore stuff, in the DEEP LONGUE we have days where we play chill music. And the people are completely different on each floor. You could say that VISION is to be enjoyed as one big festival where we create a solid time on each floor and where our customers can enjoy moving around each one. We bear that in mind when organizing events.

――When did you realize you were glad to be doing this job?

It’s cliché, but seeing everybody enjoying themselves here makes me really happy. I read people’s responses to an event on Twitter, and while there are sometimes some pretty brutal things said (laughs), it’s fun to hear people’s real voices, whatever it may be. It was out of this world when the guests accepted my intentions. I feel this was truly worth doing. And that’s not just me talking. Everyone at the bar, on the floor and at the cashier feel the same. They are kind enough to say how much fun it is and how much it’s worth doing when they see all the customers happy.

■Derrick May and Jeff Mills performed at our countdown event and it was so full-on I have no recollection of it

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――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=

—————————————

▼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

—————————————

▼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.