DJs That Have Played Japan: How did you do it?

[DCJoe]

A question from the land of the rising sun for DJs or anyone with information:

For those DJs who have played in Japan in cities such as Tokyo, Sapporo, Osaka and Fukuoka, etc. Were you brought over:

1.) Through a booking agency?

2.) Through the invitation of a specific club and its management

3.) other?

I am trying to help some friends out while I'm here (and expose my Japanese friends to even more great soulful Deep House DJ artist), so any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
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[Mah'chew]

I know the promotions team behind Dimensions K they said they are always looking for DJ's, but you need to be based here to get a look in because they will only be able to give you a warm up or second room spots. They have had Morales and FK over in the last 6 months and are associated with Kools cigarettes, hence the name. Lucky Strike have a similar gig and I know their team as well.

If it's not for you to spin, but for you to bring someone over then it can be really tough, as I'm finding, unless your crew are Joe Claussell and Danny Krivit ;) , you really need to go all out and create a night, hire a space and do it yourself, start off small, I have loads of spaces that I can give you an intro to in Tokyo..

If you're talking about DJ's that come over and do the 4 night/4 town tour then that'll be handled by a booking agent or on reputation alone.

You have your work cut out, but if you start off small Tokyo has some great spots..

PM me if you want some details on Dimensions K's agent or on cheap rentals (in Tokyo).

[Clarkeecat]

Mathius,

Have you ever been to one of the Lifeforce parties, that Nick The REcord Djs at over in Japan? Not exactly sure where they are held. He said that the reason he can get over their is its all done by friends and kept word of mouth, perhaps the only way to get that kind of gig if you aren't a big name...

Matthew

[DCJoe]

Thanks Mathius! [img]smile.gif[/img]
You helped me out awhile back with some good club info here in Nihon. I needed a shot of "that soulful vibe" and made it to Prescious Hall based on your recs.

No, it's not for me to spin. A couple of friends whose singles and EPs have been in DJ shops strong for over 5 years at least but they have never played here. Even though Japanese DJ's and visiting DJ's rock their stuff and give wonderful reviews of said tracks. So I, the novice, am attempting to see if their is anything I can do to get them closer to here. I am not a "moneyman" nor do I have any aspirations for concert promotions. Possibly trying to get the right people together. But as things go in Japan, "Uhmmm,eto, that may be difficult" LOL But I will keep trying to spread the Deep House around.

In Yen, what's a cheap rental in Tokyo?

For 4 night/4 town tours and the like, what booking agents or agencies do you recommend if any?

[Mah'chew]

Yeah, we get some DJ's out here that are not the obvious big names and the crowds love that, but again, someone is promoting the night, flying the DJ over, putting them up in accomodation, you're talking a lot of cash up front..

The thing is it is really easy to get a space and get a night going over here, if you did that with a group of friends and hired a big space, or went for the mountains once a month, you could fly all kind of cats out here..

Some of the best parties I've been to out here just happen by word of mouth and end up on a beach with a sound-system and two or three thosand people :D These are pretty cool, I've not heard of Lifeforce, there's so many out here

[Mah'chew]

Joe try hitting up baseplanning at baseplanning.co.jp, they run Club Loop, if they are a big name & soulful then they might bite, if you want to go big, say you've got 95 North, then hit up Ryo Watanabe via Club Yellow www.club-yellow.com you should be able to track him down there (if your righting an email - also send it in Japanese - the admin might just bin it if they can't read Japanese ;) ) & someone might be able to give you his direct email on here.

I will get you the details on the Dimension K group as well they might be interested in hearing what you've got.

I know what you mean about the money, just want a space with some frinds, good luck ;)

[Mah'chew]

For the rental try http://www.super-deluxe.com they are near the new Roppongi Hills and have a big arty basement with a great set up and brilliant decor, they'll cost 150,000 yen for one night, but if you get over 50 people in there, they give you it back and keep the door - you won't make a jot of money, but you'll get your party if you can get 50 people down there - but how do you pay the DJ??? It's really tricky, good　luck, super-deluxe can get about 150/180 people in it, so you could stretch it, http://www.loop.co.jp capacity is 200.

I also have a friend who has a really cool bar in Roppongi, but it sounds like you need a Loop, try baseplanning and keep me posted, as I am too trying to get this off the ground as well :(

[ June 09, 2003, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: Mathius ]

[DCJoe]

Thanks Mathius,

I'll try that! Oh, and definitly planning to contact via Nihon-go and Eigo emails. I'll be on the lookout for your info. Arghhhhhh. I gotta go to bed.

Thanks again

[JMJ]

When going to Japan, take a plane. Sure beats swimming.....JMJ ;)

[ June 09, 2003, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: JMJ ]

[jihad muhammad]

ryo was the one that i hung out with when i played at club air. if you email him it doesnt matter if you send it to him in japanese or english ( his english is very good ). the best thing to do is to contact the clubs and send them a cd of the dj your trying to promote. hope this info helps you out.

[Mah'chew]

Jihad, any plans to come to Japan again?

What did you think of Air as a club? I found the acoustics are a little unforgiving but it's a nice space.

[jihad muhammad]

i'll be playing in japan on the 12th and 19th of july. the system at air was cool although the system gave a little feedback to records that were kinda low. very nice place though and the food was great.

[Mah'chew]

Where are you playing in Tokyo, at AIR again?