meets Tsuyoshi Suzuki

interview by Ari D

 

When you think of who is who in the Japanese dance music scene, one of the names that immediately come to mind is… Tsuyoshi Suzuki.  He is one of the elite Japanese DJ’s who truly made it on the international DJ circuit.  Having played to millions of party people all over the globe, he is touching down in NYC for yet another appearance.  Classic names like Matsuri, Return to the Source and Prana – to many they are synonymous with Trance, and they are also synonymous with his name.  In 1993, Tsuyoshi moved to London, where his DJ career took off when he became a resident DJ at Return to the Source.  The list of his subsequent adventures is long and enviable, and reads like “what’s happening” on the planet.  Nowadays, he enjoys worldwide acceptance of his duality of sound.  And that allows him to explore his roots in both the electro and new wave of the 80’s as well as in the heydays of the psytrance movement of the early 90’s.  Japan loves him, the world party massive loves him and on January 24th, you are going to get a chance to get to know him better too.  Here is what Tsuyoshi had to say.

 

Where are you now?  How did you spend your New Years?

 

I'm in Tokyo at my studio/label (FEEDBACK RECORDINGS, MAD SKIPPERS) office.  For New Years, I was in Hamburg, Germany at Phondrome.

 

You have played in many places in the world in the last decade.  Have there been any memorable performances you just can’t forget?

 

Basically almost all the events where I have been playing were great. But Return to the Source in Japan at Mt. Fuji in '98 was awesome!!!!!

 

Tell us about the trance parties and open air events in your home country.

 

It's totally well organized and they have great sound systems.  The people are really good audience and atmosphere of the events is amazing.

 

Over the years how do you think the global dance movement has changed and where would you say it is going in the future?

 

Three or four years ago, I thought about the dance music scene "what's going on" – it's nothing new and nothing underground anymore.  But in last couple years, I think there are some nice new things going on in this scene.  At the moment, as far as the elektro scene, NY and Berlin are great. As far as the trance scene, I don't know.....trance is everywhere in the world now so.....

 

As Joujouka you make and perform very eclectic music. Where do you draw your inspiration? Do your influences lay in several different genres, ones other than trance?

 

Yes JOUJOUKA has got many inspirations in it.  Mostly '80s elektro stuff and alternative rock stuff which is nothing to do with trance music. My music background is strongly in the '80s elektric music and new wave sound.  But when I play or produce as DJ TSUYOSHI, the style will be mix of trance, techno and psytrance.

 

What kind of philosophy do you follow in life?  Do you think your success as an artist is a result of following these principles?

 

I follow the healthy life at the moment.  If you are sick, you can't do anything.  I'm not doing music just for the money things so....and I have got so many things, yet I still want to do music.

 

As a veteran DJ, you’ve inspired many to DJ too.  What advice can you offer them?

 

I think the young DJ's have to listen more to different kind of music and get the many different kinds of music.  And try to express your originality as much as you can.

 

What is the first record you ever bought?  And how big would you say your collection is today?

 

I think when I was 8 or 9 years old, I bought Bay City Rollers stuff.  I never calculated how many I have now so I don't know........but there is a lot....!

 

Tell us about Feedback Records.  Who is part of the crew and what are your plans for the label?

 

Yes this is still small label so we just near signing the contract with Intergroove.  The artists are myself and Mitsumoto at the moment.  From Feb., we will release the vinyl for every month so please watch out!!!!!  I have also elktro label called Mad Skippers which is also signed to Intergroove.   This is mainly JOUJOUKA stuff and will release new single next month with Northern Lite and Thomas P. Heckmann remix.

 

Who are your favorite artists and tracks to play out right now? 

 

Right now, if I play as DJTSUYOSHI (trance), new artist called ESKIMO, MITSUMOTO are very good.  If I play as NUMANOID ( this is my elektro DJ name ), PEACHES, NORTHERN LITE, DJ HELL.

 

Can you suggest any fresh artists who are breaking new musical ground, someone new we should watch for?

 

MITSUMOTO ( techno-psytrance ), JOUJOUKA ( elektro-rock ), BOY FROM BRAZIL ( elektro ), ESKIMO ( psytrance )

 

You are returning for yet another appearance here in New York.  What do you think of the City and the parties here?  Any memories from your previous stays in New York you can share with us?

 

NY is my all time favorite city in the world and I was always willing to go there.  Coz' the elektro scene in NY is the greatest in the world.  About the trance scene, I feel it's great also but it needs to be a little bit more open minded about the music. The first gig in NY as Return to the Source was one of my most memorable events ever.

 

What’s in store for us when you come to play?

 

When I play as DJ TSUYOSHI will be trance-techno-psytrance style. And this time is DJ TSUYOSHI, so pretty much a mix between psytrance and other trance stuff.

 

For Tsuyoshi’s complete biography, list of appearances and discography, visit http://www.samurai.fm/tsuyoshisuzuki/index.php.

 

 

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