The "Record Boss" Finally Makes a Move!

TOKYO MOON welcomed a guest for two consecutive weeks. This time, DJ and producer Tatsuo Sunaga, known by the nickname "Record Bancho" and active in the club scene for a long time, made an appearance. To inject some energy into the recent sluggishness of the nightlife scene, he organized an event "moderno -Keep Going, TOKYO-" with nearly 90 performers, aiming to bring vitality back to Tokyo. The talk session covered a wide range of topics, from his thoughts behind organizing this event to casual "yomoyonabanashi" (chit-chat) that the two often have at clubs. For those who missed the broadcast, OPENERS is publishing the full session here. Undeterred by the music recession or the Entertainment Business Control Law, feel the passionate connection between these two men who love music, people, and alcohol through their conversation.





REVIEW｜TRACK LIST

01. Port Of Notes / Oasis - Mode For Kita-Horie Sunaga T Experience Remix (Crue-L)
02. Sunaga t Experience / It's You - Versione Tokyo Bossa by Nicola Conte (Afters or Records)
03. OCTET Sunaga t / Sky of Kiev (iTunes)
04. Sunaga t Experience / Cuba Libre (Flower)
05. Sunaga t Experience / Lylian Mode (Geneon Universal)
06. Tim Warfield / Lullaby for Nijee (Criss Cross Jazz)

“Let's Go Full Throttle, Tokyo!”

MatsuuraThe event that's been talked about for a while is finally happening this Saturday.

SunagaThat's right, "moderno -Keep Going Tokyo- at VISION." We're planning to have 29 professional DJs and 60 dancers perform across the four floors of VISION, a large event space in Shibuya.

MatsuuraThat's an incredible number of people... I recall you first mentioning the idea of this event while we were standing next to each other. We were talking about how there aren't many opportunities these days for DJs from different genres to come together. So, the idea started at the level of 'Why not do it at moderno?' and that's how this plan began. I think we were at VISION when we had this conversation too. Preparations have moved so quickly since then, and you announced it quite early, didn't you?

SunagaThat's right, I think it was during the "Acoustic Jazz" event last autumn. The reason I announced it so early is simply because I get excited when things progress and I want to tell everyone right away (laughs).

MatsuuraYou must have many thoughts about this event. What was the reason for deciding to hold it?

SunagaAfter 3.11, there was a mood where it felt somewhat inappropriate to enjoy ourselves. Although it recovered for a while, combined with the ongoing recession in the music industry, I felt the atmosphere covering the scene was becoming increasingly overcast. Still, Tokyo has a large potential club-going population, so it's still okay. Many excellent DJs are gathered in this city too. What concerns me most is the lack of energy in regional cities! And with the current Entertainment Business Control Law... The law itself isn't necessarily bad. I think we have a lot to reflect on ourselves. I don't think it's quite right to say the law itself is bad, or to demand the freedom to dance. I'll be organizing my thoughts on this and discussing it on my blog and elsewhere.

“I ended up asking everyone with the mindset that this might be the last chance! (laughs)”

SunagaMore importantly, I witnessed firsthand that if Tokyo isn't energetic, regional cities will decline even further.──I believe all DJs feel this way, but I wanted to break through that situation with one big event. To do that, the starting point was to make Tokyo energetic first. The subtitle "Keep Going Tokyo" conveys the image of "Let's Go Full Throttle, Tokyo!" I want people coming from all over the country to think, 'Tokyo has such an amazing party,' and 'Tokyo's nightlife is incredible.' Then, they can take that back to their hometowns and think, 'Maybe we should try doing something similar!' I wanted to create a super-grand party that would inspire that. So, I thought it would be simpler to reach out to all the DJs I know and do it together with a unified effort. "Let's all do it together!"

Also, I don't think there are many burlesque, pole dance, or go-go dancers in regional cities who evoke the glamorous image of nightlife. For example, many people might think there's little connection between jazz and burlesque. So, I wanted to showcase all of that as a performance, and ultimately, to energize the regions – that's the aim of this party.

MatsuuraThere will be many attendees, but with DJs and dancers alone, it's going to be crowded already (laughs). So many DJs from various genres are gathering, but it's becoming rare to meet and talk these days.──I do run into people like Tatsuo-san or Okino-san occasionally, but I meet DJs from other genres less often than in the past, perhaps only once a year for some. So, the fact that so many DJs are gathering this time is simply a joy, and I feel the premise is that we should all talk together since we have the chance.

“By acting as the organizer, I can bring together DJs from different genres who normally have no contact.”

SunagaThat's certainly true. Toshio and I often talk about how fun it is when we all get together. Like the party I held at AgeHa for my 20th DJ anniversary, or the acoustic jazz events. It's rare to have opportunities for so many people to gather. Since I've been in the DJ career for a long time, I can bring together DJs from various genres who normally have little contact by acting as the organizer.

For example, DJ KAORI and MAYURI have no direct connection. But KAORI used to be a regular at my parties, and MAYURI is my classmate, so there are those kinds of links. And Tasaka-kun, who is now a leading techno DJ in Japan, used to frequent my parties when I was a hip-hop DJ. Morita-kun from Studio Apartment used to come to Organ Bar in its early days, and I entrusted him with a regular party as my junior. There are also people I see frequently, like Tanaka-kun and TAKU (Takahashi)-kun from FPM, Okino-kun, and Matsuura-kun. But I ended up asking everyone with the mindset that this might be the last chance! (laughs).

A Precious Opportunity to Exchange Ideas with DJs from Different Genres

MatsuuraI consider myself to be in a junior position, but I first met Tatsuo-san when I was about twenty and not yet a DJ. I used to go to his parties in Shinjuku, along with MURO-kun. I always remember him sitting on a high stool with a whiskey in hand. As soon as I opened the door, Tatsuo-san was there, and it felt like a mysterious situation where you couldn't enter without drinking (laughs).

SunagaHahaha, the doorman (laughs).

MatsuuraAfter the party, we'd move to Harajuku and go to Denny's... no, maybe it was Royal Host? I remember us drinking more and sharing Tabasco sauce (laughs). It was the late 1980s, but thinking back to those times, it felt like an era when the culture of enjoyment was flourishing, regardless of genre, and everyone was greedily interested in lifestyles, including music. For various reasons, it feels like that has faded. I believe that we, who experienced that time, along with other DJs, feel the same way and want to exchange opinions.

I'd also like to discuss the Entertainment Business Control Law you mentioned earlier with everyone if the opportunity arises. Regarding the law, I believe there's something more than just opposing it.──I think it's essential to discuss what needs to be done, rather than just saying yes or no. I want us all to share our opinions on what the problems are and how they can be improved. In that sense, I'm looking forward to this night being a club talk session.

Fundamentally, clubs are places to experience various music and people. I want the attendees to discover something new and leave feeling energized. As Tatsuo-san initially said, if Tokyo isn't energetic, Japan won't be either. So, I'm also looking forward to attending this night with great enthusiasm.

This Summer, a New Installment of the "Night Jazz" Series with a Twist!

SunagaI'll be working hard with the mindset that this is my final contribution to the club scene (laughs). This time, besides DJs from Tokyo, we'll have a drum and bass unit from London, Fukushima, and Fukuoka. That's a huge secret weapon! With four floors, there are various ways to enjoy it. I want people to come from all over the country and take back with them the feeling of 'Tokyo's nightlife is this amazing!' I believe all the performers share this sentiment.

MatsuuraI actually haven't been told what time I'll be on which floor yet, aside from the event itself...

SunagaIt's already decided. Toshio and Okino, and the President (SOIL&"PIMP"SESSIONS) will be with me in the lounge from 4 AM (laughs). Oh, and you can talk on the mic the whole time you're on, I'll allow it this time! If people want to dance, they can go to the other floors.

MatsuuraAside from this event, what have you been up to recently?

SunagaI'm planning to release a new installment of the "Night Jazz" series in July. This time, I've created "Vee Jay's Night Jazz," which compiles tracks from "Vee Jay," a label founded by Black people for Black people in Chicago. Lee Morgan, Eddie Harris, Wayne Shorter – they all left a lot of work on "Vee Jay." I found the tracks by searching my own record collection or digging through record stores, and there were so many cool songs. The sound quality is also outstanding. While the usual "Night Jazz" has a European feel, this one will be different. It has a powerful vibe. It made me realize the sheer strength of Black jazz once again. Also, I'm producing a band called TRI4TH. We just finished recording, and a really cool album has been completed. It's scheduled for release in August, so please check it out.

“I don't do anything I don't like (laughs).”

MatsuuraI heard you've started a new party in Shibuya?

SunagaI'm holding a lounge party called "Kissaten Smile" at a cafe that opened on the floor above the former Cisco Records. This cafe has an underground vibe reminiscent of the early days of Organ Bar, which I quite like. I'm sure you'll like it too, Toshio.

MatsuuraSpeaking of Tatsuo-san, you've been very active since right after 3.11. You were probably one of the first to take action.

SunagaNow, we rent out a bowling alley called Sasazuka Bowl and hold charity events twice a year, sending the proceeds to various organizations. The members have grown considerably, including the sake-loving Yoshida Rui-san, Ito Seiko-san, Watanabe Yu-san, and members of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. We are now regularly carrying out relief activities to raise the 'reconstruction level,' and we're discussing with everyone to continue this in the future.

MatsuuraLike the upcoming moderno event on Saturday, this is also a party that would be perfect for radio listeners and OPENERS readers. It's the fun of being able to go to a different place; there's music, there are people, and there's always something interesting there.──I feel that these aspects are common to Tatsuo-san's activities.

For DJ Tatsuo Sunaga, what is music?

SunagaBut you know, I think I'm too honest: I don't do anything I don't like (laughs). Charity activities are one of those things; I only do what I truly want to do and what I feel is necessary right now, so sometimes things don't go as planned (laughs).

MatsuuraBut isn't there something to be said for being able to continue because of that? Trying to do things just to fit in will inevitably create friction somewhere. That's probably why you've had such a long and remarkable DJ career, isn't it? (laughs).

SunagaRemarkably long, you say? (laughs).

MatsuuraYes, remarkably (laughs). Lastly, could you tell us about a song that changed your life, or a recent favorite? And in one word, what is music to you, Tatsuo-san?

SunagaYou always ask difficult questions! (laughs). A recent favorite is "Lullaby for Nijee" by TIM WARFIELD. And for me, music is a 'hub' that slowly connects the world and myself.

MatsuuraThen I'll see you again this weekend at VISION. Thank you very much.

Japan's Top DJs Gather for a One-Night-Only Mega Party!

Tatsuo Sunaga's regular party "moderno." Abandoning the idioms that define his life's work, this event focuses on dance music in a broad sense, including "deep house," "tech house," and "Latin electro," inviting top DJs who resonate with the concept as guests. Furthermore, it features performances by top-tier pole dancers, drag queens who dominate Shibuya and Shinjuku Ni-chome acting as hosts, and a show by the top burlesque dancer in the Tokyo metropolitan area. All of this culminates in the creation of a truly unique space. After a hiatus, this event presents a grand spectacle of music and decadence, representing the culmination of his efforts to date. Utilizing diverse floors, the top DJs who have appeared in the past will perform together. World-class performances will unfold on every floor, marking the beginning of the biggest event of 2012.


Hysteric Glamour presents moderno -Keep Going Tokyo- at eleven


SOUND MUSEUM VISION
Tel. 03-5728-2824
www.vision-tokyo.com