GALAXY RECZ

Interviewer：KOHSUKE
Interviewee：MASMIN
Translation：Mai


[KOHSUKE]
Please introduce yourself and let us share your music activities.

[MASMIN]
I am a singer and vocalist for many groups like Bliss and Nation.
I have been singing at live concerts in many places in Japan (mostly Tokyo area.)


[KOHSUKE]
Which artist did you have influence for the most?

[MASMIN]
I cannot count how many, but I would say it is Cyndi Lauper whom I met when I was 13.
I was moved fascinated by her emotional live performance which reminds her passion flooding from inside.
Club music always stimulates me, especially House and Trance music has impact on me.
Anyway I like unconventional artists.


[KOHSUKE]
What do you care or prepare for your live concerts.

[MASMIN]
NO Drink.
This is of course proper for any jobs need his/her throat to be on good condition.
More concrete point is to enjoy groove.
I would like to enjoy music with my audience not just by myself.
It is really precious to be connected with people by vibes, and that brings me joy.
I always sing one word by one word with thanks.


[KOHSUKE]
Thank you very much for working with GALAXY RECZ.
We have many collaborations with you, label party at ageha,
new released piece “Wanna’ FLY?” by Nation Feat. MASMIN, and so on.
Let us know your impression for GALAXY RECZ.

[MASMIN]
I always feel you have human feelings.
There are many chilly people especially in our genre, underground music.
I feel destiny for people from GALAXY RECZ because I got along well with you very easily when we met.
Each member understand his/her role in the team and makes efforts, this stimulates me well and makes me work harder.


[KOHSUKE]
Thank you for being the vocalist for “Howling Soul”, debut piece by DJ Yoko.
Please kindly share your feeling, emotion which you put in words and difficulties or inside story of recording.

[MASMIN]
I did not take it so seriously at first.
I felt “Howling Soul” is a nice piece when I listened for the first time, and just put words on it.
That was favorably received and I got offer to official release from GALAXY RECZ.
It was 3 years ago and this reminds me time goes by.
Finally this piece is one of my favorite songs.
I think Howling Soul is pretty good enough only with instruments, but I would like listener to feel a cubic effect by adding vocal sounds.


[KOHSUKE]
Please kindly give us any message for closing

[MASMIN]
It took long time for Howling Soul to be released, this is very important piece which is
full of feelings of label stuff and myself.
I am happy if you listen this.
I think you can enjoy various remix as well.
I also want to say come to see my live concerts!
MASMIN is a singer really with live concerts.
To experience the scene expand the joy of club music not only for singer but also DJ and listener.
I am so sorry less people come to club these days because of the bad image of clubs caused by specific people.
There are so many great music works hidden, and you can reach wonderful piece out there.


Japanese is here.
http://bit.ly/u0H3SU

Interviewer：Noriyuki Hashimoto
Interviewee：Nogami
Translation：Masanobu


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
Could you tell us your self-introduction?

[Nogami]
I’m Nogami making techno/minimal music simply in Osaka.
Originally I did DJ in party of progressive house/techno/minimal in Osaka.
I stayed away from DJ triggered by a stop of party which I did DJ regularly.
Then in a sense free time increased so I thought I would like to try to make tracks.
I came to play with the DTM software which I did not use at all,
and it become an good opportunity to learn the pleasure of the making of music.


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
What kind of concept is it to produce trucks?
In addition, what kind of artist are you affected by?

[Nogami]
The basic concept of production is “give a feeling of DEEP”.
There is no concept like “I decide to go in this concept this time” without the basic concept.
Because there are many cases to go to more different directions for while I produce music.
If I decide a concept hard first, after all I cannot make till the last.
So, there is not other than a basic concept.

In addition, the artist affected are John Degweed, Cevin Fisher, D-nox&Beckers and Dave Seaman and so on.


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
Please tell us your feeling you put into track and title or appeal point.

[Nogami]
Title is made by a thing associated with the music after the track was completed.
“Detouch & Contact” seemed to be quiet but I made it flashy.
I attached my mind to develop as much as possible by few sounds.
I think that it can be used for peak time or so.

About While “Half Moon”, I finished it philosophical but to have a development of the music delicately spread.
There is not gaudiness, but I think it fit in to unfold plainly.
Remix of “Half Moon” is totally different from original track.
It become so kool Tech house Remix.


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
If you have a hard luck story, please tell us.

[Nogami]
I think all constitution of the music and the part of the baseline are now and
probably in future would be a point of having trouble.
I did not touch any musical instrument so far.
So, there was no base of making music.
For example, the basic parts such as cords fell out and are the part which I do not still understand well.
I’m always trying desperately to fill in gaps.
But the most hard point is that I have to listen to the same track so many times.
When I was a DJ, I merely heard some music and judged whether I want or not.
So, I did not hear the same music slowly and carefully many times.
But to make music I have to listen to the same track carefully to check how constitution are or whether a base and the sound of the high tone correct.
If I felt funny high tone and the baseline, I never want to hear it again.
There are so many works which I killed even if I complete it personally.


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
Nogami released independently until now, please tell a process GALAXY RECZ was chosen to release this time.

[Nogami]
Because in independence release, there is only my filter to check if the track is good or not.
As a result, I thought whether it’s self-satisfaction.Therefore I had a strong feeling that
I would like label to judge my track and want to release it.
I gave a demonstration regardless of the overseas country.
And GALAXY RECZ called out to me.
But I did not know the name of GALAXY RECZ until January of this year.
I heard AKI Amano I had met in a club released the track from GALAXY RECZ, then I knew “GALAXY RECZ”.
Thus I listened to the track GALAXY RECZ released.
I thought that my track could be declined for a reason not to match a label color even if I sent a demonstration.
Because GALAXY RECZ release a lot of progressive tracks even if there was a techno track but it close to Deep house.
However, I thought there is any chance to release if it is a good sound source.
After I sent my demonstration, I was called to release from GALAXY RECZ.


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
I ask for a last message.

[Nogami]
This is the first time to release for myself.
I make tracks constantly without terminating in the release of Yin & Yang.
Please expect it in the future.
In addition, I would like to do DJ again in future.

Thanking you in advance.


Japanese is here.
http://bit.ly/pDow9R

Interviewer：Noriyuki Hashimoto、Tomoyuki Sakakida
Interviewee：Shota Mochizuki
Translation：Mai


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
Please kindly meke self-introduction.

[Shota Mochizuki]
My name is Shota Mochizuki, and I’m from Shizuoka.
In 2008, I released my first work “Walking Beatz Remix” from an US label “GF Recordings”
with Abdul Bayyari, a producer from Qatar.
A lot of my remixes are released from this label after that.
“Eurovox” got 12th position in progressive chart at Audiojelly.

I also made my group, “Yeild” with Maron・Fady Ferraye, a producer from Netherland,
An American vocalist, Josh Money and Abdul Bayyari who creates music together.
We released “Believe the Way”, and it was 58th position in progressive chart at Audiojelly.

In 2009, we also released two remixes.
After that, my main work was producing taracks.
Josh Money participated some of these pieces as a vocalist.
I also had collaborated with Tiff Lacey from UK.

In May of 2010, I could release “All up in my head” from UK label, “Enhanced Recordings”.
In this year, collaboration work with “Florian” who sing a track by DJ Tatana,
and it is under preparation for release.

Many DJs from overseas use my tracks in their Mix CDs.
A piece with Tiff Lacey will released soon.


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
What is your concept on track making?
Who did you have effect from?

[Shota Mochizuki]
There are so many artists who have effect on me.
Music of various genre is stimulative for me as well as dance music.
Speaking of remix work, I try to make my taste in the remix, and at the same time I intend to remain the good point of the original. I also care about DJ’s play.
Maintain the mood of the original is the most important for my remix.

When I make original pieces, I image what I want to make roughly to start.
What I imagine are a scenery or people who seem to be having fun with my track at club and so on.
What comes up in my mind are really different every time, so I do not know what I will imagine next time.
I would like to say that my way of music produce is common.


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
Could you please tell us about what you feel and what you express in your music and titles?
What is your appeal point?

[Shota Mochizuki]
Every time, I try to make a new expression or different sound from what I already made.
I think music made by a person tends to sound same way, and that is why I try to make a different one.
I always to listen various kinds of music intentionally, and I also try to create a change one by one.
I will keep my method form now on as I always do.

Speaking of titles, I would like to talk about “All up in my head.”
I wanted to make progressive music with force because our team,
3 different color people from different countries had some issues at that time.

We think there are somany people who struggle with their problem as us.
We want cheer them up with pur dance music.
Of course we want our music to be played by many DJs, so we asked 2 remixes.

It is wonderful if our listener sympathize with our music content or titles and feel what they feel when they enjoy music at club.


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
Do you have any pains on production?

[Shota Mochizuki]
I have lots of difficulties on track making, but the hardest is making time to work.
I also do recording and PA, so making time is the most difficult for me.
Of course I enjoy all of my work related with music, but making dance music is most enjoyable and favorite for me.


[Tomoyuki Sakakida]
Nice to meet you, this is Tomoyuki Sakakida.
Thank you for your remix of my piece.

I think all track maker has admiration or competitive mind which motivate your creation.
Could you tell me what is yours?

[Shota Mochizuki]
Of course I have admiration.
However, I would say my motivation comes from just how I feel like “I like dance music!” or “Making tracks is fun!”
I know not so many people listen my music, but people at somewhere in the world enjoy my works at club or at home.
It is wonderful if they think my pieces are great and sympathize something with me.
I keep my mind from now on and keep making tracks listened by many prople.


[Noriyuki Hashimoto]
If you have any, please kindly give closing message.

[Shota Mochizuki]
I am so happy for this remix opportunity.
This is my first solo work and first release form Japanese label, so this piece is very special.
I appreciate Mr. KOHSUKE to give this chance.
I hope lots of people enjoy the original and remix “Furaibow”

Thank you.


Japanese is here.
http://bit.ly/jy1jCm