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Mark Jarnes
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 28, 2012
DJ Kentaro set to scratch a new itch
Only a handful of artists can say they've reached the top of their trade, but Kentaro Okamoto is one of them. As DJ Kentaro, his record-scratching skills got him noticed by beat heads worldwide back in 2002, when he won the DMC World DJ Final in London. But, now this DJ wants an image change.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 14, 2012
Grassroots group forms to fight antidancing law
Around 200 people gathered on the dancefloor of Kyoto's Club World on Sunday — but they weren't dancing.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Apr 5, 2012
Ex-champ Sudo set for a second round
In a world saturated with celebrity culture, it's not hard to sometimes get a bit envious of some stars. It's understandable, because from a distance the fame, the sex appeal and seemingly endless amounts of cash can seem pretty alluring.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD
Mar 15, 2012
David Dicembre
...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 29, 2011
Best of 2011: Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto "Summvs"
Pioneers in their own respective musical fields, Carsten Nicolai (aka Alva Noto) and Ryuichi Sakamoto began their exploration of sound and visual arts, evocatively titled the Virus Series, in 2002. Nine years on and the fifth and final installment of the collection, "Summvs," reaches the apex of their...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 15, 2011
Make it a countdown to remember
In Japan, New Year's Eve is traditionally celebrated at home with the family. For many it is a somber — if not sober — experience. Yet over the years Japan has firmly placed itself on the world map as a major stop-off point for some of the biggest names in the electronic music scene, and...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Dec 1, 2011
Producer Miyahara wants more J-pop on the world stage
Tucked away in a cozy corner of Tokyo's Setagaya Ward, million-selling singer and rapper Soulja twirls an unsmoked cigarillo in his fingers while nodding his head to a hip-hop beat. "Yeah, that's good. I like that," he says to the man beside him, who is seated in front of a sound board and a colossal...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD
Nov 17, 2011
P.O.L. Style
DJ P.O.L. Style (Paul Beveridge) moved to Tokyo from Glasgow in 2003. He created the Numbers Tokyo party series and produces his own beats under the T&A Records, Tiger Bass and Nightshifters imprints. Ahead of this week's Yume Fest, The Japan Times looks in his record bag.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Oct 27, 2011
Martyn
Dutch-born DJ and producer Martyn is perhaps best known for his dub-heavy bass tunes, and the back catalog of his own 3024 label would appear to confirm that. However, four-to-the-floor house and techno beats actually make him feel more at home. "It's very much a physical thing," he explains in an interview...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD
Oct 20, 2011
KOSS
Sapporo's Kuniyuki Takahashi, aka KOSS, has the ability to deliver an unmistakable fusion of culturally diverse and soulful soundscapes with his own organic take on deep house and techno. The Japan Times took a look inside his record bag.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD
Sep 22, 2011
Kenji Takimi
DJ, producer and founder of Crue-L Records, Kenji Takimi has been a central figure in Japan's house and disco scene since the late 1980s. The Japan Times takes a flick through the big man's record bag.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD
Aug 25, 2011
DJ SO
DJ SO (Satoshi Aoyagi) is a central figure at Mindgames, the people behind The Labyrinth festival, where he plays a supporting role as resident with his delicate blend of ambient and techno. The Japan Times peeks into his record bag.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Aug 18, 2011
Dommune goes outside for summer
Naohiro Ukawa, creator of live-streaming microclub Dommune, is pulling out all the stops this weekend with Freedommune 0 (Zero) in aid of victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, when he takes the studio outdoors for a full day and night of dance music.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 21, 2011
Root & Branch Presents UBIK
Hiroshi Watanabe has been a trailblazer in the Japanese electronic-music scene since graduating in 1994 from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, producing beats under the monikers Nite System, Quadra, Tread, Crank and 32 Project just to name a few.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music / IN THE RECORD
Jul 21, 2011
Broken Haze
DJ Broken Haze is making big strides with his latest release, "Broken Haze vs. B. Bravo," as well as monthly podcasts cohosted by DJ XLII. The Japan Times takes a look inside his record bag.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media
Jul 17, 2011
Charity show by Japanese artists streams live to the world
Gigs held by popular artists regularly sell out in Japan, especially in the J-pop scene. This month however, there will be one concert where music fans won't have to worry about missing their favorite artists perform live, even after the tickets have all gone.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 14, 2011
Website Nico Nico Douga goes live ... house
Online video-sharing website Nico Nico Douga has become a popular place for young Japanese to check out new music. Now imagine stepping inside the site to experience those tunes live.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 14, 2011
Fighting for change the Fuji Rock way
Faced with the nation's worst disaster since World War II, Fuji Rock Festival founder Masahiro Hidaka had to make a choice back in March — whether to hold Japan's biggest summer music festival this year or not. He decided that the show must go on.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jul 1, 2011
Festival season hits Japan
Summer in Japan is widely known to be two things: hot and humid. Fortunately, for those who'll be in the country during the sultry season, the nation's annual music festivals will be a well-deserved trade-off for any discomfort. With something to offer revelers of all ages and preferences, the festivals...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Music
Jun 23, 2011
Red Dot Relief
A party taking place in Tokyo this weekend aims to support the disaster-stricken northeast of Japan through a night of club music ranging from organic and jazzy house to solid techno.

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