Interview: Jun Kamoda

By Valerie Osipov, June 28, 2018

Japanese electronic musician Jun Kamoda will be at Dada this weekend for the ultrapopular Organic’s 2nd Birthday Party. Spinning a blend of loopy Balearic p-funk, afro acid and classic big room house with a taste of disco, Kamoda has been making waves in the Japanese electronic scene for almost 15 years now. (No wonder they're flying him in just for the occasion.) We catch up with the DJ ahead of his China debut this Friday night.

That's: Has music always been a passion of yours? How did you first get into the dance music scene?
JK: My first dance music experience was [with the genre] gabber. When I listened [to] it for the first time, I thought [the] drum machine [was] like a monster.

Who are some of your biggest influences – current and constant?
Constantly, I am fan of Maurice Fulton’s music. His music is always genius and original. Currently, Mall Grab, General Ludd, Tzusing and Ciel.

What do you find unique about Japan’s electronic music scene?
[The] unique point is that any Japanese musician [is influenced by an] Asian sense even if they [...] are influenced by American artists or European artists.

What was the first gig you played? Your favorite gig?
My first gig was a comedy show when I was 15 years old. My friends and I went to an audition for [a] radio program [where] people [showcase] their own talent. Then we got a chance to [perform] our own comedy on stage. We won the contest. That was my favorite gig and [my] first gig. That was not music though!

Aside from your solo career, you’ve produced a few tracks with electronic musician Luksek and were one third of electronic hip-hop trio Baleine 3000 with Lawrence Le Doux and Afrojaws – what do you like about collaborating with other artists? Is there anyone you hope to collaborate with in the future?
Collaborating with someone is so much fun because I can have unexpected moments. [It's] kind of [an] inspiration game. Someday, I would love to collaborate with a fashion designer or visual artist – or any artists – if [they] feel a [connection] to my music.

If you could hop in a time machine and go back to any music era, where and when would you go to?
I would rather go to a future club. I think it would [have an] AI DJ jukebox. You [could] dance with a program like a Ron Hardy and Four Tet back-to-back set [or] Picasso [playing a] DJ set for 8 hours. The future club [would] also [have a] furnished speaker system that can sound like [the] sound system [from] any era.

"Collaborating with someone is so much fun because I can have unexpected moments. [It's] kind of [an] inspiration game."

What is one track that you could play on a continuous loop and never get tired of?
I always play my own tune called 'Physical Graffiti' – since 2009.

In addition to music, you’re a cartoon illustrator for the Japanese magazine Usca. Any other talents besides disco and cartoons?
Actually, I’ve been known as [a] rapper in Japan.

What are you looking forward to during your time in Beijing?
I’ve never been [to] China so (finally) I can eat genuine Chinese food! I’m so excited.

Anything you’d like to add?
See you on the dance floor!