Over the last year year Last Japan has risen to become one of UK dance music’s more promising talents. A well-received 12″ on LNUK, releases with Four40 and Bullet Train, remixes, and carefully-timed free downloads later – Last Japan is ready to drop a split 12″ on the inventive Signal Life label, and as you can read below, has a lot more on the way. Keep an eye out.
- What’s going on in the life of Last Japan at the moment? And what do you have planned for the next 6 months or so?
Busy, busy at the moment. I’ve just finished writing a track for Trim‘s album which we’re going to record in the coming months. Been in the studio with Roses Gabor on a track which needs to be finished and also doing some stuff with Little Jinder in the near future. I’ve got my release with Signal Life coming next. I’m really excited to be working with those guys (Desto & Teeth). I think the artwork for it is going to be amazing! Also in the middle of signing ‘Roughed Up’ to an exciting label, I can’t mention the details at the moment but it’s going to be pretty special and quite a progression in my career so far!
- Signal Life’s combined 12″ series seems to be picking up a lot of praise. Is Visionist’s sound one you see as being similar to your own, or is it the difference between you that makes the record work?
I think our sound is similar in ways. We’re both into our grime and I think it shines through in both our production, but at the same time I think our production is very different which is what will make this record work. I’m not sure if there are any previews of Visionist‘s track up anywhere yet but they both compliment each other well, which is credit to Teeth and Desto.
- How would you describe the music you make to someone who’d never heard anything like it?
I’d describe it as weighty, low end frequency, melody driven, lick off your head top and dance music.
- Do your DJ sets tend do span as many genres as your productions incorporate?
Yeah! I pick music from a bpm range of about 124 – 145 with a few exceptions around the 150 – 160bpm range. There’s so much good music from different genres within those ranges that there’s always a pile to pick from. It all needs to work within the set though, so reading the crowds vibe and selection is all important to help me create an overall vibe from my sets.
- What are your production and DJing setups at the moment?
Production: Mac Book Pro, KRK Rokit 5s, Focusrite Saffire Pro 24, AKAI MPK 25, five Maracas and whatever equipment any studios I use have. Oh got a couple of guitars and a trumpet somewhere as well. DJing: Technic 1210s, Gemini Mixer, Serato and a stack of Vinyl.
- Most enjoyable set you’ve played recently?
I-D Magazine free party down at XOYO was really cool, and playing after Loefah at Cable.
- Best set you’ve seen recently?
Any DJ EZ set!
- Can you name a few producers you’re into at the moment?
Desto, Zomby, Morgan Zarate, Chunky, Happa, Paleman.
- What have been your favourite releases of the year? And which forthcoming releases have you earmarked as a definite purchase?
So far this year it’s been
Trusta ‘Feel So’
Boddika, Joy O, & Pearson Sound ‘Faint’
Teeth ‘Vibrate’
Jim-E-Stack ‘Bubble Boy’
Bok Bok ‘Silo Pass (Sir Spyro Remix)
Must haves are,
Animal Youth ‘Keep up / Try Again’ & ’64zero’
Route 94‘s debut EP
Kanye West ‘Cruel Summer’
also Mickey Pearce ‘Take Off Your Socks’ which he sent me and its amazing!
- Finally, please complete the following sentence: Get Some…
Marshmellow fluff in your life.