Not one but TWO of our box DJs join us for a chat ahead of their sets Saturday 23rd August.
Hello Rolando, Thanks for sitting down with us for 5 Minutes ahead of your set in the Box this coming Saturday at Hi-Tek-Soul.
Q/ Now in the office here, you're a firm favourite. But for those who haven't been lucky enough to hear you play. Can you describe your sound and what to expect?
A/ I'm on the edge of house and techno. I play music that has soul & funk. I do drop in the odd classic but I play a lot of new music to keep it fresh. I get into the zone, I'll play a house track faster, if that means I have to play it at plus 8 then so be it - I have been told I am rambunctious as a dj - whatever the fuck that means! Once I am behind those turntables I find my confidence and do my thing.
Q/ You're originally from Detroit, yet in recent years have moved to Edinburgh. What was your motivation for such a move? Do you get back to Detroit much?
A/ I moved to Scotland because that's where my wife lives! But it's been a blessing because it's brought me closer to a scene which I feel is stronger and not so many long haul flights! I usually hit Detroit 2-3 times a year see my family and do a quick tour of gigs in the US.. Get my fix of tacos and white castle ( lowest common denominator of burger for those of you who don't know!)
Q/You play regularly around the world. What's your favourite city to play at and why?
A/ My Current favourite is Berlin and of course London ! Berlin has come out of the darkness of minimal (thank fuck). I am a resident at Berghain - it's one of a kind! London, well, Ministry has one of the best sound systems in London it has a well thought out dj booth which makes playing there that much more enjoyable and the crowd actually respond! Hi tek soul is a good catch up with my boys.
Q/ Are you playing any festivals this Summer? Have you played any so far?
A / I have, my favourite was Squadron a small festival in Malta in July, the promoters would have been 14 when I last played there but they had an enthusiasm rarely seen and they pulled it off..
Q/ What producers are currently doing it for you?
A/ Mmm .. I have all time favourites but these two are "doing it for me" Quince and Marcel Dettman.
Q/ What tracks are big in your box right now?
A/ In no particular order, "let's get over it" by Deetron; "Bahia" Italo Boys vs John Coltrane "Jenga" Alex Celler "Contracting" Quince "No Sound" Ricardo Mirandez "Moments in Life" Andres "Housebeats vol 1" Dj Sneak "Superclique" Dj Q "Jack of the dragon" K-Alexi "Black Russian" Mark Broom "Circus world" Dj Bone
Q/ A freak flood had just hit Edinburgh, you've got enough time to grab a handful of records. What's the first ones you reach for?
A/ I would definitely make a beeline for my white label of "Jaguar" ( sentimental reasons!) and an original Cybotron album "Enter"( not one of those re- issues), some rare UR "Z track" records.. Very few have these! And my wife's original copy of Donna Summer "I feel love" because she'd kill me if I didn't...
Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us here at Saturday Sessions. We look forward to hearing you on Saturday. xx
Over to Ken Ishi!
Hello Ken Ishii,
Thanks for taking the time to sit down with us here at Saturday Sessions ahead of your set in The Box this coming Saturday at Hi-Tek Soul.
k) No problem!
For those of our crowd who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your sound?
k) I made my record debut from R & S Records in Belgium in '93. Have released 15+ original albums, a couple of mix albums and many 12"s so far. Now I have my own label called 70 Drums. The music I make is techno, what I would call challenging techno. I'm influenced by early Detroit techno so I always would like my music to be adventurous as it was!
It's a rare treat to have you over here in the UK. Where are your favourite places to play in Europe? What are your favourite clubs?
k) Spain and Belgium. Florida 135 in Fraga, Fuse in Brussels, as well as Rex in Paris are my favourite clubs.
What clubs do you play at in Japan? Do you feel the crowd differs much in comparison to the rest of the world?
k) In Tokyo, I play often at Air and Ageha and I play all over in the country. I don't think the way they react is different - they are just really good to play for, actually. I don't say this as I'm Japanese. They just give DJs their direct and honest reactions which make us DJs happy!
You're cited as an influential figure within the Techno scene, but who would you say have been your biggest influences within the genre?
k) Derrick May, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson and UR.
Do you have any releases lined up for future release?
k) I just released a double remix album called "Daybreak Reprise - SUNRISER Remixed-" on my own label 70 Drums in Japan in early August. It's a remix album of my album "SUNRISER" of '06. You can check the music and movie at kenishii.com.
Onto other peoples music.. What have been your favourite tracks of the last 12 months?
k) Technasia / Oxide (Renato Cohen Remixes) / Technasia
Shin NIshimura / Rock The House / Mezzotinto
Michel de Hey vs Mirko / Simultaniously / EC
Paul Woolford / Space Edits / Tori001
Ken Ishii feat. Funk D'Void / Cubitos de Hielo (Jerome Sydenham's Technorama Dub) / 70 Drums
What producers are doing it for you at the moment?
k) Fabrice Lig and Los Hermanos
And finally for those of our crew wanting to find out more about you, is there any where they can download mixes of yours? Any online radio shows you host?
k) Nothing at the moment. When I have one I will announce it at kenishii.com or myspace.com/70drums
Thanks for answering our questions! We look forward to catching you this Saturday at Hi-Tek Soul!
k) Thanks. I'm looking forward to it too!
Saturday Sessions
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