Satellite Voices

Tokyo / 日本語

Daisuke Tanabe

December 13, 2011

The otherworldly Japanese electronic maestro speaks to SV ahead of his exclusive On Air mix

• Text by Terence Teh



Beautifully subtle, heavenly weighted with a soulful low end that takes no prisoners. The diverse and wonderfully free Japanese producer started making beats at 16-years-old, releasing his debut EP in 2006 and going on to release across Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings, Circulations and Ninja Tune. A fellow Cosmopolyphonic alumni with the equally as badass Japanese hip hop maestro mfp, Daisuke Tanabe is one of our favourite otherworldy sonic composers. With an upcoming split 12” release on Project Mooncircle/Finest Ego with Mike Gao (“Faces” 12” series volume 2) and an exclusive On Air mix for Satellite Voices being broadcasting today, Daisuke Tanabe closes the year on a high.

Satellite Voices: Can you introduce your background and what brought you to Tokyo?
Daisuke Tanabe: My background is everything. Family, friends, food... I’m trying to express my feelings as music and that brought me to the city because there are so many great place to play out my music.

SV: How would you describe your creative outlook?
Daisuke Tanabe: I try to make my music more narrative.

SV: When did you start creating the style of music you make now?
Daisuke Tanabe: I started using Macs more than 10-years-ago, and over the years I have changed my style a lot. But all my music share similar feelings. I played live a lot this year so I guess that my music has become more danceable. However, I am trying to make it my experimental too.

How was 2011 for you?
Daisuke Tanabe: The European tour was the highlight of this year. Playing at Sonar Festival in Barcelona, alongside many other festivals was absolutely fun. My next project will be a collaboration album with the UK producer kidkanevil, named kidsuke. I’ll be  releasing music from Ki Records and Project Mooncircle/Finest Ego very soon too.

SV: What are some of your favourite hidden city spots for music, art and food?
Daisuke Tanabe: My favourite places are in nature. Always far from city with no music activity going on! The city is a bit too busy for me and I don't really like living there. But that kind of messiness and the chaotic feeling does inspires me a lot.

SV: What young creatives in Tokyo are doing it big for you right now?
Daisuke Tanabe: Our government is trying to shut down many clubs all over the country. For many artists and people throwing nights, it's getting hard right now. But there are many people who run clubs and young producers trying to make new kinds of music scenes. Whether it’s more day time events or using clubs in different ways, working with great Japanese VJs. This all inspires me a lot.

Daisuke Tanabe's Tokyo: On Air mix is being braodcast later today on Satellite Voices & Mixcloud