“for this mix, i built it around the world of the ep i released on menace. the idea was to explore different sides of the dayzero sound, with abstract dub at the core.”
very very excited to bring you into the world of japanese artist dayzero for the next edition of the 909 mix series :)
one of my favourite producers right now, and i feel like i say that a lot but dayzero is definitely up there for me. his nerve collect release ‘step inna’ that came out last summer has been in heavy rotation recently. following that discovery, i went on a deep dive through his productions, and was instantly sucked in by the warm yet futuristic approach to 140 rhythms. driving yet hypnotic, deep in percussion and full of ritualistic energy. it’s no surprise that dayzero referenced bristol’s vibrant music scene and soundsystem culture as two major influences in his life. having been a prolific presence in the japanese bass music scene for more than 10 years, with appearances on the likes of livity sound, duploc, kwaibass, nostro hood system, and vomitspit among others. earlier this summer, dayzero also released on the berlin-via-london label menace, helmed by dubrunner, with 'cv mirror’, drawing from dub modernism and techno mutations.
hey tsuyoshi! how are you doing? what have you been up to lately?
hello! thanks for inviting me.
recently, i’ve been spending a lot of time working on the mixdown for my new ep. i’m also experimenting with different setups, like vsts and hardware, for some projects further down the line.
outside of production, i’ve also started a local event recently. i’ve been working on that with some friends.
let’s start from the very beginning, what was your first introduction to music in general and then more specifically electronic music?
in japan, there’s a pop music scene called j-pop, and that’s naturally where i started listening to music from. when i was a kid, more and more j-pop started incorporating rap elements. that’s what first got me interested in rap, and from there i discovered hip-hop.
after that, i became more interested in the tracks themselves rather than the rapping in hip-hop. as i started listening with a focus on the tracks, i found myself getting deeply interested in genres outside of hip-hop too. that was the start of my journey into electronic music.
who was the first artist or band that you were a fan of?
the first artist who made me aware of hip-hop was eminem. around that time, the movie 8 mile and hip-hop compilation albums were popular among the people around me. then i started exploring hip-hop from all over the world.
was there a formative moment growing up, whether that’s seeing your favourite band live or an incredible dj set, that led you to this path?
i think the two biggest turning points were discovering what is known as the bristol music scene and experiencing music through a sound system.
once i started listening to hip-hop instrumentals, i began listening to a wide range of dub like on-u, and abstract hip-hop like dj krush. discovering portishead through that was what first made me aware of bristol music. as i dug deeper into the scene, i eventually discovered dubstep.
another major factor was experiencing dubstep through a sound system. that’s when i started to understand, in my own way, the power of bass music, and i became obsessed with wanting to make that kind of music myself.
what is the most meaningful part of being an artist to you?
for me, it’s seeing music i made in my own room become known in different ways, and watching my musical world expand from there. it makes me really happy when people enjoy something i made simply because i thought it was good. i feel like my music connects me to a lot of people and experiences.
where do you look for sources of inspiration outside of music?
i try to stay open to inspiration from all kinds of things. sometimes i even set a theme for myself before starting a production.
for example, i draw inspiration for my music from the mood and progression of visual works like films, from my own experiences, from interviews with manga artists, and from many other things.
how has japan influenced or informed your sense of self and artistic output?
i like japan, but honestly i don’t really know how it’s influenced me. i’ve only ever lived in japan, so i’d like to try living somewhere else someday.
what has been your most recent musical discovery that you’re obsessed with?
i don’t really have one particular song that i keep listening to on repeat, but i’m constantly obsessed with discovering new music. recently, the new releases from yushh and how du have been really exciting.
i also make a point of listening to radio mixes.
what has your production journey been like? do you feel like you’ve found your artistic voice now?
i feel like my current work is very much me. i can feel myself getting better day by day, and i’m enjoying figuring out how to make work that feels even more like myself from here.
i’ve always loved music, so in the same way that some kids might pick up a guitar when they’re young, i found it fun to explore different ways of making music. that’s how i came across dtm. at first, i wasn’t particularly obsessed with it, but a few years later i started making music seriously.
in the beginning, i was quite rigid about genre and worked mainly as a dubstep producer. over the following years, as i played in different places and released more music, i increasingly wanted to focus on dayzero’s originality rather than on genre itself.
from there, i started making music within dubstep that reflected that feeling, and over the past few years, i’ve gradually started incorporating a much broader range of approaches.
you’ve also contributed a mix for the 909 series, what’s the concept behind this one?
for this mix, i built it around the world of the ep i released on menace. the idea was to explore different sides of the dayzero sound, with abstract dub at the core.
how does your approach to dj sets differ from studio mixes and radio shows? is there a narrative in mind that you’re always trying to tell through your sets?
for me, dj sets like the ones i play at club events are closer to a live performance, while dj mixes like this one are closer to a piece of work. it’s not always the case, but rather than focusing on one particular genre, i try to build a story that reflects my musical roots, including both the music i’ve listened to and the music i’ve expressed as dayzero.
with dj sets, i think about how to respond to the mood of the moment within the range of my own music. for example, i might think, “something more percussive would work better here,” or “i want to shift the beat approach from this point.” i’m thinking about the next track and where the flow is headed.
with studio mixes like this one, there is a theme first, and it feels more like making a piece of work through the medium of djing. unlike the dancefloor, i feel a dj mix involves facing myself more directly. i also think about including new work from myself or friends, and trying out transitions i wouldn’t normally use.
when was the last time you were on the dance floor?
i’m basically at a club almost every weekend. sometimes i go specifically to see artists i like, and sometimes i have a good time with friends.
in tokyo where i live, there are plenty of events running until morning even on weekdays.
what are you most excited about right now?
honestly, there are so many things i’m looking forward to right now, like releases, events, and more.
if i had to pick one thing, i’ve recently become more interested in collaborative forms of expression. as part of that, i formed a unit called aurora green with an artist named itti. it’s focused on a wide range of forms of expression, not just music, but also things like audiovisual work and developing new technologies.
i’m currently experimenting with new approaches through the project. we have live performances and releases planned for the future, so i’m really looking forward to that.
i also have some projects planned with other artists, so i’m excited about those too.
what’s on your vision board at the moment?
i want to keep pursuing work that is original and free, while still clearly expressing my own background through it.
i want to release a lot more music and perform in all kinds of places.Tracklist:
Dayzero - Calibration
Beton Brut - Digital Fatigue (SSSLIP Remix) [rut]
Stones Taro - Out Of Cycle [Rhythm Section International]
How Du - Stemah [Pressure Dome]
aphtc - Moving Through [Arcane Patterns]
Delian Sound - Ensnare [self released]
Dayzero - In Parallel [Menace]
Dayzero - Canopy [self released]
Delikwe - 6am Ice (Pugilist Remix) [Mole Audio]
DAYZERO & YAS REVEN - ID
Dayzero - Density Control [Menace]
Element - ID
Dayzero - Multi Peak [Menace]
Identified Patient - The Thin Line [Nerve Collect]
Hemnis - Kavrinah [Hekdb]
R. Mohr - Where U Gotta Be [3024]
Joe Milli - Mantra [Livity Sound]
Dayzero - CV Mirror [Menace]
Teqmun - A Man and His Toad [Nerve Collect]
Aawadh - Pressure Makes Forms [Staring At The Wall]
Dayzero - Lost Contact
Dayzero - Mirrored In The Water
Yushh - Mos Def [Timedance]
ID (LEVOS Edit)
BLOCKLAB - Street Chronicles [System 108]
Ourman - Namárië [White Peach]
Argo - Bedroom Product
Dayzero - Blur
Dayzero - Midnight Train
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