Exclusive Interview with Beaten Space Probe
Beaten Space Probe is a DJ and crate Digger from Tokyo. He plays regularly in the thriving underground scene there where he puts on his own parties Boogie Prancin as well as playing at a variety of other top venues around the city. He also travels outside of Japan now to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok spreading the word about his infectious disco sound and DJ skills. BSP has formed a strong bond with one of the most important labels in the scene, Disco Deviance and by now has appeared on their monthly mix showcase on Pulse Radio several times. The latest installment to the series in May 2013 was done by him and his disco partner in crime Dicky Trisco and has got massive response from the world. He is about to embark on his first European tour in September 2013 and is ready to take the BSP sound to a whole new level and much wider audience.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Beaten Space Probe, shortly before his performance at Glow Nightclub on 28th June.
How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place? At what age did you start DJing and where did the impulse come from that made you start?
More than 15 years ago, me and one of my friends were always digging music -every kind of music- and going to live instead of studying or doing club activities at school…It was a good era of UK dance music. There were famous & talented artists likes of Underworld, Chemical Brothers, Pete Heller etc etc. They were sensational for me and soon to be made to love that kind of music. Then I started to dig dance music and to do DJ very naturally.
You play and produce Nu Disco and Deep House. How would you describe your own music in just a few words?
Mind blowing boogie groove which make everybody dance…
What caught your interest for Nu Disco in the first place and what are your thoughts on the remarkable revival of Disco tunes in today’s electronic dance music?
It's all about the groove. Its raw, rough, powerful sounds attract me a lot. Disco Music is very interesting. What I'd say is, it raised more than 40 years ago but it always seems fresh. I'm 31 years old so I've not lived its golden age but whenever I hear new -I mean newly met- track, it seems very fresh. That's why some younger generation are getting into Disco Music and making Disco Re-Edits. In way of Disco Re-Edit, classic tracks are turned into new tracks. There are some talented editors in these days and they make Disco Music into completely updated version which fits today's dance floors. Really hot and fun scene.
In 2012 and 2013 you released one 4-track EP each. What are you currently working on?
New release from Glenview Records and Play Pal Music will soon to be out. And now I'm working on the next release from my own BSP imprint -it's a co-work with one of Japanese best producers- and also working on some remixes, cannot release the artist name at this stage though, they are some of scene's well known names.
Your recent mix set for the radio show “Disco Deviance Pulse Radio” - which you did together with Dicky Trisco – got massive response. Out of all tracks and mixes you have made, which would you recommend to someone that is not yet familiar with your music?
One of the tracks of the first release on my own BSP digital imprint, 'Burnin Up', was a bit like a banger. Many DJs likes of Greg Wilson, Dicky Trisco etc. have played it. And I've just made a mix to promote my gigs in Asian continent. It's def one of favorite mixes of mine. It's available at Boogie Taipei. Check 'em out.
You are planning your first European tour in September 2013. What else is on your schedule for the near future?
After the European tour, my own party, Boogie Prancin in Tokyo and a gig in Shanghai are planned. And I'm planning to do a wee tour with Midnight Riot label -a UK based Nu Disco label run by YamWho? which I've been working with for some while.
Besides playing regularly in different venues in Tokyo such SECO, KOARA, A971 and LOOP. What can you tell us about those venues you play in Tokyo, the Tokyo Nu Disco scene and Tokyo’s electronic dance music scene in general?
There are so many & variety of clubs in Tokyo and night life here is fulfilling like other big cities. We have many talented DJs here as well. SECO, KOARA and LOOP (now being changed to ZERO) are all nice and they have awesome sound system. SECO is the venue where I've been running BSP's very own party 'Boogie Prancin'. Nice thing is they love and dig music very well.
You have also played in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok. How does the crowd differ from the crowd you know from Tokyo?
For me, its energy. Tokyo is definitely a energetic but I feel more in those cities. I love it.
What were your personal highlights of your career so far and what was the best and the worst gig you ever played?
I have been running Disco Deviance party here in Tokyo and it always one of the best parties for me. This year, we had a wee tour in Japan and we, label's own Dicky Trisco and me played together to spread our boogie sound. it was so much fun one of my personal highlights. The worst gig…Whenever I play, it's fun but being requested to play Lady Gaga!
What was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?
It was in Shanghai, while I was playing, suddenly power failure happened. Suddenly all the lights were turned off and the sound was stopped. There were commotion on the floor. I was also wondering. Then one of the staffs came and told about the power failure to me. After five minutes or so, there were still commotion in the crowds, the light had been turned on, peeps were wondering what's happening and…I dropped some beats. Peeps went mad then. It was funny, a good attraction and very effective as well haha.
You last performance here in Bangkok was in 2011. This 28thth June you will return to Bangkok to perform once again at Glow Nightclub. Did you keep your last performance in good memory? Are you excited to return to Thailand?
Of course! It was so much fun and this time will def be. I'm much excited about this return.
What can Bangkok expect of your performance at Glow on 28th March?
Will present a blissful musical journey…Dance till you get enough!