Born
in Oxford, raised in London, DJ Bluewolf came
to Japan to visit family during a “short
break” during summer 2001. 4 years and several
needles later (needles of the turntable variety),
Babur Mohgul, AKA DJ Bluewolf, is making a name
for himself on the Nagoya club scene as a dynamic
DJ with a flair for a variety of genres. ETJ caught
up with the Bluewolf to find out what makes him
tick.
ETJ:
What brought you to Nagoya?
Bluewolf (BW): My mom and my family were living
here and the idea was that I would come over here
for a break and then head back to the U.K. I loved
it so much that I ended up staying. I chose Nagoya
because it seemed to have a decent nightlife and
club scene.
ETJ:
What is it that you love about D.J.ing?
BW: Well, I really love music. I just love messing
around with it. I mean, music can have such a
big influence on a person’s mood and feelings
and I just want people to hear my sound. For me,
there is almost nothing greater than getting into
a really great groove and looking out to see a
large crowd really excited and moving. I mean,
when I see that, I just can’t help feeling
so good and saying to myself, ‘Wow! I did
that.’
ETJ:
How did you get started DJing in Japan?
BW: At first, I had a lot of help from Lorna and
Pete, they were the previous owners of Manga
Frog, Nagoya’s Nightclub information
site. Anyway, they helped me organize a gig at
an event called Skunk that was held at Club
JB’s. That was back in the Fall of
2003.
ETJ:
What events have you been playing at lately?
BW: Earlier this year, I played at a Tsunami fund
raiser event at The Bottom Line. Also,
I have been playing at The Plastic Factory
where I have put on several of my own parties
over the last year. Recently, I have been at Creek
regularly, putting on an ongoing show called Two
Hand Magic along with DJ Susumu and Leon.
ETJ:
What challenges do you face being a foreign DJ
in Japan?
BW: Well, I could be off here but I kind of feel
like the Japanese crowd might need a bit more
coaxing to get out and start moving on the dance
floor. I mean, this just makes it so I feel even
better when I do see a jumping crowd on the floor
but I think it does add a bit more challenge to
DJing here in Japan.
ETJ:
What are the most important aspects of being a
DJ in Japan?
BW: Connections! Connections are really important
in this business. I figure it is really important
to make friends with other DJs because, I mean
we are all in it together. Also, reputation! It
is really tough to shake a reputation once the
word gets out on someone. Then there is publicity
and image. I kind of feel like these carry more
weight than actual talent. I mean, if word gets
out that there is a DJ out from Tokyo, everybody
gets all excited about that even if that person
isn’t really, well, even if their skills
aren’t yet at their peak, everybody still
treats it as a huge event just because the person
is from Tokyo. I think for the Nagoya club scene,
there needs to be more focus on actual talent.
There are quite a few really good DJs here in
Nagoya who have great talent but who take a backseat
to someone with a bigger name, regardless of skill
level.
ETJ:
Who are some of these other talented DJs in Nagoya?
BW: Well, I could tell you about some of the big
name DJs in town but they get enough promotion as
it is so I would rather just focus on some of the
talented DJs that are close to me but that have
yet to receive the recognition they deserve. I don’t
want to forget anybody here but I will just start
off by mentioning these guys. They are all often
playing in the Nagoya area.
Gutsu:
Always wearing his trademark flamboyant hat, this
guy is really flashy. He puts on a really good show
with the way he moves and really gets into his tracks.
He is known for playing hard house tracks.
Tomoho: I really rate this guy
because he just never makes mistakes. His beat matching
and scratching skills are among the best you will
ever hear.
Owen AKA DJ Smith: Owen is really
the new blood on the scene in Nagoya. He has toured
a lot of the bigger cities in Canada and has a great
stage presence that gets the crowd really pumped.
DJ Leon: This guy is about as diverse
as a DJ can get. He plays such a wide range of tracks
from drum & bass to funky house.
DJ Susumu: He really has his own
distinct style. Where else can you hear rock music
jammed into a set. Totally unique, full stop!
ETJ:
So what kind of tracks do you like to spin?
BW: I am the kind of DJ who likes constant variety
so I don’t really like to slot myself into
one category of music. You know, there are DJs who
describe themselves as hard house, progressive house,
or break beat DJs but I don’t really do it
that way. I kind of like to mix genres and do a
bit of everything. You know, keep it fresh.
ETJ:
Are you the kind of DJ that has a set play list
or do you like to work your set based on the crowd?
BW: Before I turn up at a party, I have a few ideas
of what I want to play and the mood that I want
to create eventually. But really, when I am about
to start, I try to sense the feeling in the crowd.
However, a lot of that [feeling in the crowd] depends
on what the DJ before me is playing and the mood
he or she has created. So, I usually like to start
out playing something similar to what the DJ before
me was playing and then shift it away gradually
so that the crowd stays feeling good and isn’t
shaken off by any abrupt changes. Then I can take
it down to something a bit mellower before getting
a huge beat going.
|
