Snafu Podcast 12 - Tomoki Tamura

Tomoki started Dj-ing in 1999 in his native Japan and his original blend of sweet and aggressive flavours quickly marked him out as one of the most promising young Japanese DJs of his generation. He went on to hold residencies at some of Japan’s top clubs, playing alongside top international DJs such as Derrick May, Doc Martin, Lil’louis, Timmy Regisford, Joe Claussell, Danny Krivit, Blaze, Larry Heard, Daniel Wang, Kerri Chandler, Jerome Sydenham, Ron Trent and Osunlade to name but a few. Regular mix sessions for the radio stations Shibuya FM and Osaka Cable only added to what was already fast becoming a cult following and the nation-wide commercial release of a successful series of mix albums on tape (“the Groove Café Series”) was well received by both fans and critics alike, further cementing his reputation as one of the top young DJ’s in Japan’s underground house scene.


In 2004 he moved to London where he has continued to rock the floor in top venues such as Ministry of sound, Turnmills, The Cross, The Key, AKA, 54, Notting Hill Arts Club, Herbal and Cargo to name but a few. He guests at Faith (regarded by many discerning house aficionados as the capital’s no.1 party) and current residencies include his very own creations “Holic” at AKA and “Geisha Disco” at the Notting Hill Arts Club. Within a few months of arrival at its new home of AKA Bar, Holic was already a resounding success, rapidly becoming one of London’s busiest Thursday night parties. Hosted by his very own DJ collective “the Geisha Disco Boyz” and supported by “Kikiorix”, guest DJ’s have included Andrew Weatherall, X-Press2, Jimpster, Jim Masters, Pete Heller, Terry Farley, Spektrum and Milton Jackson with many more in the pipeline.

Tomoki’s trademark fusion of deep, tech, electro, minimal and soulful influences has won him many admirers and he has graced our very own airwaves as the first ever Japanese DJ on Ministry of Sound Radio while currently holding a weekly slot on House FM. Simultaneously tough and soulful, dark and uplifting, his style retains more than enough depth and technique to satisfy the fussiest of house-heads without losing the sort of funk and groove that keeps the dance floor rammed and rocking. March 2008 saw his debut as an artist with the release of the track “Yurikamome” (on Pild Records) to critical acclaim from the legendary Laurent Garnier himself. July 2008 his new release out from Four:Twenty record, also have just signed with NY legendary King Street Sounds as well,his first vocal track out soon in summer.

Its not just an England / Japan thing either, many places in between have felt the Tomoki effect; he has guest DJ’ed at parties in Berlin, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Belarus and Turkey. With a few notable exceptions, resident / ex-pat Japanese talent has always been thin on the ground in the West… but with Tomoki Tamura and the Geisha Disco Boyz transcending the divide, perhaps the UK club scene has at last found its very own ambassador both to and from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Tomoki plays at THE DEEP END @ SNAFU on Saturday, 11th of October
This is a live set recorded at AKA/THE END at Tomoki's succesful HOLIC party on September the 11th.. it's big (over 220mb) but i didn't want to fiddle with it and lose any sound quality.

As usual - this mix is not available anywhere else..

Snafu Podcast 12 - Tomoki Tamura

Snafu Podcast 11 - Amir Javasoul

"I remember when me and friends used to get all excited about getting a copy of the newest Michael Jackson single or video, in Iran. We were like, 8 or 9 years old. That was before moving to Canada. We used to spend days copying all of M.J's dance moves and even more time making semi-perfect "mix" tapes with our double tape decks. I even recall some family members who would ask me for their own personal tapes. I'd enjoy spending time on this much more than what an average 8 year old would be into", recalls Amir Javasoul, now 30 years old and residing in Paris, FRANCE. "Not to use an old cliché but I certainly knew from a young age that music, all music, would be my foremost passion in life."

Fast forward to 1995 in Montreal, Canada; it has been over a year now since Amir's close group of friends regularly attend the so called "Rave" parties, almost on a weekly basis. "Its funny, I remember my friend Ibra and others who would rush to DNA records on Friday evenings after school in order to get their tickets for the weekend. I was still very much into my hip-hop and Rock&Roll so I would pass. until that one night when I gave it a chance. I guess that was the beginning of my house music life."

From there onwards Amir began attending what he calls "the good parties of the good old days, the better dayz", where the emphasis was put on having fun and just dancing to whatever made you shake it. However, it's Derrick Carter's now legendary "Atomic" nights, in Ottawa, Canada that gave Amir that initial push and desire to be the DJ he is today. "It's funny; I still remember the exact moment when I had a "moment". 5:30 in the morning, Derrick stopped everything, turned the lights off, silence, and then, Lil louis "I called you". Two hours of mid tempo, obscure old Chicago acid, disco-not-disco followed. Inspired, is an understatement. I always knew music would be an integral part of my life. But I found out on that dance floor that it will now BECOME my life".

Since then, it's been a long and positive journey. From throwing the first ever rave parties in the small university town of Kingston (where he attended Queen's university) to playing many clubs in his hometown of Montreal, Amir definitely acquired the needed experience and record culture that is the base of his DJing career today. Fast forward to 2001, attending his second Miami Winter Music Conference, Amir was yet again inspired by a legend, when he witnessed DJ HARVEY'S early morning set at the Wax Records party. This had a major influence in the evolution of sound/type of house music Amir is known to play these days, mixing in a blend of funky Chicago house and groovy S.F electro/house.

2001 was also the year that saw Amir make the move across the ocean, to Paris, France, where he resides at the moment. Bringing Chicago to Paris, his Classic Records party (with DelaHouse) was truly a success. He, alongside Luke Solomon and Rob Mello gave an unforgettable performance still talked about. Mingling with local heroes, Amir has played alongside artists such as Laurent Garnier, Djulz, Phil Weeks, David Duriez, Cisco, Dan Gennacia, Jef K, Ivan Smagghe, Sam Karlson, etc... In Early 2002 He also held a short residency at Folies Pigale, where he was able to invite more of his Classic/Music For Freaks partners in sharing the decks with Justin Harris of the fame Freaks, Diz, Tiefshwartz, Heather and Ewan Pearson. The Mid 2002-2003 span was a very fruitful year for Amir and the city of Paris. He held a one year residency at two of the main clubs in the Paris circuit (Studio 287 and Queen Club), along with being in charge of booking international DJs of real caliber as guests. Who could forget June 19th 2002, when thanks to Amir, we witnessed the return of Derrick Carter to France, after a 4+ years absence.

This sparked the debut of the now infamous "ClubWorld" nights at Queen Club. The guests during this 12 month residency included: Derrick Carter, Mark Farina, Onionz, Rob Mello, Satoshi Tomiie, Phil Weeks, Fafa Monteco, Steve Bug, Kenny Hawkes and Armand Van Helden.

Following this, Amir went on to hold a years residency at the Ministry of Sound, London from 2004-2005 then until 2006 he held two residencies at Cafe d'anvers, Antwerp and at BOA, Toronto. This brings us neatly up to the present time which sees Amir holding down two residencies. One at Level in Bahrain and also in his adopted home city of Paris at the club Djoon where he brings in the best talent from around the world then regularly beats them down with his unique blend of jacking and groovy house...

Amir plays at Club Snafu on the 22nd November so get yourself down there and get your mitts on promos of his new mix C.D. named after his night, PLASTIK PEOPLE.

Snafu Podcast 11 - Amir Javasoul