Dominik Eulberg is one of the hottest up-and-coming DJ/producers of recent times! Not only a genius behind the decks, this boy also has a brain.
Having studied biology, geography and geology at University of Bonn he works as a ranger and ornithologist at a national park when he's not
DJ-ing or making music. Dominik has been releasing his own work from two of Germany's best labels Traum Schallplatten and Cocoon.
In 2005, Groove Magazine voted him Best Producer. Dominik is now working alongside many outstanding producers such as Alex Smoke, James Holden,
Nathan Fake, Donnacha Costello, and the Wighnomy Brothers to name a few. His cutting edge techno is surely ahead of other minimal DJs/producers,
and one to keep an eye on. For advance tickets, email to ticket@spective.jp with your full name.
Battle extravaganzas, tight training techniques, and competition control – it's all in a day's pra-ctice for DJs Yasa and Hi-C,
the duo behind local Scratch DJ outfit Kireek. KS talks to the pair to find out what it takes to champion the decks.
Between the two of them, Yasa and Hi-C have been individually dominating both local and international DJ Scratch battles over recent years.
To mention but a few of their impressive achievements, Yasa grabbed second place in last month's DMC World DJ Championship,
after taking out the Japan title in August in which Hi-C came third, while Hi-C cleaned up at last year's Vestax World Extravaganza.
Different experiences introduced these two 23 year olds to DJ-ing. For Yasa,
it was the sound- tracks of many skating videos he used to watch as a teenager, which opened him up to hip-hop and scratch music.
On the other hand, Hi-C was lured to the decks by an arcade game.
"The game was Beatmania," Hi-C confesses. "I realised I was really good at it and thought 'I'd be a great DJ'.
But DJ-ing was very different!" It was a video viewing of the 1998 DMC Finals that made him think "I wanna try this shit!"
It wasn't until 2002 that the twosome actually met. "We kept seeing each other at DJ competitions
and were always in competition with each other," says Hi-C. "I liked Yasa's style and vice versa, so we thought 'Can we do something together?'"
So in 2004 Kireek was born in order to work on a totally brand new dimension of the scratch genre involving live performances
showcasing the music and the sound of scratch as well as the skill and the qualified technique that goes into pulling off a Scratch routine that moves
the masses. The difference with this coupling is that Kireek throws Yasa and Hi-C into a mini-contest
behind the decks every time they take the stage together amidst a blaze of turntable swapping, record juggling and assorted party tricks
set to a variety of music from hip-hop and break beats to jungle and drum n' bass, that makes Kireek one of the most entertaining scratch acts around.
For all the amusement and fun these boys get from spinning and scratching, for Yasa and Hi-C DJ-ing,
is still serious business. When not passing on their expertise and knowledge to other DJ hopefuls at Otodojo,
a DJ school loca-ted in Namba, these DJs practice up to six hours a day, work constantly to improve technique and style,
and toil with routines for Kireek shows and DJ battles.
So when it comes to battle, what are the judges looking for? "There are usually five criteria," Yasa explains.
"Technique, audience reaction, track selection, DJ performance or showmanship, and rhythm and tempo control."
Given that it is common in such contests for each competitor to be allotted only 6-minutes of 'set' time with no room for error,
it is no sur-prise that routines are relentlessly rehearsed and tweaked to perfection for months on end.
For Hi-C, a routine usually comes to him after he has been playing around for a while.
"I realise that something I have been doing is actually quite good, and I am inspired by that, so that becomes the basis of my future routine."
Although firm friends, in DJ contests the boys often go head-to-head and are very aware that they are indeed rivals in these situations.
"I go into each battle to win," says Yasa. "But if that doesn't happen, then I can be very happy if it is Hi-C who wins."
It is evident that Hi-C feels the same. And considering their history of consistently cleaning up at these competitions,
it is no wonder then that Kireek are a very happy crew indeed.
Club Listings October
1 SUN
DEEPER @ SAZAE.
Reggae/R&B/Hip hop. Weekly event. DJs: GWS&friends.
8pm. ¥1,000/1D.
3 TUE
LEGEND @ GRAND CAFE.
House. Weekly event. DJs: Ageishi, Yoku, Gehi mania, Daisuke, Ko Matsushima + more.
8pm. ¥1,000/1D.
4 WED
SOUL FREE @ SAZAE.
Hip hop. Weekly event. DJs: Minami, Benkei, Kaz001, Groege.
8pm. M:¥2,500/2D, W:¥FREE!
BREAKS @ GRAND CAFE.
Breaks. DJs: Tuttle, Yohei Yamamoto, Kenji Marui, Tokumoto.
8pm. ¥1,000/1D.
5 THU
SYSTEM 7 JPN TOUR @ HATIHATI.
Trance. GUEST DJ: System7. DJs: Brixtons, Masumi.
9pm. ¥2,500/1D.
HOT SAUCE @ PURE.
Reggae. Weekly event. DJs: Precious Stone + guests.
11pm. ¥2,500/all you can drink.
6 FRI
HERNAN CATTANEO JPN TOUR @ GRAND CAFE.
Prog house. GUEST DJ: Hernan Cattaneo.
DJs: Ko-matsushima, Luke, Kitagawa.
8pm. ¥3,000/1D.
PETTER JPN TOUR @ DROP.
Techno. GUEST LIVE: Petter. DJs: Yu Kurose, Kunimitsu.
10pm. ¥2,500/1D (WF:¥2,000/1D).
FIESTA @ TRIANGLE.
House/Techno. GUEST DJ: Bryan Cox.
DJs: Shine, 920, M, Jun Ohmune.
11pm. ¥2,000/1D.
SUPER SONIC @ SAZAE.
All mix. DJs: GWS.
8pm. ¥2,500/1D.
SURE SHOT FRIDAY @ SAM&DAVE UMEDA.
All mix. Blue shots, green shots, Yellow shots, jello shots.
9pm. M:¥2,000/2D, W:¥1,000/1D.
GRAND LINE @ SAM&DAVE SHINSAIBASHI.
Reggae. SPECIAL GUEST DJ: Terry The Aki-06, Bes. GUEST SINGER: Mison-b. SOUND: Anaheim, Eminent Rula, Make Love Sound, Resistance.
10pm. ¥2,000/1D.
WHAT'S POPPIN' @ PURE. Hip hop.
Weekly event. All you ccan drink all night. Multiple re-entry OK. DJs: Minami, George, Getaku, $Crew, Satochin.
10pm. M:3,000, W:¥2,000 (Women before midnight ¥1,500).
7 SAT
STARDANCE FESTIVAL 2006 @ IBI KOUGEN in GIFU.
Psy trance. 3 day fullmoon open air festival.
LIVE: Space Tribe, Sesto Sento, Bio-Tonic + more.
DJs: Raja Ram, Olli Wisdom, Lucas, Aviram & Itay + more.
3pm. ¥1,2000(ADV:¥1,0000). www.blissdome.com.
LIME feat. JUNKIE XL JPN TOUR @ SAZAE.
Prog house. GUEST LIVE: Junkie XL. DJs: Yashima, Juse, Ange, Togawa, Nogami, Kvox.
8pm. ¥3,000/1D.
CIVILIZE! @ CANDY.
Techno/House. GUEST DJ: Green Velvet, Altz.
DJs: Ryuta Sugioka, A Shit Bass.
11pm. ¥3,000/1D.
QUOP @ SOUND-CHANNEL.
Techno. GUEST DJ: Reynold(from Ber-lin).
DJs: Luke Le Mans, Masda, Ono.
10pm. ¥3,000/1D (ADV:¥2,500/1D) INFO: quop.org.
ZETTAI-MU @ NOON.
Dub/Abstract. CASTs: Zion Train feat. Johno, 1945 aka Kuranaka, Ao Inoue, Hikaru.
10pm. ¥3,800/1D.
OSAKA-KISEKI-MOST @ NEO.
German trance/Hard style. DJs: Hayashi -Banginger, Masamune, Luncheonshaft, Mig911, Dark Armor, Ryuki.
9pm. ¥3,000(Foreigners: ¥2,000).
EMMA HOUSE @ WORLD.
House. DJs: Emma, K-Ji.
10pm. ¥3,000/1D.
CUT CHEMIST JPN TOUR @ METRO.
Hip hop. LIVE: Cut Chemist.
6pm (to 9pm) ¥6,000.
ANTI-STYLE SYSTEM @ EAST.
Techno/Prog house. GUEST DJ: Yuri
DJs: Yamakawa, Okura Kazunori, Oshaley, Qre-3000.
11:30pm. ¥1,500/1D.
HYPNOTIC @ PURE.
Hip hop/R&b.Weekly event. All you ccan drink all night. Multiple re-entry OK. DJs: Satochin, Zen, Takuya +.
10pm. M:¥3,500, W:¥2,500.
STAFF NITE @ SAM&DAVE NAGAHORIBASHI.
All mix. Open till 8am!
9pm. M:¥2,000/2D, W:¥1,000/1D.
BODY & SOUL @ SAM&DAVE SHINSAIBASHI.
Hip hop/Reggae. Weekly event.
DJs: Shuzo, Benkei, Junko + more.
10pm. ¥TBA.
REELIN' WITH THE FEELIN' @ OASIS LOUNGE.
Club jazz/Lounge/Dub/House.
DJs: Jules, Brett, Pascal, Triple Bypass, Juan.
10pm. ¥FREE.
8 SUN
FULL MOON PARTY @ OSAKAJO PARK.
Free outdoor party. Techno/House/Breaks. DJs: Brotherman, Cliff, Dan, Ian, I-Bec, Yuri, Ange, Jules, Dee Banse + more.
3pm till late. ¥FREE.
Info: www.zulu-samurai.com.
la-french-connection@hotmail.com.
DJ MARKY & STAMINA MC JPN TOUR @ TRIANGLE.
D'n'B. GUEST DJ: Marky with Stamina MC.
DJs: Ryo, Pyro3000, Masashi, Shohei + more.
10pm. ¥3,500/1D.
8HOURS-TAIYO @ SOUND-CHANNEL.
House. DJ: Taiyo. 10pm. ¥TBA.
LIKE A IBIZA PARTY STYLE @ WORLD.
Ibiza house. DJs: Mitomi Tokoto, Ogawa, Dog, Takkai.
10pm. ¥3,000/1D.
13 FRI
OSAKA SAFARI @ GRAND CAFE.
Hip hop/R&B. DJs: George, Getaku.
8pm. ¥2,000/1D.
CAUTION @ NOON.
House. GUEST DJ: Sugiuram. LIVE: Eerectionn, 8 otto.
DJs: Yohey2Yohey.
10pm. ¥3,000/1D.
DISCOVERY @ SAZAE.
All mix. DJs: GWS.
8pm. ¥2,500/1D.
ESSENTIAL @ WORLD.
Hip hop/R&B. REGULARs: Sancon, Danbo, 2gRice.
10pm. ¥2,500/1D.
FREAKY FRIDAY @ SAM&DAVE UMEDA.
All mix. Body artists and wicked drink menu. LIVE: Brassknucles Soundsystem
9pm. M:¥2,000/2D, W:¥1,000/1D.
FRIDAY THE 13TH @ MAD KAFE.
House/Breaks. DJs: Brotherman, Faster, Will, Yuri.
8pm. ¥TBA.
14 SAT
LOUIE VEGA MIX THE VIBE PRE-RELEASE TOUR @ GRAND CAFE.
House/Garage. GUEST DJ: Louie Vega(from Masters At Work). DJs: TBA.
¥3,000/1D.
WICKED! @ SAZAE.
House. DJs: R(erre) del Mondo, Isohama, Hisaoka.
8pm. ¥2,500/1D.
DJ SID JAPAN TOUR @ TRIANGLE.
D'n'B. GUEST DJ: Sid aka Strscream (Slip Knot).
10pm. ¥TBA.
PUBLIC CAFE @ NOON.
Rock/Pop. DJs: Toshiharu Aoyama, Kazumoto Nakamura.
9pm. ¥2,500/1D(WF:¥2,000/1D).
FOUR SEASONS OF DEEP SPACE 2006-AUTUMN @ WORLD.
House. GUEST DJ: Francois K. DJs: Yoku.
10pm. ¥3,500/1D.
KARAFUTO presents SHITT TO THE OTHER TIME @ SOUND-CHANNEL.
Techno. LIVE: Eater. DJs: Karafuto, Kunio Asai, Sound on Sound.
10pm. ¥TBA.
RELEASE @ OASIS LOUNGE.
House/Techno. DJs: Yuri + more.
10pm. ¥FREE.
20 FRI
HOUSE FUSION @ GRAND CAFE.
House/Garage. DJs: Daisuke, Ackin', Masaki.
8pm. ¥2,000/1D.
SUPER SONIC @ SAZAE.
All mix. DJs: GWS.
8pm. ¥2,500/1D.
SAYANSE @ WORLD.
Reggae. GUEST SOUND: Papa-B.
SOUND: Bass Green, Jam Field, Thunder Head + more.
10pm. ¥3,000/1D.
21 SAT
GLAMOUROUS @ SAZAE.
D'n'B/Breaks. GUEST DJ: Makoto.
DJs: Dogg, Ryuuta SUgioka.
8pm. ¥3,000/1D.
FRF06 AFTER PARTY @ KARMA.
Techno/Rock. DJs: RKD1, RKD2, Takayuki Serino,, Koichi Sato, Little Bitch Crew.
11pm. ¥2,500/1D (WF:¥2,000/1D).
BANQUET @ GRAND CAFE.
Liquid house. DJs: Orienta-Rhythm.
8pm. ¥2,000/1D.
OSAKA RIDDIM @ TRIANGLE.
Reggae/Hip hop. LIVE: Chehon, K-Dogg, Bes Soldier + more. SOUND: Make Love Sound, Satisfy.
10pm. ¥2,500/1D.
COOL TO KOOL @ METRO.
Future jazz/Crossover/House. DJs: Yoshihiro Okino, Kenji Sakajiri, Mikihisa Fujii.
10pm. ¥TBA.
LOTUS X BRILLIANT* @ SOUND-CHANNEL.
Techno. LIVE: Symphony Space, Yukihiro Kobayashi.
DJs: Bunlin, Shingo, Kunio Asai + more.
10pm. ¥TBA.
DISCOTIQUE GOLD @ WORLD.
Soul/Disco. DJs: Atsushi Otsuki, Misa, M-chin.
10pm, M:¥2,500/1D, W:¥2,000/1D.
FUSION @ SAM&DAVE NAGAHORIBASHI.
House/Hip hop. DJs: Tatsuro Fuji +.
9pm. M:¥2,000/2D, W:¥1,000/1D.
THE SYSTEM @ OASIS LOUNGE.
Trance. DJs: System, Pianoboy, Dan.
10pm. ¥FREE.
22 SUN
JEFF MILLS @ METRO.
Techno. GUEST DJ: Jeff Mills. DJs: TBA.
10pm. ¥TBA.
26 THU
RASTER-NOTON.METRO @ METRO.
Electronica. LIVE: Carsten Nicolai, Byetone, Pixel, Kangding Ray.
10pm. ¥3,500/1D.
27 FRI
LIFE STYLE DUB @ SOUND-CHANNEL.
Dub/Abstract. DJs: Hikaru, Kensei, Apollo.
10pm. ¥TBA.
ZETTAI-MU @ TRIANGLE.
Reggae/Dub. LIVE: Mad Professor, 1945 aka Kuranaka + more.
10pm. ¥TBA.
OSAKA SAFARI @ GRAND CAFE.
Hip hop/R&B. DJs: George, Getaku.
8pm. ¥2,000/1D.
DISCOVERY @ SAZAE.
All mix. DJs: GWS.
8pm. ¥2,500/1D.
HALLOWEEN PARTY #1 @ WORLD.
House/Pop/Rock. DJs: Rocket Man aka Ryo Fukawa, Dog, Takkaki.
10pm. ¥3,000/1D. (Get in free in your costume!).
One of the most anticipated live dance music acts in years, Juno Reactor, is finally coming back to Osaka.
He was formed in 1993 by Ben Watkins who, at the core of the group, welcomes different artists to feature every time they make a new album.
In 2003, Juno Reactor featured the Japanese Taiko group Gocoo in the work they did on the Matrix Reloaded soundtrack managing to catch
the attention of non-dance music fans as well. After the huge success, he continued making tracks for the Matrix series,
and in 2006 they composed the full orchestral sound track for the Japanese animation movie Brave Story.
To Japan, Juno Reactor are bringing Spanish guitar veteran Steve Stevens, Paul Jackson, who was an original member of the group, as a bassist,
the acclaimed African percussionist Mabi Thobejane, Ghetto Priest, who has been collaborating with the likes of Asian Dub Foundation, Blur,
and African Head Charge, as the main vocalist and one of South Africa's longest and most exciting groups Amampondo.
It is guaranteed that they will create their one and only Juno-world.
