inthemix | Features | Yoji Biomehanika: Master of the ‘tech dance’

In all its shapes and flavours, hard dance continues to draw a huge fan base around the world, and in 2007 it’s still filling the stadiums with ease. But how do the DJs and producers ensure it keeps moving in fresh new directions? Japan’s Yoji reckons he has the answer. “Recently I have been producing and playing a new style, ‘Tech Dance’ – that’s a fusion of techno, tech trance and hard dance.”

Responsible for anthems like Monochroma and Ding A Ling, this weekend he’ll be jetting right around the country in a whirlwind tour that will see him fronting gigs for some of our biggest hard dance crews – Transmission in Sydney, Pharmacy in Brisbane as well as an appearance at the Ultraworld Festival in Melbourne and the Paul van Dyk’s Beach Party in Adelaide. ITM gets the goss ahead of his arrival.

You seem to have been touring constantly for years on end, with gigs in European parties and clubs, your home country of Japan and of course in Australia, where do find the time to create music and has the hectic schedule gotten in the way of creativity?

For sure, my traveling schedule was very hectic about five years ago. I was flying to Europe at least twice a month, and at festival season I was flying every week. However, my first child was born four years ago, and I decided to spend more time with my family and for longer periods. I decided to cut down the number of overseas flights and currently I am only flying overseas once a month. It seems to be true that a hectic schedule can sometimes disturb my pace and as a result I only have a little time for my studio work. But, my desire for creativity is always inside of me so, I’m OK and I am sure that I can keep delivering good music.

Is it true that on the way to play at an Impulz party in Holland your records were lost by an airline? If so, how did you manage the set?

It is true. I collected as much as possible from my friends in Holland and Germany and played using that. Furthermore, when the terrorism happened in London last year, I was caught up in the confusion at Heathrow airport. Besides having missed my flight, I lost all of my baggage. When I arrived in Switzerland, I downloaded as many MP3s as I could and was still able to play. I am really thankful for the benefit of today’s technology.

You seem to be the master of the big arena, is there a time where you crave a more intimate venue or is the energy of the big stage too much to resist?

I am not an exclusive DJ for big arenas, ha ha ha. Whether the place is a small room or a big arena, I am OK as long as the sound system is perfect.

You have a musical style that is unique, filled with emotionally melodic and elevating resonance which contrast the chaotic beats and mad noises. What genre do you feel best classifies your music?

Recently I have been producing and playing a new style called ‘tech-dance’, that is a fusion of techno, tech trance and hard dance.

Your look matches perfectly with the music you crate and has evolved over the years. It reminds me of something out of Blade Runner. Are you a fan of science-fiction films? If so, what is your favourite?

Blade Runner is like my bible and I like science-fiction films very much. Among recent films, I like the Island as I like images of the complexities of advanced technology and the modern world”

You recently collaborated with Romeo Toscani on Six Hours, is there anyone else you would like to work with? Or do you prefer to make your own music?

Basically I prefer to make music by myself, but it is sometimes fun to collaborate with someone. It all depends on the project.

Do you see yourself making music and playing for as long as you can or do you have aspirations to do something else with your music?

I don’t know how my music works on people and affects them, but I sometimes see the crowds moved to tears. I am happy if my music in someway becomes a nourishment of life or positive energy to people.

It is obvious that your music is influenced from various genres from avantgarde to rock, was it a natural progression for you to make dance music after being in a band? Or did you recognize the dance revolution taking shape and decide to be involved?

Originally I had created electronic music prior to creating punk rock, so the transition to dance music was very natural for me.

What are your top 5 tracks at the moment you like to play out?

Yoji – Techy Techy (Hellhouse)
Remo-Con – Narky Light (Hellhouse)
Artist Unknown – Kabosu Tree (White)
Artist Unknown – You Spin Me Round (White)
The First Reberth (GS2)

What was your most memorable playing experience?

When I played in Kyoto, Japan, there was a lady in the front row, from Russia I think and she shouted to me, “Marry me!” It was really surprising, ha ha ha.

So what the hell is ‘tech dance’? Find out when Yoji plauys the following shows…

Friday 7 December: Pharmacy @ Family. Brisbane
Saturday 8 December: Ultraworld @ Kryal Castle
Saturday 8 December: Transmission. Sydney
Sunday 9 December: Paul van Dyk’s Beach Party, Adelaide

And check out this amazing clip of Yoji at Sensation Black in Amsterdam a few years ago, with his unique style of showmanship on display…