ALICE IGUCHI TOKYO INTERVIEW 1/11

by Fled @ TTT / Tune ouT Tokyo

Tune ouT Tokyo presents it’s 1st interview of 2024 with ALICE IGUCHI, Tokyo born-and-raised, now based in New York City since 2017.

N.Y.C. is where ALICE IGUCHI found her new sense of belonging in the underground electronic scene. Since then, sharing music as been her new international language of choice driven with her colorful fusion of sounds.

ALICE IGUCHI performs on continental America, Europe, & Asia where she gets her ‘inspiration‘ from North American diversity & cultural freedom, European dancentric culture, her performances across the globe from Burning Man to WOMB and by KEN’s vision for his SelVa “jungle party on the dance floor” experience this Saturday, January 13th @ WOMB in Tokyo.

ALICE IGUCHI graces the main room of WOMB this Saturday, January 13th for the SelVa 2nd ANNIVERSARY with an opening set 11pm-1am. Get your advanced tickets from the WOMB link interview end!

ALICE IGUCHI TOKYO INTERVIEW > > > > > > >

:FLED @ TUNE OUT TOKYO

In your Tokyo teenage years your were a guitarist in a rock band. Now based in New York City, you perform melodic house & techno worldwide.

What brought you into a life of music and later dance music?

ALICE IGUCHI:

I remember growing up listening to US pop and jazz music in my dad’s car since I was little, now thinking back I think that was the start of my music journey. In my early teenage years I used to go to rental video store in my neighborhood every week to rent a bunch of UK & US rock / pop CDs to find new music. I was always fascinated by western music culture while everyone around me in the school was into J-POP.

Also, I was discovering more electronic infused sound while I was in college such as Massive Attack, Radiohead, Sbtrkt, Thievery Corporation.

The moment when I recognized ‘House music’ for the first time, I just fell in love. The track I heard was ‘L.O.V.E.’ from Motor City Drum Ensemble, I still remember the moment I was asking so many questions to my friend who showed me this track, like ‘what is this music? Do you know more of this kind of music?!’.

What inspired you to move to N.Y.C. in 2017?

What inspired me to move to N.Y.C.– was when I saw how people were expressing themselves so freely– through art, fashion, music… you can feel that just walking by the street.

It was also mind blowing for me to see how diverse this city was, including people. I never felt so accepted growing up in Tokyo, we are always taught how to be the same & fit in the society, it makes you feel insecure otherwise. When I realized that was not the only way to live in this world, I just decided to move. It felt like this city accepted me as who I am.

As a N.Y.C. based international DJ, were you able to make a big initial splash paving your way easily or did you work your way through some up-and-downs?

I am not sure if there was ‘a big splash’ after I started DJing, it felt like more gradual, started from playing for friend’s house parties to playing at small music bars and opening small events. After a couple of years in I was invited to do a residency at ‘Do Not Sit On The Furniture’ in Miami, & after that it gave me many opportunities to play for more shows, playing for festivals like Miami music week, Art Basel and Elements festival.

It has been 7 years since I started playing music in this electronic music scene in N.Y.C. and I strongly believe in us as DJs, or any other artists to take time for the process of achieving especially what you want & even enjoying the struggles on the way.

Very few people speak Japanese in the U.S. so you were immersed in this foreign language. New Yorkers are also known for their strong accent laced with street slang which is tough to understand by other English speakers.

Was English something you spoke fluently before going to N.Y.C. or did you learn over there?

After I left college, I went to a language school in The Philippines. I was always dreaming about traveling abroad & see the world outside of Japan. When I met one of my friends from college who went to a language school there for a couple of months he came back as an English speaker– surprisingly. I was able to achieve a good fundamental English after being in the school for 3 months.

But of course, I had some struggles in N.Y.C. as there are so many people with different accents from all over the world which then took me over a year to fully understand & being able to have deep conversation. I was putting out myself in the non-japanese communities & I think that has helped me a lot.

One of my good friends from the music community told me after a few years I moved there, when we first met and talked for over an hour in this boat party, he couldn’t understand 70% of the things I was talking! LOL

Were your language abilities a big factor to establish yourself in America?

The very basic English skill is definitely important, maybe it is a big factor to establish & express yourself.

But more importantly, your courage to put yourself in those places, the willingness to express yourself, & not being afraid of communicating with the English speakers. That is the biggest factor to survive in the foreign countries & establish yourself there.

You certainly have your feet wet on both sides of “the pond” crossing the Pacific Ocean with American culture on one-side & Japanese culture on the other. They align to some degree & clash in many other ways.

In terms of the dance music scene in America, what do you appreciate about it?

First, I have a big appreciation for the diversity of electronic music. I was exposed to so many different kind of house / techno since I moved there–

There is a history how the electronic music came to our lives, starting from Detroit techno & Chicago house, then how it integrated in N.Y.C.– as I knew more I fell in love more.

I also appreciate how big this music scene is, there is so much big electronic music happening in the U.S., being able to find new artists, sound, trends.. it is never ending fun as a music lover.

What change, if any, would you like to see over in America?

Personally, I would love to see more artists from Asia. It feels like the scene in the U.S. or other asian countries doesn’t have much import and export in music.

I have seen so many great local artists all over the world and I hope there will be more opportunities to exchange the artists all over the world.

Last December you attended the perennial global-gathering Wonderfruit Festival in Thailand.

Was that your first Wonderfruit Festival experience?

Yes! It was my first Wonderfruit Festival experience & I absolutely loved it! It was also my first festival I attended in Asia.

I was amazed how clean & well designed the festival was. There was this pretty market section where you are able to buy some great organic products, drinks or art from local stores from Chiang Mai, it was one of my favorite experiences there!

What are some Wonderfruit Festival memories that still resonate with you to?

I had an opportunity to play with one of the resident DJs from the Polygon stage in Tokyo in June and that was one of the reasons I made it to the festival this year– through connecting with their team which gave me the reason to go to Wonderfruit Festival & see their beautiful stage this year.

Experiencing their beautiful sound system & their music creation was definitely something & it still gives me chills– especially the last night closing b2b set from Viken Arman + Acid Pauli.

Viken Arman + Acid Pauli played ‘One Love’ from Bob Marley in the end, all the people on the entire stage & dance floor were singing the song together– the song didn’t leave my head for a week! Haha–

Seeing this Polygon crew from London putting so much effort to create this outstanding high technology stage in Asia, I could say it is not easy work, but seeing their passion & dedication was something that really inspired & resonated with me. Anything we can imagine is possible to make it real.

When you perform in Europe, but you also attend other events & festivals such as the Garbicz Festival & other festivals & renowned clubs.

How inspirational are they to you as an artist?

Experiencing the music scene in Europe has been taking a big part of my inspiration in the last couple of years.

After I have played for Sisyphos event in NYC, I had opportunities to play at their well known club in Berlin in the last two summers. It was eye opening experience for me, no one is taking photos, everyone is just into dancing, 3-days of non stopping music on the weekend– I saw how the electronic music was deeply rooting in their culture.

The ticket prices for events and festival are inexpensive, felt like it was welcoming everyone despite your income level. I mean, I realized that is how the music should be!

Do you embody any of this inspiration to grow as an artist?

Attending two festivals last summer reminded me how I loved music to the core. Everyone in the festivals were happy, enjoying the moment– it was beautiful to witness that.

I was also surprised with the level of music creation & the quality of the sound systems. Seeing all of those great artists play inspired me to be better, making more effort to polish my skills as a DJ & also how to be able to express myself more through music.

From wonder fruit to washoku. Many Japanese miss their sublime subtle flavors & high quality standards of Japanese ‘washoku’ cuisine.

Since living in N.Y.C. what Japanese foods do you crave?

Hmm… the first few years in N.Y.C. I was always craving for some grilled fish in the morning! Also a good ramen place that opens after 11pm which doesn’t exist in N.Y.C..

Why no one wants to eat ramen after drinking? People eat pizzas after clubbing, but it does not replace a good ramen.

Are you able to satisfy (this craving) or any of these cravings in N.Y.C.?

After 9 years of living in NY, I am pretty OK with the food there now. There are more & more great quality Japanese restaurants in Brooklyn where I live.

Some uni (sea urchin roe) from the state of Maine is better than the ones I eat in Japan sometimes. I wouldn’t complain much besides the fact all of the Japanese food you get here costs 3 times more.

What Japanese restaurants or supermarkets do you recommend in N.Y.C?

I have been going to Osakana Fish Market which is located in Brooklyn & Manhattan, where you can buy high quality sushi grade fish & great fish.

I also like Mr. Taka & Chuko when I crave for ramen.

For a Japanese supermarket– there are actually tons all over the city! All of them are pretty good, but I go to the Tenichi Market in Williamsburg, they have some huge selection of everything.

Fantasy question time: if you could organize an annual party in Tokyo with guests from America, or the world, who would you invite to the 1st event?

That is a fun question! haha–

I would LOVE to invite Recondite, I have been a big fan of his music for many years.

KEN is the mastermind behind both the SelVa & the Bump events @ Womb. You’ve been a regular main stage guest, both events, since the Bump Christmas Party in 2020.

What makes KEN’s events so special for you?

He has a very specific & very different music taste from everyone I met in Japan. I believe he learned from the years of his passion for following electronic music & festivals all over the world. Bringing this ‘different sound’ & the new concept to Tokyo is something– it is sensational & that is something very special.

I admire KEN’s vision & passion for sharing something new to the music scene in Japan. Every event I played from both of his events are always very special in my heart, I am very grateful to be part of KEN’s production and journey!

Back to the near-future, specifically this weekend in Tokyo @ KEN’s 1st event of 2024 the SelVa 2nd ANNIVERSARY: Saturday, January 13th @ WOMB with DJ/producers extraordinaire Guy Gerber & Moscoman.

On the international stage, what is it like to perform with international DJs from around the world?

Always very exciting to see the artists I respect in the different parts of the world! Seeing them bringing slightly different music selections is always fun to watch too.

Any advice for the up-and-coming DJs in Japan who are thinking of jumping “the Pond” and going overseas to pursue their dreams?

Hmm any advise.. as I am still on this journey of growing, I don’t know if I could give the best advise, but something I can say is music & art is a universal language.

Music is meant to be shared. Believe in your potential & the dream you have, playing outside of your comfort zone can be scary, but at the same time incredibly exciting to connect with the world. Enjoy the process & go enjoy sharing what you have.

ALICE IGUCHI <<< main room 11pm-1am >>> SelVa 2nd ANNIVERSARY @ WOMB

Finally what time this Saturday is your set at the SelVa party in the main room of Womb?

I am playing 11pm-1am, opening the main room for these very talented producers MOSCOMAN & GUY GERBER. And GUY GERBER is very well known as the creator of the Rumors event series in Ibiza or Miami.

It is going to be a special fun event @ WOMB!