Listen to a 90-minute recording from DJ Shikisai's residency at Bridge Shinjuku, Tokyo

Diesel Disco Club founder and label boss, Akinobu Ikeda aka DJ Shikisai, is one of Tokyo's prized musical possessions.

Specialising in house and disco, and the plethora of associated sub-genres, Shikisai is a purveyor of the uplifting side of dance music. His sets are energetic, soulful and made for deep sonic divers — his delivery is never short of audiophile's acumen.

Diesel Disco Club now has eleven releases under its belt, and the label has truly become synonymous with his preferred musical domain. He's also hinted in his interview below that we can expect a few big-hitting releases later this year.

That's enough intro — we implore you to tune into Mixmag Asia Radio with DJ Shikisai below.

Where are you based and how did you get there?

I’m based in Tokyo. I was born and raised in Amami-Oshima and came to Tokyo fifteen years ago to build my DJ career.


What’s your favourite thing about the music scene there?

My favourite part of the music scene in Tokyo is where there are many choices of where you can go depending on if you feel like listening to hip hop, house and techno. I also love how there are small clubs and bars with great sound systems.


In five words, what do your DJ sets sound like?

Disco, House, Deep, Lovely, Sexy!


And in three words, how would you describe yourself?

DJ, Producer, Label Owner


What recent trends in music have you been paying attention to? Have you caught onto them?

I keep myself on track in the disco/ house scene. Lately, I also have been checking out amapiano and South African music.


Are there any producers and DJs in Asia that have recently caught your attention?

Kross Section — Kross Section a unit made by Keiju and Keita based in Kyoto. I released their EP from my label Diesel Disco Club - they’re a young a great unit. So excited for them.

Pee J. Anderson — A dance music unit based in Kyoto. Their original tracks and remixes are really good. Yukio Nohara, one of the guys in the unit, remixed one the tracks released from my label.

Little Dead Girl — She is a DJ who is also releasing a remix from my label very soon. She’s gonna remix one of Pee J. Anderson’s tracks. The quality of the tracks she makes are amazing.


Describe one prediction you have about dance music in a post-pandemic world that’s being driven by new technologies.

I had no gigs during the pandemic so I was able to make my digital label I was always wanting to make during that time. I release from this platform constantly and also ask amazing domestic creators to make remixes and have also been supporting DJs that just started making music. I'm taking everything nice and slow, enjoying everything at my own pace.


Tell us about the inspiration behind this mix - what drove your thoughts and emotions, and how did you curate your selection?

I made a 90-minute set that includes tracks I made during the pandemic and disco/ house music both new and old school.


What equipment did you record this mix on?

I recorded this from a recent set at Bridge Shinjuku, using CDJ2000 NXSII and DJM900NXSII.


Where can we hear you playing next?

Every first & third Saturday, I play at Bridge, Shinjuku (which is a branch of Bridge, Shibuya). I also play once every two months at a bar called Inc Cocktails in Shibuya. This music bar has Garrad turntables, a Urei mixer and Altec speakers so I play 50s/60s rock'n'roll/doowop 45s. Please check out my Instagram for more information!