Mixmag Asia Radio: Catch a glimpse of DJ HI-C’s techno madness at Moment Festival

How was Moment Festival? Do tell us a bit about it!

Moment has been held for four years this year, and it's finally getting closer to the form we were aiming for. A truly magical village appeared in that place for just three days. Each participant cherished the moment, and it was a wonderful event.


What were some of the highlights of the event?

It's hard to pick just one highlight, but I'd say the most memorable moment for me was DOLTZ's closing set on the second day. The vibe was absolutely electric.


Any plans for next year's event?

As always, we're aiming to hold the event on the first weekend of July. But we'll be sure to make an official announcement on our Moment SNS channels as soon as the dates are confirmed.


Tell us about the visuals you had at the festival.

Considering our size, we have an impressive number of decoration and performance teams involved. Their incredible work, which is a hallmark of Moment, harmoniously blends with Japan's natural beauty. We'd love for international visitors to experience this firsthand. I'm also a big fan of our annual key visual designs. They've really come to define the Moment brand.


Why do you think it's so special doing the festival in a place like Tenkawa Village?

For over 1,300 years, Tenkawa Village has been a spiritual heartland for Shugendo, founded by the legendary ascetic En no Gyoja. Revered as a sacred mountain, it's also home to a beautiful onsen town. The high altitude and the surrounding World Heritage-listed natural beauty, with its pristine air and water, make this place truly special. Dancing together here feels like a spiritual communion, and I believe it's a powerful expression of Japan's ancient animistic beliefs. Every year, I feel a strong energy radiating from this place.


What’s the difference between a festival set and a club set?

In clubs, I see DJs working together to weave a seamless sonic tapestry, gradually building the energy on the dancefloor. At festivals, on the other hand, each DJ is more like a solo act, aiming to create their own unique experience for the audience.


So how did you transition from being a five-time DMC World Champion to becoming involved in techno?

It all started with the DMC World Finals being held in London every year. After winning, we'd tour European countries, always ending up in Amsterdam. My friend there introduced me to techno, opening my mind to a whole new world. Since then, I've loved dancing and the intense focus of the dancefloor. I've found that dancing really helps me clear my head. With DJ Gonno in Osaka tonight, I'm off to the dancefloor again!


Tell us a bit about your label, Aum Recordings—what's in store for us next?

Aum Recordings is an Osaka-based techno label, delivering a high-energy blend of minimal and groovy sounds. Run by Toru Ikemoto, TENO, and myself, we're excited to announce TENO's new EP, featuring a remix by Wata Igarashi. This will be our first vinyl release, set for a late November drop. My own EP is also on the horizon for late January.


What’s your favourite thing about the music scene in the city you live in?

I live in Osaka and my local area is commonly known as America-mura. One of the best things about Osaka is that it's packed with clubs and DJ bars in a small area, offering a wide variety of music and amazing DJs. I'd love for more tourists to experience Osaka's local music scene. Also, Osaka people are fantastic - they're cheerful, friendly, and the city's vibe is something everyone will love.


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

My DJ sets are more like live performances, where I build layers of sound on three channels. I like to keep things spontaneous and incorporate turntable techniques like scratching and half-beat shifts. You can check out my video to get a better idea.


Your favourite festival other than Moment ?

I attended the Monument Festival in Norway for the first time this summer, and I was deeply moved by the experience, both as an attendee and as someone who could appreciate the organisers' hard work. I had so many wonderful encounters and experiences that I even found myself crying alone after the festival ended. Haha! I also found the Norwegian nature to be quite similar to Japan's, perhaps due to our similar latitudes, which made me feel very relaxed.


Name one DJ you’d love to play back-to-back with.

D.Dan


What recent trends in music have caught your attention, and why?

I had the opportunity to play my first ambient set at a party in Macau recently. Endurance, who's part of the Moment crew, runs an ambient label called Muzan. I improvised a set using his label's catalogue and was blown away by the possibilities of ambient music. I'm so inspired, I'd love to curate a similar stage at next year's Moment. While I'm not a huge techno head, I'm also influenced by the artists introduced to me by DJ MARIA, another Moment member who's constantly on tour. I'm particularly drawn to psychedelic textures and I'm not too picky about BPM. It's amazing to be surrounded by such talented people like Moment and Aum Recordings.


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

First, I have to mention DOLTZ. I think it's safe to say he's one of the greatest figures in the history of Japanese techno. His tracks are amazing, but I highly recommend experiencing his live sets.

Second, we have SUNGA, who played at Moment this year. His tracks are great, and while it might not be accurate to categorize his DJ sets as strictly house, he creates an incredible groove that blends disco and techno. Both DOLTZ and SUNGA have incredibly cool stage presence. I'm really drawn to that kind of charisma. You should definitely check them out.

And third, there's Gordon from Macau. I played with him in Hong Kong this July, and he blew me away. I've never seen a DJ in Japan who can mix on 3-4 channels and manipulate rests using vertical faders like he does. It's next-level skill, and he's constantly creating new grooves on the spot. Without a doubt, he's one of the top DJs in Asia.


What can you tell our readers and listeners about your mix? Why is it special to you?

As I mentioned before, my mixes involve layering many tracks, which might not be ideal for repeated listening. However, I believe they pack a serious punch on the dance floor. I really want you to experience the groove I create in a live setting. I hope this video and mix will lead to more opportunities for me to play in Asia and around the world. Oh, and I think they're pretty good for driving on the highway too! It's got a real sense of speed, hahaha.


What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen happen at Moment?

It's almost surreal looking back on how things unfolded. Three years into my journey in the techno scene, my friends and I launched Moment, with my friend Kenya spearheading the project. I'm eternally grateful to him; I wouldn't be where I am without his vision. The pandemic hit just as we were getting started, and while the world was shutting down, we were lucky enough to continue thanks to the supportive policies of the mayor of Nara Prefecture. We've had our share of challenges, but we've persevered. It's incredibly rewarding to have organisers from renowned parties like Monument and Labyrinth visit our venue.

Where can we hear you playing next?

- October 5: Circus Osaka,Japan with GIGI FM

- October 18: UNKNOWN @ Haruno Yamanomura Camp Field, Shizuoka, Japan with Artifact, Angioma, HARUKA and more

- November 23: ASA-HCHI @ Aoyama Hachi ,Tokyo, Japan

- December 23: The breakfast club 30hours party @One Six One Night Club, Melbourne, Australia

- December 25: Annual Xmas Rave Tokyo Love Hotel room @Chasers Night Club, Melbourne, Australia

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.

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