the thinking man:

Tōwa Tei (テイ・トウワ) is a worldwide known DJ and Artist

who debuted as a member of house and club/dance group Deee-Lite, from the U.S. label Elektra Records. Formed in New York City the group's best-known single was "Groove Is in the Heart", from their 1990 debut album, World Clique. However, Deee-Lite achieved longer lasting success on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, where they scored six number-one hits. They shot to fame via their international hit single, "Groove Is In the Heart".  Towa debuted with his first solo album Future Listening! in 1994.

His most recent release and 5th original album "BIG FUN" is on sale in Japan and on iTunes internationally. As a music producer, he has produced music for other artists, TV commercials and movie soundtracks. As a DJ, his regular party "MOTIVATION" in Tokyo and Kyoto have attracted huge crowds, and his concept party "HOTEL H", started last year, is already becoming a new social spot for industry people in Japan. TOWA has been actively DJing at clubs, festivals, and parties all over the world. 2010 marked the 20th anniversary for Deee-Lite's debut album. 

 an interview with blogger Nerdy Frames 
ringmaster of: the Circus of underrated music oddities! 

NF: Can we ask you about what music you were listening to when you were growing up, and what albums or artists from the past made an impact in your life?


TT: I started listening to techno pop at the age of 13 or 14. After I met with the music of YMO and Kraftwerk


NF: So lets talk about your current studio setup. For our technically inclined readers, what gear are you currently using to make your music today? Are you still using analogue instruments or have you upgraded to a more digital studio?

TT: I'm using mainly:

digital Performer 5
E-MU E4
Virus T1

etc...


NF: Now with that said....what about Djing? Has much changed in how you now DJ at clubs or at gigs? Do you still use vinyl?

TT: I have been using both vinyls and CDs, but recently I started using Traktor on MacBook. It's going great. You can carry so many songs in your laptop and you can access to a song that you would have never brought if you were carrying vinyls. But I still carry some vinyls too, before taking them in the computer.


NF: Now you're consider by many as something of a futurist in terms of embracing technology which was the focal point of the Last Century Modern album in which you mentioned in the lyrics of the titled track certain innovations with technology (ie email, search engine, nano, the Euro, Mp3) which was in 1999. Now that we are in the future, what are your thoughts about technology now? Is it a good thing that mankind is progressing somewhat smoothly with 
newer technology or should we slow down?


TT: mankind is progressing somewhat smoothly with newer technology so, it is convenient.

But on the other hand, it got easier to get caught up and drowned in too much information. I think we should spend the extra time for offline quality time, not controlled by technology, after we get such extra time from the convenience of technology.


NF: What are your thoughts about social network sites such as Myspace? Do you believe its a tremendous source in finding new music and undiscovered talent?


TT: Yes and no.


How do you feel about newer formats like MP3s? Because alot of people in the music industry have put the blame of MP3s for the decline in CD sales. Do you think its a matter of evolve or die?
TT: Yes and no.

In the past, we didn't have to spend money on distributing music, so we can also say that it got just like back then.


NF: How would you rate Japanese music today? Do you think that it's time that the western world explore more Japanese music into their aural diet?
TT: I'm not interested in the categorized Japanese music. I'm simply interested in music.