Cristian Varela
The Spanish techno DJ graces the decks at Air

Courtesy of Air

Techno is associated, first, with its founding
city of Detroit, and then with Northern European capitals like London and Berlin, where it reached a broader audience. But Southern Europe has produced a few of its own innovators, among them Cristian Varela, who returns to Air tomorrow after a two-year absence from Japan.

Reared in a family of creative types including an actor and ballet teacher, Varela went from classical composition into dance music during the electro wave of the late ’80s-early ‘90s. His first hit came in the form of “Intruders” in 1991.

Since his first residency at Villalba’s Porche Club, Varela has developed a reputation as one of techno’s master turntablists, with a precise three-deck approach that has drawn comparisons to Jeff Mills.

In addition to acclaimed albums like 2000’s New Electronic Audio Architectures, Varela has also created Pornographic Recordings with Marco Bailey, which since its founding at the turn of the decade has established itself as one of techno’s key imprints.

Varela appears with Q’hey, one of Japan’s most experienced techno creators, and the host of the long-running Reboot events…

Clubbing connoisseurs may also want to put the recently launched Tokyo Balearic events on their calendars. Created by veteran Japanese DJ Marbo and named for Spain’s Balearic party isle Ibiza, the event uses a custom sound system and strictly vinyl policy at Liquidroom’s upstairs Loft lounge space to create perhaps the most high-fidelity club environment in Tokyo.

By using new technologies, including customized turntables that allow the dropping of tempos up to 13.5 percent, Marbo hopes to revolutionize the way people experience dance music. “Typically, psychedelic trance surges forward at 140+ BPM, crushing all in its path,” he writes in the party manifesto. “This turns people off, but within its details lie secret and infinite possibilities [that] are unlocked by lowering the BPM and reclaiming the funk, tuning it to a natural human tempo.”
Marbo and friends are also planning a New Year’s Eve countdown party at an undisclosed warehouse location. For details, tune into his midnight Shibuya FM show or see www.myspace.com/marbotokyobalearic...

Meanwhile, another Japanese techno warrior, Fumiya Tanaka, is out with the latest release off his experimental-minded op.disc label. Expecting something glitchy and challenging, I found that Dartriix (Tanaka with Paris-based composer Yoshihiro Hanno) instead offer up on their debut album a highly approachable blend of tight, four-to-the-floor grooves and nicely melodic “sound objects.” Adjectives that come to mind include jazzy, phat, funky, squelchy and minimal.

Cristian Varela@Air, Dec 22. Tokyo Balearic@Liquid Loft, Dec 23. See club listings for details. Dartriix is available on op.disc.


Got something to say about this article? Send a letter to the editor at letters@metropolis.co.jp.

Listen to the Metropolis Podcast, the coolest guide to what goes on this week in Tokyo.

Looking for international friends? Check Japan, Inc. Friends now - it's 100% free!