As you usually go to clubs and listen to electronic music and dance music, let's say you open the discovery tab on Instagram right now. Without a doubt, there must be a Japanese DJ who appears on the top page. That’s ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, who is now one of the representative DJs of Japan and a sought-after figure from around the world.

¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U, or Yosuke Iematsu, has history. However, surprisingly, the connection with clubasia was born after everything changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether it's in small venues or large festivals, the man who speaks of doing nothing but "giving it my all" perceives Japan and the world in a flat manner, always embracing the dance floor with fresh surprises.

In this instance, ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U is set to perform as a headliner alongside Takkyu Ishino at the "clubasia 29th Anniversary -DAY.9- 'Epoch.'" As the performance approaches, our Asia staff, Ao, conducted an interview with NordOst.

Interview by Ao & NordOst
Text / Edit by NordOst
Photo by Toshimura

── clubasia is celebrating its 29th anniversary, but I think there are hardly any clubs in Tokyo that have continued to operate for such a long time. Do you remember when you first performed at asia, Mr. Iematsu?

¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U: Honestly, I don't remember much. The connection with asia was formed during the COVID-19 pandemic or right after it, so it hasn’t been such a long relationship. I’ve just been getting more opportunities to perform there in recent years.

── So, before COVID, it wasn't a place you had much connection with.

¥UK1MAT$U: That's right, probably.

── I believe your first performance was at "Local World x ether" in 2021. It was a party held during the pandemic, and I remember it vividly since it was right before I started DJing.

¥UK1MAT$U: Yes, the pandemic hadn't really ended at that point. I used to perform at WWW often, and Shinphei Kaihou (melting bot / Kaihou Shinpei) connected me to asia. Maybe it was simply because it was a place where we could hold parties at that time.

── Do you remember anything from that time?

¥UK1MAT$U: I'm sorry, I really don't recall much (laughs). I have lost track of how many performances I do in a year.

── After starting to perform at clubasia after COVID, are there any memorable events or parties for you?

¥UK1MAT$U: Of course, the anniversary. There was a time when Mr. Su (clubasia manager, Masaru Suzuki) stripped down and danced until morning (laughs). Was that two years ago?

── That was at the last or the one before last “Epoch.” Also, at the staff graduation party, you played the graduation song.

¥UK1MAT$U: Ah, that happened. We also went to the after-party at RUBY ROOM afterwards.

── Yes! You came to the after-party too. I was so glad you participated in such events.

¥UK1MAT$U: Yes. Well, it was a graduation ceremony, so I thought why not. It might be a little difficult now, though.

(Photo from May 2023)

── The style of activities has certainly changed, and now you have many overseas performances.

¥UK1MAT$U: They've been increasing for a little while, but the upcoming spring tour is almost scheduled before (2024) BOILER ROOM TOKYO. However, after the announcement, offers have been pouring in, and it could end up being five shows a week.

── Five shows a week! That's truly a full-time DJ...

¥UK1MAT$U: Performing in Venice, Malta, London, Liverpool, and Manchester, for instance. On Saturdays, I have two shows, one in the daytime and one at night. Those have increased since last year's BOILER ROOM, and in Liverpool, I got to play with Four Tet. I'm super excited about it.

── When performing at overseas venues compared to clubs in Japan like asia, I think the crowd's reaction, atmosphere, and expectations differ quite a bit. What kind of differences do you feel?

¥UK1MAT$U: Hmmm, no matter where I go, basically what I do doesn't change. The most important thing is that everyone enjoys themselves. I just always give it my all. However, crazier things tend to happen overseas sometimes. When surrounded in a format like Boiler Room, the audience can get so into it that they’re physically pushing against me, so I ask them not to get too close during my set.

── Have there been times in Japan where it became that enthusiastic?

¥UK1MAT$U: Well, the recent BOILER ROOM TOKYO was definitely one of those times. I had to be a little cautious since it got a bit dangerous (laughs).

── This is just my opinion, but I think clubasia has a very "Japanese club" feel to it. Each party has its unique character and variety, and it establishes itself without relying solely on the name value of foreign guests. Are there clubs like asia with a strong sense of location overseas?

¥UK1MAT$U: I think asia has its own style but there might not be that much comparison with overseas. However, clubs like asia with a second floor are quite rare. It’s unusual to have a layout like this with stairs going up and down. It’s not quite similar, but for example, there's a club in Shanghai called SYSTEM that is broader and has two floors. I think the atmosphere definitely changes based on the size and structure.

── Recently, as you continue to perform extensively both domestically and internationally, have you come across an artist you think would be interesting to collaborate with at clubasia?

¥UK1MAT$U: I haven't performed with Shhhhh yet at asia, right? I feel like someone like Shhhhh could be the main act as well. That person is amazing. Of course, there's also COMPUMA and Akuma no Numa.

── COMPUMA has performed at clubasia on weekdays. Are you close with Akuma no Numa?

¥UK1MAT$U: Weekdays? No, COMPUMA usually performs on weekends. Akuma no Numa was running a boat party back when I was in Osaka, maybe ten years ago. At that time, a knob on the DJ mixer broke, and it fell into the river. It was quite close to winter, and we were on a small boat with a low roof, so everyone was freezing; it genuinely felt like being in Akuma no Numa (laughs).

── Right now, Takkyu Ishino is playing in the main floor. Have you had the opportunity to perform together before?

¥UK1MAT$U: (I think I've performed with Takkyu) about five or six times. We will be performing together at the upcoming "THE BEACH 2025"

(https://thebeach.co.jp/) festival.

── Beyond just collaborating, do you also have opportunities to interact?

¥UK1MAT$U: Yes. Recently, at the "FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ‘24," Takkyu had a really funny shirt, something related to artists. We had a good time with that. But we aren’t super close. Of course, when we meet or perform together, we chat.

── Later, you'll be closing the main floor after Takkyu. What are the main points of your play tonight?

¥UK1MAT$U: Well, it depends on why Takkyu passes the baton to me. I'm thinking of playing the original version of a track that he remixed at the end.

── What you are wearing today is a Sunn O))) hoodie and a Chemical Brothers t-shirt, it's a coordination that embodies your play style. Do you ever put a message into what you wear for the day like "maybe this one today"?

¥UK1MAT$U: Well, if I have it, I might wear it (laughs). I’ll be performing with them at "THE BEACH 2025" too. The dates are different, but I'll also be with them at the Sonar Istanbul concert (https://sonaristanbul.com/).

── Lastly, could you share your impression of clubasia and what kind of place asia is from your perspective?

¥UK1MAT$U: It's definitely about Mr. Su (laughs). Of course, Ao-chan too. It's a space where, during all-night parties, the staff will tell you, "Do more!" That's what makes asia the best. If the staff isn’t enjoying themselves, it’s hard for us too.

── I'm really happy to hear that! Thank you very much for today. Also, there’s one last question I want to ask you... What kind of strength training do you normally do?

¥UK1MAT$U: What I'm doing now is kind of like this (showing an Instagram reel video). It’s something that uses the whole body and also trains the core. I don't go to the gym, so I do home workouts inspired by videos on Instagram reels. But when I open Instagram now, it’s all me (laughs).