How has your dance background assist you in choosing music and beats for your DJ-ing career? 

As I have been dancing ever since I was 6 years old and was in the professional ballet company for 13 years, I have been very close with many types of music and have worked with amazing choreographers and dancers. I was able to see how dancers and choreographers capture music with their bodies and soul to project onto the stage. So I learned to recognize grooves, rhythms and swing that moved people’s heart. As long as the beat or music moves my heart, feet or even fingers; I believe it to be a groove I have had from my dance background. This helped me to approach listeners from different angles if compared to other DJs.

Your soulful, jazzy Latino and house grooves has established you as a versatile DJ in Hong Kong; what type of music is your favourite and are there any artists that you find especially inspiring to you?

I have so many favourite music styles. I like almost everything. I like to put some surprise twist (like funk, soul, disco, jazz, Latin, reggae, rock, etc...) on bouncing house beats with funky bass line. I like to approach my listeners from many different angles in one session. So I like DJs like Gilles Peterson, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, and Mr. Scruff. They are very versatile DJs and truly inspiring to listen to.

We know that you have been DJ-ing around Hong Kong ever since 1999, with a high demand at exclusive parties; can you tell us an experience that shocked you/ is memorable?

I have a few very memorable gigs from the past. It’s the gigs where everyone had smiles on their faces; with everyone dancing, singing and moving their feet. Doesn’t happen very often but it does happen in very random timings. You don’t have to be in a special place, you just have to love your music and enjoy the moments together with strangers.

How do you feel that DJing and producing has changed over the last few years?

I feel very good about DJing nowadays because there are so many music styles out there to choose from; especially being able to have an access to almost any songs that you want through the internet. I love vinyl and CD but I can purchase much more songs now than before because it’s easy online. So I get to know and have more music than before. I think it’s great. I don’t know much about producing because I don’t produce music (just yet). But then again with rapidly growing technologies these days, I think music is changing in sound much faster than before. Since sound sampling tools have become more advanced, lots of producers are making more re-edits of old songs and I think that’s brilliant. I like to remind my listeners with re-edits of their favourite songs.

What was your favourite memory so far of 2013 and what would you like to achieve during the rest of the year?

My favourite moment so far this year is a pool session on Sunday evening at the W hotel. It was my first time just recently and it felt really nice to play at the poolside on the 76th floor. Music sounded really different to my ears after it hitting through the nice breezy wind. For the rest of 2013, I’m really hoping to set up my own recording studio and start producing tracks. I want to express and project myself on to music like I did with my dance.

Aside from your DJ equipment, name your top three essentials.

Number one, it has to be a pair of comfortable shoes because we stand (and dance sometimes...) for a long time. Number two, good drinks. And of course, number three would be a bunch of happy people.

Do you have any pre gig rituals?

Not really. But definitely eat well.

If you weren’t a DJ/Producer what would you be doing?

Dancer or choreographer.

Why choose Hong Kong as the location for your DJ-ing career, instead of going back to Japan or revisiting Australia? 

Simply because I love Hong Kong. I think Hong Kong has a unique vibe. It’s always changing and it’s always different. Life here can always be spontaneous with so many people with their different ethnic backgrounds. New and old, fast paced city like Hong Kong always gives me good energy.

Kenji will be DJ-ing at the W Hong Kong Summer Series Pool Party (June), for more information visit:

http://www.hkclubbing.com/events/details/2107-w-hong-kong-summer-series-pool-party-june.html