With his EP Voices (with Nono) on Four:twenty Recordings reaching the No.1 position of the deep house chart on Beatport last year, Japanese DJ/producer Tomoki Tamura was soon an ostensible rising force in the global house and techno scene. Also under his fellow Japanese expat Satoshi Tomiie’s SAW Recordings, Tamura has released an array of critically acclaimed EPs characterised by his unique fusion of deep, tech, minimal, electro, and soulful elements.
 
On the DJing side, since his arrival to London in 2005 he has been rocking the dance floor in world-renowned venues such as Ministry of Sound, Turnmills, The Cross, and The Key, and so on – and in 2005 launched his own clubnight Holic at AKA. It went on to become an acclaimed and popular night, with its latest event taken place in Ministry of Sound alongside the techno legend Derrick May’s Hi-Tek Soul.
 
An all-rounded DJ/producer/clubnight organiser, Tomoki Tamura is a promising talent not to be missed.
 
How and when were you first infected by dance music?
It was probably in 1997, when I was in high school. It was not easy to hear house music in Osaka then. One of my mates who was a hip-hop DJ took me to his gig, and then a DJ played a track by The Brand New Heavies, which has some kind of house beats. I then asked him what that music was!
 
When did you start making music / producing, and how long was it before you started making tracks that you were really happy with?
Since I moved to London around 2005. I am still not satisfied with my production skills at all!
 
What have been your personal favourite tracks / productions so far?
I like ‘90s underground house. Even when you listen to them now, they still sound fresh. Lil' Louis is a genius, as you know. When my ears get tired after making music, I always listen to Japanese pop singer Matsutouya Yumi.
 
Where does your name come from?
It’s my real name.
 
Who would you most like to work with?
Kerri Chandler. His beats are heavy. I would like to know how he makes them.
 
What have you got in store for the coming months?
A new EP on SAW Recordings: Tomoki&nono – Tribute (inc Luke Solomon remix)!
This is a great sax track.
 
What can we expect from one of your DJ sets or live sets?
It might be difficult to expect what I play as I always bring quite a wide range of house, techno and disco. I don't quite like to play the same groove all the time.
I always try to give my passion to the dance floor…I don't want to be a ‘cool’ DJ, it’s boring.
 
If you weren’t a DJ/producer/artists, what would you be?
A pro tennis player.

Which other producers and DJs and artists do you really rate?
I saw Laurent Garnier live at Get Loaded this summer - I was so impressed! The audience and artists became one completely.
 

Tomoki & Nono's Tribute EP is out now on Four:Twenty Recordings. Check out our review by clicking here