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housefloor.de: |
The story of the label Mule Musiq began in 2005. Toshiya Kawasaki, you are the mastermind behind the label. Why did you decide to found Mule in those days? |
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Mule Musiq: |
I have worked for a clothing company since late teenager and when I was working for the select shop in Tokyo called no.44, we opened the new store where we sold many kinds of life style items. Then I decided to sell CDs and started a small label. This label didn’t go well…
At the same time I was running another store which sold CDs, art books and special designed products. I was becoming a music business person more and more. The reason was I was really tired of the fashion people and music people look cooler. Now both are same…
Then I started the booking agency. The first guest was Michael Mayer. That was nine years ago.
Then I could found Mule Electronic by the distribution help of Kompakt. |
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housefloor.de: |
Today Mule consists of four labels all releasing different kinds of music: Mule Musiq, Mule Electronic, Endless Flight and let’s get lost. Can you please say something about each label's profile?
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Mule Musiq: |
I’m very wide range about music and I don’t like to release only techno or only house or only disco. That’s the reason why I’m running four labels.
Mule Musiq is a main label and where I want to release organic house music.
Mule Electronic is more electronic and don’t care about the style.i will release any kind of electronic music from ambient to dubby house to bumpin techno.
Endless Flight was started by my hobby but now is a home for Disco or alternative stuff. I really enjoy to work for Endless Flight and there are always many ideas.
Let’s get lost is started with my friend kza(force of nature). |
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housefloor.de: |
Mule sticks to publishing the releases on vinyl. How do you evaluate the situation of vinyl? |
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Mule Musiq: |
I don’t know. Of course now is very difficult situation for vinyl but vinyl is everything for me. If I can’t release vinyl, I’m not interested in label works. |
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housefloor.de: |
Publishing the new Olive Oil album was a big success. How came up the idea to work with an artist that comes from another field of music like Olive Oil? |
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Mule Musiq: |
I always listen to Hip Hop. Maybe I know Hip Hop even better than Techno. Olive Oil is a huge here. When I was compiling the compilation which was made by tracks only by Japanese artists, I asked them and they are happy about my offer. Then we had a good relationship.
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housefloor.de: |
Out of all the demos sent to you, how do you decide which track will become a new release on Mule?
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Mule Musiq: |
The releases usually come from my friends or a friend of a friend. Or I ask my favorite producer. |
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housefloor.de: |
With all your labels, but especially with Mule Electronic, you have successfully entered the European market. What was your strategy to achieve that? |
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Mule Musiq: |
There is no strategy. Mule is so small that everything is controlled by only me. I release only my favorite music and don’t do anything to be on some market. I think that’s a reason for me being able to do this for six years. |
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housefloor.de: |
Prior to founding the label you promoted a lot of European artists in Tokyo. What's the standing of German DJs in Japan? Who is currently hot and who is not? |
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Mule Musiq: |
I think it’s almost same with Germany who is hot and not… But I always say DJ Koze is the best. He is a rare person who I invite regularly. |
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housefloor.de: |
What is special about the electronic music scene in Japan? |
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Mule Musiq: |
I don’t think there is an electronic scene in Japan. People are just following the trend of Europe. |
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housefloor.de: |
Will there be more Mule labels in the future? |
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Mule Musiq: |
Hopefully. |
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interview: Victor Franke |
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more about Mule Musiq |
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CD-Tipp Olive Oil - Space in Space |
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CD-Tipp Lawrence - Until then Goodbye |
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CD-Tipp I'm starting to feel okay |
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CD-Tipp My Favorite Things Vol. 2 |
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CD-Tipp The Definitve Japanese Scene |
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CD-Tipp Enjoy The Silence |
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CD-Tipp Stefan Goldmann - The Empty Foxhole |
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www.mulemusiq.com |
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