OWN INTERVIEW CONTENTS Vol.17 Imazato (STRUGGLE FOR PRIDE / Fushimitei Ichimon)
OWN (hereinafter, O): First of all, thank you so much for contributing to OWN LOOK BOOK Vol.1 !
Imazato (hereinafter, I) : Thank you very much.
So , please tell us again what your title is.
I'm in a hardcore punk band called I STRUGGLE FOR PRIDE. I also DJ under the name DJ HOLIDAY. I'm a member of the Fushimitei group, which was founded by Nakatani (CRACKER JACKS).
OHow many members are there in the Fushimitei school?
I wonder how many there are? I'll check (laughs). Recently, a new member named Otsuka joined the group, so the number has increased.
OAre all of you from Kansai except for Imazato-san?
No , my wife is from Sanya (Tokyo).
Is there an initiation ceremony to join the Fushimitei school?
There's no ritual (laughs). It's just that people who Nakatani-san calls become members. He's currently holding an event called "REGGAE STEADY GO!" at a place called Jamboree in Tenma, Osaka, and it's been getting a lot of people lately. The last time, the place was packed, so packed that people couldn't fit in, and it even spilled out onto the stairs. Even without interviews, I think it's a must-go. Music lovers will be moved, and it's like something that just doesn't happen in Tokyo. Takatsu-san and the rest of Bull the Dough have been there, as well as MIKI-san (formerly of BLADE/LRF), Minami-kun (LARVA), and Takaaki (RIGID) who always come, and there are a lot of people I don't even know. It's a really great atmosphere, with amazing music playing. I think it's ideal, and it's a lot of fun.
I previously heard about the beginning of the Fushimitei school, but now it's become a place where all kinds of people go to listen to music.
When it first started, it was just a study group of burly men with shaved heads who sat in silence listening to records (laughs). Now, all kinds of people come, thinking, "If I go there, I can listen to good music." It's not closed off, you know?
OWhat do you mean by not being closed?
In terms of whether it's rare or not, maybe they play rare records, but they're not showing off, it's just a place where they play good music. There's nothing extraneous going on, it feels like they're doing it purely from their own feelings. Everyone who comes seems to be having fun, and to me it's a place where there are a lot of people who are like heroes (laughs). In Tokyo, the nuance might be a little different.
What is your image of Tokyo?
Aren't there a lot of older DJs who think, "I'm so cool playing records like this!" (laughs)?
O I see (laughs). So, between your band activities and DJing, you're doing more DJing now, right?
That 's right. We haven't been able to do any live shows because the members' schedules don't match up, but with the current situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we don't want to rush into anything. Even though we call it a band, we just named it after a group of friends (laughs). 
Do you draw a line between your band activities and your DJ activities?
Live shows are affected by the other band members' schedules, but as a DJ, I can move around lightly with just my records as long as my schedule suits. So rather than drawing a clear line between the two, I think I see them as two separate things. Thanks to that, I'm now invited to DJ at all kinds of parties and events.
When you DJ, do you choose the songs beforehand? Or do you consider the atmosphere of the venue?
This is entirely a rule of Fushimitei, but let's say you're invited to a party, the timetable is set, and you have 60 minutes, right? From there, you think about and put together a set for that time in advance. In the past, I'd just bring a bunch of records I wanted to listen to, but since joining Fushimitei, I've been putting things together properly.
Has putting together an O set and DJing changed anything for you?
I think I'm getting more excited than I used to. When I was asked to be a DJ, I started thinking about the composition of the songs I'd choose, and I listened to all sorts of records, and every time I heard a good song, I'd cry (laughs).
O (laughs) So you didn't look at the situation on the floor or anything like that?
I do occasionally add or remove records depending on the situation, but I overwhelmingly prioritize the flow of the songs I've created. It's like creating a story within the time frame I'm given.
What is your mindset when you put together each set ?
The other day in Osaka, I had an event called "REGGAE STEADY GO!" that was all reggae, but Pharoah Sanders had passed away the day before, so I put in some Pharoah Sanders records. I often put together my sets thinking about the music I want to hear at the time, and the music that everyone wants to hear.
Is there anything that you consider important when DJing?
I guess I just want to stick to background music. Good music playing in the background of a party. I like that kind of environment, so that's the image I have. Like I said before, I think it's crap to be like, "I'm playing this record!" and it's annoying (laughs). Also, recently I've wanted to give back to something rather than just having fun, so I've been donating a portion of my performance fee to support an animal welfare organization that Inobe from LRF told me about.
O I see. Now I'd like to ask about your releases as a DJ. You're really prolific, from CD-R releases to official releases.
Personally, I just collect the great music that's overflowing in the world, and naturally, I've ended up releasing a lot of stuff.
How do you usually come across music that you personally find good?
Sometimes I get introduced to new artists when I'm out and about, or I might pop into a cafe and ask, "Who's that?" There are also kind people who will recommend music to me. I also often listen to music on the radio when I'm there. I can do this endlessly as long as I'm alive, which is why I want to release a collection of songs once they're complete. When I first started releasing music as a DJ, it was just a simple compilation of music I liked, but now it has a more "recording" aspect to it. I always have 373 draw the CD jackets for me, and it's so much fun to reminisce about the kind of music I was listening to around the time I released the album with this jacket, or what happened around that time.
Do you listen to your own work?
I don't listen to I- Band's work that much, but I do listen to my own mix CDs. I record them to fit my travel time, so they're really easy to listen to.
Oh , so that's why each piece was about 40-45 minutes long.
That 's right. I usually record around 11 songs and aim for them to be under 45 minutes long.
OI see. By the way, when did you start DJing?
I think it was around 2002 or 2003.
This was before the release of their first album as O STRUGGLE FOR PRIDE.
IThat 's right.
O Please tell me if you have any favorite DJs from when you started DJing until now.
First of all , my mentor, Nakatani-san. His DJ set at Ajiuma Universe the other day was amazing. When Nakatani-san plays it, the music sounds completely different. I've been going to Osaka all the time, and I've always wanted to bring at least a little of that atmosphere back to Tokyo. But I gave up on that idea a while ago. I guess I've reaffirmed that it's something unique to Osaka. It's a feeling you can't get unless you go to Osaka. I think it's similar to a local specialty that's so fresh you can only eat it there. Also, I hate the term "region." People in Tokyo might think of their area as "central," but each place has its own special something, and I think it's wonderful to go and see and experience it.
While you admire the situation in Osaka and think it's wonderful, what do you think the workplace is like in Tokyo, your hometown?
I feel like things are becoming a lot more open. The generations are all mixed together, and I think there's a lot of energy. Also, there's been a lot of new developments recently, like Shan2 (a takoyaki izakaya in Honancho, owned by rapper CENJU) and Honda-kun's Suisen (Ohiradai Onsen), and it really made me realize how tough everyone is. The same goes for Yasuda-san from ZERO MAGAZINE starting to publish a book, and ATOS opening a new shop. OWN is no exception. It takes a lot of courage to start something new when the world is in such a difficult situation, and everyone is so focused on their own things and not feeling like they have the mental capacity to do so. I'm also constantly inspired by people like Miyata-san (BARRIO GOLD RECORDS), TRASMUUNDO, and BUSHBASH, who have continued to work tirelessly. Oh, going back to the topic, another DJ I like is Yuji Futami. He's so prolific, and even listening to his old mixes still sounds fresh, which is amazing. Personally, I love Futami's country mixes and think they're masterpieces. Also, this is really recent, but REN YOKOI was amazing. I went to TIME OUT CAFÉ and he was DJing, and he suddenly started playing UFO's "Loud Minority" and was wearing an ECD T-shirt, which was amazing (laughs). KANAYAMA is always teaching me new music and ways to have fun, and DADDY-KAN's song selections are great. 
Thank you very much. Now, let's talk about fashion. Have your favorite clothes changed as you got older?
I don't think it's changed much. I was given these Levi's brand new as a gift about 20 years ago, and I still wear them today.
OIt seems like you tend to use things you like for a long time.
I still wear the Dr. Martens boots I bought when I was 15. Once you like something, you get really attached to it. I have quite a few T-shirts that I don't wear anymore but want to keep. I'm not an insane collector like HAYATO (45REVOLUTION) though (laughs).
O (laughs). By the way, what kind of fashion do you like? Do you like standard, staple items?
No , I don't really think about it that much. I feel like I'm just wearing things that other people give me as gifts. I've always had a lot of seniors who give me clothes, and I'm really grateful for that. It's still the same feeling these days.
O I see. Regarding OWN eyewear, you selected #06 and #08 . Could you tell us what made you choose these two models?
I simply have a limited number of styles that suit me, and I've always liked styles similar to #06 and #08 . I think Bill Evans looks stylish with his glasses. I'd like to try teardrop-shaped glasses, but they don't suit me.
Mr. Imazato has chosen two-tone and brown frames rather than the standard black frames.
I feel like black makes me look like I'm wearing sunglasses, and the object itself has an overwhelming presence. But I like brown because it neutralizes the color. I don't buy much black except for T-shirts. I think HAYATO remembers, but I liked wearing black when I was a teenager, so maybe it's a reaction to that.
I'd also like to hear about the fashion that goes with this OWN eyewear.
I think #06 is perfect for everyday wear and can be paired with any outfit. On the other hand, #08 is perfect for when you're looking to dress up a bit. Lately, I've been choosing it to go with the shoes I'm wearing. The other day, MIKI gave me a pair of CEBO monkey boots, so I've been thinking about how to pair them with them.
So , please let us know if you have any plans for future activities with STRUGGLE FOR PRIDE!
I want to do a live show and also release a recording. I'm also planning a split with FEROCIOUS X from Osaka...
I think I've heard that story before (laughs).
I 'm really going to make it! When I went to Ajiuma Universe the other day, a lot of people told me, "It's almost time..." (laughs). I already have some ideas for the jacket and the contents, so I'm going to start recording soon. Also, there are some songs that I recorded for the last album but didn't make it onto the album, so I hope to release them at the right time.
Oh ! I'm really looking forward to it! So will you be releasing anything as a DJ?
I 'll be releasing a new mix with ETERNAL STRIFE (a unit with GRIN GOOSE) before the end of the year. The previous work ended a trilogy, so this new work will have a second season feel to it. I also have a project with WD SOUNDS that I've been working on for a few years, and a release with Fushimitei Ichimon, so I hope you'll look forward to it.
[Filming cooperation]
moonshine cultural boutique
〒101-0047
2F Aida Building, 3-17-4 Uchikanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
https://www.mcbtokyo.com/
Honancho Shan2
〒168-0062
Collins 38 1F, 2-12-26 Honan, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
https://www.instagram.com/shan2_hounanchou/