Techno hit Japan hard in the early 1990s. Surprised, Takaaki Itoh was quickly impressed and intrigued with this new sound. The unique style of beats revealed the gateway to a new world of underground music in Japan - something he had never heard before. Surprise slowly gave way to addiction when Takaaki Itoh was exposed to the sounds of such artists and labels as Underground Resistance, Derrick May, Jeff Mills, Hardfloor, Sven V?, Harthouse, Warp and Rising High. This was his sound, and deciding he just couldn't get enough of it, in 1994 Takaaki began to organize his own techno parties in his home of northern Japan. By providing a fantastic lineup, his parties quickly became a success.

As of 2001 he was getting offers to perform at large clubs and festivals all over Europe, including Cosmic Trip and Svojsice in the Czech Republic, The Darkside in England, MTW in Germany, Awakenings and Reactor in Holland, Mayday and Sziget in Hungary, La Real and Code in Spain, Boomerang in Slovakia, Projekt in Belgium, as well as events in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Poland, Portugal, Serbia. Slovenia.. Promoters wanting him, party people loving him, Takaaki Itoh took the next step and started his own label Wols. Passion led to success and Takaaki became recognized as the top of the next generation of techno music.

By 2005 Takaaki Itoh has released over 50 original productions on many different european labels like Sheep, Tsunami, Warm Up, Theory, MB Selektions, Integrale Muzique, etc. He has also developed a reputation for remixing globally established techno artists such as Oscar Mulero, Christian Wunsch, Olga+Jozef. His demand is rapidly growing beyond his Asian and European roots, to places like South America, Australia, the USA and Canada. Recently hi did remixes/tracks for labels like Dyad, 1962, Shades, Studio14, Gynoid, Limited or Prosthetic Pressings, check them!;). Wols #7 should be out early next Year.

 

 

TAKAAKI ITOH

 

From late 90s, Gordon began emerging himself into Macau’s underground music scene. His DJ sets are built on deep and dark rhythms with a spacey groove coupled with an industrial sound drums kick. With an engaging presence and a knack for telling a story, he builds a unique connection with each audience, and works any room until it sweats.

Recently, He was invited by Tresor Berlin – One of the best Techno club in Berlin Germany and he got a lot of good comments for his set.

In early 2000, Gordon gained residency at one of Macau’s best underground club, CLUB LOTUS at The Venetian Macau. Since then, Gordon DJ alongside some of the world most famous artists, such as Answer Code Request, Etapp Kyle, Bryan Kasenic, Eric Cloutier, Drumcell, Adriana Lopez, Dubfire, James Zabiela, Nick Warren, just to name a few.

Subsequently, Gordon began focusing his time and energy in spreading his unique Underground Techno vibe all over Europe and Asia. He performed over a dozen cities in the world, including Germany-Berlin, Japan, Thailand and China etc.

 

 

Gordon (Asylum / MO)

 

Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mantis is now one of the most influential people in the Shenzhen underground music scene. After a music and DJ career that spans many years, over 10 of which have been spent in China, Mantis has and continues to establish numerous projects which helps the music culture of the places where he resides. He is the Founder of The Mantis Project and has been the Music Director for various Clubs in Shenzhen.

 

 

MANTIS