Lowqfamiy возвращается из небытия и возобновляет свою работу.
Сегодня мы публикуем флеш-интервью с слоу-диско музыкантом Max Essa, который любезно согласился пообщаться с нами. Интервью публикуется в оригинале и без купюр.
LOWQ: Tell a little about yourself. Why music become the meaning of your life?
Max: I have been obsessed with music since I was a child. From punk and 2-Tone (ska) in the late 70′s to funk,disco and acid house in the 80′s and 90′s…When I was much younger I would listen to music constantly and I played in bands from the age of 13. When I discovered nightclubs and dancing until the sun came up my fate was sealed!
LOWQ: You are now living in Japan. Why did you decide to move to this country?
Max: My wife is Japanese, we met in London about 10 years ago. I always wanted to experience living in another country so about 3 years ago we moved here. I love the food and the social side of the culture here.
LOWQ: Tell us about Stevie Kotey and work with Bear Funk.
Max: I met Stevie about 6 years ago in London. We discovered we had a lot of similar feelings and ideas about music so we started working together. At that point I was just starting to get back into making music after taking a couple of years off. I played Stevie some of the new tracks I had been working on and they became my first release for Bear Funk – the ‘Midnight Garden’ e.p. So far we have made 3 – 4 E.Ps and 2 L.Ps together as well as some remixes.
LOWQ: Max, in your sets you basically use records or CDs? How do you generally refers to analog sound?
Max: I use maybe 70% vinyl and 30% CDs. I think records sound better, especially on the high end systems so many places in Japan have. CDs are useful for edits etc. I have yet to hear a DJ do a good set on a laptop.
LOWQ: Your last album White Shoes Blue Dreams was released in CD format and WAV. Why it was not released on vinyl?
Max: Unfortunately it comes down to economics. I would love to have had it released on vinyl. Bear Funk have actually started doing some vinyl versions of their L.Ps so maybe next time!
LOWQ: You sort of be nice to play guitar. Maybe you can put together a band and play some rock with electronic flavor?
Max: I have been in several bands over the years and to be honest I find the whole experience more trouble than it’s worth!
LOWQ: Have you released music under any other aliases?
Max: Usually when I collaborate with someone else…Soiree, Loggaphon, Humans Close To Orgasm, Bamboo Pirate
LOWQ: What disco means to you?
Max: Music you dance to in a club/disco.
LOWQ: What do you do besides music?
Max: Hang out with my wife and daughter and friends. Eat, drink, go record shopping…think about music…
LOWQ: The Japanese are famous for their jazz music and cool vinyl represses. Tell me how things are there with slow rhythms, that is, with all this disco and house theme?
Max: In the Tokyo metropolitan area there is something like 25 million people, so there is a huge array of niche music scenes, clubs, bars and venues. It’s completely unlike anything you get in Europe for example. The dance music scene here is in a bit of a quiet period I think, but still there are many great record shops and parties. The disco, house, balearic thing is pretty healthy. There are a lot of good DJs, producers and labels pushing that kind of sound. The people in the clubs also seem to appreciate more what a DJ is trying to do. They give you time to work with them. In London I sometimes have this image of people standing with their arms folded as if to say – “go on then, impress me”, instead of helping contribute to the vibe if the party.
LOWQ: What are the top 5 of your favorite records that you are listening, listened and will be listening in future?
Max: Well I’m don’t know what I’ll be listening too exactly in the future, but 5 current favourites are…
1. Asian Project Distant Love (Wooden Horse Provocateur)
2. Justin Harris presents Arthur Russell Moon (Rob Mello Remix) (Eclectic Avenue Records)
3. Jon McMillion Solette Sims (San Proper’s Movetek Mix) (Nu Earth Kitchen)
4. Lavvi Ebbel Telepatia! (Les Disques Du Crepuscule)
5. Black Jack Nag Nag (WEA)
LOWQ: What are your plans for the near future.
Max: I have a couple of new projects I’m working on with some vocalists. A new L.P project with some interesting collaborations, but I can’t say anymore than that right now! I also plan to have a very enjoyable summer in the beautiful Japanese sunshine 
