A decade of dedication to the craft of drum & bass & EDM crystalizes: Mountain’s debut album is out now on Soulvent.
The self-titled Mountain LP sets a benchmark for drum & bass in his home country, Japan. A versatile body of work, it’s a bold stretch of the imagination, encompassing and exploring a whole range of subgenres and flavours, stretching as far as UKG.
Original and packed with Shigeta Kamiyama’s own identifiable and characteristic sound, it’s the latest in an exciting journey that already includes labels such as Hospital Records and Ram Records.
Fresh from his recent mix odyssey for UKF On Air, we caught up with the maestro himself to discuss his album, his roots, the Japanese D&B scene and how his passion initially kickstarted.
What is your main motivation to write dance music and share that with people? Please explain.
When I make music, I always try to inspire the listener, and that’s what motivates me. Of course, seeing people dancing on the floor to a track I’ve written and imagining them doing it is the best motivation of all!
What is your earliest memory about coming in touch with music? How did that feel?
I remember my parents were big Beatles fans and their movie HELP! I didn’t have any musical impression at all, I just watched it from the side lines, thinking it was a weird movie.
What specific moment or experience helped you to decide on making dance music?
About 10 years ago I used to go to CD/Record shops and listened to a lot of different music. I came across with Skrillex’s Bangarang EP and Netsky’s second album. That’s when I decided to make dance music.
Do you remember going to your first drum and bass party? How was that?
I went to this club called Circus Osaka in Osaka, where TOYO and KENZ1 were playing. There were only about 10 people there, but the floor was very lively, had the vibes and all, and I remember having a lot of fun there.
How do you feel about releasing your debut LP on Soulvent?
It’s a great honour to be able to release an album on a label that I’ve listened to as a fan since I started making music.
To be honest, I think Soulvent took a gamble when they offered an exclusive contract and album release to a Japanese producer who is not particularly well known, even though the label is still in its infancy.
What was the biggest lesson in making this LP and why?
Quality is refined by quantity. I set myself the goal of making 100 tracks between the time I was approached about the album and the deadline (in about 5 months). I ended up with about 80 tracks due to the deadline and the limitations of my ideas. However, the more I wrote, the easier it became to imagine the whole picture of the tracks and the nuances, as well as expressions of the details.
How did the album come about on Soulvent?
I had few releases from Soulvent in the past couple of years, and for 2022 they offered the contract and an album release. Out of the 80 songs, I narrowed it down to 30 and sent them to Soulvent, then selected 14 songs for the album.
How the responses been so far from certain artists that received the material?
I think it is the best feedback I ever had. It’s always good to hear a real response from other producers, it’s very enlightening and it makes me feel better and more confident each time.
Which track of the LP is closest to your heart and why?
I’m Free (featuring Kojo). The chords and the bass movements are very my style, and I think it will be great for listening and to dance to on the dancefloor. And of course I enjoyed working with Kojo a lot, as it was my first time working with a vocalist.
Your artist name is Mountain. What does this name mean to you? How would you describe the meaning of your name?
My name is Shigeta Kamiyama and I was going to translate it to English for my artist name, but I couldn’t find any English words that fit my first name, so I decided to use my second name: Kamiyama, Kami means God, Yama means Mountain. I couldn’t and did not want to use God for my artist name, so I decided to use Mountain.
What are your best memories of experiencing drum and bass in your home country?
I remember performing at the anniversary event at Circus Osaka in 2021. I was nervous and worried about whether people would accept it when I suddenly switched to drum & bass, while everyone else was playing techno or house. But due to the tension and timing of the DJs and the audience, who were getting excited on the floor by the time, it came together when it was my turn. And I was able to play the most exciting show I’ve ever had on the floor, while mixing with other genres.
If you would like to name artists or people who have been a big inspiration for your work: who would that be and why?
I’m still far from their sound, but I have been influenced by Netsky, Sub Focus, Metrik, Fred V & Grafix. The fact that they have a wide range of audiences, with strong elements of other genres, making them both drum & bass and non-drum & bass.
Where do you find your inspiration to create music? When do your best ideas come to you?
It’s easy to find inspiration when you’re not making music, playing with friends, watching movies or finding music that’s new to you. When it comes to production, I’m the type of person who likes to concentrate in a short period of time, so I usually try not to think about production too much.
Where would you like to be in five years?
Of course I want to be an active producer / DJ who is traveling all over the world!
Mountain – Mountain is out now on Soulvent
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