Jun Akimoto
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バイオグラフィ
- Born and raised in Yokohama, but currently residing in Kyoto (via London), Jun Akimoto is a Japanese artist who embodies the unifying qualities of electronic music. The 35-year-old is a core member of London's infamous Fuse family, unleashing deep, dub..Born and raised in Yokohama, but currently residing in Kyoto (via London), Jun Akimoto is a Japanese artist who embodies the unifying qualities of electronic music. The 35-year-old is a core member of London's infamous Fuse family, unleashing deep, dubby techno grooves from his studio that encapsulates that 'Fuse sound', adding his own subtle nuances to each record he produces. In tandem with his production work, Jun maintains a prosperous DJ career, injecting his intriguing sets with the same depth and sensual groove as his music. Originally a keen footballer, Jun's burning passion for music was sparked back when he was 13. He borrowed a skateboarding video from a friend, which featured music by The Beastie Boys – he'd never heard anything like it before in his life and was immediately hooked! By the age of 15 football no longer interested Jun, visiting record shops and collecting as much hip-hop as he could, along with jazz and various other forms of music became his main objective. In 1999 came the moment that submerged him deep into the world of house and techno – he went to see Richie Hawtin play in Tokyo and that was it. Here is where the story really began... Just as he'd experienced years earlier with The Beastie Boys, Jun was intrigued by the sounds he experienced at that Richie Hawtin show – house and techno took over, and soon a large percentage of his record collection was electronic music. After finishing his studies in Economics, he found Japan was just too small and limited his progress. The logical move was to make a beeline for London where he knew he would he could make his dreams come true. Jun was so driven to achieve his goals that he came alone, and spent his first years in the capital making solo trips to clubs - soaking up the atmosphere at legendary venues like The End and fabric, discovering luminaries such as Kompakt's Michael Mayer and Poker Flat's Steve Bug. This journey of enlightenment was one that would eventually lead to his friendship with fellow Japanese artist, Ittetsu, which became a key relationship in Jun's evolution from clubbing enthusiast to fully fledged musician. Ittestu, who he likens to a brother, was already making electronic music and helped Jun to expand his knowledge of production, the two spent many hours in the studio together working on music. At the end of 2008 Fuse launched at 93 Feet East on Brick Lane, and Jun and Ittetsu became regular visitors to the infamous party. Spending every Sunday daytime at the event inspired the duo to increase the amount of time they spent in the studio, injecting their productions with that 'Fuse sound'. Every Sunday for over two years the duo made the dancefloor at Fuse their second home, which led to Jun meeting Enzo Siragusa. Recognising him as a regular face, Enzo approached him for a chat and Jun later gave him a demo, which Enzo duly played. Jun and Ittetsu were welcomed into the the Fuse family and have been a part of it ever since. Now residing back in Japan, Jun remains a core member of the Fuse crew and is now finding inspiration not from clubs but from the tranqulity of his surroundings in Kyoto where ancient temples and UNESCO protected sites of natural beauty can be found at every turn. It's a new phase of his career and while the quietness can sometimes be disheartening, he's found more time to focus on his music, subtle Japanese nuances permeating deep into the DNA of every release. Jun's talents have taken him as far afield as Peru, while his music has been released by Fuse, Metroline and Flumo, with a future remix signed to Karton and a collaborative project with another Japanese talent, Kaitaro, in the works. Having the courage to party in London alone for many years demonstrates just how determined Jun Akimoto is to follow his heart and achieve his dream of becoming a full-time musician. With plans to return to the capital to further his musical career it's clear that his drive will take him all the way to the top...