INTERVIEW : DJ NOEMI and "Making what you like" (vol.01)

Japanese versions are available to read as well

---------------

In the corner of the bustling streets of Shinjuku, Meu (writer), Sun (photographer), and Sci-Fi Noemi (main character), sat huddled together in a busy kissaten. The 2 of us at the THEA team spoke with one of the countless talented DJ’s who are currently active in the Tokyo music scene over a cup of coffee.

Sun: Thanks for coming all the way today!

Noemi: Thank you as well! How should we go about this?

Meu: Well, first off,

ー What is the origin of your name? ー

In the beginning, the Tokyo based DJ only went by the name of Sci-Fi to intentionally make their gender ambiguous. Her main inspirations for the name came from a guitarist named “Sci-Fi Steven,” from one of her favorite artists, a Scottish trio band named “bis.”

ー Why did you begin DJ’ing? ー

Originally, Noemi had no intention of becoming a DJ. Instead, she explains her progression

to performing on stage was a natural one.

During her university years, Noemi discovered soundclips that only exist in analog form through her time spent browsing mixes on SoundCloud. She spent her free time collecting records and cassettes only available offline and eventually began to make mixes and DJ due to her

friend’s recommendations. Noemi bought her first turntable and speakers in her 3rd year of being a uni student, “from the financial aid during COVID,” she added cheekily.

“I often had to retake tests in music class during my time as a student in school. That’s just how much hesitation I had towards music. Because of that I never could’ve imagined myself becoming a DJ.”

ー What are your musical roots? ー

Noemi told us how her main inspirations in her music are the genres of Bouncy Techno and Happy Hardcore. To her, both feel like “an intense episode of manic depression.”

Both genres sounds bright and cheery, but that feels equivalent to the empty high one feels just at the edge of their life exploding into a billion pieces. An inexplicable pessimistic melody that butts its way through a loud happy rhythm.

Sci-Fi Noemi believes that every person has moments of nihilism they carry.

“BEING HAPPY ISN’T THE ONLY THING IN LIFE,

THIS MUSIC GIVES YOU TIME TO LOOK INWARDS.”

---------------

BEYOND SCI-FI NOEMI

When asking Noemi about her interests outside DJ’ing, she responded with

a shy, “I guess it’s drawing..”

She currently designs all her stage flyers and mixtape covers. Noemi spends hours drawing several hundred drafts and chooses a singular drawing.

In some cases she has made mixes based off of her own artwork.

ー Being intimidated by “Art” ー

To Noemi, who is an art school graduate, the first time she really experienced a road block in life was during her university entrance exam. Leading up to her exams, she was learning to sketch. In one instance, the topic was to draw a seashell within an hour, but overwhelmed by the topic, she ended up leaving. Noemi ended up going to art school for short essays instead, but ever since, she felt an inferiority because of her “inability.”

ー Why did you feel “inferior”? ー

From a family with an artistic background, with her great-grandfather, mother, and other relatives all being artists and illustrators, Noemi believed that, “it was natural I can draw since

it’s in my genetics.” However, with her experiences with the entrance exams, her perspective towards drawing shifted to one of talent to an accumulation of patience and discipline.

“I ran away from passion and dedication. So when I realized I can’t draw how I wanted to, I felt a huge loss of my own identity.”

ー Rediscovering art with “Naruto” ー

During COVID, Noemi happened to stumble upon popular anime, “Naruto,” and was overcome with the urge of, “I NEED to draw fanart!!” She explained how this became the second unexpected opportunity to draw again.

Up until then, Noemi believed “art is only worthy of those with high skill. It’s not ‘art’ if it’s not something created originally.”

However, because of her discovery of “Naruto,” her perspective changed to, “art has meaning because of the things people create based on their perspective of the world they live in and the things that move them.” What she felt as inferiority up until then instantly dissipated from that realization.

After graduating from university, she began attending drawing classes again.

“Artistic skill and the way somebody feels is two totally different things. Snapping a picture, imitating somebody’s drawing style, just taking the time to make something physical itself is artistry. I have no reason to feel ashamed of my art.”

ー Future visions? ー

When asked about her future, Sci-Fi-Noemi told us, “Honestly, I’d much rather focus on mixes, than on my activity as a DJ.”

“What’s important is Ikeep going without disliking DJ, for 10years and onwards.”

“MY EGO DISAPPEARED

COMPLETELY.

I WAS LIKE

‘OH, THIS IS ALL ART.

THIS IS ALL THE SAME.’”