Please describe the Elektron sound, in terms of a flower, a color, and a dish!

I would say the color changes all the time, like a photograph where the grain and texture changes depending on the filter settings you use. Flowers, man, I'm not really into flowers. As for food, I would say steak. A fat, juicy New York rib steak. The sound is fat. An Elektron instrument is an investment, same thing if you eat a really good steak!

Where did you get the idea of opening Kantaland (a shop that offers a custom sneakers and music combo)?

It was a financing thing. When I did my first album, the label Media Factory wanted me to be part of it. We did a 50/50 contract for releases and distribution. At that time, in 2011, the music industry was fucked up: CD's not selling, people getting cut off, EMI going down, those things. My manager, back then, he was a very clever man. He knew how to roll out an album. We started the label and called it Kantaland. I enjoy the creative control I have, and we've been in business for eight years now. We have a studio, we also produce clothes, videos and so on, but everything always includes music. My sound is always there. Every three months we fly in artists from France or New York for all non-music branches of Kantaland. I work with people who are not just good, they need to be unique and original, too.

You re-connect music to something tangible. For more than a decade now, music has been detached from the tangible, with the advent of mp3's, digital streaming and so on. Who introduced you to Elektron gear?

My mate Benjamin. I met him through DJ Vadim. We were neighbors, and one day I saw his mate from Germany, using an Octatrack. I was completely blown away! Like, "what is that machine?" I was using an MPC-1000 at the time. Shortly after that we did a session, I MIDI-synced my MPC with the Octatrack and we kept jamming until four in the morning. Such a flexible machine. I knew I needed to get one, so I asked Benjamin to hook me up with Elektron. He got me in touch with Simon, who had just opened the Elektron office in Tokyo. The first time I used it, I had a gig in a very posh bar. I didn't really know how to use it, but I used it! I've been using it every day since I got it. Every single day.

Is the Octatrack still your favorite Elektron instrument?

I love all the machines. Each one is unique, and each one has its own special dimension. I'm a hardcore Octatrack user, but recently, in my productions, I use the Analog Rytm for all my drums, Octatrack for samples, Analog Four for leads, basically everything, you know! I really like the texture. And now, when the Analog Heat is out, it's a game-changer for me. Thank you, Elektron! People don't know what a monster that is.

What's your favorite aspect of the Analog Heat?

The way you can make the sound really sparkle, anything you run through it. I know a lot of producers who would like to get their hands on this! It's so easy to use, and it makes anything sound proper!

Can you name a favorite song that you've produced?

Right now, it's a song called SPECTRA, released earlier this year.

You've collaborated with a few other artists?

Yeah, Karin is a friend of mine from Japan. We grew up together. Her father is a rock star, he's in the legendary new wave band called Plastics. My father and her father worked together. Kenji Jammer, a dude who used to play guitar with Simply Red, he called me up and wanted me to split some verse when I was just a kid. My first gig was with him and a crowd of 2000 people! Another dude called Leo Imai, I knew him from when he was 16, I think. My father produced his first indie album. I'm lucky to know a lot of talented musicians!

Has music always been your occupation?

I used to be a football player. I played in Argentina. When I was 20, I quit and started doing music instead. I saved money for two years, came to Tokyo and released my first album.

Please name some artists you've been inspired by!

The Beatles, Kanye West, for sure, and Todd Rundgren.

Did any of them ever drop by your store?

No, but recently, James Lavelle came by and we hung out for five days! (Note: Kanye West did show up after the Talk was complete, on June 14th 2017.)

Do you recall a perfect moment in your career so far?

Right now. Music is at the core of my life, and I've been able to make a living working in music since my early twenties. I'm so blessed!

Interview by Daniel Sterner