Diskotopia Serves Future Bass at Sub-Zero Temperatures

Name: Diskotopia
Vibe: Thought-provoking grime, future bass, and funk served at sub-zero temperatures
Founded: 2005
Location: Tokyo
Claim to fame: The grimiest grime to ever grime in Tokyo
Upcoming releases: TheCasings EP by BD1982, a full length from A Taut Line in November, and Diskotopia Vol. 2 early 2014
By the numbers: 17 releases
Artists-to-watch: Rabit, BD1982, A Taut Line

What's the Deal? 
Diskotopia is the Tokyo-based label run by three artists on the forefront of electronic music's darker, funkier side: Tokyo native DJ Am Rhein and two ex-pats named BD1982 and A Taut Line. Recently they've taken the grime sound that originated in London a decade ago and launched it into outer-space, with gravity-defying releases that play dangerously close to the edge of total chaos.

In October, the label released the Sun Showers EP by Rabit, a grime producer out of Houston. Listening through this record is like taking a Google Maps virtual tour of an abandoned outpost in the depths of space, while images of Zulu warriors or Taiko drummerswill glitch in and out of the feed. If that sounds too intense, Green Linez's Things That Fade from last year is an up-tempo and groovy dance record that revisits 80s synth-funk in a major way. We chatted with the owners to learn more about the label and their scene.

THUMP: Explain the name Diskotopia.
A Taut Line: We came up with the name in 2005 for the events we were putting on in Osaka. It was a bad pun on "dystopia," but it worked.

BD1982: Matt and Megumi founded Diskotopia and came up with the name but I'd explain it as a kind of summation of the limitless approach the label takes to releasing music. There is of course a "Diskotopia sound" but it's pretty intangible at this point and always has been. This definitely comes through in any live events that the label takes part in as well where the records you'd hear range from boogie funk to house to grime to jazz.

What's the dance scene like in Tokyo?
B: I've just recently moved back to the States after being in Japan for a while, so I'm pretty out of it to be honest.

A: The club scene in Japan took a massive hit recently with a sudden police enforcement of an outdated law stating that there should be no dancing in venues unless they have a specific license for it, and even then, dancing is banned after 1AM. Due to police raids, many clubs have had to shut down, particularly in Osaka where the scene was totally destroyed by this, but also in Tokyo. And it's still continuing, as just last week another club announced that it will be closing in November due to police enforcement. Regardless of this, there are still little pockets of different genre events here and there around the city, and you can find some great local talent at these events. But overall numbers have been falling at the remaining big clubs that are still open, and it's a pretty bleak affair to be honest. Small events at interesting locations are definitely proving the most enjoyable and exciting at the moment, and I think the (at least near) future of the dance scene in Tokyo lies there.

What's your favorite label that isn't your own:
B: Werkdiscs has been a favorite of mine for some time now. Actress can do wrong in my eyes and the last album from Lukid was really incredible. The Moire single that came out earlier this year has also been in constant rotation for me and is truly impressive.

A: Yeah, Werkdiscs is definitely a favorite of mine too, really love each release they put out. It's great to see a label have such control over their consistency. I've also been a big fan of Modern Love for about four years now, and always check out their output.

One more thing:
B: Thank you to all of the supporters of Diskotopia from day one. It's very encouraging to have the support from respected peers and fans that appreciate our vision for what we think constitutes forward-thinking, quality music.

A: It's definitely difficult running a label in this day and age due to the sheer quantity of music out there (whether new releases or older music), and new labels are cropping up every day. However we're just into doing what we want, and we've been really glad of all the growing support that we've been getting over the last few years. We've also been really lucky to have had the opportunity to work with some really talented artists and build further bonds with them, particularly artists like Mau'lin that we have been fortunate enough to work with on a second full release together (and hopefully more in the future).

Matt McDonald is a filmmaker, writer, and movement based out of Chicago - @BASEDGODard