RDC’s philosophy is “Overcome hardship with a smile”.

ー First of all, could you tell us how “RDC” got started?

Tsuchiya: Before starting “RDC,” I was running an event called “RAFT TOKYO” as a promoter. Around the same time, there was a party called “REDBOX PROJECT,” which was organized by Carlos (Carlos Gibbs, who was in charge of artwork and decoration in the early days of “RDC”) and Laurent (Laurent Novatin, who was in charge of booking and marketing in the early days of RDC). They started coming to visit my events and we began to interact with each other, which solidified the idea of “RDC”. We then found Harumi Pier (Harumi Passenger Ship Terminal) as the best venue, and we held the first event in the spring of 2010 and got started. Now, Carlos and Laurent have already left Japan, and I am the one who stayed behind to continue the project.

The 1 day event started at 2pm.
Nari from CYK was the first DJ.
People gradually gathered during the preparation of the event.

ー So it went smoothly from there to the present in 2022?

Tsuchiya: Not quite. 2011 was the year of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and in 2012 we had to cancel the event due to bad weather. After that, we had to switch to a live broadcast due to the Covid 19 pandemic, so even though we have been doing this for a long time, there have been many years when the event was not held (laughs).

ー I know there were unavoidable reasons for cancellations and changes due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and the pandemic, but in 2012, when the weather was a factor, did you not reschedule the event?

Tsuchiya: In 2012, we decided to cancel the event on the morning of the event, so there was nothing we could do, even though all the artists and staff were there, and we were wondering what to do…. Then, the clubs in Tokyo offered help and opened their doors after their business hours and let us do a make-up show at various venues. I am still grateful for those who helped us at that time. That’s why I emphasize the importance of smiling when you are facing hardships in “RDC”. We always try not to be too serious, but to have fun while in difficulties.

ー It must be a lot of work to set up the venue.

Tsuchiya: ”RDC” is now held in Higashi Izu, not Harumi Pier, and it usually takes about a week to set up. We do as much preparation as possible ourselves, so we can do more and more each year.

The second DJ was Vinyl Youth.

ー This year’s event is titled “RDC-Sound Horizon” and will be held at Chidori Park in Kawasaki. Last year it was “RDC -Back To The Real””. What is the meaning of this year’s theme “Sound Horizon”?

Tsuchiya: I decided on this with Carlos, who I mentioned earlier. We thought it would be a good idea to expand the scope of “RDC” as an event, which is the first step for the future, and we hope it will expand to the horizon. The Japanese translation is “horizon of sound,” and that is exactly what it means. That’s why there are many first-time performers, and we have made the festival a little different from previous years.

ー What do you mean “the first step for the future”?

Knock: Actually, there is a high demand from overseas. We have another “RDC” scheduled for next March in Paris. Even before the pandemic, about 30% of the visitors to our event in Japan were from overseas.

Tsuchiya: In a little while, we will participate in a dance music event called “ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event)” as an official program.

Knock: This time, the venue can hold about 2,000 people. This is the second time for “RDC” to participate in “ADE,” and we have held this event in Amsterdam many times in the past, but this time it will be the biggest venue. Tickets are already sold out, so all we have to do is enjoy the show.

ー I see that is the reason for the unprecedented fresh lineup.

Tsuchiya: Also, there were many artists that we could not invite to the Higashi Izu venue even if we wanted to because of the distance. In this respect, Kawasaki’s Chidori Park is easily accessible from Tokyo, so it is easier to call on artists. The same can be said for the audience. I think there were many people who knew about “RDC” but couldn’t go because it was held in Higashi Izu.

ー It will be easy for young people to join if it’s Kawasaki.

Tsuchiya: That’s one of the reasons we decided to invite young artists that we had always wanted to invite. We also want our regular customers to see what the new generation is doing. Also, this “RDC-Sound Horizon” will be the first all-night event for “RDC,” so we want to open up a new form of “RDC” together with the performers and customers.

Third DJ was CYK’s DNG.

ー If you had to pick one young artist to watch out for among those appearing for the first time, who would it be?

Tsuchiya: Of course, I would recommend all of the artists, but Peach, from Toronto, is coming to Japan for the first time, and the response when her appearance was announced was amazing. I think she is an artist who has gained a surprisingly large fan base in Japan, and I think expectations are high, so I am very much looking forward to seeing her.

ー I guess you also want to enliven youth culture itself by focusing on young artists.

Tsuchiya: Yes. All young artists today are cool, so I would like to see what will be created in “RDC” when such artists get together. I am sure that the mixing of generations will create something new on the scene. I can’t wait to see that happen.

Creatively transforms an unfortunate incident into HEATWAVE

ー I’d like to ask you about the in-store event at BEAMS RECORDS. First of all, how did you decide on the performers?

Knock: We held this event in April this year, but in order to make it even better, we asked Kikiorix to perform as he did last time and also asked DNG and Nari from CYK and Vinyl Youth to participate as DJs from the young quota.

ー The event was held on the terrace of BEAMS RECORDS from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a DJ set. It was nice to be outdoors, seasonally speaking, and you created a block party-like space that feels quite festive!

Knock: Yes. The situation of the pandemic has changed a lot recently, so alcohol was offered and we were able to enjoy more of a party atmosphere.

Apparel collection launched at the 1 day event.

ー What are the designs of the apparel collection unveiled at the event like?

Kikiorix: There were two patterns: one based on the key visual of “RDC-Sound Horizon” and another item named “HEATWAVE”.

ー Where did you get the idea for the keyword “heatwave”?

Kikiorix: I went to France the other day to participate in the “Bordeaux Open Air 2022” as “RDC,” but due to a heat wave, the event was suddenly canceled on the day of the event and I was unable to perform. This HEATWAVE product is based on that experience. When we arrived at the venue, we were very excited, but we couldn’t do anything, so we turned that energy into the design. It was an unfortunate incident, but we are glad that we were able to transform it creatively as a result.

Kikiorix appeared in 4th position.

ー The design has a sense of humor to it. Are there any other humorous items like that at “RDC”?

Knock: We don’t sell them, but we have wristbands for staff that say “EAT WELL SLEEP WELL” or “Otsukare-sama!.

Kikiorix: We sometimes put unusual designs on things that are used among staff members. For example, we put some work on the food tickets.

Knock: We also have fun playing with gimmicks for backstage use.

ー Interesting! By the way, many of the items depicted in the key visuals for “RDC-Sound Horizon” are things that are played with the body, such as djembes and congas. Could you tell us what kind of image you had in mind when you designed them?

Kikiorix: I tried to express the impression of the theme “Sound Horizon”. The choice of instruments was based on my personal idea that the coolest instrument in my mind is an analog synthesizer, and the second coolest is a percussion instrument.

RDC’s music transcends time and space and the feeling is incorporated into the design.

ー Kikiorix, you have done other artwork for “RDC” besides these two types, do you have any unifying concept?

Kikiorix: In the beginning, Carlos, the founder of the project, was in the position of creative director, and when he started “RDC,” he had in mind the importance of a monochrome worldview. He had the idea that using rainbow colors here would be a bit too ordinary. I followed that idea in some parts. Also, my sub-theme is “Beyond Time And Space”. “RDC” plays music from various countries and ages, and I feel as if the music transcends time and space, so I think of motifs and elements in the design based on the idea.

Knock: These two products were unveiled at a one-day event at BEAMS RECORDS, and are now available at RDC and the official BEAMS online store, and in stores at BEAMS RECORDS. We are also planning to offer it at “RDC-Sound Horizon” while keeping an eye on the inventory, so if you can’t make it to the event, please check that out as well.

ー Thank you very much. We look forward to seeing you at the “RDC-Sound Horizon”!

Tsuchiya: The “RDC” lineup is more expansive than ever before, so hopefully you’re looking forward to it if you can make it. Now it all depends on the weather! We are praying that it will not be canceled, and we will enjoy the preparations.