From China to Japan and back again, I caught up to the stellar DJ and man behind the infamous PLUS parties just a few days away from his upcoming gig at Lantern, on January 15th. After his sensational set at last year’s INTRO festival, Tokyo DJ and producer – Shin Nishimura – returns to Beijing this Friday to do some more serious dance floor damage.

What do you think about the electronic music scenes in Shanghai, Beijing and Tokyo?

Well, the similarities are that we're all Asian people that love dance music, with the same passion to take dance music to a main stage/ bigger audience. The only diference is that Tokyo's scene is already ripe and China is on the way to grow up. China is very fresh for me everytime!

You started out as one of the early rave scene builders in shanghai. What were those first PLUS parties like? How did the project grow in tokyo? What's it like today?

The first PLUS Shanghai & Beijing parties featured Takkyu Ishino, Japan's Techno Master. Those were really good parties, and the first major techno parties in China. Those parties actually inspired Takkyu to name track [Flight to Shanghai] on his album.

We had very good supporters in Japan who believed in our concept and philosophy for dance music. So, it was not so difficult to start the party series in Tokyo. We stopped for a while with the Plus Party over this summer though. Tokyo is such a big city and there are so many parties -- and I got a bit tired of battling with other promoters. I don't like it. But, we have re-started the series in November; because we have so much fun and everyone is waiting for a Plus come back.

You played at INTRO in 2009, what did you think? What was your best festival experience?

It was brilliant! It was totally on the same level with other high class festivals in the world! My best festival experience was Mayday in Germany 2001 & Wire 02 & INTRO 2009 Beijing. One of the big reasons I chose to play INTRO was because I had been living in Shanghai from 1996 to 2002, always dreaming to play a big festival in China, but it never came to be. So, I was very very happy to be on the bill. I have a lot of respect for the Acupuncture crew that made it.

There has been lots of cooperation between PLUS Records and Acupuncture Records, how does it feel to work with Chinese DJ-producers? Do you think there is a "China Sound"? What about a "Japan sound"?

I love it. I've always been waiting for new Chinese artists for my label. I would say that the "Japan sound" is the same as the national character; very sensitive some times. And likewise, the Chinese sound is a radical sound.

What recent projects are you working on?

I'm making new album right now. It's gonna be around 24 tracks (70 min CD); pure minimal sound mix. I'm planning to tour Europe in April.

Who and/or what has inspired your music the most?

Josh Wink & Takkyu Ishino

What are 3 key elements to a kicking party?

Loving dance music; having a passion for dance music; believing in yourself to make your dream come true.

If your life was a feature length album and you had to name it, what would it be called?

Blow up!

DETAILS: Jan.15, Friday, Shin Nishimura at Lantern, 50RMB.