ナイトクラブを未来的な視点からみたニューシングル「TANA」と「Las 12」をリリースしたばかりの「La Vendicíon Records」所属のSOTO ASA。彼は自分のルールを作るアーティストだ。

2020年にはYung Beef、La Zowi、Bad Gyalなどをゲストとして迎えたエレクトロニックでダークなレゲトンアルバム「Coupé」をリリース。全９曲のこのアルバムは聴けば聴くほど彼のスタイル、世界観に吸い込まれる。

2013年のデビュー作「Check Joint」以来、SOTO ASAはゲームの世界観、仏教、日本文化などのテーマをブレずに軸としている。そのスタイルは進化するのみで、彼の象徴だ。

GATAは今回紫色のネオンを浴びながらスペインを代表するミックス・ジャンルアーティストSOTO ASAとインタビューを行った。

彼の独特な音楽感、世界観を是非チェックだ。

With a fresh pair of new singles “TANA” and “Las 12”, a futuristic view of the nightclub lifestyle, Soto Asa, the artist now part of the label La Vendición Records, has become one of the most solid artists going by his own rules.

In 2020 Soto Asa launched “Coupé”, his latest album, with royal collaborations like Yung Beef, La Zowi, and Bad Gyal, resulting in a 9-track album where Soto expresses the epitome of his electronic-dark reggaeton style.

Since his first project “Check Joint” released in 2013, Soto has maintained his main themes like the arcade world, the Buddhist universe, and a fascination for Japanese culture as a core of his craft, making a perfect eccentric combination that embodies his stylistic cosmos.

Under purple neon, GATA had the pleasure to sit and chat with the musical talent Soto Asa, one of the most promising figures in Spain's urban music scene.

Welcome to the Soto World.

GATA: Hi Soto! Could you tell our audience a little bit about yourself? In your words, and for those who don't know you yet, who is Soto Asa?

SOTO ASA: A pleasure to write for the land of the rising sun! It isn't very easy to describe oneself; Soto is just an ordinary guy who started making music, and now he's writing for a Japanese magazine. If you had told me a few years ago, I would have told that person to stop taking drugs.

GATA: How did you start your music career, and why?

SOTO ASA: There is little magic in that story. A friend from high school came to class one day with a song he had recorded at home and showed it to me, and I was impressed that one could record oneself and leave in music format any kind of message or idea for posterity. So I asked him if I could come and record one day, and that's when I started (arigatō SVJ!).

GATA: How would you describe the music you make?

SOTO ASA: It's complicated to answer; I try to make it upbeat music even though the atmosphere surrounding it is dark.

GATA: Who have been the musical figures that have inspired you the most during your career as an artist?

SOTO ASA: Everything inspires (or from everything you learn if we want to say it less magically); I could name many artists from 50 Cent to Bladee by Hatsune Miku (wink wink).

GATA: You are working hand in hand with the most independent and exciting artists in the Spanish music scene. Who are your current favourite artists?

SOTO ASA: Lately, I listen a lot to Soulja boy and Marcianeke. Yesterday, I spent the whole afternoon listening to the soundtrack of Dragon Ball. Now as I write this sounds of Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” is in the background, hehe there are no limits.

GATA: Who have you enjoyed working with the most, and who would you like to work with in the future?

SOTO ASA: I couldn't choose. With everyone I've worked with because they have been friendly, no record deals involved.

I would like to work with a Japanese artist!

GATA: Your music is underground and has nothing to do with the mainstream, but growing professionally as you are doing, would you ever consider selling your music to reach more people? What is your opinion about it?

SOTO ASA: I think the underground-mainstream line is becoming more blurred. I guess you mean "wear this hat, say this phrase, and you'll be playing on TV". But I couldn't do that; I'm very particular about hats and even more about phrases, hehe.

It's a debate that has always been in the industry, but in the end, doing what you like is when you get to shine. I also like commercial music; I have no problem with that.

GATA: What do you like most about creating music?

SOTO ASA: Well, I never thought about it. I like everything that encompasses the music itself, not so much what surrounds it (networks, celebrities...etc).

GATA: In your album covers, we can often see digital design or CGI; where do you get the ideas for the covers?

SOTO ASA: As I said before, everything inspires me, and I've always been very virtual. So as I grew up with visual references from video games, it's what I try to do.

GATA: The logo of your single "Si Tu Quiere" is designed to look similar to Chinese/Japanese characters; as GATA is based in Tokyo, we would like to ask you; is there any connection between Soto Asa with Japan, and will we ever see you here?

SOTO ASA: My love for the East was born from an English teacher who was a Buddhist and taught me a lot. Unfortunately, over time I have deteriorated and am quite unfaithful to those teachings, much to my regret. A Tibetan on a private jet with Louis Vuitton. Other than that, I love Japan. My favourite car brands are Japanese; my favourite video games are Japanese; I love the respect people have for each other, the aesthetics and the LED lights…hehe.

Professionally it's complicated because my music (for obvious reasons) doesn't sound Japanese, but as soon as I can, I'll finally go there on vacation.

GATA: What do you like to do in your free time when you are not creating music?

SOTO ASA: I like having parties at home, driving around in my car, and playing video games. I’m a basic guy.

GATA: What are your plans for the future, or where would you like to be?

SOTO ASA: To reduce the consumption of bad things, make music at my own pace as I have been doing so far...quiet.

GATA: Are there any movies that have inspired you in your life or career as an artist?

SOTO ASA: “Metal Gear Solid”. Yeah, it's a videogame, but it comes from Japan and I was expecting a question about that! hehehehehehe

Thank you very much for the interview; I know that no one knows me there, but anything that brings me closer to Japan feels like magic.

ありがとう!!!!!

GATA: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!!!

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SPANISH URBAN BEATS MEETS VIDEO GAMES: An Interview With ソトアサ「SOTO ASA」