WWF 2009: DJ Kentaro & Mark Pritchard aka Harmonic 313

DJ Kentaro

When it comes to his scratching techniques, the 2002 DMC world champion can only be described in superlatives. DJ Kentaro’s distinctive musical style pays homage to his cultural heritage (think taiko drumming and kabuki beats). After signing with the Ninja Tune label, Kentaro worked or toured with everyone from Spank Rock and The Pharcyde to Coldcut and fellow countrymen Hifana.

What are some of the other projects you have been working on outside of the music industry?

I’ve been working on fashion-related items, incense and an interior co-ordinating project entitled ‘End’ is currently in progress. I’ve collaborated with New Era Cap from the US to design a cap and my label Ninja Tune has collaborated with denim label Ijin Materials. I’m also working on an incense kit and glass art at the moment; visual, olfactory sense and hearing sense are the keys to my point.

What do you love the most about playing festivals?

Meeting different people, hearing different music, there are no rules and the possibilities are limitless. You always fi nd new things playing at festivals.

Mark Pritchard aka Harmonic 313

Pritchard’s first stint under the Harmonic pseudonym was in the early ’90s as Harmonic 33 – a collaboration with drum ’n’ bass DJ/producer Danny Breaks. Fast-forward to the new millennium – when he added the ‘1’ to his alias and began working as a solo artist – and a new wave of wonky hip-hop tracks from artists like Flying Lotus, Jay Dee and Madlib inspired Pritchard to re-create sounds using old synthesizers and laying it over tricky hip-hop bass lines.

What do you love the most about playing festivals?

Getting to see acts that I may not have heard of, also getting to play to crowds that don’t know what to expect of me. I’ve played festivals that have been done in great locations and it’s wicked to hear music in environments other than clubs.

What was your first record?

Shaft EP on Bassic Records from Leeds [West Yorkshire, England] in 1990.

DJ Kentaro and Mark Pritchard aka Harmonic 313 play at Worldwide Festival 2009 (9 May) at Café del Mar.

Check out Time Out Singapore's Worldwide Festival 2009 preview and DJ interviews.