TOHRU TAKAHASHI - 高橋透

Tohru Takahashi began DJing in 1977 and moved to New York in 1980, drawn by its club culture. There he experienced the golden age of gay disco culture and the early development of house music, while being deeply influenced by Larry Levan at Paradise Garage.

After returning to Japan, he became a central figure at clubs such as Tsubaki House, Tsubaki Ball, Club-D and later the legendary GOLD, where he served as main DJ and sound producer. Through GOLD, he helped introduce house and garage sounds to Japan and shaped one of the country’s most important club eras.

In 1999, he launched the party GODFATHER with Naohiro Ukawa and MOODMAN, which continued for more than 15 years as one of Japan’s most legendary and experimental underground dance music parties. His releases include SICK HOUSE, LEGGAE LOUNGE and GODFATHER 10th anniversary Vol.1 / deathcovery mix.

His autobiography DJ Baka Ichidai is widely regarded as an important document of Japanese dance music history. With more than four decades at the forefront of dance music, Tohru Takahashi remains a singular presence whose borderless selections and mixing continue to bring intensity and uplift to the dance floor.