Technique Records Japan was a record store that specialized in techno, house, disco, and other genres of dance music. It started as an online shop in 1994 and opened its first physical store in Shibuya in 1998. It was one of the most influential and respected record stores in Japan and abroad, attracting many top DJs, music enthusiasts, and vinyl collectors. However, due to the decline of the record industry and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Technique closed its doors in July 2022 after nearly 30 years of operation. This essay will provide an overview of Technique’s history, the reasons for its closure, and the new project launched by its former staff.
Technique’s History and Relocation
Technique was founded by Masahiro Tsuchiya, a former DJ and music producer who wanted to create a platform for dance music lovers to discover and enjoy new sounds. He started selling records online in 1994, mainly importing techno and house records from Europe and the US. He soon gained a loyal customer base and a reputation for his excellent selection and service.
In 1998, he decided to open a physical store in Shibuya, the center of Tokyo’s club culture. The store was located on the second floor of a building near Shibuya Station, and had a simple and minimal design. The store had a large collection of records, CDs, DVDs, books, magazines, and merchandise related to dance music. It also had listening stations where customers could preview the records before buying them.
Technique became a hub for the dance music community in Japan and beyond. It hosted regular events such as DJ workshops, live performances, record fairs, and parties. It also collaborated with various artists, labels, clubs, festivals, and media outlets to promote dance music culture. Some of the famous DJs who visited or played at Technique include Richie Hawtin, Jeff Mills, Laurent Garnier, Carl Craig, Derrick May, Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Sven Väth, Ricardo Villalobos, Luciano, Dixon, Âme, Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann, Nina Kraviz, Maceo Plex, Tale Of Us, and many more.
In 2017, Technique relocated to a larger space on the sixth floor of Shibuya Parco Part 11, a shopping complex that also housed other music-related shops such as Supper Dommune (a live streaming studio), Quattro Labo (a music cafe and bar), Union Record (a record store operated by Disk Union), and Wave (a record store that focused on experimental electronic music). The new store had more room for records and events, as well as a better sound system and lighting.
Technique’s Closure
Despite its popularity and success, Technique faced many challenges in the record industry. The rise of digital music platforms such as streaming services and downloads reduced the demand for physical records. The cost of importing records from overseas also increased due to the exchange rate and shipping fees. The competition from other online and offline record stores also intensified.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to Technique and the entire dance music scene. The lockdown measures imposed by the government forced Technique to close its store temporarily or operate with reduced hours. The social distancing guidelines also prevented Technique from holding events or inviting customers to listen to records in the store. The loss of income and customers made it difficult for Technique to pay its rent and staff salaries.
In July 20222, Technique announced that it would close its store permanently due to bankruptcy. The news shocked and saddened many fans and supporters of Technique around the world. Many people expressed their gratitude and appreciation for Technique’s contribution to dance music culture on social media. Some people also organized farewell parties or tributes for Technique at various venues.
The New Project by Former Staff
However, not all hope was lost for Technique’s legacy. Some of the former staff members decided to launch a new project to continue providing quality dance music to their customers. They set up a crowdfunding campaign on Campfire3, a platform for creative projects, with the title “We want to revive the bankrupt techno music shop [Technique]”. The campaign aimed to raise funds to start a new online record store that would inherit Technique’s sourcing routes and know-how.
The campaign explained that they were not taking over Technique’s business or having any direct connection with it. They were simply trying to keep alive the spirit and passion of Technique by offering similar products and services. The new online store would not have a physical location but would focus on online sales. The campaign offered various rewards for backers such as free shipping, discounts, original stickers, etc.
The campaign was successful in reaching its goal within a week thanks to the support of many donors who wanted to see Technique’s revival. The former staff members then launched their new online store called T.E.Q3, which stands for Techno, Electronic, and Quality. The store sells new and used records of various genres of dance music, as well as CDs, DVDs, books, magazines, and merchandise. The store also updates its stock regularly and posts reviews and recommendations on its website and social media.
T.E.Q has received positive feedback from its customers who are happy to see Technique’s successor. The store has also sold out many of its records quickly, indicating a strong demand for its products. The former staff members hope to continue serving the dance music community with their new project and keep the flame of Technique burning.
Conclusion
Technique Records Japan was a record store that played a significant role in the development and dissemination of dance music culture in Japan and abroad. It offered a wide range of records and other media related to dance music, as well as hosting events and collaborations with various artists and organizations. It was loved and respected by many DJs, music fans, and vinyl collectors who visited or shopped at Technique.
However, Technique had to close its store in 2022 due to the decline of the record industry and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of Technique was a loss for the dance music scene and a sad moment for many people who had a connection with Technique. However, some of the former staff members decided to launch a new project to revive Technique’s spirit and passion. They started a new online record store called T.E.Q that sells similar products and services as Technique. They also received support from many donors who wanted to see Technique’s revival.
Technique Records Japan was more than just a record store. It was a place where people could discover and enjoy new sounds, share their love and knowledge of music, and connect with each other. It was a place where dance music culture was created and celebrated. It was a place that left a lasting impression on many people’s lives. Technique may be gone, but its legacy lives on through T.E.Q and its customers.