STEFAN RINGER_TAKURO HIGUCHI/R We There Yet? EP/Dotei Records
R We There Yet? EPは地元Atlantaを拠点としながら、ワールドワイドに次世代のHouseシーンを牽引する存在となっているStefan Ringerと、レコードショップ道程の店主Takuro HiguchiによるスプリットEPです。2023年にStefanが初来日した際に出会い、2024年には国内の複数都市を回るツアーを行い、関係を深めてきました。Stefanが私の家に来た際に「機材は集めているけど、なかなか曲を完成させるところまでいけていない。」という私に対して「二人でスプリットを作ろうよ。」と提案してくれたことでこの企画はスタートしました。「挑戦してみるよ。(I’m gonna try)」と言った私に彼が放った一言「お前はただ挑戦するだけじゃない。実際にやりきるんだよ。(You are not just trying. You are doing it.)」その言葉に背中を押され、制作に取り掛かりました。本作のタイトルR We There Yet?はA2のRoad to Shizuokaの曲中で繰り返されるフレーズで、想定以上に時間がかかった八王子から静岡への道中での想いを、「私(あなた)は自身が目指すところへ辿りついているのか?歩みを進めているのか?」という、人生や日々の活動、そこにあるスピリチュアリティ―に問いかけるメッセージへと昇華したものになっています。場所、時間、それらを飛び越えた出会いをテーマとしたTaizo Watanabeのアートワークもお楽しみください。 R We There Yet? is a split EP by Stefan Ringer, a leading figure of the next generation house scene who is based in his hometown Atlanta while maintaining a truly global presence, and Takuro Higuchi, owner of the record store/record label Dotei Records. The two first met when Stefan visited Japan for the first time in 2023, and deepened their connection through a DJ tour across Japan in 2024. This project began when Stefan visited Takuro's home and Takuro confessed that he was making music, but struggling to finish a track. Stefan suggested that they produce a split EP, and when Takuro said, "I'll try" Stefan said “You are not just trying. You are doing it.” This was the fire that Takuro needed - encouraged by his words, Takuro began working on music again and finally finished two tracks. The title R We There Yet? comes from a phrase repeated in Stefan's track A2, Road to Shizuoka. It was inspired by the long, unexpectedly drawn-out drive Stefan and Takuro took while on tour from Hachioji to Shizuoka, and evolved into a broader reflection — Am I (or are you) really reaching the things we're striving for in life? Am I truly working hard to move forward? It’s a message that questions one’s journey, daily practice, and the spirituality that lies within. I hope you also enjoy Taizo Watanabe’s artwork, which beautifully captures the theme of encounters that transcend place and time.
R We There Yet? EP (DTR-009) Stefan Ringer, Takuro Higuchi