2000年にリリースされた「CLUB LOVELY-progress+transcend」(KSR) は日本人DJによる初のプログレッシヴハウスのMIX CDであり、シーンの幕開けを飾る作品として音楽誌からの絶賛を浴びる。2002年にはマイアミWMCでのPioneer/Bedrockのパーティに出演、Bedrock音源をミックスしたCD「Compiled and Mixed by DJ SAWA」(パイオニアLDC)をリリースするなど、日本におけるプログレッシヴハウスシーンの先駆者としての評価を確立する。
2004年からはShangri-La@ageHaのレジデントDJに就任、同時にアジアへの本格的進出を開始する。同年8月にはシンガポールで開催され8000人を動員したイベントNation.04に日本人DJとして初めて出演、同時にリリースされたMIX CD「Nation.04」(EMI) はシンガポールのHMVダンスチャートで初登場3位を記録した。その後も台北、香港、上海、バンコク、ソウル、ジャカルタ、ニュージーランドでプレイするほか、プーケットで開催されたNation.V、Nation 6に2年連続出演。またアジアを中心に展開されている衛星ミュージックチャンネルCHANNEL[V]に出演、インタビューとクアラルンプールでのプレイの模様が世界にオンエアされた。
現在はShangri- La@ageHaをはじめPANORAMA TOUR@amate-raxi、NO.228@大阪GRAND CafeのレジデントDJとしてプレイ、世界のグルーヴを知るリアル・パーティー・ピープルからの熱心な支持を得ている。最新作はMIX CD「Welcome to SHANGRI-LA Mixed by DJ SAWA」(ゲートレコーズ)。
E-MALE is Hideo Takashima’s VJ unit in collaboration with Chie and other members. In addition to VJ’ing at clubs and rock concerts, they also create visuals for films, screen displays, exhibitions, promotional videos, fashion shows and more. Formed in 1996, E-MALE creates “Music for Eyes”.
Since early childhood VJ eye has found her biggest inspiration to be music. At the ripe old age of 13 she had already found herself to be in a band, instinctively knowing how to perform with panache to a mass audience. Her talents become fully visualised after witnessing the unprecedented MTV culture of the 1980s and becoming inspired by the idea of using visual images to give new understandings to music.
After majoring in Media Art at one of Japan's most prestigious art schools, the Musashino Art University, VJ eye made her debut as a resident VJ at the legendary techno/house party CLUB VENUS, which had freshly been launced in Tokyo. As a debutante, she delivered a sound reactive video performance alongside celebrated DJ Derrick May. Since then, she has worked with renowned DJs from all over the world, including, but not limited to, Jeff Mills, Darren Emerson and Richie Hawtin.
In 1996, at Japan's biggest outdoor rave project, RAINBOW 2000, she worked the main stage with special guest DJ C.J. Bolland. As she has perfected the art of VJing, her unique and distinctive style of artwork choices have influenced not only other visual artists, but also graphic and commercial industries.
The same year, two new parties with the aim of 'featuring domestic DJs instead of relying on foreign faces' started - CROSS OVER and CLUB LOVELY - featuring her Pop & Cute, Dope & Futuristic visual images and original illustrations. As Japan's club scene acutely matured, both events evolved into giants that attract more than 1000 people at a time. It is needless to say that VJ eye's art direction, including the cute yet ironic mascots on flyers and original video work for projections, fostered the enormous success of the parties with a marketing strategy that had previously been unknown.
Ever popular, eye has been invited to numerous parties throughout the world, including events in Amsterdam, London and Shenzhen. Her original visual art, inspired by the Manga culture of her homeland, has received international acclaim, particularly in Europe. Armed with a creativity that knows no bounds, the VJ's interests have transgressed the video field to span those of information technology, animation and new media - to name just a few.
Recently, eye branched out into music production - a sure sign that, as a versatile creative force, she can easily transgress the existing rules and categories of art and media.
2000年VJデビュー。2003年クリエイティブユニット「MIDWARE」を結成。VJの他、フライヤーなどのアートワークや店舗映像、映画祭への映像提供などを手がける。都内最大級の集客を誇るゲイパーティー「RED」のレジデントVJ、アーティストの全国ツアーVJなど大型イベント出演を果たしている。2007年8月 ageHa @ Studio Coastでのラウンジ映像演出を最後にMIDWAREを脱退。同じく2007年9月、「LIFEKING」として新たに活動を開始し、今に至る。