-- It's been exactly a year since your last appearance, and this is your second time playing for AFTER HOURS SESSION. Last time, you played a Soul, Disco & Funk 45s set. What was the theme of today's set?
Today I brought soul, disco, and boogie 12-inch records, plus a couple of LPs.
-- Was there anything you consciously changed compared to your last set?
I wanted to bring a higher-energy vibe this time around. Last year's set was a little more mellow, but this time I leaned more toward mid-tempo and uptempo selections.
-- Among the records you played today, were there any tracks you were especially excited to play or particularly wanted to introduce to the audience?
There are quite a few, so I'll go through them one by one.
First up is Jackie Moore's "This Time Baby." It's one of my all-time favorite records, and I play it every time I DJ back home in Australia.
Next is "I Found Love In You" by Rhyze. I absolutely love this track, and I chose it as my closing record today. It's taken from the album Just How Sweet Is Your Love (1980), which also features songs written and produced by Paul Kyser and Leon Stuckey. There are even a few tracks mixed by Jim Burgess. It's a fantastic album from start to finish.
I also really wanted to play "(Xtra) Special" by Dõlette McDonald (1982). It was actually the second record I played today. Original 12-inch copies are quite rare and very expensive. The copy I played was a reissue from Backatcha Records in the UK, one of my favorite reissue labels. Everything they put out is incredible.
Then there's Black Ice (1982) by Black Ice. I can't remember which shop I found it in, but I picked it up during my last trip to Japan. Their other album with the blue cover, Black Ice (1977), is fairly well known, but I'd never come across this one before. I bought it out of curiosity and ended up discovering several great tracks on it. The one I played today was "Big Fun." I love the cover artwork, too.
Another favorite is "You Can't Keep Breaking My Heart" by Arlana (1982). It's an obscure boogie record that I really love. Finding an original copy isn't easy, especially one in good condition.
Lastly, I played "What You Do for Love" by Subway featuring Wave. It's a really fun boogie tune written by Lee Moore, originally released on the Ten Toes Up 12-inch (1982). Original copies are incredibly rare, so the version I played today was a reissue from Chicago's Past Due Records. They're another excellent label doing great reissue work.
So that was basically the concept behind today's set: a mix of rare singles, mostly reissues, along with a few original pressings.
-- In our last interview, you mentioned that regularly visiting Japan is a major source of inspiration for you. How many times have you visited Japan so far?
This is my eleventh visit. I've been here many times.
-- What is it about Japan that keeps drawing you back?
The people, the food, the culture, and the records. (laughs)
-- From your perspective as a DJ, what do you think about Japan's record culture and club scene?
What I love about Japan's record culture is how authentic it feels. There are so many people here who are genuinely passionate about records and sound. For a DJ, having a great sound system and the right equipment is essential to creating the best possible vibe, and I feel that kind of dedication to sound is deeply ingrained in the culture here.
When it comes to DJ culture, Japan is really on another level. The skill, the selection, the environment, and the vibes: it's hard to compare it to anywhere else in the world.
-- What's the record culture and club scene like in Melbourne these days? Are there any particularly popular genres or anything that makes the scene unique?
Record culture in Melbourne has been growing rapidly over the last couple of years. We have more record stores, and more bars and cafes dedicated to record culture and hi-fi culture. It has been so nice to see the inspiration from Japan's venues shift over to Melbourne in that sense. More venues are becoming vinyl-only spaces for DJs too.
Melbourne is such a diverse city and has an appreciation for every genre possible, which is beautiful. It allows DJs not to get stuck in one genre, and gives them more freedom to explore while still playing out and being included at different venues and spaces. The club scene will always remain a core part of the nightlife, so house, techno, UKG, and other dance music will always be popular.
-- Whether you're selecting records to play as a DJ or buying them as a listener, how important are original pressings to you?
Original pressings are only important to me when it comes to my absolute favorite music. However, I would always choose the original over the reissue. Sometimes my bank account doesn't allow for that, so the reissue has to suffice.
A significant chunk of my collection is used heavily for DJing, so I am okay with having reissues to take out and play, while keeping my original pressings for collecting purposes.
-- What do you find appealing about DJing with vinyl records?
I really love the challenge of DJing with vinyl. I love that the sound quality is better, and that it feels more authentic, going back to the roots of how it used to be.
Digging for records is also half of the fun, as I love the aspect of collecting records and owning physical media. You learn so much more about the music when you own the record, and there are so many records you find that you cannot find on digital platforms, which makes them even more special.
-- What kind of mindset is important to you as a DJ?
The most important mindset for me as a DJ is to stay curious. Listen to new genres, learn the history, dig for more records, and most importantly, have fun!
Serving the room and not your ego is good practice, along with being adaptable, prepared for any situation, and teaching people about music. Those things are equally important. The journey is never-ending, so it is best to stay humble.
-- What plans do you have for 2026?
In 2026, I hope to continue doing what I love: playing music out, hopefully with some extra-special gigs along the way, and perhaps another trip back to Japan. It is an honor and privilege to be able to continue with this craft.
-- Finally, how did you feel about playing at ELLA RECORDS again today?
It was the best. I love this place. I've been coming to ELLA RECORDS as a customer for a long time, so every time I'm in Tokyo, I make sure to stop by and buy some records. Being able to play here is always a lot of fun. Thanks so much for having me.
