- Could you share the thoughts and ideas behind this mix?
This mix for Ella Records is my tribute to the incredible warmth and generosity I experienced during my Japan tour. I connected deeply with so many wonderful, thoughtful people who shared my passion for music, and being surrounded by like-minded music lovers was truly special. The trip was profoundly grounding. DJs throughout Japan gifted me records that offered unique insights into the country's thriving music culture - perspectives you'd never get as a typical tourist. This mix pays homage to those generous people while staying true to my energetic, uplifting style.
Though some tracks couldn't be included due to copyright restrictions, I hope this mix still captures my love and appreciation for Japan and the amazing people I met there. You inspired me to dig even deeper and find new records that I would have never found otherwise!
Special thanks to: Dazzle Drums, Nyoro, Cambelsan, K-SUKE, Takanori Anai & Yosuke Tominaga
- Can you tell us about your approach to creating mixes?
My approach to each mix varies, but the soulful element of music is the backbone to my sets. I always stick to music that I find genuinely uplifting - if these rhythms lift me up, my goal is to create that same feeling for listeners. It's an exchange of energy.
This energy exchange on the dance floor is everything to me. When I'm behind the decks, I'm constantly trying to pass that uplifting feeling to the crowd in front of me. There's this beautiful moment when you can feel the music connecting with people - their bodies start moving, faces light up, and suddenly they're giving that same energy right back to you. It becomes this circular motion where the crowd feeds my energy, which in turn makes me dig deeper into the music, which lifts them even higher. It's magical when it happens.
I'm drawn to tracks with funky solos or beautiful vocals - that's the music that speaks to me most. My sets are heavily influenced by live performance elements, so I lean toward a live band sound over pure electronic music, though this can shift depending on the set. Sometimes I'll go more house-focused, but I always maintain those soulful and jazzy elements throughout the mix, even when there's a strong bassline driving things forward.
- What methods do you prefer when searching for new music? Do you still enjoy browsing for music in record stores, or have you come to prefer online purchases?
I find new music primarily in record shops because the selection is unmatched by any online platform. Most second-hand shops stock carefully maintained collections from DJs and music lovers, with records often hand-selected by knowledgeable staff - something you simply can't replicate while browsing online. Over the years, I've discovered incredible records through digging that aren't even available digitally, which makes them truly special.
Record shops are vital spaces that need protecting. They're places where you can learn about music by listening through a stack of records you've picked out, or getting recommendations from passionate staff members. It's an experience that goes far beyond anything online can offer, and it pulls you away from your phone - something increasingly important in today's world.
During COVID-19, when most shops were closed, I spent considerable time on Discogs. I'd search for record shops I loved visiting and browse their digital catalogues, which felt wonderfully nostalgic - like experiencing those special collections when I couldn't physically visit stores. Now I sometimes use Discogs when seeking inspiration, searching shops like Ella Records that I can't visit as often from the UK. It's perfect for finding new music when preparing for gigs.
Even after the pandemic ended, I continued exploring record shop catalogues on Discogs during a period when I wasn't traveling much. That's how I discovered Vinyl Delivery Service in London - a truly special shop I now visit religiously whenever I'm in London for gigs. I'm eternally grateful to the VDS team, especially Rintaro-san, who is the mastermind behind the record shop that introduced me to an incredible range of Japanese music that I hold close to my heart. That discovery sparked my journey into Japanese music digging, and I can't wait to see what records I'll find next.
Special thanks to: VDS London Team, Rintaro Sekizuka, Scott Pelloux, Kay Suzuki, Taniya Hashimoto, Shin (DJ Himitsu) & Will Tsukuda.
- Besides DJing, what stimulates your creativity?
I'm constantly inspired by the artists around me, and I make it a point to surround myself with them whenever possible. My friend group is mostly creatives - DJs, actors, painters, photographers - and we connect on an incredible level, collaborating and pushing each other to be more creative every day. It's a truly special community.
This creative foundation started early. My family is deeply artistic: my father is a photographer, my mother a ceramist and painter, and my brother an interdisciplinary artist. I feel extremely lucky to have their unconditional support - they constantly encourage me to follow my dreams and develop my craft. I wouldn't be who I am today without their understanding and encouragement. Creativity genuinely flows through my blood.
When I'm not DJing, I love photography, particularly capturing moments during live performances. This passion started when I began bringing my point-and-shoot camera to gigs for personal enjoyment. I was surprised by how much fun it was and how it made me appreciate these events from a completely different perspective. My camera never leaves my side now - I take it everywhere.
Nature is equally vital to my creativity. Being surrounded by the natural world allows me to reset completely. When I take walks in the forest, I feel utterly relaxed, and many of my best ideas come to me when I'm surrounded by rivers and trees. That connection with nature has become an essential part of my creative process
Special thanks to: Aneta, Marek & Kuba Pieta, Faye Bennet, Cyril Sam, Geraldine Sawyer & Jasper Cheng.
- Do you have any advice for those looking to start a career as a DJ?
Find music that makes you feel good, the rest will fall into place. My advice to people starting their DJ career would be to go into a record store and buy a few records - don't overthink it, just choose what genuinely moves you. Then try to formulate a set with those records you've bought. This simple exercise will teach you more about DJing than any tutorial ever could.
Selection is absolutely key. The technical skills - beatmatching, EQing, effects - you can learn along the way through practice and experimentation. But what truly makes a great DJ, in my opinion, is their ability to pick tracks that work beautifully one after another. It's about understanding flow, reading energy, and creating a journey that feels natural and compelling. Anyone can learn to press buttons, but not everyone has an innate sense of musical storytelling.
The most important thing is to enjoy the process. Connect deeply with the music you're playing - if you don't feel it, your audience won't either. There's so much noise in the industry about what you should play, what's trendy, or what will get you bookings. Ignore all of that. Focus on developing your own voice and taste. The authenticity of playing music you genuinely love will always shine through, and that's what people will remember and connect with.
Trust your instincts, be patient with yourself, and remember that becoming a great DJ is a journey, not a destination.
- What plans do you have for 2025?
2025 is shaping up to be a massive year for me! I've just returned from an incredible Japan tour and I'm diving straight back into an exciting lineup of shows and projects.
Last Thursday, I brought my good friends Kei & Nagi (Dazzle Drums) to Sheffield's beautiful Factory Floor venue. We had an amazing time playing our favorite records on the renowned Apricot Ballroom sound system. I feel incredibly grateful to perform with this inspiring Tokyo duo once again - they continue to be a huge inspiration for me.
I'm really looking forward to playing at Brilliant Corners on June 23rd as part of the launch for Alina Bzhezhinska's new album "Whispers of Rain," which will be released on Tru Thoughts on July 11th. I've been a huge fan of both Alina's work and the Tru Thoughts label since I started DJing, so being invited to play at this special event is a real honor.
I'm also delighted to announce that I'll be performing at Love Supreme Festival - a festival I've dreamed of playing at for years. This wouldn't be possible without the support of Tim Garcia and Tina Edwards from Resonate Music, who trusted me to open one of the stages this year.
Beyond these shows, I'll be busy with various other gigs while developing my Manchester party Uplift Your Soul, which I run with my good friend Joe Lo:Fi. We've hosted two successful events featuring fantastic guests like Dazzle Drums and Janina Marie, and we're excited to expand further, spreading more love for music and positivity on the dance floor.
Finally, I've just started a new role as booker for Rainy Heart, a creative space in central Manchester that encourages experimentation through incredible DJs, listening sessions, film screenings, live gigs and much more! I am thrilled to enter this new role with an energetic approach and work with the wonderful Ruf Dug (NTS), Dan Hope and Fay Carlos Brown to deliver refreshing, musically cultivating events to Manchester’s music scene. It’s going amazingly so far and I cannot wait to see what the future brings!
With all these exciting projects and collaborations on the horizon, I feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such talented, supportive people who share my passion for music. 2025 is already proving to be a year of growth, creativity, and unforgettable musical moments.
