- This AFTER HOURS SESSION is a special collaboration between TSUBAKI fm and Higo Beat. How did you feel about playing through the speakers by Higo Beat, the independent audio brand from Kumamoto, Japan?
They are amazing. I love these speakers so much. I especially like that they have a wooden exterior—you can really feel that quality. Of course, wood also makes the sound warmer and richer. Playing on these speakers and hearing the music come through them was an absolute pleasure.
- Could you tell us about the theme or concept behind this DJ set?
Since we recorded today’s DJ set in the morning, I aimed for a morning vibe. I wanted to play music full of positive energy that makes you feel happy and sets a good tone for the day.
- Out of the tracks you played today, were there any songs you especially wanted to play or share with everyone? Could you tell us about a few of them?
Oh, yes, of course—there are a few.
First, there’s a long dub version of a cover of “Walk On By.” This version is by a band called Motion, which was started by George Oban, the bassist from the British reggae band Aswad. I found it at a record store in London called Decca Records, which has an excellent selection of reggae. It’s a very rare record, so it was quite expensive, but that’s okay—this is my work, and it’s my life.
Next, there’s a samba track “Na Biaxa do Sapateiro” by an artist called Wando. There’s a coffee shop right next to Ella Records called Legal Coffee, run by a Brazilian guy. Before I started DJing, I went next door to get a coffee and had a chat with him. He’s from São Paulo, and that conversation reminded me of this record, which I actually bought in São Paulo. So I wanted to include it in today’s set.
I also brought along a bunch of 7-inch records and played a few of them. One in particular I just picked up on this tour—right now I’m doing a DJ tour through Asia. It’s a Thai record, though I don’t know the artist because it’s all written in Thai, and the title is “Ding Dong.” I bought it at a record store in Bangkok.
This one is really cool. It’s “Doctor Jackyll And Mister Funk” by Jackie McLean. I picked up this 7-inch at a record store in New York called Blue Sun. I hadn’t heard of the artist before, but I always love playing this track in the club or in a DJ set because it gets people dancing.
- Your set featured quite a bit of reggae and Latin American music. Do you have a special connection to those genres?
Yes, I have a special attachment to both. In general, I love all kinds of music. I feel that if you truly love music, you should listen with an open mind and appreciate all the different styles. That said, Latin and reggae are two genres I’m particularly interested in, and my record collection includes a lot of music from those styles.
- Do you approach things differently when you’re creating music as an artist versus when you’re DJing?
I’d say there’s a clear difference between making music and DJing. For me, they require completely different mindsets. The biggest difference is that when I’m creating my own music, I’m sharing something very personal, and the creative process itself can be quite challenging. When I’m DJing, on the other hand, I’m playing other people’s music, and I focus a lot on the setting. For example, if I’m playing in a nightclub and people are dancing, I want to make sure they feel good, have fun, and move to the music. But on the radio, there’s much more freedom—you don’t have to stick to dance-oriented tracks. As a DJ, I also love collecting music from all over the world while traveling. I enjoy visiting record stores in different cities and talking to local people to learn about their music scenes.
- You’ve visited Japan many times now. What are your impressions of Japan?
I’ve been to Japan around six or seven times now, and my first visit was in 2008 or 2009. Since then, I’ve been coming back over the years, and it has become one of my favorite countries to visit. I find the culture here truly fascinating. Even if you only come to Tokyo, it’s such a huge city with so much to explore. Every time I discover something new and meet new people, and I really appreciate those experiences.
- How did you feel about playing at ELLA RECORDS today?
As soon as I walked into the shop, I was really surprised—it’s just so beautiful inside. I love the old wooden beams and the natural, warm atmosphere of the place. Even though the shop is small, the record selection is incredible. It’s truly a beautiful spot, and I don’t know any record stores in London that have this kind of vibe. I really appreciate everyone for inviting me to play here—it was such a fun experience.
- Besides your music activities, what stimulates your creativity?
I love reading poetry, being in nature, walking around the city, hanging out with friends - all of that helps my creativity. I also love doing exercise like swimming or Karate because that helps my brain to work better on creative things too.
- In your opinion, what kind of mindset is necessary to build a worldwide career as a musician like yourself?
You have to be very strong and determined and disciplined. You need to be persistent and serious about your work. It's important to be true to yourself and not to try and be someone else. And never give up!
- What plans do you have for 2026?
Nearly finished my next album so I'm hoping that can be released later in 2026 and maybe it will lead to a whole new chapter of my life! I can't wait to tour again with my band and perform for all the fans. I hope they'll love the new music! I'm excited about it.
