Mills.
Born in 2001. Began DJing and organizing events in January 2024.
Builds his sets primarily around techno, footwork, and ambient, guided by physical sensation.
Currently organizes the world-music party MINGLE, based on the concept of "traveling the world through music."
Builds his sets primarily around techno, footwork, and ambient, guided by physical sensation.
Currently organizes the world-music party MINGLE, based on the concept of "traveling the world through music."
Artist Interview
What are your musical roots?
My earliest memory of being struck by music goes back to a Kracie TV commercial jingle, "Hamigaki Gum no Uta," and Chopin's "Black Keys." Growing up, I was exposed to the electone, piano, o-hayashi festival music, marching band, and street dance, and I've always been drawn to dynamic swings and stimulation, regardless of genre.
In elementary and middle school, behind my parents' backs, I listened a lot to classical music, Vocaloid, EDM, footwork, Sakanaction, the High School Rap Championship, Fujifabric, and early-2010s K-pop.
In elementary and middle school, behind my parents' backs, I listened a lot to classical music, Vocaloid, EDM, footwork, Sakanaction, the High School Rap Championship, Fujifabric, and early-2010s K-pop.
Which artists or labels are you most excited about right now?
- 1.15 15I was blown away by a style that stands completely on its own within Tahitian electronic music, something truly experimental. I make sure to check out every new release.
- Generally speaking, I listen without sticking too closely to particular artists or labels.
Tokyo's Local Scene
What is happening in your local music scene right now?
I've only been going out to listen to music for about three years myself, so I can't really speak to the bigger picture over time, but lately I find myself drawn to events that are avant-garde and built around a strong concept. Many of them shape the experience around more than just the music itself, and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of movements emerge from here.
What local spots would you recommend?
Listening Bar
神楽音 / Kagurane— 神楽坂 / Kagurazaka
I'm not sure whether this counts as a listening bar, but it's the only one I frequent. An alternative space with its own distinct identity. The sound quality here is a real point of pride, and you can lose yourself completely in the low end. On the main floor, the sound is so good it could cure a headache, and on days it runs as a bar, there's a pleasant ease to how the conversation flows. I love this place for its neighborhood atmosphere and how safe it feels, too.
I recently moved to Kanagawa, so I'd like to start exploring spots along the Odakyu Line.
I recently moved to Kanagawa, so I'd like to start exploring spots along the Odakyu Line.
Record Shop
I try to avoid record shops these days, because I always end up wanting everything...
Café
Marked— 渋谷 / Shibuya
It's near my old school, and I used to go there often whenever I needed to knock out some quick work in a spare moment. It's a café that's relatively uncrowded for Shibuya, so you can almost always get a seat right away. I always order the moshio (seaweed salt) caramel ice cream, without fail.
Label / Series
nuuma
It's a precious place where I get to encounter music and cultures from around the world that I'd otherwise never come across. Thank you for the constant new discoveries.
Which local DJs/artists would you recommend?
scrab
sscrabbbIn Ray
inray_jpAsakura Tsukue
asakuratskaranaki
karanaki_kThese are the people who gave me the push to start DJing, and who have had a huge influence on me since I began. They completely changed the way I listen to music.
Showcases
Artists from Tokyo
The cosmos, human life, the act of living, history. And parties and gatherings as their manifestation in the spirit of B
Played in a band during the 2000s. Started DJing around 2015. Since late 2023, has been a regular DJ at Ponpoko Mountain
Yumi Iwaki is a Tokyo-based electronic sound artist. Her work traces immersive soundscapes that feel like drifting throu
akii is a Tokyo-based DJ and selector. Moving fluidly between Roots Dub, Steppers, Dub Techno, Experimental Bass, and Am
L?K?O is a singular artist who fuses the ritual instinct of a club DJ with the experimental spirit of a turntablist, cre
The cosmos, human life, the act of living, history. And parties and gatherings as their manifestation in the spirit of B
Played in a band during the 2000s. Started DJing around 2015. Since late 2023, has been a regular DJ at Ponpoko Mountain
Yumi Iwaki is a Tokyo-based electronic sound artist. Her work traces immersive soundscapes that feel like drifting throu
akii is a Tokyo-based DJ and selector. Moving fluidly between Roots Dub, Steppers, Dub Techno, Experimental Bass, and Am
L?K?O is a singular artist who fuses the ritual instinct of a club DJ with the experimental spirit of a turntablist, cre
Born in 1992, she began DJing in March 2019 at ZUBAR in Shibuya, Tokyo. Her play style is rooted in world music, while f