Mori Ra
A devoted discaholic and discerning record digger, Mori Ra operates from Osaka, channeling years of experience in TV and radio recording studios into his distinctive open-reel editing skills and deep production knowledge.
His DJ and edit work bridges the underground and the global, with performances and vinyl releases across Europe, the United States, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, and beyond, earning widespread acclaim for his unique sound and approach.
His DJ and edit work bridges the underground and the global, with performances and vinyl releases across Europe, the United States, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan, and beyond, earning widespread acclaim for his unique sound and approach.
Artist Interview
What are your musical roots?
I started out immersed in UK punk, new wave, US alternative rock, noise, and sound art. While at university, I discovered German New Wave and became deeply fascinated by synthesizers, which led me to explore Krautrock, contemporary classical music, library music, dub, spiritual jazz, and many other genres.
Later, I was profoundly influenced by the mixes of Daniele Baldelli and began DJing myself. His ability to dissolve the boundaries between genres had a lasting impact on me and ultimately shaped the style I pursue today as Mori Ra.
Later, I was profoundly influenced by the mixes of Daniele Baldelli and began DJing myself. His ability to dissolve the boundaries between genres had a lasting impact on me and ultimately shaped the style I pursue today as Mori Ra.
Which artists or labels are you most excited about right now?
- 1.プロト・エレクトロニクス、プロト・ハウス、プロト・テクノ、プロト・トランス / Proto-electronics, proto-house, proto-techno, and proto-tranceI'm drawn to the instability and sense of incompleteness that existed before these styles became clearly defined genres.
- 2.無名のLibrary Musicや環境音楽 / Obscure library music and environmental musicI'm interested in music that feels unfinished, ambiguous, or detached from any obvious purpose.
- 3.地方の自主制作盤や無名作品 / Private-press records and lesser-known releases from regional scenesI’m attracted to sounds that carry slightly off-center emotions, traces of everyday life, and the atmosphere of a particular time and place.
Osaka's Local Scene
What is happening in your local music scene right now?
I'm not as active in the club scene as I used to be, but places like Teranoma and flo remain important to me.
Osaka has long had a strong culture of crossing genre boundaries. What makes the city interesting is that music exists not only in clubs, but also in record shops, private homes, small bars, and other spaces connected to everyday life.
Rather than a single major movement, it feels like a network of small communities that continue to stay loosely connected.
Osaka has long had a strong culture of crossing genre boundaries. What makes the city interesting is that music exists not only in clubs, but also in record shops, private homes, small bars, and other spaces connected to everyday life.
Rather than a single major movement, it feels like a network of small communities that continue to stay loosely connected.
What local spots would you recommend?
Listening Bar
自宅のリスニング環境 / My home listening space— 大阪 / Osaka
It's not a bar, but I use Goka Sound Lab omnidirectional speakers and a Urei 1620 mixer. Rather than precise stereo imaging, I prefer sound that naturally fills the entire room. I value the feeling of music blending seamlessly into everyday life.
Roy Comanchero宅 / Roy Comanchero's house— 大阪 / Osaka
A unique space featuring Altec speakers and a McIntosh amplifier installed in a traditional earthen-floored room. We often gather there for informal parties with friends. I love the way music, conversation, and daily life naturally merge together in that environment.
Record Shop
RECORD SHOP rare groove— 心斎橋 / Shinsaibashi
A genre-fluid record shop carrying everything from new wave, cosmic, and Japanese music to environmental music, proto-house, and new age.
It's run by my longtime friend Norio. Rather than focusing on trends or rare records, it's a place where you can encounter music through a uniquely personal perspective.
It's run by my longtime friend Norio. Rather than focusing on trends or rare records, it's a place where you can encounter music through a uniquely personal perspective.
Newtone Records— 心斎橋 / Shinsaibashi
Another record shop that I've been visiting for many years.
While rooted in dance music, it also introduces ambient music, experimental works, and reissues from a wide range of styles.
It has given me countless opportunities to discover new music and has had a major influence on both my own activities and record collecting.
While rooted in dance music, it also introduces ambient music, experimental works, and reissues from a wide range of styles.
It has given me countless opportunities to discover new music and has had a major influence on both my own activities and record collecting.
Label / Series
Forest Jams
Although it's not based in Osaka, I'd like to mention a label run by my friend Sam. I've contributed both releases and artwork to the label.
Last year, while he was staying at my house, I played him a CD that eventually led to a series of vinyl reissues, including Nami Hodatsu's Ultra Hyper Cosmic Voice, Chito Kawachi's Chitotihc / Kula-Kura, and E.S. Island's Southwind from Hachijo.
It seems they're also planning a compilation release with California-based Smiling C this year, so I'm excited to see what comes next.
What resonates with me is the way they recontextualize music not through genre, but through atmosphere and a sense of subtle displacement.
Last year, while he was staying at my house, I played him a CD that eventually led to a series of vinyl reissues, including Nami Hodatsu's Ultra Hyper Cosmic Voice, Chito Kawachi's Chitotihc / Kula-Kura, and E.S. Island's Southwind from Hachijo.
It seems they're also planning a compilation release with California-based Smiling C this year, so I'm excited to see what comes next.
What resonates with me is the way they recontextualize music not through genre, but through atmosphere and a sense of subtle displacement.
Which local DJs/artists would you recommend?
EYE (Boredoms)
eye.boredomsFrom my teens until around the age of thirty, I played drums in bands, and during that time I was deeply influenced by Boredoms and the work of EYE.
His ongoing pursuit of a unique form of expression across noise, experimental music, rock, and art continues to inspire me today.
I consider him one of the most important musicians to have emerged from Osaka.
His ongoing pursuit of a unique form of expression across noise, experimental music, rock, and art continues to inspire me today.
I consider him one of the most important musicians to have emerged from Osaka.
Showcases
Artists from Osaka
A sound artist who explores the infinite possibilities of sound to create new sonic landscapes. Her work extends well be
Based in Osaka and performing in Tokyo and across Japan, YAMA is highly regarded for her ability to lock in the floor wi
A music composer and DJ from Hyogo, Japan. Beginning his career as a DJ and manipulator in a band, Lhinen has explored d
A sound creator and producer based in Osaka. By combining and repeating sounds and noises collected through field record
Chie Otomi is an electronic musician based in Osaka. Albums have been released on the ambient and experimental label Muz
A sound artist who explores the infinite possibilities of sound to create new sonic landscapes. Her work extends well be
Based in Osaka and performing in Tokyo and across Japan, YAMA is highly regarded for her ability to lock in the floor wi
A music composer and DJ from Hyogo, Japan. Beginning his career as a DJ and manipulator in a band, Lhinen has explored d
A sound creator and producer based in Osaka. By combining and repeating sounds and noises collected through field record
Chie Otomi is an electronic musician based in Osaka. Albums have been released on the ambient and experimental label Muz
Born and raised in Osaka in 1982. With Black Music as his entry point, he has cultivated a rich and versatile play style