NAho
Based in Toyama Prefecture.
Drawn to earthy and culturally rich sounds, she cherishes the phrase “Records are culture.“
Centered on danceable world music, she regularly hosts the DJ party “COPPER DISCOTECA” in Hokuriku.
She also serves as a staff member for “SUKIYAKI MEETS THE WORLD,” one of Japan’s largest world music festivals, held for over 30 years in the rural landscapes of Nanto City, Toyama, every summer.
Drawn to earthy and culturally rich sounds, she cherishes the phrase “Records are culture.“
Centered on danceable world music, she regularly hosts the DJ party “COPPER DISCOTECA” in Hokuriku.
She also serves as a staff member for “SUKIYAKI MEETS THE WORLD,” one of Japan’s largest world music festivals, held for over 30 years in the rural landscapes of Nanto City, Toyama, every summer.
Artist Interview
What are your musical roots?
When it comes to world music, one of the biggest impressions on me was seeing UKANDANZ perform at SUKIYAKI.
Which artists or labels are you most excited about right now?
- 1.南米のクンビア・サルサを中心としたラテン音楽シーン / the Latin music scene centered around South American cumbia and salsaThere are simply too many great artists to single out just one!
- 2.Habibi Funk RecordsI always keep an eye on their releases. In addition to reissues and archival discoveries, they consistently put out excellent music by contemporary artists.
- 3.ACID ARABThis is probably my favorite label in the world of club music. They frequently collaborate with contemporary artists from the Middle East and neighboring regions, and following those connections always leads me to exciting new musical discoveries.
Toyama's Local Scene
What is happening in your local music scene right now?
Not in Toyama, these days, an impressive number of music bars have opened in downtown Kanazawa. Some people even say there are too many. But with so many new venues, I think it would be exciting if one of them became a good home for the world music parties that my friends and I organize.
What local spots would you recommend?
Listening Bar
bar monos— 高岡 / Takaoka
A music bar in Takaoka, Toyama. It has a carefully designed sound system, and every weekend guest selectors play music from a wide range of genres. Young local DJs also perform there, and it's steadily growing into a new gathering place for music lovers. I've watched the place since it first opened, so it holds a special place in my heart.
Record Shop
everyday records— 金沢 / Kanazawa
A record shop in Arimatsu, Kanazawa. If you're looking for new world music releases in the Hokuriku region, this is the place to go. The owner is also a DJ, so it's a popular meeting spot for fellow DJs, and it's a great place to hear about upcoming parties and events.
RECORD JUNGLE— 金沢 / Kanazawa
A legendary record shop in Kanazawa that hardly needs an introduction. It has an excellent selection of used records, especially Latin music, and I always enjoy reading the owner's handwritten recommendations. The prices are very reasonable too.
Café
cafe & music bar bom— 南砺 / Nanto
A café bar in Nanto, Toyama, and the closest place to my home with a DJ booth. In a sparsely populated area like this, it's an incredibly valuable space. They host not only DJ parties but also live performances, dance events, markets, and even rakugo shows. Since the owner is also a DJ, music is an essential part of almost every event. They put just as much care into the food and drinks as they do the music, and everything is wholesome and delicious. There's even accommodation upstairs, so after eating, drinking, and dancing, you can head straight to bed.
Label / Series
ANALOG AFRICA
They mainly focus on archival releases and reissues rather than contemporary music, but the sheer number of recordings they have, along with the incredibly detailed booklets that accompany them, is outstanding. It's packed with old music that's still amazingly cool.
Which local DJs/artists would you recommend?
I still haven't met a DJ in my home region of Toyama or nearby Kanazawa who has truly blown me away, but I have great respect for everyone who continues to build the music scene across Hokuriku in their own way. As my own activities continue to expand, I hope I'll one day encounter a DJ here who leaves a lasting impression on me.
Showcases
Artists from Toyama
shunhor (Y / Euphony)
A sonic storyteller and rhythm enthusiast, crafting euphoric rhythmic spaces that blend a sense of journey with sheer joy.
During his student years, he achieved national success as a conductor, igniting a passion for creating immersive atmospheres and shared narratives with diverse audiences, a pursuit to which he has since dedicated his life.
Since 2019, he has co-hosted Euphony with Kaoru Inoue, curating richly textured soundscapes at Aoyama ZERO every second Sunday of even months. From May 2021, for six months, he broadcasted a show under the same name on the UK’s WorldWideFM every second Monday of the month.
After 2020, he relocated his base of operations to Toyama Prefecture and launched the loosely-formed collective “Y”, focusing on creative activities across the Hokuriku region.
In 2021, he released his first remix dance track as a free download through SABI, a label led by Mamazu.
A sonic storyteller and rhythm enthusiast, crafting euphoric rhythmic spaces that blend a sense of journey with sheer joy.
During his student years, he achieved national success as a conductor, igniting a passion for creating immersive atmospheres and shared narratives with diverse audiences, a pursuit to which he has since dedicated his life.
Since 2019, he has co-hosted Euphony with Kaoru Inoue, curating richly textured soundscapes at Aoyama ZERO every second Sunday of even months. From May 2021, for six months, he broadcasted a show under the same name on the UK’s WorldWideFM every second Monday of the month.
After 2020, he relocated his base of operations to Toyama Prefecture and launched the loosely-formed collective “Y”, focusing on creative activities across the Hokuriku region.
In 2021, he released his first remix dance track as a free download through SABI, a label led by Mamazu.
shunhor (Y / Euphony)
A sonic storyteller and rhythm enthusiast, crafting euphoric rhythmic spaces that blend a sense of journey with sheer joy.
During his student years, he achieved national success as a conductor, igniting a passion for creating immersive atmospheres and shared narratives with diverse audiences, a pursuit to which he has since dedicated his life.
Since 2019, he has co-hosted Euphony with Kaoru Inoue, curating richly textured soundscapes at Aoyama ZERO every second Sunday of even months. From May 2021, for six months, he broadcasted a show under the same name on the UK’s WorldWideFM every second Monday of the month.
After 2020, he relocated his base of operations to Toyama Prefecture and launched the loosely-formed collective “Y”, focusing on creative activities across the Hokuriku region.
In 2021, he released his first remix dance track as a free download through SABI, a label led by Mamazu.
A sonic storyteller and rhythm enthusiast, crafting euphoric rhythmic spaces that blend a sense of journey with sheer joy.
During his student years, he achieved national success as a conductor, igniting a passion for creating immersive atmospheres and shared narratives with diverse audiences, a pursuit to which he has since dedicated his life.
Since 2019, he has co-hosted Euphony with Kaoru Inoue, curating richly textured soundscapes at Aoyama ZERO every second Sunday of even months. From May 2021, for six months, he broadcasted a show under the same name on the UK’s WorldWideFM every second Monday of the month.
After 2020, he relocated his base of operations to Toyama Prefecture and launched the loosely-formed collective “Y”, focusing on creative activities across the Hokuriku region.
In 2021, he released his first remix dance track as a free download through SABI, a label led by Mamazu.