There’s something special about unexpectedly discovering an incredible DJ on SoundCloud, and finding Ume was exactly that kind of moment.
Starting out as a reggae selector in his hometown of Osaka, he expanded his sound throughout the years with several travels across Jamaica, Australia, and Southeast Asia. A turning point came when he stumbled upon Ho Chi Minh City’s The Observatory, where he immersed himself in the club’s eclectic scene and soon became a regular behind the decks. In Vietnam, he made his mark by launching the After the After parties and founding Mogra Radio, a platform showcasing DJs from across Asia. Now based in the Japanese countryside, he continues to refine his sound while setting his sights on organizing more parties in the future.
Inspired by his encounters with different cultures, Ume’s sets flow seamlessly, blending tribal grooves, dub-inflected rhythms, and organic textures, always attuned to the energy of the moment. His mix for us is a perfect showcase of this approach: the pace may be unhurried, but the groove never wavers—this is music that keeps the mind and the body engaged, whether on the dancefloor or in deep introspection.
Can you tell us about your personal journey with electronic music and DJing?
My musical roots are in black music. Initially, I started my career as a reggae selector in my hometown Osaka. I then traveled to Jamaica, Australia, and Southeast Asia before settling in Vietnam.
There is an established club called The Observatory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where I started going to every weekend after I discovered it. There were international and local DJs playing every week, and I learned a lot about the quality of play and sound. It was a great experience for me in terms of my DJ career.
Then one day, the owner asked me if I wanted to try DJing there. I produced a mix and submitted it to the owner, who gave me the go-ahead, and gradually I started playing dance music there as well. I still remember how nervous I was the first time I played there. After that, I started playing at festivals and raves in Vietnam, and my musical journey became more and more intense.
Who/What have been some of your main influences over the years, and had a big impact on you as an artist?
In terms of DJs, I first heard a Japanese guy, Shhhhh, playing in Vietnam, and it was an experience that words cannot describe. I remember listening to his mixes as soon as I got home from the party. I feel like that initial reaction is still going on today.
How would you describe your approach to DJing, and what draws you to the type of sound you play in your sets?
I place a great importance on imagining. I prepare a setlist for each performance, and visualize the performance on the spot, such as where to peak.
However, the actual performance rarely goes exactly as I envisioned it or as the setlist suggests, and I usually have to read the mood of the venue and crowd and change course if needed or go to plan B (I think this is the fun part of DJing).
However, I try to lift my spirits by being prepared before entering the DJ booth. Most of the music I play is tribal or organic quality tracks, and I try to keep the groove going so that I can keep my feet on the floor the whole time. I always think about mix points, development, and track selection so that I can gradually create my own atmosphere at the scene.
Can you tell us about Mogra Radio, the music platform that you founded during your time in Vietnam?
I started Mogra Radio as a platform for DJ mixes with a group of friends that I naturally gathered while DJing in Vietnam. This started with the concept of sharing the mixes of great local Vietnamese DJs with the world during the global pandemic. Now we are releasing mixes of DJs from all over Asia on a regular basis. I have organized ambient parties in art galleries and block parties under the auspices of Mogra Radio. I’m also hosting a party in Japan this April.
What are your next projects, and what are you looking forward to in the near future?
Now my family and I have moved to the countryside of Japan, and of course there are still people who love music and partying there, but they all have a slightly different approach to organizing parties than in the city, which is very inspiring. I like the vibe of creating a party from scratch, rather than just having a new venue and DJ booth. I would like to do something like that with my friends in the future.
Finally, what can you tell us about the mix you recorded for us?
I’ve always wanted to do this mix, and I think I finally got it right. There are a lot of slow melodies, but even if you listen to it while sitting down, some parts of your body will respond on its own.
I incorporated acid and dubby elements with tribal percussion at the core. It’s still hard to put it in words, so it would be great if you could feel it when you listen to it.