Daichi: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

5 Minute Read

Music

From the coastline to the dance-floor.

Daichi’s ear was formed early. Weekends spent at Oppa-La in Enoshima absorbing whatever the room had to offer, left a mark that still runs through everything he does. From there the path naturally progressed, co-founding Vinyl Youth, a collective whose energy has carried through Korea and onto the stage at Rainbow Disco Club.

His productions tell a similar story. Edits and originals landing on MM Discos, Crue-L and Not an Animal, each release finding ears far beyond Japan.

This is music with a sense of place.

Listen below:

Ransom Note · Daichi: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you?
I’m Daichi, a DJ and producer based in Tokyo. By day, I’m a designer crafting digital experiences; by night, I transform into a seeker of sound, exploring the deeper realms of music.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us?
It’s like being at the bottom of the deep sea, yet somehow feeling the rustle of a forest and the vibration of distant lightning. It’s a bit surreal. If it were an old internet image, imagine a low-res, glitchy GIF of a 90s National Geographic deep-sea exploration.

Where was the mix recorded?
I recorded it at a house studio the morning after a party, sipping beers with some close friends.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?
Anywhere and everywhere. I’ll leave that entirely up to your mood.

What should we be wearing?
Whatever makes you feel like you. If you love what you’re wearing, that’s the best outfit. It’s more about your state of mind than the clothes themselves.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?
By a small stream tucked away in the Scandinavian mountains. The setup would be an Alpha Recording System—mixing the natural sounds of the water with the warmth of the speakers.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?
Bushwacka! – Every Dog Has Its Day (Drum Mix).

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?
RA.087 by JD Twitch (Optimo). It’s a masterpiece. I always go back to it whenever I need a dose of inspiration before I start producing.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?
Eden Burns. I have so much respect for both his musical sensibility and his personality. I think we’d have a lot of fun

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?
First: Two battered Vestax PDX-2000s I got from my father and an old, no-name 2-channel mixer.
Now: Two Technics SL-1200 MK3s, an E&S 2-channel rotary mixer, and two CDJs. I run everything through an MPC to give the final output that specific analog grit and punch.

What were the first and last records you bought?
First: Hmm…(7hous passed)
Last: The YAYA子 – My Dinner (Remix) 7-inch.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?
Something that’s tough to chew through at first, but then suddenly melts away in your mouth before you know it.

If it was an animal what would it be?
A nocturnal owl.

Upcoming in the world of Daichi…
I’m currently locked in the studio working on a new EP. For any gig updates, I’d love for people to check out my Instagram.

Anything else we need to discuss?
Thanks for having me! Supporting the Ransom Note Asia tour was a blast. Let’s definitely grab a glass of Mezcal when we cross paths somewhere in the world. Cheers!